Page 12 of I'd Never Date my Brother's Best Friend

“What? No!” Jamie splutters.

“So why the heck are you punishing me too?” I know I’m exaggerating, but I can’t help it. “You know how Jess and I are.”

“You’ll both get over it,” Jamie answers unapologetically.

I sigh. “Well, she’s planning to kill you. Let’s see how you get over that!”

This is just performative outrage; there’s no reason to be upset with Jamie. In fact, I’m excited to have Jessica as my neighbor. I meant what I said about her being boring, but she’s such a pleasure to look at, and I’m not mad at that. At all.

I quickly shower and change into jeans and a t-shirt. Willow Falls has changed in the last five years since I’ve been away, and I’m not sure what activities one can engage in to have fun, but I trust Jamie to have that covered. I go downstairs to have breakfast and wait for him. I must also stop by Evelyn’s shop and my parent’s house today. A smile graces my lips. Returning home is the best decision I’ve made for myself in years, and I’m happy about that.

Chapter 6

Jessica

“I think your hair needs a good conditioner. It’s all over the place.”

Who does he think he is? I seethe, staring at the blank screen in front of me. He wouldn’t know anything about healthy hair if it popped him in the face. What an annoying man. Ugh! I grab my phone from the counter beside me and turn on the camera, flipping it to look at my reflection. Although my hair is a little messy because I’d fallen asleep on the kitchen counter, it’s nothing close to what Sean exaggerated. I pat down the sides to stow the flyway's, and it looks fine.

Shaking my head, I set my phone back down and fold my arms. Sean exaggerates everything, even his acting. Yes, I said it. I want to stick by my jab, but guilt pricks my heart, making me sigh and take back my words. I’m all for berating Sean because he deserves it sometimes, but I’ll also give him credit where he deserves it. He’s a darn good actor—an excellent one, in fact—and I know because I’ve watched all his movies. Even though they’re romances, I know.

Ever since Evelyn told me you were a writer some years back. I checked you out and stocked up on all of your books, I’ve been a fan ever since. I never miss a new release.

A smile touches my face as I remember his words, and I bite into my cheek to keep it down. What am I doing? Why am I smiling at something Sean said?

Yet, for some reason, the smile will not be stopped, and it keeps growing wider until I’m grinning. A question nags at me, making me ponder restlessly; my writing task is forgotten. Why did Sean read all my books?

Growing up, I knew neither Sean nor Jamie were readers. They would rather jump through hoops than pick up a book. This is why I’ve never gotten mad at Jamie for not reading any of my books, although he makes up for it by buying every copy. Sean, on the other hand, actually reads them.

On my end, I watch all of Sean’s movies—even though I’m not interested in romance at all—just because I’m attracted to him. Seeing him on the screen tickles a part of me that I would never admit to, so I never miss any of his films. Is that why he reads my books, too? Because he’s attracted to me?

As soon as the thought sprouts, I squash it. There’s no way he’s attracted to me. Sean O’Connell can never be attracted to me; he treats me like a “bro”. I look down at my outfit again and groan. Of all the times I run into Sean, why is it today when I look like a hobo? I haven’t worn any of these clothes in years, but because I wanted to check my mail, I quickly threw them on.

Of course, I didn’t know I would run into Sean. I had planned to avoid him for his stay here in Willow Falls. He’s probably gotten used to the hustle and bustle of being in a big city and will tire of this town soon. I’m sure. But now, there’s no way I can avoid him. Not when he’s my neighbor!

“Ugh.” I groan again. “I’m going to kill Jamie. Honestly. I’m going to kill him.”

A vision of a sweaty Sean in sweatpants and a sleeveless shirt flickers through my mind again, and I freeze. He looked so good when I saw him outside with his shirt stuck to his body from sweat. That sweaty t-shirt left nothing to the imagination of just how toned he is. His arms are so muscled and huge I thought the t-shirt might rip. He must be so strong. A blush creeps up my neck, and I jump off the chair and race up the stairs. Since I don’t have anything better to do with my time, I should leave the house instead of sitting around thinking about how handsome Sean is.

He might be handsome, but he’s completely annoying. Nothing can change that.

I step into the shower and rush back in a few minutes, unable to bear staying in the house alone any longer. Sean has never stepped foot in here, but the entire place seems to be crammed with his presence. There’s no way I’m staying here for one minute longer. I choose a black dress and tie my hair back before grabbing my key and heading back downstairs.

I’m going to Bake My Day to eat some pastries and talk to Evelyn for a bit. I don’t plan to spend the entire day with her, seeing as each day that passes draws my deadline closer. She’s usually a wonderful distraction, and I’ll take advantage of that this morning. I toy with the idea of visiting my parents, but I’m not ready to answer any questions about my love life right now, so Evelyn it is.

I step outside my house, looking over to the next house to be sure Sean is nowhere in sight before dashing toward my car, parked haphazardly in the driveway. As I reach it, I spy another car driving into Sean’s driveway and pause. That’s Jamie’s car. A frown creases my forehead, and forgetting I’m supposed to hide from Sean, I march over to the fence to wait for Jamie to get out.

A few seconds later, Jamie parks and exits the vehicle, whistling a familiar tune. He hasn’t seen me yet, and I wish he was close enough so I could hit him in the arm to wipe the restful smile off his face.

“Psst!” I call, hoping Sean doesn’t overhear.

Jamie stops and turns to me, his slight smile blossoming when our gazes meet.

“Hi, Sis.” He starts to walk toward me, then stops, the smile disappearing. “You’re frowning.”

“You’re such a genius, Jamie. Nothing gets past you, does it?” I flash him a toothed smile. “Why is Sean O’Connell my neighbor?”

A laugh bursts out of him, and he slaps a fist over his mouth to stop it unsuccessfully. “Uhm – has he been a bad neighbor?”

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