Page 1 of Protected By my Brothers Best Friend

Chapter One

Iris

Desperate times call for desperate measures. If my brother’s best friend won’t come to me… I’ll go to him. I think people call that women’s empowerment, or maybe this is the exact opposite of that, and the mere statement alone is an insult to women everywhere. Either way, you get my point, right? I’m about to take charge of my life.

No more sulking. No more crying. No more wishing Cooper Andrews would fall head over heels in love with me. Nope, I’m going to make that happen.

Currently, making that happen means studying him, learning his every move. What he likes, what he dislikes, what he eats, how he sleeps, and what he does with his free time. I’ll become that person and… yeah, I’m pretty sure that’s where the women's empowerment people would get upset with me. Realistically, I acknowledge that becoming a chameleon won’t get me anywhere long term, but maybe it’ll get him talking to me again.

We used to talk all the time. Lately, it’s like I don’t exist.

I lean back in the armchair and pretend to read a book I brought from home while I watch Cooper in the living room. He’s relaxed with his feet up, wearing jeans and a loose flannel top. His beard is longer than it was the last time I saw him, and he has more tattoos, too. They cover his arms and neck. I’m sure other places as well, but I can’t see that from here.

His laptop is balanced on his legs and he’s scrolling through something pretty intently. He has been for the last thirty minutes. I can’t figure out why he’s not enjoying this huge cabin. My brother and sister-in-law rented out the place for the weekend and invited me to watch their kids. They invited Cooper because they invite him to everything. I’m pretty sure they think he’s lonely.

Maybe I’ll test that theory. If he’s lonely, he’ll want to talk. If he’s not, he’ll blow me off. Plus, everyone else is out right now. It’s as good a time as any.

I stand from the armchair and walk toward him, gulping air as I move. So many parts of this are wrong. Not with my walking. The walking is fine, so far, though with every step I’m getting increasingly more paranoid I’ll trip and fall on my face. The part that’s wrong is the part where I’m in love with Cooper. He’s established, focused, successful, and smart. I’m none of those things and currently not even on his radar.

Maybe I should go back to studying him.

This is a terrible idea. The man is like family, and if I screw this up, I’ll have messed up most of my siblings’ lives. Not to mention that they have already told me not to go for it for years. Whenever I’ve mentioned it, to test the temperature of the room, I get hit with the ‘he’s too old for you’ or ‘you’re not really his type,’ but what do they know?

I drag in a deep breath and take another step as my brain fumbles with the thought of turning around. That chair is comfortable and the book I brought is supposed to be good, though I wouldn’t know, considering I haven’t actually read it. I can’t seem to focus with Cooper around.

Maybe I should just go back to my seat, but… I’m already up. I mean, I’m like twenty feet away. He’s probably heard me by now.

Oh, shit! Maybe I should have planned something profound and intriguing to say. Something that will get his mind working, let him know I’m smart.

Yeah, that’s it! Let’s go with something about computers or architecture. He’s an architect, so I’m sure he appreciates the beams in the cabin. Architects like beams, right?

My heart pounds as I get closer to the couch. I wore a little black sundress and I’m regretting it. The fabric is suddenly clinging to my waist. I should’ve worn something loose, something less form fitting. I shouldn’t be showing this much cleavage. It’s still spring. Everyone knows cleavage is for summer.

I’m two seconds from about to break into a sweat when he looks toward me and smiles. “Iris! I didn’t hear you.” His tone is rich and deep. God, he’s perfect.

My knees weaken. “Yeah, I was nervous for milk. Hungry. I mean, thirsty. Thirsty for milk. I’m going to have milk.”

He looks away and smiles.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Milk does a body good.” He laughs under his breath and stands from the couch.

“Sorry. Late night with the kids. You’d think Bryan would have them all trained by now,” I say in a halfhearted attempt to cover stupidity with humor. “I just came down for some breakfast. How are you?”

How are you? I’ve been reciting this for years and what I come up with is how are you?

He brushes his hand down over his beard as morning light from the large picture windows filters through. “Alright. It’s hard getting away without worrying about getting behind on work. What about you? It’s been a while since we caught up.”

I want to call him out on it, remind him how close we used to be, tell him it’s been more than a while. It’s been five years, Cooper! Five years since you’ve had a real conversation with me.

“Good, I guess. I’m starting a little shop down on Main, so that’s fun.”

He nods and leans his giant frame against the back counter. I can’t tell if he’s staring at me or the lake behind me. I pretend it’s me. “What kind of shop?”

“It might not happen, anyway. I’m having issues with permits. Kinda crazy, considering my brother is on the board.”

He laughs. “Why’s that?”

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