Read Online The Boyfriend of the Month Club by Maria Geraci - Free Book Online Page B

be the one to rain on their parade. Which reminds me, you are going to help me with Abuela, aren’t you? We’re going to have to take turns spending the night here. She can’t stay alone.” Abuela was hardly fragile, but Grace didn’t think anyone would rest easy worrying about Abuela accidentally falling at night on her way to the bathroom or something.
    Charlie looked insulted. “Of course I’m going to help.” He took a sip of his beer. “I want to talk to you about something too. I’m thinking about moving.”
    Grace stilled. “But I thought you’re about to make partner.”
    “The firm is opening a branch in Miami and they want me to head it. It won’t happen for another six months, so I’ll be here to help with Abuela.”
    “It doesn’t sound like you’re thinking about it. It sounds like you’ve already made up your mind.”
    He shrugged. “I didn’t actively seek it. But it’s a good opportunity. I’d be an idiot to turn it down. And there’s nothing keeping me here in Daytona. Besides the family, of course. With the hours I’ve been keeping at the firm, you’ll probably see me just as much as you do now. I’ll come up on weekends some, and holidays too.”
    The only time they consistently saw each other anymore was on Sundays. And that was only because Mami and Pop insisted they keep the family Mass and supper tradition. But Charlie was fooling himself if he thought he’d be able to make the nearly five-hour drive from Miami to Daytona Beach more than a few times a year. Not with the kind of hours he kept.
    “Do Mami and Pop know?”
    “You’re the first person I’ve told. Outside the firm.”
    “What does Phoebe think about it?”
    “I told you, she’s not a factor.” He shifted around in his chair. “Look, even though it’s none of your beeswax, I’m going to tell you what went down because you’re my sister and I don’t want you to think I’m an asshole. Phoebe and I went out for drinks a couple of times. Everyone in the office does. One time I got a little drunk and yeah, we kissed. End of story. It was stupid, I know. But she’s a junior associate; I’m not about to get involved with her. Obviously, she thinks it’s more than it was, but I swear, I never led her on. She has a boyfriend, for God’s sake.”
    “And you kissed her anyway?”
    “He’s an out-of-town boyfriend.”
    “Are all men as delusional as you?”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    Grace thought about the boyfriend club and shook her head. “Nothing.”
    “Look, I’m sorry the store has fallen on your shoulders. I’ll take a look at the finances and see if there’s anything I can suggest.”
    “Thanks.” She leaned over and kissed her brother on the cheek. “Since you’re in such a generous mood, how about you do me another favor?”
    He narrowed his eyes at her. “Like what?”
    “It’s Sarah. She’s been so down lately.”
    “Like you said before, that’s natural. She’s going through a divorce.”
    “Isn’t there some nice guy you can fix her up with? Just for dinner or something? I’d do it, but unfortunately my nice-guy list is severely limited. Like zero.”
    “Sorry, but so is mine.”
    “I’m just afraid she might get back with Craig. And it would be for all the wrong reasons.”
    “Not gonna happen. Sarah’s stubborn. And unforgiving. She won’t take him back. Not ever.”
    “How do you know?”
    “She’s been your best friend for, what? Twenty-five years? I might be delusional but every once in a while I pay attention. No worries. She’s not getting back with Craig. Sarah’s not the forgive-and-forget type.”
    It was true. For as long as Grace had known her, Sarah had never taken shit from anyone. Except Grace. Sarah wasn’t stubborn and unforgiving with Grace. In the twenty-five years she and Sarah had been best friends, they’d gone through plenty of rough times. Yet they’d always forgiven each other the transgressions that went along with the