Page 74 of I'd Never Date my Brother's Best Friend

“I’m saying everyone knows you’re both in love with each other.”

My breath leaves me as I collapse all the way onto the couch, my eyes wide and my mouth agape. “Are you telling me that Jess feels the same way?”

His eyes widen and he laughs at me. “Yes! You’re not dumb, Sean and you’re usually much more self aware than this. How are you not seeing this?”

My heart picks up pace and my mind swims with possibilities. I shake my head to keep the focus on what Jamie is saying.

“You know,” Jamie says. “For someone who claims to be a guru when it comes to romantic matters, you sure are clueless.”

My heart soars as I hold on to the belief that Jessica feels the same way about me. Despite spending time together, Jess hasn’t given me any inclination of how she may feel about me. If what Jamie is saying is true then I don’t have to worry anymore. Jessica is in love with me too. A smile spreads across my face and I suddenly feel light.

I look at Jamie, laughter bubbling to the surface. To think that I’ve been worried about what he’d think, and all this while, he’s known my feelings for his sister. “I thought you would be upset with me,” I mumble. “Because she’s your little sister,” my voice trails when he narrows his eyes.

“Upset with you?” He echoes. “Why did you think that?”

I shrug. “I don’t know. I just–”

Jamie nudges my shoulder. “You are a great guy, Sean. You might be an idiot at times.” He laughs. “But if there’s anyone I’d want Jessica to be with, it’s you.”

His words fill me with a sense of pride. “I’d die before I hurt her,” I assure him.

Jamie nods seriously. “And I’d murder you if you did.”

We stare at each other for a few seconds before bursting into laughter.

“Wait–” Jamie frowns. “Would you be upset if you found out that I was with your sister?”

I arch my brows. “Evie?”

Jamie’s eyes narrow and his head tilts to the side. “Do you have another sister I don’t know about?”

“Ha. No,” I pause for a moment before responding. “That actually wouldn’t surprise me at all, to be honest. I always wondered about the two of you. Are you and Evie dating?”

Jamie’s mouth falls open, and he lets out a nervous laugh. “Of course not. Are you crazy? Evelyn?” He waves his hand like it’s the most stupid idea in the world. “Nah.”

The relationship between Evelyn and Jamie confuses me. When I watch them around each other there are times I would swear there is something going on. At other times, there didn’t seem to be anything. I shrug and dismiss it.

My mind drifts back to Jessica, and my heart takes flight. Jamie pats my shoulder. “Have you told Jessica how you feel about her?”

“No.”

He smiles. “It’s hard, isn’t it?”

I nod. “It is, Jamie. I’ve always thought of myself as confident, but when it comes to Jess, it’s different. I suddenly feel tongue-tied and nervous.”

“Yeah. It’s different when it’s someone you’ve known all your life,” Jamie says. “But it’s a risk worth taking. For both of you.”

“Right.” I stand up from the couch and get ready to leave.“I want to do this the right way.”

“The right way?” Jamie frowns. “What do you mean?”

“I’m gonna go see your parents and speak to them. I want to let them know how I feel.”

“You don’t have to,” Jamie starts. “I’m sure they’re—”

“Bye, Jamie.” I hug my friend, grateful for the strength he’s given me, even unknowingly. Before he can say more, I hurry out of his house, a spring in my step.

Jamie is right. I don’t have to go talk to Mr and Mrs. Stewart, but our families have known each other for almost my entire life. They are like family. If I want to cross that line and be with Jessica, I want to speak to them first.

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