Page 77 of Starfish and Coffee

Matt practically fell out of the booth, but Alex just stepped around him as he dashed up to the counter and leaned against it.

“Heads-up,” Alex tossed over his shoulder as he folded his arms over his chest, trying to appear casual even if everything in him had tightened in defensiveness and more than a little heartache.

“Oh my God!” Holly gasped from behind him.

Alex didn’t have time to respond or even look back to see how she was doing. All he could do was narrow his eyes at his brother as he walked up, looking like everything he once hated. Will’s clothes were designer. His sunglasses probably cost more than his first car, and he had the very pressed, polished air to him that told the world he was rich and he reveled in it.

“Need directions?” Alex asked as Will stopped in front of him. “Not really your side of the beach anymore, is it?”

“Alex—” Will choked out before he took off his sunglasses and looked down as if trying to pull himself together. “I know you’re still angry, but—”

“Yeah,” Alex cut him off. “Still pretty fucking pissed.”

Will took a deep breath in a way that reminded Alex of the older brother he’d lost. Like he was just exasperated with Alex, who was being stubborn and not seeing reason as usual.

Clearly choosing his words wisely, Will finally said, “Daryl called my office.”

“And what’d he tell you?”

“Something I wish I’d known a long time ago.” Will glared at Alex, a war of emotions playing over his handsome face. “Why didn’t you tell me in New York?”

“You were a dick in New York,” Alex reminded him. “I didn’t want you anywhere near her after the things you said. I still don’t.”

“I didn’t mean those things,” Will said earnestly, his voice cracking with emotion. “Not anything I said about you and certainly not what I said about Holly. I was young and stupid and very hurt.”

Alex felt himself wavering that easily. He wanted it to be true. He wanted his brother back.

“And why should we believe you?” Alex asked, raising his eyebrows.

“Because you’re my brother, and I love you,” Will whispered, his eyes welling with tears in a way that completely ruined his new executive look. “And I loved her too. I still do.”

Alex looked to Matt, who was watching the scene unfold with sharp eyes as if waiting for the moment he needed to stand up. Alex stood there staring at the man he loved, knowing his brother hadn’t done anything worse than he had.

Who the hell was Alex to deny someone a second chance?

“Why not step aside and let me decide for myself what to believe?” Holly’s voice cut through Alex’s internal musing. “I don’t know why you’ve forgotten that I’m not a naive girl anymore, Alex, but I promise you, he can’t hurt me a second time. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

Despite the situation, a smile tugged at Alex’s lips. He turned around, seeing that Holly’s back was straight and her eyes narrowed at Will. “I know you can.”

“Then why don’t you go puff out your chest somewhere else?” Holly countered without taking her gaze off Will. “Unless you have something more to say?”

“No, I got nothing else to say to him.” Alex shook his head, because he wasn’t ready to forget the past—not yet.

Knowing Holly was two seconds away from hurting him with a plastic to-go knife, Alex stepped aside, pretending to suddenly be interested in the potato chips lined up underneath the counter.

“Can I buy you lunch?” Will asked, the longing heavy in his voice as he studied Holly. “Just to catch up.”

Holly was silent for a long moment. She looked away from Will to glance at Alex, then Matt as if considering the proposition. Then she reached behind her neck and pulled the tie on her apron. “I’m driving.”

Will frowned. “Okay.”

“And I get to pick the place.”

“Of course.” Will nodded, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “Anywhere you want.”

“You’re paying too,” Holly told him decisively as she pulled her apron over her head and tucked it under the counter. “We’re going somewherereallyexpensive.”

“I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“Okay, then.” Holly pulled the pencil holding her hair in a bun out, letting the long mass fall down past her shoulders as she walked around the counter. “Let’s have lunch.”

Will looked back at Alex as he followed Holly out of the diner. His shoulders seemed to slump as if he knew he needed to tackle one battle at a time. Holly was certainly the most difficult war to win. Alex was supposed to forgive him for being stupid—that’s what brothers did.

“You okay?” Matt asked once Holly and Will stepped out into the parking lot.

Alex nodded. “I think so. I just can’t believe he came back home after all this time. It’s crazy.”

“That’s the nice thing about home.” Matt wrapped his arm around Alex’s waist, pulling him closer. “One way or another, you usually find your way back.”