Page 48 of Fake Dark Vows
I’m building sandcastles and collecting shells and splashing in the shallows with the girls, but my eyes keep darting back and forth to the wooden walkway that leads down to Small Beach. Where is Brandon? Why isn’t he here with the rest of the family?
I’m hoping he forgot that he requested refreshments in the study. Because now that I’ve had time to think about it, how can I explain why I didn’t bring them? Oh, sorry, I overheard you discussing compromising images being leaked to the tabloids and did a runner.
I already know how that’s going down.
“Rose, honey.” I’m trying to hold up a wonky sandcastle that’s about to create a landslide, when Ruby’s voice interrupts my concentration. “Have you seen Brandon?”
The castle collapses to groans of disappointment from the three girls.
“Rose knocked over the castle,” Georgie says loudly.
“We’ll build it again,” Frankie, the eldest granddaughter says. “Leave Rose and Grandma alone.”
I stand up and brush sand from the seat of my pants all over Ruby’s sparkly sandals. I flinch. “Sorry.”
She dismisses the apology with a wave of her manicured hand. “Brandon?”
“I saw him in the house before I came down.”
“Is he going to grace us with his presence?”
Snippets of the overheard conversation replay in my head, and I pray that Ruby won’t see the heat in my cheeks. “I don’t know. He wasn’t—He seemed a little … preoccupied.”
I know I’ve said too much when Ruby purses her lips, her eyes narrowing behind the designer sunglasses. “Do me a favor, honey, and remind him what day it is today.”
I peer down at the children who are still trying to rebuild the crumbling ruins of the castle.
“Kelly’s here—she can take over.” Ruby catches Kelly’s eye and returns to her seat.
I’m dismissed.
My pulse races as I retrace my steps along the wooden walkway. I don’t even hear Damon until he falls into step beside me.
“So, what’s my wayward brother been up to?” He gives me a sideways smile. “He can’t possibly have thought that our mother would let him get away with missing today’s picnic.”
“He was busy.” I keep my eyes fixed straight ahead. Damon has a habit of invading my personal space whenever we’re together, and I don’t want to encourage it. “Do you need me to pick something up from the house for you?”
“Oh no. I’m not coming back to the house. I haven’t seen much of you and just wanted to find out how you’re getting on.”
He’s just being polite, I tell myself. So, why does it always feel like a loaded question coming from Damon?
“Fine, the treasure hunt was … unexpected.”
“I must say, the zoetrope was genius.” Damon pauses but keeps walking. “You found it, didn’t you?”
I laugh. “Yes, but don’t tell anyone. Brandon can take the glory. I still can’t believe the generous prize.”
“Brandon’s good at that—taking all the glory,” he says, ignoring my comment about the prize. “Although it doesn’t always work in his favor.”
I keep quiet. I’m not sure I want to know where this is going.
“My brother and Kelly dated for a while when they were at Harvard.” Damon isn’t wearing shades, and he squints at me then against the backdrop of blue sky and high sun.
My pulse is racing. My heartbeat skips erratically, and I force myself to keep my expression neutral. “Why are you telling me this?”
Damon stops walking. “I like you, Rose. My brother can charm his way out of a rabbit hole, and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
“Wh-why would I get hurt? I don’t understand. There’s nothing going on between Brandon and me.”