Page 48 of To Steal a Heart
“That’s a good idea.” She was grateful that Crew was giving her the benefit of the doubt instead of assuming she was off her rocker. Her rational mind argued that there was no way it could be the same guy. And yet … the waiter had looked enough like the thief that it startled her.
“Arden,” a woman called.
She turned to see Charlie and Forge trotting towards her. Charlie stepped forward and embraced Arden in a tight hug, giving Arden a whiff of fruity shampoo.
“Hey, sis. I’ve missed you,” Charlie began.
They pulled apart as Arden took an assessment of her younger sister. With her long, straight hair and even features, Charlie was a beauty in her own right. Her flowing casual dress, sandals, and bangled necklace gave off an exotic, Bohemian vibe. Arden bit back a smile. Mom probably flipped her gourd when she saw how casual Charlie was dressed.
“I’ve missed you too,” Arden said with a gush of emotion. She dearly loved her family and hated that they couldn’t all live close. Maybe one day they’d all make their way back to Honeysuckle Island. “How’s the scholar?”
Charlie shrugged. “You know, normal. Buried in assignments.”
“Of course you are. It’s Harvard.”
“That’s why I leave the studying to Charlie,” Forge quipped as he stepped up and gave Arden a bear hug. He let out a low whistle as he looked her up and down. “Wow, you clean up nice.”
“Why thank you,” Arden chirped as she batted her lashes and patted her hair with her palm.
A wicked glint lit Forge’s dark eyes. “You look almost as pretty as your date.”
“Hey,” Arden protested as she popped Forge in the arm.
“Ouch,” he yelped. “You’re vicious.” Her little brother got great delight out of teasing her mercilessly. Of course, Arden had no qualms about returning the favor. Charlie, on the other hand, was more subdued. She dipped her head slightly and suppressed a grin. Forge was the daring, adventurous twin. Charlie preferred to stay buried beneath her books.
“I can attest to that.” Crew stepped close and encircled her waist. “She is vicious.” This earned him a look of praise from Forge.
“Ah, you know exactly what you’re in for, and yet you’re here nonetheless,” Forge continued.
“Like a moth to the flame.” Crew threw Arden a teasing grin.
“I like a man who calls things as they are,” Forge observed.
Crew extended his hand to Forge. “Nice to meet you. I’m a big fan.”
Forge pushed out his chest a little. “Nice to meet you too.” They clasped hands in a hearty shake.
With his spiky nut-brown hair and quick smile, Forge reminded Arden of Tom Cruise. Thanks to Forge’s good looks and daring profession, he had a long string of female admirers, which Arden termed his “groupies.” However, no lucky woman had managed to snag Forge as of yet.
“What’s your name?” Forge asked.
“Crew Bronson.”
“Y’all will get along beautifully,” Arden purred. “Crew’s also an adrenaline junkie.”
Forge’s eyes lit up. “A man after my own heart.”
Arden motioned to Charlie. “This is my younger sister.”
“Hello, Charlie.” Crew graced her with one of his stunning smiles. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you too,” she responded.
Crew and Forge moved over to talk about Forge’s latest stunt that he’d posted on his channel.
Arden turned to Charlie. “How’s the party?” The disgusted look on her sister’s face rippled a giggle through Arden’s throat. “That good, huh?”
“I don’t know why Mom and Dad waste their time with all this fluff.” She frowned as she looked around. “Think about how many hungry children that could have been fed with the exorbitant amount of money Sylvia spent on this party.”