A Million Tears (Wish 2)

20 - Wishes

Brenna held her coin and hoped two wishes wouldn't jinx her. It was too important.

She shut her eyes and squeezed the round metal disc. I wish Noah Gentry was ready for a real relationship. She threw the coin and heard it plop into the water. The fish were safe.

"Your turn." Noah flipped his coin into the fountain. "Did you make a wish?"

He shrugged. "I'm not a kid." Brenna wanted to argue, but he'd think she was silly. She wasn't Mia. Noah looked at his watch. "I need to leave soon."

Brenna nodded. He pulled her into him. "Thanks. It was an interesting night seeing how the other half lives."

"I know the house is amazing."

He let go of her just before they left the privacy of the garden. They walked back to the house side by side.  On the patio, they approached her father.

"Dad, Noah has to work tomorrow, so he's going."

He smiled at Noah. "I asked about you after you treated my girl. You're well respected, son."

"Thank you, sir."

Brenna saw the moment his eyes lost their sparkle.

"I have to go." His voice had lost some of its strength. To anyone else, he looked tired, but Brenna knew.

She rushed to keep up with him, as he returned to the room for his belongings. "I can come too!"

"No stay!"  He leveled his voice. "Have some champagne for me."

"Will you let me know when you're home?"

He looked as if he was about to say something but nodded. He gathered his belongings and was back down the stairs in just minutes. He squeezed her hand and shook his head, as he turned to leave.

Brenna watched him walk out the door and resisted the urge to run after him. She didn't know what he meant when he shook his head. Every possibility was too painful to think about.

When she finally turned from the door, she thought about going upstairs or calling an Uber, but she saw Sage laughing with her friends and was drawn to her.

"Brenna have some champagne." Sage looked so happy with Aidan at her side. Brenna felt a stab of jealousy. She wanted what they had.

Brenna shook her head. "I might go upstairs."

She ducked through the door leading to the private family room. It surprised her to see Bea standing with a glass.

"Brenna. I was just settling my stomach. Rich food bothers me. Have you had enough excitement?" She nodded. "I liked your young man. I know, friend, but he looks at you like you're special. It reminds me of the way Aidan looks at Sage."

Brenna shook her head. Aidan and Sage were in love, but Noah wasn't. "Are there? Are there rules on wishes?"

"Rules?"

"Yeah, like can you make more than one wish?"

"There's no limit on wishes." Relief washed over Brenna. She wanted to ask about hitting a fish, but didn't want to upset Bea. "My fountain is legendary among the neighbors. The boys would try to hit the fish and say it was lucky. I've never seen any proof."

Brenna gasped. "I hit one by mistake the last time I was here."

"Did your wish come true?" Brenna looked down and shook her head. "Let me know if it does and we can decide if it's lucky."

"I doubt it will."

"Oh dear, be positive, that's part of the magic."

Brenna smiled. "You sound like Mia."