Faux Vows, True Desires

"What are you standing around for? Come and say hello to Darlene."

Lucinda was troubled by the aloofness her brother exhibited towards Darlene.

Darlene was a beautiful woman, and if Keith showed no interest in her, Lucinda was left wondering what kind of girl could possibly catch her brother's attention.

Upon their mother's prompting, Keith took a few steps forward. He gave Darlene a polite nod, his face remaining as cool and expressionless as ever. He did not bother to exchange pleasantries, but in his own way had greeted her.

He had only bothered to show this much courtesy for his sister's sake.

Otherwise, he would've kept a safe distance of at least ten feet.

Darlene had been watching this man from the corner of her eye. At first, she thought he was a bodyguard for Lucinda and her mother, but when she saw the actual bodyguards standing at a distance, she realized he was not one of them. Now, knowing that he was the heir of the Blue family, she gave him a closer look.

According to her research on the Blue family, Keith seemed to be a bit of a recluse, especially when it came to women outside his family. At twenty-four, he hadn't even had his first love, and in matters of the heart, he was as innocent as a blank slate.

He was handsome, if a bit frosty, and under normal circumstances, would've had a slew of girls chasing after him. But he remained untouched, probably due to his parents' failed marriage, which had likely left him wary of relationships.

This was Darlene's hypothesis and it gave her a pang of sympathy for him.

Seeing her stare, Keith assumed she was like every other woman who had laid eyes on him. He figured she was infatuated with him.

He frowned slightly, annoyed by her attention. He glared back at Darlene. But instead of adoration, he saw sympathy in her eyes.

Sympathy?

She pitied him?

Did he need her sympathy?

Was she using this tactic to capture his attention?

Keith doubted Darlene for a moment, but he quickly dismissed his suspicions.

trusted his

sister would not befriend

him as nothing more than a good-looking guy. There was no adoration in her eyes, just a calm acceptance. She probably saw him more as a brother than anything else.

he wasn't as great as

among women in Skywatch, and

friend. You don't have to put on such a cold face, you're scaring her," Lucinda interrupted their silent stare-off, hoping

His frosty demeanor melted away,

won't keep a straight face. Is this better?" Keith's

sister,

my elder brother, Keith. He always has this stern look on his face like someone owes him a fortune, but you don't have to be afraid of him. We owe him nothing, so even if

not afraid of

If she had been scared, there would be no chance

attracted to a woman who was

the introductions, Lucinda, Darlene, and

outside world,

nook and cranny of Pinehurst, as her job as a detective often required

just completed a case for

wanted to investigate

had failed to

wanting to know his enemy better, Owen had no choice but to seek

even the best agency couldn't find anything about Avery, Owen was ready to

kind of detective agency couldn't

had a deep cover, wasn't going to reveal

if everything was new and exciting. As Lucinda shopped, Darlene started to enjoy it too, and joined her in the shopping

bought things for her sisters, while Lucinda and

and his bodyguards were soon

as dark as thunder

Darlene would sneak a glance at him. She couldn't help but laugh

being who he was,

glared at her