Brooklyn nodded. “He’s always polite to me too. Derek, the problem must be you.”
The friendly banter continued as they waited to order and even after they found a covered picnic table outside to share. Growing up, he’d always given his cousins and siblings a hard time. And they’d always reciprocated. Until this afternoon, he hadn’t realized how much he’d missed it.
“I heard an ugly rumor. Something about you running for Senator Neil Brown’s seat in the upcoming special election,” Derek said, touching on a serious topic.
Great. Another person who found it hard to believe he might want to serve his country in a different way. He’d gotten a similar statement from his sister when he called her earlier in the week too. “If all goes as planned, I’ll be on the ballot. I hired Carl Filmore to run things for me. So far, so good.”
“You in DC?” Derek dropped his spoon in the ice-cream bowl. “I can’t see it. My brother, yeah, or even Sara. But not you.”
“Don’t listen to him.” Brooklyn glared at his cousin as she spoke. “I think you’d make a great senator. We need new faces and ideas on the Hill. If I can help, call me.”
“Filmore, huh? He knows what he’s doing. He worked on Beck’s campaign last year, and he helped with Uncle Warren’s first presidential campaign. Dad speculated he’d work on the upcoming one too.”
Brett hadn’t known either of those details. However, the information reinforced he’d made a good choice. Next to him, Jen shifted nervously. She hadn’t said much since they sat down. He’d thought it was because she was eating her ice cream, something called cookie crunch. He wasn’t sure what was in it, but it didn’t appear to be a flavor he’d enjoy. Glancing at her bowl now, he saw she hadn’t touched much of it. Evidently food had nothing to do with her silence. Perhaps a change in conversation was needed.
“Derek and Brooklyn work in Providence too,” he said. He looked at his cousin. “Jen works at Pattersen Financial.”
Derek took the cue to change subjects. “You’re just a few buildings down from us. We’re both at Hale and Associates.”
Chapter Four
Jen accepted the wine Brooklyn handed her. After finishing their ice cream, they’d played a round of mini golf together. Although a friendly game, Brett and Derek had become ridiculously competitive to the point Brooklyn threatened to leave if they didn’t chill out. Jen hadn’t minded though. She much preferred the friendly insults they tossed at each other to the political talk they’d exchanged while seated. Hearing them discuss President Sherbrooke and Senator Beck’s names the way they had reminded her too well who sat next to her. Thankfully, the conversation had been fairly short-lived. The subject of politics hadn’t come up again.
After the game, Derek and his wife invited them back to their house. Now they were all outside enjoying the deck and empty beach. According to Brooklyn, their neighbors hadn’t been down all summer. Why someone would purchase a home in such a beautiful location and not use it escaped her. If she had a beach house, she’d be there every chance she got.
Taking a sip of her drink, she listened to the waves crashing on the shore. She wasn’t a wine expert, but the wine in her glass was delicious. Across the table, Brooklyn glanced at her again. She’d done it several times during their time together. This time she snapped her fingers and leaned forward in her chair.
“I knew I’d seen you before,” she said. “You do the lead vocals for Black Velvet.” Brooklyn didn’t wait for Jen to confirm or deny the statement. Instead she touched her husband’s arm and continued. “Derek, we’ve seen her perform at the Red Parrot.”
She’d been performing with the local band for over three years and rarely did anyone recognize her. Jen was surprised Brooklyn did tonight.
“I thought you looked familiar,” Derek said. “When and where is the band’s next performance?”
“You perform?” Brett asked, looking at her.
She took another sip of her wine. She’d love to get this kind for her house, assuming the price tag wasn’t ridiculous. “I told you I did.” It wasn’t a secret she tried to hide from people. Even her niece knew she performed with a band. In fact, Bella kept asking when she’d be old enough to come and watch a show.
“You mentioned you sang. But never said anything about performing with a band. I would’ve remembered.”
Brett seemed to remember everything else she’d told him. If this news was a surprise to him, then she must’ve never mentioned it. “It’s not a big deal. We used to perform about twice a month or so. Things have been off since the spring. Jim, our drummer, and his wife had a baby in March. And about two weeks later, I got my promotion.” She thought back over the past few months. “Last time we performed was in May. We were at a club in Warwick.”
> “Next time you have a performance, let us know. We’d love to come and see you. You’ve got an incredible voice,” Brooklyn said.
She’d never been comfortable accepting compliments. Tonight was no different and heat filled her face. She didn’t need a mirror to know she’d turned a nice shade of her least favorite color, pink. “Thanks. Singing is something I’ve done forever.” Even in high school she’d sung in the chorus.
Jen took the final sip of wine, and before she could stop herself, she yawned. She had no idea of the time. She’d left her watch at home and hadn’t taken her cell phone from her bag all day. Stars and an almost full moon filled the sky though, so it had to be on the later side.
Across the table, Brooklyn yawned too. “Sorry. I’m exhausted all of a sudden,” she said.
“Honestly, I’m starting to fade too,” Derek said. “You’re welcome to spend the night. We’ve got the room. And tomorrow Brooklyn and I plan to take the Affinity over to Martha’s Vineyard. Join us. It’ll give me a chance to fill Jen in on all your embarrassing childhood moments.”
“Thanks, but I’ve got a meeting with Filmore tomorrow.” Brett pushed his chair away from the table. “Maybe another weekend, assuming Jen can handle being in your company again.” He extended his hand toward her. “What do you think? Could you stomach my cousin’s company for another several hours?”
Thanks to the lights on the deck, she spotted the humor in his eyes. She’d thought her brother Keith enjoyed giving family members a hard time, but Brett enjoyed it even more.
She took her time before answering, as if she really needed to consider the question. In reality though, there was no need. She’d had a delightful time with Derek and Brooklyn and would happily do it again. “Yes, I think I could tolerate it. But not too often.”
Brett laughed and kissed her cheek. “I knew we got along well for a reason.”