Daniel

“I can’t believe how much he looks like Blake,” Summer says as we step inside the hospital’s underground parking lot.

I bite back a laugh. I don’t see any resemblance between the baby and my brother. All babies look the same to me, but I voiced that opinion half an hour ago, and my ears are still ringing with her explanation of eyebrow shapes, ear pointedness, and whatnot. I learn from my mistakes.

“Crap! I have a flat tire.”

We come to a halt in front of her black Ford Focus, and her front tire looks as if it melted into the concrete.

“I’ll change it for you. You have a spare?”

My sister beams. “Yes, yes I do. Thank you so much. You are the best brother in the world.”

“I bet you say that to all our brothers.” We have seven other siblings: two sisters and five brothers. Since Summer is the youngest, we’ve all spoiled her rotten. I was three when she was born, and fell right under her spell. Not much has changed in the twenty-seven years since.

“I will neither confirm, nor deny it.” She grins, opening her trunk. I take out her spare tire and bring it to the front.

“You did some damage. I’m surprised you didn’t feel it on the way here.” 

“Wasn’t paying too much attention. I was too excited to get here.”

That I can understand. I practically flew out of a meeting when I got the call. It’s not every day that my twin brother becomes a father.

Rolling up the sleeves of my shirt, I get to work on the tire. “By the way, the stunt with the shoes wasn’t smooth.”

“It wasn’t a matchmaking attempt. I do need the shoes, but I leave for LA tomorrow for the gallery’s workshop, remember? I’m coming back next Monday, and I need the shoes for an event on Tuesday.”

“And you couldn’t have asked Pippa?” Our oldest sister and Caroline are close friends. I don’t mind an excuse to see Caroline, but it’s important to call out my sisters on their matchmaking attempts; otherwise, things could escalate quickly.

“You’re picking me up from the airport when I return. You can bring them then. Makes perfect sense.” She smiles devilishly, clearly bursting to say more.

“Just say whatever you’re dying to say.”

“I’m going to be blunt about this.”

I can’t help a smile. “Because you’ve been so subtle until now?”

“You still have feelings for her. It’s the way you look at her. I saw you at Blake’s wedding. And you’ve been helping her dad.”

“I—how do you know about that?”

She shrugs one shoulder. “The Bennett rumor mill.”

“Of course.”

Talking to my family should come with a warning label: everything you say can and will be used against you. 

“Exes don’t usually stay involved with each other’s families. Far be it from me to read too much into this—”

“Summer, here’s some honest feedback: you always read too much into everything.”

She holds up a finger as if saying “Pay attention.”

“Even so, I have a theory. Hear me out, and I promise I won’t say anything more on the topic today.”

“Let’s hear it.”

“My theory is that you two have been in contact with the other’s family because you want to be part of each other’s lives any way you can.”

Summer is one of the most romantic and optimistic people I know. Coupled with her tendency to read too much into everything, her theories are usually far-fetched. But this particular one hits surprisingly close to home.

Summer glances at me but doesn’t break her promise.

“I’m almost done here. Do you have a cloth? Something I can wipe my hands on? I have grease everywhere.”

“I’ll look for something.” She disappears to the back of the car, returning with a cloth.

Handing it to me, she says, “By the way, rumor has it Simon Luther will be your client.”

“It’s true. And yes, I will get you his autograph.”

“You really are the best brother. How did you guess that’s what I was going to ask for?”

“Just a hunch.” Summer had posters of the actor all over her walls growing up.

“I love your job. And I’m so happy you dropped the extreme adventures part.”

“Me too.”

My company offers everything that falls under the concepts of events, tours, adventures, and experiences, and it’s attracting quite a famous clientele. When I started out, the big focus was on extreme adventures. I brushed aside my family’s concerns, subscribing to the It can never happen to me mentality. Until it did happen to me. Out of sheer luck, I wasn’t seriously injured, but at the next family dinner, it became clear that I couldn’t put them through so much worry again.

“This is done.” I rise to my feet, wiping my hands more vigorously on the cloth. The grease sticks.

“Thanks so much. I’ll head straight home. You?”

“Need to stop by the office first.”

She gives me a peck on the cheek, sighing. “I still can’t believe Blake’s a father. Next thing we know, it’ll be your turn.”

Summer’s optimism in all its glory. That’s not in the cards for me. Out of the nine of us, only Summer and I are single. I’ve watched my elder siblings and my twin fall in love and start families over the past few years. The connection each has to their spouse is so strong, I often feel like a third wheel when I’m in a room with just one of the couples.

I had that kind of connection with Caroline, years ago. But I have no claim on her anymore. Though I keep forgetting that detail whenever I’m around her; I can barely keep myself from flirting with her, touching her.

“Thanks for meeting with Caroline to take my shoes. Don’t back out. I do need them.” 

“I’ll get them for you, you little schemer.”

“I love you too.”

I kiss her forehead, opening the car door for her. She wiggles her eyebrows as she slides into the driver seat.

“Have fun in LA.”

“Have fun picking up the shoes.”

Smiling, I shake my head as I close her door. So much for my sister keeping her promise.

***

Traffic in San Francisco is usually bad, but crossing the city at seven o’clock in the evening is a special kind of hell. I arrive at eight o’clock at the office, expecting to find the office empty, but Lena, our receptionist, is at the front desk.

“How did it go?” she asks.

“Nephew is perfectly healthy, and so is his mom. What are you still doing here?”

“The Tour Company of the Year award was delivered half an hour ago. Couldn’t leave before adding it to our Wall of Pride.”

Glancing at the wall in question, I immediately identify the newest addition. The award title is written in golden ink on a dark blue background, framed with a thin white rim. I’m not one to collect awards, but they motivate the employees big-time.

“The wall’s gonna collapse soon,” I remark with a grin.

“What a fantastic problem to have. Don’t spoil our fun. Even Justin likes it, and he’s the company grouch.”

“Make sure you don’t say that to his face.” Justin Hamel was my first employee, though mentor might be a better word. He knows this business inside out, but his harsh way of dealing with the other employees isn’t gaining him popularity points.

Lena snickers. “Of course not. How long will you be here? Do you need anything?”

“Just need to pick up the equipment for the group tomorrow. Go home.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah.” 

“Okay, then I’m out of here.” She slings her bag over her shoulder, waving to me on her way out.

As I’m about to head to my office, the frame with the award shifts sideways, and I stop to straighten it. With a surge of pride, I have to admit, my team is right in hanging up the awards. It’s a nice reminder that hard work pays off. 

My eldest siblings built an empire from the ground up—Bennett Enterprises is one of the largest jewelry producers. Joining the family company was always an option, but I knew it wasn’t for me. If I spend too much time behind an office desk, I become restless. I like being outdoors, which is why I set up an adventure center, and I’m out in the field with groups as much as possible. My family cheered me on when I announced I’d strike out on my own. I want to make them proud.

I’m on my way to the basement of the building where we keep the equipment when I receive a message.

Caroline: Hey! I can bring you Summer’s shoes on Monday if that’s okay?

Daniel: I’m out with a group on Monday, but I’ll be back in my office at six o’clock.

Caroline: Six works. Or I can just drop them with someone at your office.

Daniel: And risk Summer’s wrath? :-) She set us up, the least she’s expecting is a face-to-face meeting.

Caroline: One of these days we should make up a wild story, set her straight. I’ll come by at six, give you the shoes PERSONALLY :-) 

My imagination is already running amok. We were wild... and so good together. So damn good that I still beat myself up over letting her go. 

Shoving the phone back in my pocket, I cook up a plan. My sister might have set this up, but I plan to take thorough advantage of my time with Caroline.