Page 13 of Falling Again For My Best Friend's Brother

"Actually, Liam made me an offer." I took a deep breath, steeling myself for his reaction. "He wants to buy my shop."

Surprise registered on Trevor's face, his eyebrows shooting up like they were trying to escape his forehead. "Buy your shop? But why?"

I sighed, my gaze dropping to the floor. "Because it's struggling. I'm struggling." The words tasted bitter on my tongue, an admission of failure I'd avoided for far too long. "I've been trying to keep it afloat, but it's not enough."

Trevor was silent for a moment, processing this new information. I glanced at his face, trying to gauge his reaction. His expression was unreadable, a mix of emotions I couldn't quite decipher.

"I had no idea," he finally said, his voice soft. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I shrugged, a defensive edge creeping into my tone. "It's not exactly something I like to broadcast. Besides, it's my problem to deal with. My garden to weed, so to speak."

"Amelia," Trevor said, his voice low and serious, "this decision affects more than just you. It affects me, too."

I bristled at his words, my defenses rising. "How does it affect you? It's my shop, my life. I'm the one who's going to lose everything."

Trevor ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his movements. "Yeah, and I don't want you to lose everything. But earth to Amelia. I rent an apartment here. If you sell the shop, I have to find a new place to live."

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. "I didn't think about that. I'm sorry. I just... I didn't know how to tell you. I haven't made a decision. We just started to discuss the possibility of him buying it or maybe becoming partners last week. He has been offering for a while, but I just really realized how bad things are. I thought I would see what kind of offer he would make. It's not like I want to sell. The shop is my baby, my dream. Selling it would be like... like selling a piece of my soul."

"Amelia..." Trevor's voice softened, his hand reaching out to cover mine. "You don't have to do this alone. We can figure something out together. Let me help you. Two heads are better than one, right? Even if one of those heads is currently sporting a spectacular bedhead."

I nodded, not trusting my voice. My heart was pounding so loudly that I was sure he could hear it. We began to lean in, the air charged with anticipation. His hand came up to cup my cheek, his thumb brushing gently over my skin. I let my eyes flutter closed, feeling the warmth of his breath ghosting over my lips.

Just as our lips were about to meet, the shrill ring of the shop bell shattered the moment. We sprang apart, both flushed and flustered. I cursed inwardly at the interruption, my body still thrumming with the almost-kiss.

"Oh my gosh, I'm still in my pajamas!" I yelped, glancing down at my bunny slippers and cartoon-covered flannel. "I can't let a customer see me like this!"

Trevor, ever the gentleman, quickly composed himself. "I'll go tell them someone will be with them shortly. You go change."

I nodded gratefully and ran to my bedroom, my mind reeling from our near kiss. What had I been thinking, letting things go that far? I had enough on my plate with the shop's financial struggles and Liam's offer to buy it. The last thing I needed was to complicate things further by getting involved with Trevor.

But even as I threw on a presentable outfit, I couldn't shake the memory of his lips almost on mine, the way his touch had set my skin on fire. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart, before heading to the shop.

When I returned to the shop a few minutes later, freshly dressed and marginally more composed, Trevor was gone. I felt disappointed, wondering if the moment had been lost for good, like a dandelion seed in the wind.

But then I saw it. On the counter, a single red rose lay atop a folded note. I picked it up with trembling fingers, inhaling its sweet scent as I read the words in Trevor's bold handwriting.

"Breakfast tomorrow? Pick you up at 8. -T"

A smile spread across my face—slow, wide, and full of promise. I had been so focused that I barely noticed the customer in the corner looking at the book of available arrangements. I walked over to help her and let out a long sigh.

As I helped the customer, my mind raced with possibilities and fears. I was on the brink of something new and exciting but also terrifying. Only time would tell if I was making the right choice.

Chapter eight

Trevor

Beep! Beep!

The alarm went off at 0530 sharp, but I was already awake, heart pounding from another nightmare. Flashes of sandy landscapes and the echo of explosions faded as I focused on the familiar surroundings of my apartment. These early mornings were my defense against the demons that haunted my sleep. I was up before the third beep, adrenaline already pumping. Hero lifted his head from his bed, giving me that "Are you serious?" look. Sorry, buddy, but the day waits for no man or dog.

I hit my workout hard—burpees, push-ups, the whole nine yards. Each rep felt good, like I was fortifying my mental defenses against the memories that threatened to surface. Sweat poured down my face, my muscles burned, and I loved every second. It was almost like being back in basic, pushing myself to the limit. Hero watched me from his bed, his head tilting back and forth like I'd finally lost it. Maybe I had, but in the best way possible.

After a quick shower, I stood at attention in front of my closet, suddenly aware that this wasn't just any morning. It was my first actual date with Amelia. I knew we were going to the park afterward, so I didn't want to be too dressy, but I wanted to look nice. I pulled out my best dark jeans and a black T-shirt, trying not to overthink it.

Standing in front of the mirror, I fussed with my hair more than I had since my first military inspection. "Get it together, Phillips," I muttered, but I couldn't stop the grin spreading across my face. Hero sat at my feet, looking at me like I'd grown a second head. "What?" I asked him. "Can't a guy make an effort?" His answering yap sounded suspiciously like laughter.

I grabbed Hero's leash, and we headed downstairs to Amelia's. Standing at her door, I felt like a rookie on his first day again. Excited, nervous, the whole deal. I knocked, bouncing slightly on the balls of my feet.

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