Brothers of Paradise Series

For so long I’ve been of the same mindset. I’ve met him step by step and game for game. I’ve loved our witty battles, to stretch my mental legs with him. It’s felt like foreplay, layered with deeper meaning.

I always win. He had told me that himself, once. When had I forgotten that that included me? He admitted to wanting to sleep with me, but not to losing any points in our imaginary game. Is that really why he stopped it last night?

Henry sighs and stretches, starting to get up. “Unfortunately, we have plans tonight.”

“Ah, yes. Our mini bachelor and bachelorette parties.”

“Yes. I’m sorry I have to surrender you to my sister like that.”

“I’m not. I like Lily. Besides, I’ll see you at the house later.”

His eyes glitter, and something in my stomach clenches tight. It might be a game to him, but my attraction feels real-more real than it has in a long, long time.

“You sure will.”

Faye

It’s a short walk from the little seaside cottage to Lily’s house next door. It’s larger, but not by much, with a beautiful wrought-iron fence and overflowing flowerpots. Tied to the porch is a glittery foil balloon with gold lettering. Bride to be.From NôvelDrama.Org.

Lily smiles when she sees me. “Faye, come on in! Did you get here okay?”

I laugh. “Yes, although I had to stop to ask for directions.”

“You look tan. Did you sail today?”

“Yes,” I say, smoothing a hand over my hair. I’d showered, and didn’t think I’d gotten a lot of sun.

She sees my confusion and shoots me an apologetic smile. “Henry mentioned it yesterday. What did you think?”

“I loved it,” I say. “Henry told me it’s practically the family pastime.”

“Yeah, you could say that. We were taught to tie knots before we could walk. Was he a good teacher?”

“Yeah, he was.”

“Good. He taught most of us, when Dad was away.” She smiles at me again, and I’m hit with a small pang of guilt. She’s being so nice to me-his whole family is!-and I’m here under false pretenses. Here to work. “Come in, come in. I want you to meet some of my friends.”

I’m ushered through a beautiful hallway and into a living room that belongs in a catalogue. The interior design is homey, with linen furnishings and a sheepskin rug. There’s a giant fireplace.

“This place is gorgeous, Lily. Stunning.”

“Thank you. Would you mind saying that again tomorrow when my fiancé can hear you? We’ve spent so long renovating this place, and I think he got a bit sick with all my decorating toward the end.”

“No, he didn’t!” a girl calls. “He’d never deny you anything, the sucker.”

A group of women are sitting around a dining-room table, glasses in hands. Lily makes the introductions, calling me Henry’s girl.

“We’re playing He Said, She Said,” says a girl with a pixie cut. “Come, join. Do you want a glass of champagne?”

“Yes, please.”

“I’m Jamie,” she says. “We’re not allowed to say the word bride or wedding, by the way,” she whispers in an aside. “If you do, you have to do a shot.”

“If you want to,” Lily points out. “We’re not here to get drunk tonight.”

“You’re right. Let’s keep it tame,” Jamie says, but she shakes her head at me in disapproval. “God forbid we go a bit wild. Anyway, you’re Henry’s date?”

“Yes.”

She leans closer, eyes glittering with curiosity. “How is it, dating him?”

“How do you mean?”

She hands me a glass of champagne. “He was always so reserved growing up. Would tell you off for eating too much sugar, you know.”

I laugh at that. “I can actually imagine him doing that. You spent a lot of time with Lily growing up?”

“Best friends.” She nods. “But back to Henry in a relationship. I can see that you’re uncomfortable, and I’m sorry about that, but I just have so many questions. I’ve also had to do two shots already. When in doubt, blame it on alcohol. Very adult of me, I know.”

“Not uncomfortable, per se. It’s just that we’re not really in an official relationship. We’re seeing each other, it’s early days, and he asked me here as his date.”

There’s a smile in her eyes. “Trust me on this-Henry Marchand doesn’t do anything casually.”

“Faye,” Lily calls out. “Is Jamie pestering you?”

Jamie blinks. “Me? I’d never.”

We all laugh, even though her words feel branded in my mind, spinning around and around. Henry Marchand doesn’t do anything casually.

The evening is filled with games and drinks and laughs. The other girls had prepared questions for Lily to answer, embarrassing ones about her relationship with Hayden. When she answers a few, her cheeks flushed, I’m happy that her brothers aren’t here to hear it.

We have to recount our favorite memory with the bride to be, going around the table, and she shoots me an apologetic smile when it’s my turn.

“I’m sorry, Faye. We just met.”

“Don’t be. I have a favorite memory-when you embarrassed Henry into blushing. I’ve never seen that before. To you, Lily.” I raise my glass in a toast.

She grins at me. “To making more memories.”

By the end, I’m a little bit tipsy, my cheeks heated with excitement and laughter. Just like the dinner last night, this hasn’t been difficult at all. It’s almost surprising how naturally this is unfolding.

I should tell Henry that, that I’m having fun. He’s probably wondering how his sister is doing. I excuse myself and get my phone out of my bag. There’s a message waiting for me, sent over an hour ago.

Henry Marchand: Hope you’re enjoying tonight. Don’t feel any pressure to stay on mine or Lily’s account. She’d understand.

Of course he’d texted me first. It was completely in character.

Faye Alvarez: So you’re the only one allowed to paint the town tonight? I’m enjoying myself very much, thank you. Lily is lovely.