Page 11 of Don’t Fall for your Best Friend's Brother

“Now, how do you know that?” Finn asks. “I wouldn’t have known where she was from in England.”

“There’s this new invention, my dear boy. You might have heard of it. It’s called a television.” Mr. Shilliday winks dramatically. “You ought to get yourself one.”

I giggle then, and Finn chuckles beside me. He looks at me as I laugh, with his eyebrows raised, and I can’t help but feel that he’s surprised that I have the capability. I suppose there hasn’t been much opportunity for laughter since I arrived.

We purchase the paint and bid farewell to Mr. Shilliday, who tells us, as we exit the store, not to be strangers. Just as I’m following Finn’s lead and placing the tins in the back of the truck, I hear Sylvie’s voice.

“Emma.”

Sylvie has come out onto the street and is waving me over. I leave Finn to finish up and skip across the street to see her.

“Fancy seeing you here,” Sylvie jokes. “Come and see the shop.”

Sylvie drags me into the beautician’s, and I’m immediately hit with an array of different chemical smells.

Just then, someone walks into the shop and says hello. We both look up and watch a beautiful woman approach us. Her hair is copper red and wildly hanging about her shoulders. She’s slender, with a long neck and a wide smile.

“Hey,” Sylvie says. “You have to meet my friend, Emma.”

The woman smiles, and Sylvie introduces her. “Emma, this is my very good friend, Bree.”

“Hi, Bree,” I say.

“Hey, Emma. Oh, you’re British,” she says with delight.

I didn’t realize that Americans loved the British so much, but I’m getting used to the idea that I’m a bit of a novelty around here.

“Emma’s come over here for work. She’s staying with us for a while,” Sylvie explains to Bree. Then she turns to me. “Bree is new to the town too,” Sylvie continues. “In fact, she’s getting married soon.” Sylvie turns back to Bree. “Show her your engagement ring,” she gushes.

Bree lifts her left hand and shows off a dazzling diamond.

“Wow!” I exclaim. “That’s some rock. When’s the wedding?”

“In just over five weeks,” Bree says, looking both excited and daunted at the same time.

“Yes, so it’s all good, right?” Sylvie says.

“Everything is more or less organized. We’re just waiting for some RSVPs,” Bree replies. She and Sylvie then continue talking about the wedding, and I smile politely while my mind battles with why anyone would make such a huge commitment.

If there is one thing my mother has taught me, it is that marriage rarely ends in happiness. My father had several affairs, and after the divorce, Mum was left to raise me and my older sister, Kerry, by herself. It wasn’t easy, but she did her best. She then turned to God. She often told us that she did not need any man to provide for her, for her God would always do that. She tried to convince me and Kerry to attend her church, but neither of us was really into it.

While she warned us of all the dangers of men and how they will break your heart, Kerry chose to ignore her advice. Unfortunately, it was as though life needed to teach her that Mum had been right all along, for after only a year of her and her boyfriend being together, he ran off with Kerry’s best friend. Mum and I were there to comfort her and dry her tears, but when I saw the utter heartache for myself, I vowed to never let that happen to me.

I’ve dated, for sure, but commitment is an entirely different matter. I’ve never seen anyone in a relationship who is truly happy, and while I don’t really know how my life is going to turn out, I will strive for happiness, whatever that looks like.

A horn beeps outside, and I know it’s Finn.

“I need to go,” I say.

“Okay. See you later,” Sylvie says.

I bid farewell to Sylvie and Bree and hurry out of the shop.

“These walls aren’t going to paint themselves,” Finn quips with a half-smile.

“I know. I know,” I say, rounding the truck and clambering into the passenger side.

---