I got a little wild, but decide it’s better not to bring up my ill-fated attempt at seduction. In hindsight, why did he reject me back then? For a long time I thought he wasn’t attracted to me. I crane my neck to find him again, wondering what his deal is. His back is to me, so I can’t catch his eye. The man is so confusing. Back then, he acted like kissing me would be like kissing his cousin, then he rejected me, and then, when we met up for a second time here in Brooklyn, he let me think he was hooking up with other women. Why did he deliberately keep me at a distance for so long only to do a complete one-eighty with all this sex and deep emotion? Was he trying to overwhelm me? ’Cuz, guess what? It’s working. It was like a sneak attack the way he got under my skin.
The women titter.
I turn back to the table. “What?”
“Nothing, sweetheart,” Mrs. Rourke says.
“It’s obvious you’re smitten,” Mrs. Bianchi points out. “Can’t tear your gaze away from him for long.”
My cheeks flame. I don’t know where to look or what to say, so I shove the rest of the brownie in my mouth. Could we talk about anything else?
“Now, now,” Mrs. Rourke says, waving that away and shooting her a significant look. Probably because Faith is sitting right there—Brendan’s potential future mate.
Mrs. Bianchi goes on blithely, “I’m just sayin’, first thing she talked about was his sexual stamina. That’s how they hook ya. The good ones, anyway. So, Chloe, is Brendan treating you well?”
I nearly choke on the brownie. I’m not sure if she means in or out of the bedroom, but there’s only one right answer. “Yes.” It’s true, anyway.
I turn to look at him. He’s talking to his dad, but suddenly makes eye contact, giving me a warm smile. My stomach flutters, my pulse thrumming through my veins. I give him a little wave and turn back to the table.
Every woman is smiling at me. Except Faith.
“He’s smitten too,” Mrs. Bianchi says with a nod. “I know the signs.”
I don’t know what to say to that. But I think it’s true. I’m not sure how it got to this point between us. I stare at the table, lost in a swirl of confusing emotions.
Two large hands land on my shoulders and squeeze. I know those hands. I look up just as Brendan leans over me and smiles. “Hello, how’s it going over here?”
I relax, having him near again. “Good.”
“We’re going to go soon,” he says.
I’m ridiculously relieved and try not to show it.
“You just got here,” Mrs. Rourke says tightly. “And you were late.”
“I told ya, he’s smitten,” Mrs. Bianchi carols.
Faith stands, slipping her purse strap over her shoulder. “I’m going to go too. Thank you for having me.”
“Oh, Faith, I’m sorry,” Mrs. Rourke says, standing and putting a hand on her arm. “I’ll walk you out.” They head back through the house together.
We stay a few more minutes, waiting for his mom to return to tell her goodbye. When she does, she’s frowning. She pins Brendan with a stern mom look. “That was extremely embarrassing, Bren. Next time, keep me in the loop.”
“Next time, don’t butt into my love life,” he replies calmly.
“Faith is a lovely young woman,” she fires back. She glances at me. “You’re lovely too, Chloe. I was just caught by surprise.” She takes us both in. “I didn’t know things had changed between you two.”
“It’s kinda new,” I say quietly.
Brendan hugs his mom, kisses her cheek, and says something to her that has her smiling and patting him on the shoulder.
I lift my hand in a wave and say bye to everyone. Brendan guides me back through the house, his hand on the small of my back. We’re both quiet.
I wait until we’re on the sidewalk to speak. “Faith seems nice.”
“I’m so sorry you got caught up in that. I had no idea.”
“Why didn’t you tell your mom I was coming?” I hate that I care. I’m overwhelmed by all I’m feeling, and I fear he’s nowhere near where I’m at.
He lifts one shoulder. “Didn’t think it mattered.”
“Oh.” Ouch.
He turns to me. “Not that you don’t matter. It just didn’t occur to me to mention I was bringing a guest. There’s always tons of people coming in and out.”
I take a deep breath. “I think Faith would be a good match for you.”
He halts. “What did my mom