He hesitated. “Because I was angry with myself, and I didn’t want you to be angry with me, too. I didn’t want to disappoint you. I’m your big brother, remember?”

“By four minutes.”

“Also, you’re so damn perfect and I wasn’t sure you’d understand that even a person who means well can get it badly wrong.”

“Perfect?” She almost choked on the word. “Me?”

“Yes, you. No matter what life throws at you, you cope. You always have the answers to everything. You never have doubts. You barrel through life with total confidence that you’re right. You never screw up. I didn’t need you to make me feel worse about it by telling me all the things I’d done wrong, and what I should do to fix it.”

You’re not that easy to talk to.

Mel felt her eyes fill. A lump settled in her throat. She flung herself at her brother and he raised his hands to defend himself and then realized it was a hug.

“I thought you were about to kill me on the spot.” He pulled her closer. “Are you crying? Is drowning me your way of finishing me off? Don’t, Mel—if you cry, then I’m never going to be able to forgive myself.”

“I’m not perfect. I’m so far from perfect. I’m hot-tempered and impulsive and I think I know best about everything and I’m maddening and I’m a terrible listener, even though I try hard to listen, but you have to understand it’s because I care so much and just can’t bear anyone I love to be in trouble. I just want to fix things. And I know that seems controlling and it probably is but it comes from a place of love—”

“Hey, I know all this.” He rubbed her back. “What is this all about? Are we still talking about Joanna?”

“I don’t know.” She pulled away and sniffed. “I’m sorry you felt you couldn’t tell me. For the record, I love you even though you’re flawed. Possibly more because of it.”

He grinned and wiped her cheeks with the edge of his shirt. “Are we getting soppy now?”

“Maybe we are.” She didn’t feel able to smile back.

You’re not that easy to talk to.

What if Eden found herself in trouble, as Joanna had? Who would she turn to?

Not Mel, if her comments had been anything to go on.

Did she know how much her mother cared? How much she loved her?

Obviously not, which meant she was a terrible mother.

Nate kept his hands on her shoulders. “So, are we good? Am I forgiven for totally messing up?”

This relationship at least she could fix.

“I’m glad you messed up. It makes you human and makes me feel slightly less bad about myself.” She sniffed and Nate looked at Greg.