Page 65 of I'd Never Date my Brother's Best Friend

“Don’t you want any more food?” Jamie points to my plate, and I shake my head. He picks up what’s left on my plate and starts to eat. “Looks like your mind is really heavy,” he says. “Is there something you’d like to talk about?”

“Like what?”

“If I knew I wouldn’t be asking,” Jamie chuckles.

“There’s nothing on my mind. I’m good.”

“Sure. Sure.” We sit in silence except for the sound of him chewing his food.

“When are you leaving?” I ask suddenly.

He pauses, his hands hovering over the plate. “What? You want me to leave now?”

I stare at him. The earlier he leaves, the sooner I can make it up to Jessica. I hate the fact that she’s upset with me, and that it’s because I was a jerk. I said a lot of mean things.

“I’m hanging out with some of the guys tonight,” Jamie says. “Want to come?”

I start to shake my head, but Jamie stops me. “Think about it. You can have fun tonight, let off some steam, and refresh enough to clear the air with Jessica tomorrow. You’re not in the right frame of mind to do that at this moment.”

The more he talks the more interesting his point becomes. As much as I’d like to fix everything with Jessica right now, this isn’t the best time to do it and we could end up in another argument without Evelyn as a buffer. Maybe Jamie is right. I should go to hang out with the guys, let off steam, and regroup.

“I don’t know…”

“Come on, man. A night out will do you good. You’ll have fun getting to hang out with the old crew.”

After a slight hesitation I realize it’s probably better than sitting here all night just thinking about Jessica.

“Okay. I’ll go with you.”

Jamie gives me a thumbs-up and continues to eat.

Chapter 25

Jessica

The Hunter prowls the halls like a headless ghost, blending with the darkness and weaving chaos like a spider’s web. He waits for his prey, anticipating the screams of pain and terror that will be a constant echo once his work begins…

I pause, my head heating up as I think about what step the Hunter should take next. I am wrapping up the book and it’s high time The Hunter is caught and brought to justice.

Just as an idea starts to blossom in my head, a gentle knock stops the flow, creating the beginnings of writer’s block.

“What the heck!” I say out loud, frustration tinging my voice. “Who is it?”

I must not have yelled loud enough as the person outside knocks again. “Who the heck is it?” I yell, stalking toward the door. I know I’m being rude, but I’ve been planning this chapter for weeks. To be interrupted right as I’m getting started overrides any guilt I would normally feel about how I’m responding.

When I yank the door open, the sight of Sean standing outside sucks all the anger out of me and my stomach drops as the weight of our last encounter sinks in. When I see that he’s holding a cup of coffee and a bag of red velvet cupcakes from my favorite coffee shop, Espresso Yourself, my heart beats a bit faster. Someone has done his homework.

“Hey.” He smiles shyly at me. “How are you?”

I do my best to keep a cool facade but my stomach swoops at his smile. “I’m fine. What are you doing here?” My eyes stray to the cupcakes. It’s almost nine a.m., and I haven’t eaten anything yet. My stomach picks that moment to growl.

Sean’s smile widens. “You can have it if you’ll let me come in.”

I frown at him. “I’m busy.”

“Just a few minutes,” he says. When I hesitate he tries again. “A few minutes, Jess. I promise. Please.”

I’m still annoyed with him but I need to eat. I yank the cupcakes and coffee out of his hands before stepping back into the house and leaving the door open. Sean strolls in, closing the door behind him.

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