Page 40 of Brazen
Chapter Twenty-Two
Charlie
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Hope was everything I'd ever wanted in a woman, but my mind was spinning. I was falling for her hard, and that was a problem. We headed into the limo, but my head was spinning.
Business and pleasure were never supposed to mix. Pedar never actually said that, but then he was more like to say, "A man is never truly able to succeed without a wife at his side." And I'd never been sure a wife would fix me, since I hated looking at myself to see character flaws. Now I wasn’t sure how Hope and I fit because my feelings for her were different from those I had for any other woman.
The limo stopped a few blocks away, and we stepped out. I needed to get my head out of my doubts and focus. We’d agreed to start a business—except I wasn’t my brother, who was good with small details. And Hope’s skills were more in line with creative advertising. So we had a huge problem area in skills.
As we walked in, Kir was standing at the bar, and Hope's friends were at a corner table by the window. I tapped his shoulder. I wasn’t worried about proving a relationship anymore and wanted to just see my brother. “Kir, you know Hope.”
Hope smiled at him and waved. “Hello again.”
We walked to her friends' table. Staff set up an extra seat as I told Kir, “These are her friends, Britney, Avril, Kelly, Isabel, and Miley. Everyone, this is my brother Kir.”
The women all said hello as we took our seats. As Kir sat between Britney and Kelly, he said, “Thanks for letting me crash your night.”
I needed to know my plans were viable, and Kir was always good with crunching details so I wouldn’t entirely embarrass our family. Maybe it wasn’t a big deal to Kir. But because I was adopted, I had extra responsibility to ensure whatever I did was successful.
Britney took control of the conversation and told Kir, “Are you joking? You’re exactly who we want to meet when we go out.”
Kir gazed at Avril, the thin blonde, then back at everyone. “I don’t get out much.”
Isabel asked, “Working away?”
We perused the menu then ordered some snacks for the table and a round for everyone. I stared at my brother, wishing my personality were more like his, because then I wouldn’t entirely fail.
Kir told Britney, “I guess, but I’m trying to make a change.”
Britney gazed pointedly at Avril. “That’s good.”
Kelly sat forward. “So Avril is being super quiet right now.”
Kir looked down, and she did at the same time.
Britney laughed as the waiter brought the snacks and drinks. Once we had everything, she patted his shoulder. “And Kir has looked at her more than once, and it’s okay. We all know she’s pretty.”
“You all are,” Kir said quickly, but his blush was obvious.
I called out to my brother, “Thanks for being a good sport tonight.”
“No problem.” He sipped his drink. “Now that we’re out, I’d love to know why you quit today, since you were happy and not just looking to escape.”
Her friends' eyes were all huge as they stared at us. Britney asked, “You did?”
The heat was on me for the moment. I held Hope’s hand under the table. “Well, I’m going to start my own business.”
Kir asked, “An airline?”
I tilted my head. “How did you guess?”
He sat back and nodded. “I’ve been able to read you since we were kids. It’s a good idea, and I was wondering if you’d need a partner.”
My heart thumped. Now working with my brother made perfect sense. My eyes widened. “Wait, what?”
Kir placed his hands on the table. “Warren can run Pedar’s company, and while I don’t have big ideas, I can organize and run things.”
