Page 94 of The Lighthouse on Plum Island
“I promise we’re going to get this sorted out,” Brad concreted his promise and swore he’d find a way to keep it.
She went quiet briefly before saying softly, “I’m sorry, Brad.” Caroline lifted her head to look at him. “It seems I owe you an apology for everything, as I’ve somehow pulled you into whatever vendetta someone has against me.”
“I don’t think either of us owe anyone an apology.” Brad hugged her. “Only a coward hides behind these kinds of malicious games.” Anger reverberated through his system.
They fell into a comfortable silence, each lost in thought before Caroline looked at him. “I did go to Alex’s yacht party in New York.” His eyes met hers. “I saw you kissing Harriet. I didn’t know who she was, and I heard Alex talking about me and comparing me to a nag while you didn’t say a thing. You only told him I was just a friend.”
“The only reason I did that was because I was trying not to punch him in the face for daring to say that about you, and if I had said anything, Alex wouldn’t have let up about it,” Brad admitted. “And before you ask, I didn’t know you were Carrie Lines.”
“I didn’t know you were Brandon Danes,” Caroline told him.
“I hadn’t dated seriously since my divorce until Dawn,” Brad told her. “I was with Dawn for three years before our breakup.” He drew her a little closer. “The first time you smiled at me in A Cup of Soho, it was like your smile had lassoed my heart.” He gave a soft laugh. “I floated home that day feeling like a schoolboy with his first big love. The more time we spent together, the tighter your lasso became around my heart. When you didn’t show up at Alex’s party, I spent the next few weeks trying to track you down.” He grinned at her when their eyes connected. “I even became good friends with Harry.”
“Jennifer’s doorman at her apartment?” Caroline’s eyes widened.
“Yup.” Brad nodded.
“I wonder if his granddaughter has had her baby yet?” Caroline said.
“Yes, he messaged a few days before I arrived on Plum Island to tell me Thelma had a healthy baby boy.” Brad’s heart grew a little bigger at the beautiful smile she gave him.
“You and Harry message?” Caroline sat up and looked at him.
“Yes,” Brad nodded.
“You are a good man, just like Carly said you were,” Caroline told him, kissing him softly. “I’m sorry I skipped town with my broken heart and didn’t contact you again.”
“To be honest, if our roles had been reversed, I’d probably have done the same thing,” Brad admitted. “I know my friends can be a bit much, and some of them, like Alex, can come acrossas jerks. But he has a good heart, just like all my special friends do, and I’m hoping you’ll let me introduce you to them.”
“I’d like that,” Caroline said, their eyes locking as their lips drew them together.
Caroline’s arms wrapped around Brad’s neck as he locked his arms around her waist, drawing her close as their kiss deepened. For the first time in days, the world seemed to right itself for those moments they were locked together.
But like it always did, reality came crashing back when Caroline’s phone rang. She sighed and pulled it out of her pocket.
“Oh, no!” Caroline’s eyes widened. “I forgot to call Robert back.” She hit answer. “Robert, I’m sorry I didn’t call you back, but Blue Beard got hurt, and I’m at the vet with him.”
Brad knew it was wrong, but he tilted his head slightly to hear what the man had to say.
“She’s gone, Caroline,” Robert sounded like he was having a meltdown. “This is my fault. Why do I do this?”
“Robert, calm down, where’s your baby?” Caroline turned and mouthed sorry to Brad, and he kissed her forehead.
“She’s with the nanny,” Robert told her. “But Tanya has disappeared again!”
“What do you mean again?” Caroline’s brow furrowed.
“The week before our daughter was born, we attended this red carpet-party,” Robert explained. “I may have flirted with a few actresses or models.”
“Robert!” Caroline hissed in disgust. “Your wife was nine months pregnant, and you did that to her?”
“I didn’t mean it as an insult,” Robert defended his actions. “You know me, I’m just overly friendly.”
“Call it what you want,” Caroline said hotly. “You were cheating on Tanya with your mind.”
“That’s not a thing,” Robert said in frustration. “Anyway, since that night, she got fixated on me having an affair with a few of the women I met that night.”
“And were you?” Caroline asked him ruthlessly.
