Page 45 of Never Kiss Your Brother's Best Friend

Peter tsks. “Hmm, well that might have been partly my fault. I told her about Celia.”

Tension snaps back into my body like a soldier saluting his captain.

Peter sees my obvious frustration. “I’m sorry. I was worried. Just talk to her about it. Don’t give up on her.”

“You’re right. I won’t. Thanks for tonight.” Peter gives me a slap on the back as we head back inside.

I’m not sure exactly what I’ll say to Emma, but now that I have Peter’s approval, I can’t let anything stop me from proving to her how much she means to me.

Chapter nineteen

EMMA

I’ve avoided Sterling all week. I know, it’s terrible. And very difficult to do in a town as small as ours, I might add. But I did it. I just didn’t know what to say to him yet. We need to talk but I’m not quite ready, so I hid behind texts.

I filled him on everything that’s happening this week. I know we are supposed to be doing this together, and I’m sure he wants to say that, but he doesn’t. He just keeps asking if there is anything he can do to help. I mean, this project started with him, so I get it.

But I just keep chickening out, saying that the girls and I have it handed. I tell him that we’ll connect today at the raffle to talk about the next steps.

Zoe, Mia and I collect the donations and come early to set up in the town square. It’s a perfect day. It’s warm but there’s a nice breeze, so it’s not too hot. People are already milling around but we’re not quite ready.

There’s always great traffic here because there’s a standing Saturday farmer’s market and craft fair and vendors and patrons show up early.

We continue setting up the long tables, or attempt to anyway. There’s some trick to getting them unlatched that we haven’t quite figured out at the moment, so they are all just lying on the ground.

I see Sterling pull into one of the parking spaces on the street.

As he gets out of his car, I find myself staring. His hair is a little messier than normal, and I can see his five o’clock shadow from here.

What is it about a man’s scruff? It’s never the full beard for me, just the start of it, that makes me want to touch it, particularly when we’re talking about Sterling. He grabs the money box that I asked him to bring from the back seat and Buddy jumps down when he opens the door. They both head our way.

I feel an elbow in my ribs. “Hey, you might want to stop drooling before he gets any closer,” Zoe jokes.

The pain breaks my gaze. “Ow. Was that really necessary?”

“Yep, totally. What’s that saying about catching flies or bees, something about honey? I don’t know. Just close your mouth, I can almost see your tonsils.”

I spin around quickly, fiddling more with the tables for another minute, to no avail. “Need some help?” Sterling’s deep voice warms my soul instantly.

“Oh, hey. I didn’t know you were here.” Nervous giggle. That was dumb. There’s no way I could have missed him. He parked right in front of us. Too late to take it back.

“Sure. These tables have become our nemesis. They refuse to cooperate.” I tell him.

Sterling leans down to take a look, and his scent washes over me. I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s like a signature blend all his own. It starts with citrusy soap, then moves on to a hint of the outdoors, including a bit of pine. Finally, there’s the faint sweet smell of puppy. I’m assuming that’s from Buddy.

I close my eyes and just breathe him in for a moment. Buddy takes that opportunity to lick my face. “Hey! I’m so glad you’re here.”

“Yep, he wanted in on the action. I couldn’t leave him behind.”

“I’m happy you brought him. He’s not limping anymore.” I say, excited at his recovery.

“Nope, all healed. He chases the ball and plays in the lake every day.”

I draw out a hmmmmm for dramatic effect.

“Seems you enjoy his company. I feel like someone might have mentioned that would be the case.”

He makes a show of bowing to me, while raising his hands up and down. “Oh, glorious one, you were so correct. I enjoy Buddy just as you predicted.”

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