Page 70 of My Brother's Forbidden Friend

“Now, you can pay me back by coming somewhere with me tomorrow.”

“Okaaay,” I say, unsure where he wants to take me. “But first, I’ll help you clean your boat.”

We leave my boat and head to his.

“And we keep this to ourselves?”

He laughs and puts his arm around my shoulders. “I wouldn’t ruin your tough-ass reputation. You earned that fair and square. Like I said, what happened could’ve happened to anyone.”

“I’m not so sure. Sometimes I think I picked the wrong field to be in.”

He stops and turns to me, putting his hands on my shoulders. “Do you love it?”

I nod.

“Like you can’t imagine doing anything else?”

“For the most part. I love being able to work outdoors and being with different people every day. It’s only times like tonight…”

He shakes his head. “Then you keep doing it and love it. Cases like this are rare, and you can call me anytime. I’ll always come.” He dips his head to my eye level. “And you’ll never hear me tell you I told you so. Ever.”

I nod, and he seems satisfied as he strides off toward his boat.

My heart thumps, and a feeling I haven’t felt in so long washes over me. That crush is transforming into love. I’m sliding down a hill, and I can’t gain traction as I fall head over heels in love with Cam. I just hope I’m not on my way to heartbreak along with it.

21

“FOOLS.”

Cam

Chevelle didn’t run away after we had another impromptu sex session last night when we returned home from the marina. In fact, she put on a pair of boxers and a T-shirt, and we got something to eat, talked about our day, Nikki’s need to spread gossip, and she complimented me on my cooking skills. I guess everyone assumes I can’t cook worth a damn because I’m a bachelor. Everyone in town has assumptions about the guy they think I am.

Which is why I’ve decided that if I want Chevelle to open up and trust me, I need to do the same. So, I’m taking her somewhere special to me. Somewhere no one else knows about.

“Do you mind if I drive?” I ask for her keys after we’re both home and showered.

She hands them over. “Want to blindfold me too?”

I wink. “That’s for later.”

She laughs, and I swear it’s the best sound in the world.

We drive twenty-five minutes to the place in Winterberry Falls. It’s by their marina and the only place I could use a fake name and hope no one would recognize me.

I take her hand when we’re both out of the car. I love the feel of her soft palm against mine. We’re not a couple yet, I know that, but as long as I take things slow with her, I see us getting there.

“Winterberry Falls, huh?”

“I couldn’t do this in Sunrise Bay. My dad and… too many people who know who I am.” I open the side door of the warehouse and lead us inside. “Hold on, I’ll get the lights.” I walk over to the switch and turn on the lights.

She stares ahead at the half-finished boat in the center of the large space. This one hasn’t been painted yet and the company name isn’t on it either. But it’s a wooden boat that’s being restored, so I’m sure she’ll link the two things together. She slowly walks toward the boat, and I watch carefully for her reaction.

“What is this place?” she asks, and I try not to be crushed that she doesn’t assume it’s mine right away.

In Sunrise Bay, I’m a white-collar guy. The one who doesn’t work with his hands. Born rich and will stay rich because of his father’s success. For a long time, I was okay with that, hiding behind my ability to make anyone laugh and get any girl I wanted. But a couple years ago, I knew I didn’t want to live up to the expectation everyone had for me.

“It’s Five Seas’ headquarters,” I answer.

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