Page 51 of Never Kiss Your Brother's Best Friend

“Look, Dean, I appreciate your effort, I guess. But it’s over, you did me a favor when you broke up with me. You definitely could have done it in a less conspicuous and embarrassing way, but nonetheless, it was for the best.”

I start walking to the front door. “Emma, come on. We’re good together. We owe it to ourselves to give this another shot,” he says as he trails behind me.

I can’t contain my amusement. “Oh, my oblivious Dean. We are not good together. To make a relationship work, you have to actually care about the other person. The only one you care about it yourself. Good night.” I reach behind me and give him a gentle push in the back to get him moving.

“What if I say I’m sorry. Is that what you need to hear?”

Oh, my goodness, he is clueless. Yes, “I’m sorry for dumping you at your brother’s wedding” might have been a better way to approach this conversation.

“It’s too late, Dean. Good night. Please.” I emphasize the "please" to drive home the fact that I’m done. But he just won’t go down the stairs. Thankfully, I spot Sterling heading this way.

“Hey, Sterling!” I call out.

He moves in front of Dean. “Dean. Long time no wanted to see.”

I cover my mouth to stifle a giggle at Sterling's greeting. Two extra words can completely change the meaning of a phrase.

“Silver, was it?" Dean asks.

“Sterling, my man. I’m pretty sure you just heard Emma call me that. But cute. Looks like you were just leaving. Have a good evening.”

Dean takes another step closer to me. “No, I wasn’t actually. Emma and I are talking about getting back together. We aren’t quite finished with our conversation.”

I give Sterling a serious look. “Yes, we are finished.”

Sterling takes the situation into his own hands. He pushes past Dean until we’re face to face. He cups my chin in one hand and then tilts it up to him. He presses his lips ever so gently to mine.

When I think he’s about to pull away, one hand moves to my neck, while the other slips quickly to brace my lower back before he dips me suddenly, deepening his kiss with a hunger that would knock me to the floor if he wasn’t holding me up.

When he pulls me upright, I momentarily forget Dean’s even there and keep my eyes closed to savor the moment. As they reopen, I see an awestruck Dean with his mouth wide.

Sterling is unfazed. “Hey, babe. Good to see ya.” He puts an arm around me.

“Uh, yeah, um, babe, you too.” The volcano of emotions stirred by my anger at Dean has quickly transformed into a volcano fueled by Sterling’s passion. Its intensity leaves me feeling dizzy and lightheaded.

Sterling feels my wobbling and steadies me by wrapping his arms around me and leaning my back against his chest.

“So, it’s about time to go, wouldn’t you say, Dean?” Sterling points out.

Dean finally relents and turns slowly to go without another word.

It’s finally over.

Sterling closes the door, then looks at me. “That good, huh. I made you unsteady on your feet?”

I can feel little beads of sweat gathering on my neck. Yes, like a little volcano, if you must know. But you won’t because there’s no chance I’m saying that out loud.

I ignore his comment. “Thanks for that. I thought he’d never leave.”

“Sure, what’re friends for. Am I right?” His smile says all that I need to know about how pleased he is with himself, but I can’t blame him. That was kind of awesome.

“Yes, friends, exactly. Let’s get to work, shall we?”

“Absolutely.” He starts moving past me to the table, but then stops by my side.

I feel his breath on my neck as he whispers. “By the way, Em, this whole friend thing, I find myself enjoying it more and more every day.”

Chapter twenty-two

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