“Speaking of busy, Julia and I have an idea we’ve been tossing around…”
The proposal leftBrielle and Finnigan speechless. Then Brielle stood abruptly and invited Julia to accompany her for a stroll down the beach. Julia shot Miguel a helpless look before she followed Brielle out of the family room.
Alone, Finnigan grinned at Miguel and slapped him lightly on the back. “Well, Miguel, this is unexpected and not how I envisioned it would happen for you.”
“Neither did I.”
“I know you’re sick and taking antibiotics, but, man, you look like you need a beer. Maybe more than one. I knowIneed more than one.”
The friends left the family room and headed into the kitchen. Finnigan pulled two cans of beer from the refrigerator and tossed one to Miguel. Alcohol was the last thing he should be drinking in his current condition, but damn, hedidneed it. The familiar aroma and taste as it slid down his throat calmed his nerves.
“Miguel, I imagine Brielle is saying the same thing to Julia. If you do this, there will be consequences for you and her. Painful ones. And there won’t be any coming back from those. Whatever is happening between you and Julia could be ruined forever.”
“You make it sound so dire, Finn.” Miguel gulped his beer.
“It is. And not to be entered into lightly.”
“Believe me, Finn, I’m entering into this very seriously, with my eyes wide open, and so is Julia. And when this situation is over, I’m not letting her go, nor will I forsake her.”
“And does she feel the same way?”
Miguel drained his can of beer. Finnigan reached into the refrigerator and removed two more cans. Miguel popped the top and took a swig before he answered Finnigan’s question.
“Yes. Maybe. I hope so.”
“There’s no rush. You and Julia kicked General Escobar’s ass at the hospital. He and those psycho Anderson brats aren’t likely to tangle with you again anytime soon. You’ve got time to change your mind, Miguel. Especially when it clears from being sick.”
I don’t want to change my mind.
Miguel saluted Finnigan with his beer. “We’ll see.”
Brielle and Julia interrupted their conversation when they returned from the beach and stepped into the kitchen. Julia’s red-rimmed eyes widened with dismay as they locked onto the half-drunk can of beer in Miguel’s hand, but Brielle didn’t hesitate to scold him.
“Miguel Rivera! Just what in God’s name do you think you’re doing? Mixing alcohol with antibiotics on top of Covid?” Brielle snatched the can of beer from his hand and dumped the rest of it down the sink. With her hands on her hips, she whirled on Finnigan. “Don’t stand there smirking! I know you encouraged him.”
Finnigan tossed his empty can in the garbage. He held up his hands in mock surrender. “Guilty as charged. But in my defense, Miguel didn’t refuse it.”
“That’s right,” Miguel confirmed. “I needed it. In fact, I’m feeling pretty good right now. Got a nice buzz going.” He glanced at Julia. Her dismay had morphed into obvious disappointment. In him.Shit.
Miguel opened his mouth to offer a repentant and humble apology, but Julia’s cell phone vibrated with a call.
“I have to take this,” she muttered and fled outside to the deck.
A few seconds later, Miguel’s cell phone buzzed, too. He glanced at the caller’s name. “Jesus, Brielle. You called Justice?”
Now it was her turn to smirk. “Yes, I did.”
Miguel cursed beneath his breath as he answered the call on his way upstairs to the guest room. “Chief, what a surprise. I thought you’d be on your way to Alabama by now.”
“Do notplay the fool with me, River. What in the hell are you and Julia thinking? It’s a terrible plan, an even worse folly, and it will backfire.”
A heaviness not related to Covid settled in Miguel’s chest, and he sank onto the bed. “Don’t you trust me, Justice?”
“I’m not dignifying that with a response. You don’t need to make this kind of sacrifice to accomplish your mission.”
“I want to. And yeah, Ineedto as well.”
“It shouldn’t be entered into lightly, River.”
