Page 26 of Crying Shame

“What did I say?”

“Swoll,” he said with a frown.

I laughed and cupped his face. His brother was cute but absolutely not my type. As a kid, Charlie had had a lot of friends. In high school, he’d traded in a girl a day, possibly two. Flirting as much as he did would be overwhelming. Charlie still reminded me of a kid. Elon was a man, though. “Elon, you’re even more handsome than I remembered.”

He met my gaze and asked in a low tone, “So you’d still pick me?”

“Every time.” I felt heat rush to my face.

I was saying way too much way too quickly. Sure, I was drawn to the illusion that I could have a life with Elon, but I knew I wasn’t going to end up with him. It was a crazy, dangerous illusion. I wondered if I needed to bolt out the door to protect my heart from another break.

Charlie asked loudly, “Are they flirting over there?”

“I hope so,” Sam said.

The top of my head to the soles of my feet burned as everyone stared at me. I wasn’t in costume, but I was pretending. Sam deserved to be here, but I had to prevent myself at all costs from falling back in love with Elon.

Elon asked, “So, Charlie, I thought you were flying coast-to-coast for that airline.”

Charlie bobbed up and down, clearly still full of energy. “Usually, but I traded for another route. Maman is planning to visit you or for you to go to Virgin Cove immediately.”

I envisioned helping guide Sam into his new life and maybe enjoy the company of Elon and his family without having to deal with my parents’ icy stares. I lifted my chin. “This weekend is okay to go to Virgin Cove… if….”

Elon quickly whispered, “They’re gone.”

He’d read my mind.

Charlie tapped his brother on the back. “Text Maman right away, Elon.”

“On it,” Elon said and sent a message.

The closest thing I had to a home was the staff quarters of that house in Virgin Cove.

Elon motioned to the wine, and Charlie nodded happily. “So, seeing you two together is great. Jeff was suspicious that Clarissa might turn out to be the mysterious Regina.”

Elon poured wine for the adults and offered Sam a bottle of water. My head swiveled as I looked from one brother to the other. “Who's Regina?”

Elon handed me a glass of wine. “Some blogger who got something on Warren and caused him some trouble.”

If anyone in the Norouzi family would grow angel wings, it was Warren. I sipped my wine. “Warren, of all people?”

“Yeah,” Elon said with a huff I interpreted as total agreement.

Charlie asked, “Why did you disappear on us, Clarissa?”

I winced.

Elon stood taller. “Don’t stress her out.”

My hero, again. There wasn't an easy answer to that question.

Charlie pressed his hands to his heart. “I’d never want to do that. I just assumed you were now on track to be the next one getting married, Elon.”

“Stop.” I wasn’t about to let myself imagine some wedding with myself as the bride walking toward Elon.

He hadn't wanted me years ago and probably wasn’t into me now. We were working together to ensure Sam was ingrained as a Norouzi. That was all.

Elon said, “You heard her. Back off.”