Oh yeah. That. I’d forgotten.
I’ve lived a lifetime since that happened.
Charlie and I have moved on.
But Hailey is right. Everyone is still going to be looking to solve the mystery I created.
The smartest move here is to concede and keep the peace between us. “You’re right. Thanks for the reminder. I’ll remember.”
It takes us fifteen minutes to get to the Rileys’ house, which is located across the bridge on the other side of the river.
The property is three times the size of ours, with a long drive and a canopy of trees lining the way. The large white farmhouse with a wraparound porch and bountiful gardens looks like something right out of a movie.
But I can’t appreciate it because a nervous energy has now taken up residence in my stomach.
Charlie’s SUV is already parked in the driveway, along with a bunch of other vehicles, including my brother’s classic 1967 Mustang convertible.
I think about Charlie telling me to play it cool.
Hailey’s reminder to be good.
The first impression of the coworkers I haven’t worked with yet.
We climb out of our car and follow the music down a path leading to a spacious, bricked patio with an outdoor table fit for twenty and a massive umbrella. Off to the left is a basketball court and a chat area with lots of chairs centered around a fire pit.
And all of it was designed to highlight the tree-lined backyard.
The second we step into the yard, everyone stops to look at us.
Even though I’m wearing white sunglasses with blue-tinted mirrored lenses, I’m suddenly terrified everyone knows Charlie’s power over me, so I resist the screaming banshee in my head demanding I search him out.
Before the silence grows uncomfortable, Ryder calls out, “Jessica, Hailey, over here.”
I glance toward the sound of my brother’s voice, where he and Sophie are talking to two couples. One is the guy from the diner and a very pretty, petite redhead I assume is Maddie Riley.
Next to Sophie is a tall, good-looking guy with glasses and a knockout blonde with curly hair dressed in jean shorts and a tight pale-pink tube top.
The woman is seriously hot, with curves so lush they should be illegal. One look at her and a stab of something that feels suspiciously like jealousy slices through me.
But that can’t be right.
I never get jealous. Besides, there’s nothing to be jealous about.
So, she’s gorgeous. It’s not like Charlie is standing next to her.
As Hailey and I walk over, glasses guy flashes some serious dimples in our direction before placing his hand on the blonde’s waist and tugging her close. The bombshell turns her face up to his, gazing at him like he’s a big glass of lemonade on a hot summer day.
Just like that, all my muscles relax.
Hailey and I kiss Ryder and Sophie hello.
My brother makes the introductions. “This is Mitch and Maddie Riley and James and Gracie Donovan.” He holds out his arms like he’s presenting us. “Everyone, these are my sisters, Jessica and Hailey.”
Hailey offers a polite, reserved smile. “It’s nice to meet you.”
I nod at Mitch. “Hey Mitch, good to see you again.”
“You too,” he says.