Page 3 of I'd Never Date my Brother's Best Friend

“That’s too soon,” Warren says. “You haven’t even packed your luggage.”

“You’re right.” I walk around the vast desk. “Let's go. You’re going to help me pack.”

Warren’s groan follows me outside the office, and I chuckle, noting the bounce in my step as I walk to the elevator. I’m going home.

As soon as I walk out of the airport onto the busy sidewalk, I feel the tension roll off of me in waves. The air in my home state is lighter and fresher. I take a deep breath and a smile crosses my face. I don’t hear camera shutters as paparazzi hunt me, or the chaos of fans looking for a picture, autograph, or my heart. I love what I do, but let me tell you, my choice of career makes people a little crazy. People will ask you for the craziest things with a straight face. Some of the things I’ve heard would blow your mind. Don’t get me started.

However, Willow Falls, which is about an hour south of the airport, is too tucked away in its little, bubbly world to keep track of famous actors and wealthy people. There, I can be myself. I can be Sean, the son of Mark O’Connell, the retired high school history teacher. Not Sean O'Connell, the handsome and rich actor who broke up a seven-year relationship.

“Sean!”

At the calling of my name, I turn sharply in the direction of the voice. Jamie is leaning against the hood of a car parked by the side of the busy road, an affectionate smile on his face.

“Welcome home, brother.”

I hurry toward him, arms outstretched. I give him a big squeeze and pat his back. It’s been too long. I feel tears prick the back of my eyes. When Jamie pulls away, his eyes are also glassy, but he blinks them away.

“I can’t believe this is you.” He looks me over. “Wow.”

“I know, right?” I grab him by the shoulder and pull him toward me for a side hug. “I missed you too. You have to find me an invitation to that game.”

“Are you here for the game? Or are you here to visit your friends and family?”

“Well…”

“Rude.” Jamie slaps the back of my head. “Get in the car,” I put my luggage in the backseat and slip into the passenger side. Once I’m settled in, Jamie starts the car and we are off. I forgot how much I love my home state. The mountains, the sky is majestic, but Jamie holds my attention.

“You didn’t tell anyone I was coming, did you?”

“Nope,” Jamie answers, popping the “p”. “Where do we go first?”

“Let’s go see Evelyn at Bake My Day.” Just the thought of seeing my sister has me vibrating with excitement. I chuckle as I’m reminded that Jamie drives like my grandma. Instead of urging him to put the pedal to the metal, I relax against the leather seats and enjoy the beautiful scenery.

I’m home and it feels good.

Chapter 2

Jessica

“My brain is completely empty of ideas.” I lean forward until my head bangs against the desk between me and Evelyn, my best friend. “It’s never gotten this bad before. I’ve never gotten to the point where I can’t come up with a simple idea or sentence. It’s like every word, every thought has completely left my head. It’s an empty cavern of blankness. I legitimately don’t have the ability to come up with anything.”

The coarse timber of the cool wooden desk pricks my forehead, but I don’t move. It’s better to feel the sharp sting than the frustration that’s been a constant companion for months. Somehow, my usually dull life has become even more boring, especially since it’s my stories that add a spark to my existence.

Evelyn is usually chatty, so when I don’t hear her respond, I lift my head slightly. Evelyn, like all of the O’Connell siblings, is a beauty with her long brown hair and blue eyes; all of them look like they just stepped out of a fashion magazine. It’s a bit annoying being friends with people who always look good. She’s sitting at the other end of the desk, her legs crossed at the ankles and her arms folded as she stares at me. I groan at the teasing glint I see in her eyes as she looks at me.

“Don’t say what you're thinking.” I shake my head. “Please. I don’t want to hear it. Stay quiet.”

Evelyn bursts into laughter before saying the dreaded words anyway. “Maybe you should put thriller aside and start writing romance. Try it, you’ll be—”

“Ewww!!” I cry, clutching my neck like I am suffocating. I hate the sound of that word. Romance. It’s such a fickle term that means nothing in the world today, especially amongst the youth. Evelyn says I belong to the older generation, and I agree with her wholeheartedly. I will never understand love as it stands today.

“Okay. Let’s be serious.” Evelyn swings her legs off the desk, displacing the nameplate with her name and the title “CEO”. We’re in her office at the Bake My Day bakery, a store Evelyn started ten years ago as a teenager. I’m so proud of her.

“I’m truly worried about you,” Evelyn says. “You’ve been complaining about this for the longest time. What can we do? How can I help?”

I shrug. This is one of the most prolonged bouts of writer’s block I’ve ever experienced, and I don't know how to get rid of it. “I don’t know, Evie. I’ve tried everything. I even listened to those sappy songs you recommended. That was awful by the way and it did nada. It wasn’t helpful at all.”

Evelyn narrows her eyes at me. “Seriously? Those songs are some of the best I’ve ever heard.”

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