Easy Charm

“Because I don’t think he wants it.” I wrinkle my nose and all three girls stop what they’re doing to stare at me.

“Do we have to have the talk?” Van asks, then turns to Charly. “I told you we should have given her the talk.”

“Well, she got pregnant and had a baby, and I just assumed she already knew the basics.” Charly shakes her head in disbelief. “Of course he wants it, sweetie. He’s a man.”

“Well, we’ve kissed, and touched, and…”

“Has he buried his face downtown?” Charly asks with raised brows.

“Uh, yeah.”

“He wants it,” she replies. “Guys don’t go downtown for nothing, trust me.”

“Well, with Sam gone, he’s been sleeping in here with me,” I begin, then bump Kate’s fist when she offers it. “And I just figured we’d have actually had sex by now, but yesterday was a cluster and I was so exhausted last night, I was practically already asleep by the time I crawled in bed.”

“Well, you won’t have that issue tonight,” Kate says with an encouraging smile. “Nothing at all to worry about. We have this covered, and you can just take the night off and have a good time.”

“And by have a good time, she means get laid,” Van says helpfully. “You know, in case you didn’t know.”

“Thanks,” I reply as I pull the dress over my head and step into my shoes. Charly zips me up from behind.

“Oh, this looks fantastic!” she says with a happy smile. “Now, your hair and makeup.”

“It’s just dinner. It’s not the prom or anything.” But I turn a circle, pleased with my reflection. How long has it been since I wore anything other than jeans or shorts? I don’t even remember.

“Oh, here, put this in your purse.” Charly hands me a silver packet.

“Just one?” Van asks with a frown, and I let the whole string of condoms fall in a long line, dangling from my fingers. “Oh, good.”

“Well, whether he wants to do it or not,” I say with a giggle, “we’ll be safe.”

“He wants it,” Charly says with confidence and kisses my cheek. “Have fun. Be safe.”

“And please, get laid,” Van adds.

***

Dinner was amazing, at my favorite restaurant in the Quarter, Café Amalie. Kate must have told Rhys to take me there.

The food was delicious, Joe the waiter was kind and flirty, and my date was attentive, sexy and funny.

I’ve come to learn that effort is attractive. Rhys is here with me because he wants to be, and he put a lot of effort into getting me here.

Totally sexy.

And if that wasn’t enough, he took me to the club that my brother, Declan, is playing in tonight. We have front row seats, so Rhys must have given Declan the heads up that we were coming.

I don’t remember the last time I got to watch Dec perform. It’s been years. And there is nothing in the world like watching my handsome brother croon, sing, play the instruments like he was born to it, and flirt with the audience.

He’s always reminded me of Harry Connick Jr., another New Orleans native musician. Like Harry, Declan is funny, and so damn talented.

He’s singing a bluesy number I don’t know, his long fingers dancing over the keys of the piano, and he glances over at me and winks.

I’m swaying in my seat, holding Rhys’s hand in my lap, soaking in the music and the strong, captivating man sitting next to me.

Rhys leans over and kisses the crown of my head, then murmurs, “Are you having fun?”

“So much fun,” I reply immediately. “I don’t remember the last time I heard Dec play.”

“He’s good,” Rhys says, his eyes on Declan.

“He’s the best.” I nudge Rhys with my shoulder playfully. “And I didn’t get even a drop of the musical talent that Dec has.”

“You have other talents,” he replies softly, his green eyes suddenly hot.

“Like you’d know,” I mutter low, but suddenly Rhys’s arm is wrapped around my shoulders and his lips are against my ear.

“Trust me, baby, I want you, and I’ll have you. But I’m enjoying this easy evening out with you.”

I smile up at him as Declan finishes the song. He stands from the piano and sits on a stool with his guitar. “Ladies and gentlemen, I have a special guest here tonight.”

He smiles down at me and I pray with all my might that he doesn’t pull me up on stage. I’m terrified of people.

But he just gives me a tiny shake of the head and keeps talking.

Because he knows.

“My baby sister, Gabby, hasn’t heard me perform in about three years, and I’m pleased that she’s here tonight, with a special friend.”

I raise a brow, but he keeps talking.

“Gabby is one of the most special people in my life, friends.” His eyes soften on me. “She’s the best. And this is a song that our father sang to her, and that she now sings to her little one. I’d like to sing it for her tonight.”

I hold my breath, and reach out for Rhys’s hand as Declan begins to sing the Johnny Cash version of You Are My Sunshine, and just like that, tears fill my eyes as I watch my big brother sing the song that’s more familiar to me than just about anything else.

The guitar sounds…well, stringy is the only way I can describe it because I don’t play the instrument myself. It’s a slow, gritty version of the song, and I love every note.

When he’s done, he comes off the stage to me, hugs me close, and whispers in my ear, “Love you, sunshine.”