Brothers of Paradise Series

I whisper the words. “But what if we’re not actually compatible?”

She laughs. “You and Parker? Jamie, my brother isn’t a paragon of perfection. We both know that! Haven’t you learned all his flaws this summer? I can list them for you if you don’t already know. He can be too competitive, too bossy, a bit arrogant, he never washed behind his ears-maybe he’s started now-and he can’t cook at all.”

I can’t help but smile. “I think he washes behind his ears now, at least.”

Her nose wrinkles. “Good. But he loves watching weird fantasy and sci-fi movies and he hated being a lawyer and he still wants to sail the world. He’s not going to expect you to play at a housewife.”

“Yeah,” I say. “You’re right.”

“You used to be so full of rebellion,” Lily says, gripping my hand. “Making your own path and deciding your own norms. When did that change?”

“I think it’s because it’s him,” I admit. “I always had a crush on him. For years, and I never told you. Should I have?”

Her smile widens. “I forgive you for that. Especially if it means I get to keep you forever as a sister-in-law. And honestly, it was probably a good thing you never told me. Teenage me would probably not have handled it as well as I do now.”

I squeeze her hand back. “You’re still my favorite Marchand.”

“Good,” she says, and pulls me into a hug. “Keep it that way.”

“I love you,” I murmur. “And I love him, and I haven’t even told him that.”

“You should. Because I have to tell you, as his sister, that he deserves it.”

A shaky laugh escapes me. “God, he really does.”

He deserves love and so much more. A real relationship in every meaning of the word. I want to give him that. Maybe I won’t live up to the ideals, either… but I can do my best.

And maybe that’s the only thing any of us can do.

“Besides,” she says, leaning back, “if you really want your independence, you and Emma can move into our cottage. I’ll even allow you to pay me a tiny amount of rent if it’ll make you feel better about it.”

“We can?”

“Of course!” she says. “Jamie, you have options!”

Options, I think. It might be the best word I’ve heard in forever.

PARKER

Slowly but surely, the boat is coming along. A few things had been broken or damaged during the storm, but the worst of it is now fixed. I’m sitting on her deck and working on changing a cracked portlight. It’s a finicky process, but being on the boat and rocked softly by the waves beneath her is good for the soul.

For the mind, too.

Hayden had joined me earlier and helped with the hull, and we’d spoken about her. He’d heard through Lily that we’re taking a break.

She’s it for me, Hay, I’d told him honestly. She’s it.

He’d nodded, commiseration in his eyes, and I knew he understood. That part he’d always understood. Because there’s no one else I want beside me. No one else I can even imagine wanting. And if she needs time…

Well, I can give her time. I’m a patient man.

I’ve had to learn to be.

Across the docks, a figure approaches, silhouetted against the setting sun. It takes me longer than it should to see who it is.

I put the wrench down. “Jamie?”

She nods and shields her eyes from the sun with a hand. “Hey. Am I bothering you?”

“No, not at all. I’m just fixing some things.” I wipe my hands on a towel and gesture to the deck. “Do you want to join me?”

It’s not the first time we’ve spoken since the conversation in my garage. But they’ve mostly been quick exchanges at work, with other people around. Gone are the long workouts and evenings spent together. No early morning swims or weekend exploits.

“Yes,” Jamie says. She steps onto the boat, feet firmly planted. A smile curves on her lips. “I was prepared to hate this boat after what it nearly did to you.”

“The storm,” I correct, putting a hand on the hatch. “This beauty saved me.”

Jamie sits down on deck, crossing her legs. She runs a hand over the wood. “She’s gorgeous, I’ll give you that.”

“Thanks.”

“Have you named her yet?”This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .

I rub the back of my neck. “Yeah, I have one in mind.”

“You do?”

“Yes, although I was considering your name first. But I figured that might be too soon.”

Her eyes widen. “My name?”

“Yes. But I don’t want to spook you any more than I already have.”

A flush rises on her cheeks. “You haven’t, Parker,” she says. “But you’re right. It might have been… too soon. Not to mention there’s already two Jamie’s in your life!”

I chuckle. “Yeah, a third would have made my life even more confusing.”

“That’s right. So what did you settle on?”

“Atlas.”

Her eyes shine up. “Your old family dog?”

I nod. “He was a loyal dog, and she’s already proven herself to be just the same.”

“Hmm,” she says. “An atlas is a map of the world, and a sailing boat can take you anywhere. Right?”

“Right,” I say, smiling. “Good name?”