A Nantucket Affair (Nantucket Beach Plum Cove #4)(33)

“That sounds expensive,” she said cautiously.

“Well, it’s not new, of course. If it was, that would be insanely expensive. This one is five years old and well maintained. An older couple owned it. It’s really a creampuff.”

“Whatever made you decide on that car? I thought you loved your Honda?”

“Oh, I do. It’s a great car. This is just for fun. And I figure it will look good for the agency.”

Sue raised an eyebrow. “How do you figure that?”

“Well, if I’m driving around in that car, I’ll look successful. The agency will look successful, I mean and people are attracted to that. New customers, that is.”

Sue stared at him, dumbfounded. Her husband had lost his mind.

“I’m not sure that’s true. Realtors, maybe, as they are driving clients around. We don’t really go anywhere,” she said.

“It will look nice parked right out front,” he insisted.

Lisa caught her eye and shook her head slightly. The corners of her mouth were turned up, and Sue guessed she was trying not to laugh. Sue changed the subject and they chatted about the kids and other things.

The brownies that Lisa brought were too good. Sue was full, but couldn’t resist sharing one with Lisa. The guys didn’t hesitate, and each had a full one. By the time they said their goodbyes and Lisa and Rhett left, Sue was tired and ready to fall into bed. But first, she had a few things to say to Curt.

As soon as they were alone, she turned to him.

“What is going on with you? Are you having a mid-life crisis?”

He looked surprised by the question.

“What? Because of the car?”

“That. And your obsession with Brandi. People have noticed, Curt. You’re spending a lot of time together and you’re obviously fond of each other. She’s a pretty girl and a much younger one. Is there anything you’re not telling me?” She didn’t think there was, but his behavior was frustrating.

He looked offended by the question. “Of course not. Brandi is young enough to be our daughter.” She was, in fact, the same age as Stephanie.

“That doesn’t matter to a lot of people,” she said.

“I’m sorry. I never thought about how it might look. It’s totally innocent, but you know that. I will admit, though, that I like the attention. Brandi is good for my ego.”

For a moment, Sue felt hurt. “I’m not good for your ego?”

He looked at her quite seriously. “Honestly, lately you haven’t wanted to be around me much. You never want to come out with us. Sometimes it seems like I’m bothering you, so yeah, I’ve enjoyed flirting with Brandi a little. It’s harmless. It’s just how I am, you know that.”

She sighed. “I know. It’s just when other people mention it to me that it’s embarrassing. If anyone had seen you going to her house today—well, that’s how rumors get started.”

“I suppose you’re right about that. She was just so excited to show me her place. She said I’m the first person that she’s had over.” That made Sue wonder about Brandi’s intentions. Was she as innocent as Curt seemed to think?

“She needs to make some more friends,” Sue said dryly.

“So, are we okay? What do you think about the car?”

“I think it would have been nice if you’d mentioned it to me before you bought it. Why didn’t you?” He didn’t need to ask her permission, and they had the money for the car. She was just surprised that he didn’t think to ask her opinion before he made the decision to buy.

A sheepish look crossed his face. “I didn’t want you to try to talk me out of it. You know you would have. It’s completely frivolous, and you’re right, my car is fine. It’s just that I wanted to splurge. I test drove it last weekend and it’s so fun to drive.” Sue didn’t doubt that.

“Wait, did you say you test drove it last weekend? You went off-island?”

She knew that he definitely hadn’t mentioned that. Unless she was losing her mind.

“It was a spur-of-the-moment thing. You weren’t home and I just went. I was home by dinner. I just had to go check it out. And I’m glad I did.”

“Well, I’m glad you got it, then, if it made you that happy.” He looked like a little kid, he was so excited about the new car.

“So, you wouldn’t be feeling romantic by any chance, would you? We could go upstairs and celebrate the new car.” He was serious. But there was no way. Sue couldn’t shift gears that quickly. She was still annoyed that he hadn’t told her about the car, and she felt uneasy about the whole Brandi situation. She believed Curt, that there was nothing there. But he was still drawn to Brandi. She gave him something that Sue didn’t right now. He was basking in her attention. It felt like the two of them just weren’t on the same page lately.

“Not tonight. I’m too tired.”

Disappointment flashed across Curt’s face, but he just nodded. “All right. I’m going to head up to bed then.”

“I’m right behind you. I’m going to stop in the office for a minute and just check some emails first.”





Chapter 19





When Beth arrived home the next day, Chase was out but he’d left her a note and a box of her favorite dark chocolate caramels with sea salt. She smiled. Some guys did flowers, but Chase knew she much preferred sweets. His note was short and sweet.