Only a Millionaire (The Sinclairs #6.5)(15)

There were times I wanted to punch Xander, and now was one of those occasions. The problem was, I knew he was right.

I shouldn’t have left Brooke this morning.

I shouldn’t have given her time to think about what had happened, and then feel guilty about it.

I should have stuck around and convinced her to dump the boyfriend.

I watched as Xander left without another word, exiting through the kitchen door that went outside.

I had been stupid, and maybe she was confused about what I wanted. There were moments when I’d put her at a distance intentionally, and then I turned around and showed her that I wanted her.

I had to stop fighting myself before I could fight for Brooke.

Who was I kidding with my bullshit? I’d do anything to keep her in Amesport so we could be together. I just wasn’t entirely sure what she wanted.

I knew that one thing Xander had said was true: If I didn’t try, I’d regret it.

I’d always wonder what would have happened if I would have been honest with her.

But she had to agree to get rid of the boyfriend first.

Eliminating my competition was my priority.

I grabbed my coffee from the counter and sat down at the table. I needed to wake up enough to get to the restaurant later this morning.

Brooke had the day off, so I wouldn’t see her unless I made an effort to find her.

I swiped my cell phone from the table, hoping like hell that Tessa would be available later to cover for me.





CHAPTER 8

BROOKE



“I can’t wait to see you,” Jade said excitedly. “I’ve missed you so much.”

“I’m coming home next week,” I reminded her, trying to keep my voice calm on the phone so she didn’t know that I was hurting.

Jade sensed things with me, just like I could tell when something wasn’t quite right with her. Our twin bond was pretty strong, even though we weren’t identical.

I’d woken up this morning in a complete funk, and it hadn’t gone away. I had no idea why Liam had left, or when he had gone, but it was kind of a figurative slap in the face to see that he hadn’t even left a note.

Of course, he did still think I had a boyfriend.

“I know,” she answered. “I’m just glad you can finally come back.”

I desperately wanted to see her. “I’ll let you know when I’m coming in. Evan is lending me his jet. I can’t wait to see you. It seems like forever.”

Jade and I had never been apart this long, and not having her to talk to was killing me. Sure, we’d talked on the phone, but it wasn’t the same. We were sisters, twins, and we did everything from shopping to girls’ night together. She’d always been my best friend.

Maybe I’d really needed time alone. When I’d come to Amesport, I hadn’t been able to describe the pain and fear that I had to get through. And I hadn’t wanted to talk.

Now I was desperate to see my family.

“I can’t wait to find out what you’ve been up to for almost a year. I’ve heard so much about Amesport that I want to experience it for myself.”

“There isn’t exactly a lot of exciting news from here,” I warned her. “It’s pretty quiet until the summer.”

“I don’t care. I just really need to see you. I need to know you’re really okay.”

“I’m fine. Better,” I reassured her.

My gut instinct was screaming at me that something wasn’t quite right with Jade, but I couldn’t put a finger on what it was. “How are you doing on your project?”

Before I’d left, Jade had been working on a wildlife-conservation project as part of her graduate studies.

“My thesis is done,” she answered.

“That’s amazing,” I commented enthusiastically.

“It’s a relief,” she confessed.

“I thought you liked doing it,” I said, confused that my sister wasn’t glowing over the fact that she was finally out of school and could go to work full-time as a wildlife biologist.

“I did,” she said vaguely. “But I’m glad it’s over.”

“Are you still teaching?” I questioned.

In addition to her education as a wildlife scientist, Jade was an expert in primitive-wilderness survival. She’d gone from student to teacher several years ago.

“Not as much as I’d like, but I might have a television gig coming up in the future. The producers of that TV program about survivalists contacted me to see if I was interested in being on the show.”

“Jade,” I squealed. “That would be amazing!” I was so excited for her. She loved being a scientist, but her survivalist training was just as important to her, even though it was still a hobby.

She sighed. “I’m not sure I should do it. Who knows what weird stuff they do for television.”

“You have to do it,” I insisted. “If it isn’t what you signed up for, you can walk away.”

“I suppose.”

“Contact them. Please. I think you’d kick some major ass.” I didn’t know anybody as skilled as my sister.

“I’ll think about it. But you know what that show is like. If I get a lame-ass partner, I’ll be screwed.”