Page 33 of (Not Really) Faking It With My Best Friend's Brother

Just then, my phone chimed with a new notification, interrupting our conversation. It was a text from Nate.

"You inspired me to dig out my old archtop guitar and record something special just for you," the message read. "I hope you like it."

Before I could reply, a video popped up. I saw Nate sitting in his cozy living room, his beloved guitar cradled in his arms. He looked slightly nervous but smiled warmly into the camera. "This is for you, Susan," he said.

Then the strumming started, and he launched into a beautiful, soulful song.

I felt my breath catch as Nate began to sing, his fingers effortlessly gliding over his worn guitar strings. The lyrics spoke directly to our unique story, reflecting on the unexpected joy we had found in each other. His voice was rich and smooth, every note dripping with emotion.

I was transfixed, unable to tear my eyes away. Nate's song felt like a window straight into his soul. With every verse, he laid himself bare, vulnerability and passion intertwined.

When he hit the chorus, tears welled up in my eyes. He had put our journey into music - the laughter, the missteps, the tenderness. This thoughtful gesture left no doubt about the depth of Nate's feelings for me.

As the final notes faded away, a warmth spread through my chest. Being cared about so completely was exhilarating and overwhelming all at once. I blinked back happy tears, my heart full to bursting.

"Now that was a beautiful song," Mom said, her eyes twinkling.

I could only nod, too choked up to speak. But her smile told me she understood exactly how I felt. Nate's song echoed in my mind, a promise for the future.

Eager to share the beautiful moment Nate had created, I passed my phone to Mom so she could see the video herself. She watched closely, a smile spreading across her face as the light from the screen reflected in her eyes.

When it ended, she let out a contented sigh. "What a thoughtful gesture."

I nodded, still processing the wave of emotions washing over me. "I can't believe he did that. Writing a whole song just for me..."

"It takes a certain kind of man to express himself so openly," Mom said, giving me a discerning look. “Nate's willingness to put his heart out there shows how deeply he cares about you."

Her words resonated with me. She was right—Nate was brave enough to reveal his true feelings, even when it felt risky. I thought back on our winding journey and how we had grown together.

"You're so lucky to have found each other," Mom said gently. She reached out to brush a tear from my cheek.

“I never thought I’d be this happy.”

“You deserve it, Susan. Remember that. You deserve to be happy. I know this is new territory for you, but remember to trust your heart.”

Her words were a salve, soothing my worries and bolstering my courage. Gratitude welled within me as I wrapped my arms around her in a hug. Nuzzling into her shoulder, I murmured a quiet, "Thank you, Mom."

Her hand gently patted my back as she returned the embrace warmly. "Anytime, honey," she murmured as we pulled apart, leaving me with a comforting sense of closeness.

Mom left to finish working on her garden. I curled up on the couch with Baxter, and I was fixing to text Nate when my phone chimed. Grabbing it from the coffee table, a smile bloomed on my face as I saw a text from Nate. "Did you like the song?" he asked simply.

My heart fluttered at his humility. He had no idea how much his song had meant to me. "I loved it," I typed back. "It was perfect :)."

There was a pause before his response came through. "I'm glad you enjoyed it," he replied. “Can’t wait to hang out this weekend.”

My fingers hovered over the screen before I replied: "Me either. And thank you... for everything."

As I got into bed, I found myself replaying Nate's song again and again. The words resonated with me, each note striking a chord deep within my core. I began to hum along, his voice merging with mine in a harmony that made my heart flutter.

I drifted into sleep with the melody still playing in my mind, dreaming of a future filled with laughter, shared secrets, and whispered I love you's.

Chapter fourteen

Nate

Iwoke up to the sun peeking through my bedroom blinds, feeling a mix of excitement and nerves. Today was the culmination of a week’s worth of meticulous planning. A surprise picnic to sweep Susan off her feet. I couldn't wait to see her reaction and make all the secret scheming worth it. After a quick shower that invigorated my senses, I slipped into my favorite blue button-down shirt. Susan said it brought out the color of my eyes. With a spring in my step, I grabbed my sunglasses from the dresser and headed out the door.

When I arrived, the quaint downtown bookshop was just opening. I inhaled the familiar scent of paper and ink as I made my way to the fiction section. Tracing my fingers along the orderly spines, I carefully selected a few titles: a timeless classic, a cozy mystery that would ignite Susan’s fascination for suspense, and a hallmark-style romance novel she'd been dying to read.

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