Page 40 of Forgotten Desires

It seems like Olivia has more questions for Brynn and is probably uncomfortable with me there.

“How about I give you guys some time to talk? I’m sure she has questions,” I offer. It’s clear the two of them have a very special bond.

“You’re sure? I know my brothers are down there . . .”

I lean in and kiss her temple. “I’ll be fine. Two of them work for me. They can’t be too bad, and the other I can handle.”

Olivia giggles and Brynn tries to hide her smile. “She can read lips really well.”

I give her a wink. “Any tips?”

Olivia raises her hands and talks to Brynn. “She said the key to her dad’s heart is her and her sister. She said Rowan likes mischief and Grady is boring and just likes planes.”

“Thank you. I’ll do my best to stick to those topics.”

She nods once.

I head downstairs, giving them some privacy. When I get to the bottom of the stairs, Asher is there.

“Did it go well?” he asks, his voice terse, but not filled with venom like earlier.

“I think so. Olivia is really sweet.”

“She loves her aunt very much.” He runs his hands through his hair and sighs. “Want a beer?”

I fucking hate beer, but it seems I’m going to drink one tonight. “I’d love one.”

“Come on.”

I follow Asher out to the back deck, where he opens a fridge and hands me a beer. We both open them and he points to the chairs that are by the firepit. “Sorry I was a prick, as Phoebe said before. Brynlee is like a daughter to me in some ways, more than a sister.”

“I get it. I’m a father and I can’t imagine that I’d handle it well if Layla came home with a guy I’d only met once in passing.”

He takes a long pull from the bottle and then looks up at the sky. “She has a piece of shit for a father. Howie was my mother’s last marriage after our dad ran off. When my mom finally left Howie, and moved here, it was rough on her. Then Mom died and I did what I could to protect her, but I failed in a lot of ways. One of them I’ll never forgive myself for. It’s why when it comes to men in her life, I’m a little over the top.”

I know he’s talking about her ex. She told me bits and pieces of the guy before me who lied to her and how he was her brother’s best friend. “I don’t ever want to hurt Brynlee.”

“But you did,” Asher reminds me.

“I did. I regret it,” I assure him. “I plan to spend our time together making it right. Brynlee will want for nothing, and I’ll do what I can to keep her safe and healthy.”

That’s the best promise I can make at this time. He doesn’t know about her surgery and all the reasons we have to make this work. But I do care for Brynn. I always have and always will. If she needs something, I’ll do whatever I can to make her happy.

“Then don’t take her from here and think she’ll fit into your life there. Brynlee has always needed to save the world. Any time there was a person or animal that was hurt, she took responsibility for it, wanted to fix it, give it a second chance. I’ve watched her break more times than I care to admit when it doesn’t work.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “I don’t know why you guys feel the need to rush and get married this week, and while I may not be a genius, I’m not a fool, and I’m pretty sure there’s some other reason behind it.”

“Brynlee told you her reasons.”

“Yeah, and I’m not buying it, but I won’t say anything more on it. I hope you understand the gift that my sister is. I hope you don’t break her heart, because I’m not sure how many more times it can happen before it can’t be fixed.”

I open my mouth to promise I won’t do that to her, but the back door opens, causing us both to turn. Olivia and Brynlee are there, Olivia has a big smile on her face and Asher and I both stand.

“Here you both are,” Brynn says and the two of them step out.

Asher signs to his daughter and she signs back.

Brynlee stands beside me, whispering what they’re saying. “She told her dad she’s going to be in the wedding, her mother said it was okay already, and that you tried to sign to her and it was terrible and also very sweet.”

I laugh once.

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