I have another motive for asking him here, but that’ll come later.
“I called Belle Lovejoy,” I reply with a shrug and eat my burger. “We’re meeting with her at the end of the week.”
“A private investigator,” Scott says in surprise. “I suppose that makes sense. Maybe Belle can find some answers for us. You know, some of this could just be coincidence. The tire, the phone, things like that. They may not be connected to the break-in at the house at all.”
“I know. I thought of that.” I set my water glass down and frown at the other man. “But what if theyaren’t? Something just feels so off lately, and I can’t explain it. Sure, some of it could just be life kicking her in the balls, but something in my gut doesn’t think so. I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“Agreed.” He wads up his napkin and tosses it on his empty plate. “How is she? Aside from all the shit that’s been going on, I mean, how is she?”
“She’s doing better,” I reply, knowing exactly what Scott’s asking. “She’s not so timid and doesn’t seem so sad anymore.”
“I was kind of surprised when you two started seeing each other,” he admits. “Not because it’syou, but because it seemed so soon after everything that went down last year. But, she has to move on. That’s the healthiest thing for her, to move on with her life. Toenjoyher life, so thanks for being part of that for her, man.”
“I waited longer than I wanted to,” I admit with a laugh. “You thought it felt fast, but it was the longest few months of my life. I would still be waiting, even with her renting out my guesthouse, if she wasn’t ready. She finally approachedmebecause she was sick of me twiddling my thumbs.”
Scott laughs, nodding. “Good. Good for both of you.”
“And that leads me to this.” I shift in my seat, suddenly nervous. “I’m going to ask her to marry me.”
He doesn’t blink. He also doesn’t look surprised.
“Are you asking for my blessing?”
“Yeah, I am. You’re the only family that she gives a shit about. You may still be trying to figure out your relationship, but she loves you, and you’re her brother, so I’m telling you and asking at the same time.”
“Look, I know that you love her. You’ve loved her since you were a kid. Fucked up a little, but hopefully that’s out of your system.”
“I fucked up a lot.” I blow out a breath. “So it’s a wonder to me that she wants anything at all to do with me. I can tell you that I’ll always do my best to protect her, to treat her the way she should be treated, and to be a man that she’s proud of.”
“Good. Because if she ever comes to me and says that you’ve hurt her inanyway, I’ll light your house on fire and watch it burn to the goddamn ground.”
“We understand each other, then.”
His lips twitch with humor as I offer him my hand to shake.
“Circling back to what we were talking about earlier, her phone being out of commission explains why I couldn’t reach her last week. Mom’s ashes arrived, and I spoke with June about burying her. If Sarah’s schedule is clear, we might go ahead and do that later today.”
“I’ll text you her new number.” I pick up my phone and send Scott the contact. “I think she’s free later, but you should check with her.”
“I’m gonna shoot her a text now,” his words are slow as he taps on his phone. “I just want to bury that woman and move on.”
“What happens when your dad dies?” I wince and then sigh. “I know that sounds bad. I guess I’m curious if you’ll bury him with your mom, or—”
“I don’t give two shits about what happens to my father, beforeorafter he dies,” Scott replies shortly. “He can rot in hell as far as I’m concerned.”
“Point taken.”
His phone dings with a text. “She’s free this evening. Good. She also says to tell you that she’s running to the grocery store. How…domestic.”
“It’ll happen to you one day. You’ll meet a woman and fall flat on your face in love, and then you’ll be talking about grocery lists and work schedules and thinking about fucking her all the damn time.”
“Hey.” He looks pained as he sits back in his seat. “She’s mysister.I don’t want to know about the perverted things you think about.”
“She’s not complaining, trust me. But it’s more than that. It’s having the person you like the best there to just be with you. Hang out. Walk the beach, or watch TV. Unload about your day. My point is, it’ll happen to you, and then I’ll razz you about domestic conversations about the grocery store.”
“No, it’s not going to happen.” He rubs his hand over his hair. “Relationships are too complicated, and I’m pretty much married to the job, so you enjoy your bliss with my sister, and I’ll cheer you on.”
I want to argue, but my phone rings, and I see that it’s Sarah.