Snuggled up with Michael under a blanket on his back porch, I can’t help but appreciate the beauty of the view. It overlooks a river with mountains in the distance but despite the view, my mind wanders to everything and nothing. At the forefront, are Rachel and Alex. Their shared kiss had been so full of need and love that it had made me hot to witness it, something I haven’t admitted to Michael. I really feel for them and it might be because I don’t know them, but I long for them to be together. They aren’t related through blood and it was obvious to anyone who witnessed them together this afternoon just how much in love they are.

I don’t think Michael and his family would see it the way I do though, which is sad because my heart breaks for them.

Michael starts to quietly snore against me and I smile down at him, but hearing, “Sis,” my gaze snaps up and I find myself staring into Carrie’s eyes.

I’m so surprised that I don’t move or say anything but I sense Michael has jerked awake and he pulls me to the side of him.

“Haven’t you done enough?” he asks, standing to face her.

I join him and place a hand on his chest, his arm goes around my waist. “I want to know why you've tracked me down here, when you never have before?”

She sighs and as I look closely, I notice the difference in her appearance. Her skin is pasty and her hair isn’t as groomed as usual. Her clothes are rumpled and she’s twitching.

“Are you on drugs?” I blurt the question out. Carrie gasps and Michael quickly looks at me before turning his attention back to my sister.

She shakes her head. “Can I talk to you?” she asks. “Alone.”

I know Michael isn’t going to like this, but I’m curious as to what is going on with her, and maybe she’ll tell me what was going on with her money on Santorini. “We can talk, but I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“You can talk out here, I’ll go and put some fresh coffee on.” He kisses me on the cheek and whispers, “Are you okay with that?”

“I’m fine.” I turn and quickly kiss his lips, watching as he leaves us alone.

Carrie approaches and sits in the chair opposite where I’d been relaxing with Michael.

“You look right here, with him,” she tells me, surprising the heck out of me. “I was wrong to cause problems between you both, I’m sorry.”

I want to believe her apology is sincere, but I’m not all sure that it is. “What happened between you and Dad? Neither him nor Mom would say anything before I left.”

She looks away and her hands start to twitch. “Dad decided that he’d have the money from the shares given to me weekly instead of monthly,” she says with anger. “He has all that money and I get a pitiful weekly allowance.”

“That’s Dad’s money, Carrie. It isn’t ours, we didn’t earn it.”

“Did he do the same to you?”

I sigh. She’s always been hung up on money, and I’m not surprised she spends it as quickly as she gets it.

“I get the monthly deposit into my account from the shares I own, as well as my salary for my job,” I stress. “If you get a job you’d have more funds,” I suggest.

“That doesn’t exactly help me now, does it?” she sulks.

“Look you came here, to me, at Michael’s house. If you can’t be civil then you might as well leave,” I snap having enough of her tongue, although I have for a long time now.

“I need some money,” she blurts out. “I can’t manage on my allowance. I’m used to having the full amount.”

“Then I suggest you start living within your means.”

“Brooke, I don’t have anyone else to turn to,” she whines with tears in her eyes.

“Tell me why you need the money?”

“I’ve told you, I’m used to living off more. I have rent, and bills. Things that I wouldn’t have done if I knew Dad was going to cut my money and give it to me weekly.”

“I’m not giving you anything. Be careful what you spend and save up for things. That’s what normal hard working people do.” I’m tired of this conversation and I do feel guilty for not jumping in with both feet to help her, but she doesn’t deserve that, not after the way she’s treated me for years.

“You’re really not going to help me, are you?” She tilts her head to the side and watches me closely. At one time that would make me squirm, but no more.

“No, I’m not.”

Her face twitches and my belly spasms with nerves at what she’s going to do or say next as I press myself into the sofa.

“I think it’s time you left,” Michael says, to my relief. “I’ve given you enough time to talk.”

“You listened in on a private conversation?” she accuses.

“I listened in out of concern for my girlfriend, no other reason. Please leave.”

She stands and nearly jumps out of her skin when a car horn blurs. “My ride.” Without another word, she leaves as quietly as she appeared.

Michael sits beside me. “Are you okay?”

“I’m not sure.” He takes my hand and intertwines our fingers. “I feel guilty for not helping her, but if she is doing drugs then I don’t want to be responsible for her buying more. If she isn’t, and just spending, then I don’t want to help her with that.”

“You did the right thing.” Michael wraps an arm around my shoulders. “Do you want me to find out what she’s up to?”

“I want to say yes, but I don’t want whatever it is to rub off on you, or me for that matter.”

“Did she answer about doing drugs?”

“No.” I pull my lower lip between my teeth. “I think I need to call my dad and let him know about her visit and why.”

“Maybe he knows. After all, didn’t we leave him going through her account?”

“Yeah. I asked before we left but Mom and Dad changed the subject.” I shrug.

“Let’s forget about her for now, okay? Let me take you out to dinner, and then we’ll come home and I’ll make sweet love to you so that you’ll never want to leave me.”

With a slight gasp, I climb onto Michael’s lap and curl into him. “I love you, Michael.” I cup his jaw. “Why would I ever want to leave?”

He doesn’t reply, but pulls me down to meet his mouth.