Page 80 of Shifting Sands

“Geezus, Anson,” Parker mumbles.

“I’m just giving him shit. It’s the first time I’m in a stable relationship and able to give advice. It’s fun, being on this side of the coin.”

“You’re supposed to give helpful advice, you know,” Parker quips.

“I’ve got some advice,” Graham chimes in, prompting everyone to turn their attention to him. “Brandee’s a grown woman. She knows her own mind, and she appreciates it when you shoot straight with her.”

“You don’t think it’s too fast?” I ask. “We’ve only known each other for a little over six weeks.”

“All I know is, she’s been part of a supportive yet conniving sisterhood where the women have pushed each other to step outside of their comfort zones for years. Trust me, six weeks is long enough for her to know how she feels. If she said it, believe it.”

“I agree,” Garrett bellows.

“Great! Now that we’ve sorted out your love life, can we get on the water? We’re burning daylight here,” Tucker yells, earning himself a playful swat to the back of the head.

“I can’t wait for you two knuckleheads to fall in love so we can give you all the helpful advice you need,” Garrett says.

“We’re screwed now that Uncle Morris is getting hitched,” Tucker says to Caleb. “All our aunts are gonna be in our business, and all our uncles are gonna give us shit.”

“We have Uncle Weston. We can count on him. He’ll always have our backs even though he married Anna,” Caleb says, and Graham and Garrett burst into laughter.

Brandee

“What did you do?” Erin asks.

We’re lying on Brew’s sundeck under the heat lamps. Taeli and Ansley are in the pool with Avie and Leia while Jena and Tabby are at the outdoor kitchen, making cocktails for everyone.

As I recount last night’s events, I say, “I said it back.”

“How did he react?” Taeli asks, resting her head on her folded arms at the pool’s edge.

“I don’t know. I never opened my eyes. I just kind of whispered it back after he whispered it, and that was it. We both went to sleep.”

“You just dropped the L-word and rolled over and played possum?” Erin accuses.

“Sort of.”

“You mean, we listened toForensic Filesall night for nothing?” Jena scoffs.

“Off topic,” Erin bellows.

“Why did you fake being asleep?” Ansley asks. “Were you afraid he didn’t mean it?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. It was late, and he was tired. What if he didn’t mean for me to hear? Maybe he just wanted to say it to see how it felt.”

“Like he was trying it on for size?” Erin asks.

“Exactly.”

“That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard,” Erin replies.

I shake my head at her. “Avie, what do you think?” I ask.

“Brew is a pretty decisive man. I don’t see him being wishy-washy when it comes to something as important as telling a woman he loves her.”

“You’re all missing the point,” Tabby says as she hands me one of the cocktails.

“What’s that?” I ask.

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