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“By the way, Gabriel doesn’t own the island. Rhone Rivera does.”

The drink Haley was holding shook in her hand at the mention of the owner’s name.

“Rhone Rivera?” Haley double-checked, holding her breath.

“Yes, he’s a good friend of Gabriel’s. Ours, also,” she bragged. “He’s made his fortune investing in Bitcoins.”

Haley had to release her breath to have enough air to answer, “I know. I worked for him.”

Sixteen

Carefully concealing her reaction from her mother, Haley searched for Desmond while her mother went on about Rhone. She caught sight of him at the pool, talking to Gilbert, as a knife twisted in her chest.

Her brother hadn’t spared her two words earlier yet was animatedly talking to Desmond. That she didn’t share a close relationship with her siblings still caused an ache that never went away, regardless of how much time had passed.

“Rhone is still single …”

Haley tuned back to what her mother was saying, preparing to leave to try to make yet another effort to speak to her brother and sisters.

“When”—her mother’s eyes turned cunning—“Desmond moves on, perhaps I can talk Samuel into letting you accompany us to his island. Opportunities to get to know single men like Rhone don’t come by often.”

When, not if, Desmond broke up with her. Did her mother even care that what she had just said was belittling to her? It was everything Haley could do not to tell her mother that she had Rhone’s private phone number, and she could call him anytime of the day or night if she wanted to.

She concluded that she and her mother would never be on the same page where men were concerned. “I need to go rescue Desmond. He motioned me over.” Haley mimicked the same haughty tone her mother had been using on her. “You must tell Gilbert not to come on so strong about the job he wants. Subtlety works better with Desmond. I should know.” Giving her mother a conspiratorial wink, Haley left her speechless, staring after her.

Uncaring that she was being petty, she was tired of being ostracized from family. If Desmond thought she should make a bigger effort with her siblings, then he shouldn’t mind being used to make that possible.

Taking two quick puffs of her inhaler, Haley walked up to Desmond’s side, sliding her arm around his to cling to him.

“Here you are! I was becoming bored without you.”

Haley felt a spurt of joy at Desmond’s expression, giving him a big smile as she clung tighter to his arm. “Need I remind you that you promised to focus on me today?” Trying not to cringe at her harping voice, Haley gave him a pout. At least she hoped that was how it was coming across. Having never pouted before, she couldn’t be sure. When she got back to the apartment, she would have to check in the mirror to give herself a pass or fail score.

Gilbert’s expression nearly had her breaking the role she had cast herself in. Holding back her laughter, she went all out.

“Desmond is usually so busy that we aren’t able to be together as much as I want. He promised to spend the day catering to me,” she explained, as if her brother cared, which she knew he didn’t.

Gilbert looked more uncomfortable, as if he was waiting for Desmond’s cue on how to react.

“Darling, I’m sorry I let Gilbert distract me. It won’t happen again.”

Haley gave him a playful smack on his chest. “It better not, or I’ll take Mom up on her invitation for me to vacation with her and Dad. She thinks Rhone Rivera will be more appreciative of my company.”

The golden tan on her brother’s face began to look splotchy.

“Rhone? Then I need to have a word with Charlotte to let her know you’re not going on vacation without me, especially if Rhone is there.”

“Maybe Mother would invite you, too. She loves champagne chocolates.”

“Does she? Then I’ll have to send enough until she has to invite me. Gilbert, can I count on you to help me out with Charlotte? Rhone could never appreciate a woman of Haley’s caliber like I do.”

Haley had to turn her face into Desmond’s shoulder, appearing to give him a side hug, to hide her smile.

Gilbert looked like he was to about to gag.

She had to give Desmond props; his acting skills were vastly superior to hers.

“Of course … I’m sure Mother was joking around with Haley. She never could take a joke.”

Haley took her face out of Desmond’s shoulder at the snide comment. “I can take a jab when they aren’t meant to hurt just to get a reaction for a video.”

“They were just jokes, Haley. Jeez, you were always such a wuss. I see you haven’t changed much.”

Over Gilbert’s shoulder, Haley saw her sisters get out of the pool at Gilbert’s booming voice. Haley didn’t let the loudness bother her, however. The men in her family were predictable. if nothing else. They used their loud voices to drown out any hint of opposition. Desmond, on the other hand, wasn’t having it.