One Secret Night, One Secret Baby. Charlene Sands
on her thoughts about the bottle blonde. Dylan didnât exactly confide in her about his love life, but his earnest question made her stomach ripple in guilt. She had a truth to tell him, too, and maybe it would help spark his memory, but it could also make things weird between them, which was the last thing she wanted.
Brooke seemed eager to answer, but shook her head as if formulating her thoughts. âYou donât remember?â
âNo. But sheâs acting like weâre ready for the altar. From what I remember, that wasnât the case. Am I wrong?â
âNo, youâre certainly not wrong,â Brooke shot back. âNot even close. Before...before your accident, you told me you were going to break it off with her for good.â
âI did? I donât remember.â Poor Dylan was struggling. His gaze lifted to the wide windows that opened out onto the sea, as if he were searching for answers there. He seemed lost right now, not his usual self-confident, always-one-step-ahead-of-everyone, charming self.
âIf she says itâs more, Dylan, Iâd be careful,â Brooke offered. âSheâs banking on your amnesia to worm her way back into your...â
Dylan turned to his sister, his brows lifting and a crooked smile emerging. âMy what?â
âYour good graces,â Emma finished for her.
Dylan slid her a knowing look. âAlways the diplomat, Em. But somehow, I donât think thatâs what Brooke was going to say.â He began nodding. âOkay, I get the picture.â He glanced at Callista, who was now surrounded by a few other actors in the film. She was deep in conversation yet constantly casting him furtive glances at every opportunity, sizing him up and staking her claim.
Brooke was rightâCallista was all wrong for Dylan. How difficult it must be for him not to remember some things, not to have a grasp on his feelings. âYouâre the only ones I can trust,â he said. He rubbed his brow, just under his bandage. âI canât tell you how bizarre this feels. I see some things clearly. Other things are fuzzy at best. And then thereâs a whole chunk that I donât remember.â
Emma plunked three ice cubes into a glass and poured him a root beer, his favorite from childhood. âHere, drink up.â
âThanks,â he said, âthough I could use something stronger.â
âThe doctor says not yet. Youâre still on pain meds.â Brookeâs internal mother came out. It really was sweet seeing how close the two had become since the move from Ohio to Los Angeles years ago.
âOne drink wonât kill me.â
âLetâs not find out, okay? I was worried enough when you were sent to the hospital. And Mom just went home two days ago. If I have to call her again to tell her youâre back in Saint Josephâs, sheâll have a heart attack.â
Dylan rolled his eyes. âYou see how good she is, Emma? She knows exactly how to lay on the guilt.â
A chuckle rumbled from Emmaâs throat. âI know all about Brookeâs tactics. I work with her.â
âHey!â Brooke said. âYouâre supposed to be on my side.â
âLike I said, Emmaâs a diplomat. Thanks for the drink.â He lifted his glass in mock toast and then pivoted around and walked away.
âHeâll be okay,â Brooke said, watching him head back to his guests. âWe just have to do whatever it takes to help him along.â
Dread formed a tight knot in Emmaâs stomach. She hated keeping secrets from Brooke. They usually shared everything. But how exactly could she come out and say, I begged your brother to sleep with me the night of the blackout and all I remember is his body on mine, heated breaths and sexy words whispered in my ear. She didnât remember how she got in bed or when he left her that night. She couldnât recall how theyâd ended things. Were there parting words recognizing the big mistake? Or had he promised to call her? He had no knowledge of what theyâd done, but geesh, she didnât recall much of that night, either.
âOh, brother,â she mumbled.
âWhat?â Brooke asked.
âNothing. Nothing at all.â
* * *
âBrooke, you did a wonderful job today,â Callista said, leaning her arms over the granite island, spilling her cleavage and smiling her billion-dollar smile. The sun was setting and all but one guest had left the memorial service. âYou helped make the day easier for your brother.â
âIt wasnât just me, Callie,â Brooke said. âEmma did her fair share of the work and weâd both do anything to help Dylan get through this day.â
Callistaâs gaze darted Emmaâs way as if sheâd just noticed her standing there. Hello, Iâm not invisible. âOf course, you, too, Emma.â She spoke to her as if she were a child. What was it with rich powerful women that made them feel superior, just by right of wealth? Emma could probably run circles around her SAT scores. âYou did a marvelous job.â
âDylanâs a special guy and Iâm happy to help.â
Callista gave her a cursory nod, eyeing her for just a second as if measuring the competition, and then turned away, writing her off.
âBrooke, do you know where Dylan is? I want to say goodbye to him and tell him his eulogy was touching.â
âYeah, I do. He said to say goodbye to you for him. The day tired him out. He went to sleep.â
âHeâs in bed already?â Callista straightened and her gaze moved toward the hallway staircase. She knew exactly where Dylanâs bedroom was. âMaybe I should go up and wish him good-night.â
âHe, uh, needs uninterrupted rest. Doctorâs orders.â Brookeâs accomplished smile brought Emma a stream of silent chuckles. Leave it to Brooke. She was in defense mode now.
âYes, of course, youâre right.â She nibbled on her lip, shooting another longing glance at the staircase. Then her expression changed. âHe does need to rest up so he can be back on set as soon as possible.â
The SEAL movie had been shut down for a month already and it was costing the studio big bucks, so Dylanâs return to the set was essential. Even Callista recognized that fact. âTell him Iâll call him.â
âWill do, Callie. Iâll walk you out.â
âOh, thatâs not necessary,â Callista said.
âI donât mind.â
After the two left, Emma couldnât contain her laughter. She knew for certain Callista Lee Allen hated to be called Callie, yet she let Brooke get away with it because she was Dylanâs sister.
What a day it had been. Selfishly, Emma was glad it was over. She didnât like walking around with a cloud of guilt over her head. She hoped âout of sight, out of mindâ would work on her. As soon as she left Dylanâs house, maybe her head would clear and sheâd be free of this grating bug gnawing at her to tell Dylan what happened between them.
Finished with her duties, the house clean and back to normal, thanks to Maisey and her efforts, Emma took a seat on one of the many white leather sofas in the living room. A pastel pop of color fading on the horizon grabbed her attention as she looked out the window. The sunset was beautiful on Moonlight Beach. She leaned back, closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the waves breaking on the shore.
âMission