Page 30 of I'd Never Date my Best Friend's Brother

“And the mistletoe!” They both yell together, eyes wide.

“Now the cake topper makes perfect sense,” Penny chuckles.

“They’re going to love that so much.” Liam shakes his head and laughs. “Especially knowing that it got you and Jamie back together.”

“Jamie and I were…” I stop when I see them staring at me with their eyebrows raised, and raise my hands in surrender. “Okay. Okay. Jamie and I were something—”

“He’s completely in love with you,” Liam says so confidently that I would've fallen if I weren’t sitting.

“Huh? What?” I try to cover my surprise but only sound like a bumbling fool. “Pfft. He’s not in lo—”

“Yeah, yeah. Just like you’re not in love with him. We know, we know.” Penny smirks at me.

For the first time since they arrived, I feel a real smile lift my lips, and I relax back against my chair.

I look down at my skirt and pretend to pick off some lint. “Is there anything that this family doesn’t know?”

Penny shakes her head, and Liam grins at me. “It’s annoying having perceptive siblings, isn’t it?”

I meet his gaze and see the love and gratitude reflected there. I know he’s talking about how Sean and I were when he first got home from the Army. We didn’t let him hide, and we made sure that he got some help from an emotional support dog. Tex helped him to come out of his shell and then Penny helped to bring him back to us.

I lean on my desk and hold my hand out to him. He takes it. “Very annoying,” I say as I squeeze his hand.

“I love you, Evie. You deserve to be happier than happy.” He squeezes my hand back. When did my baby brother get so big and wise?

“Oh, and you’re gonna make that happen?” I tilt my head sideways with a crooked smile.

“If you’re going to be too stubborn, then yes. Sean, Jessica, me, Penny, Mom, Dad, and the Stewarts will make it happen.”

My mouth drops open, and my face heats up as Penny and Liam laugh. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so transparent in my entire life.

I guess there aren’t any secrets in the O'Connell or Stewart families. I shake my head and laugh.

It looks like everyone is involved in the matchmaking, as far as Jamie and I are concerned. If I weren’t a member of this clan, I would be outraged, but I am and I know how everyone works. Looks like I should settle in and enjoy the ride.

That is, if I am willing to hear Jamie out about why he left. Every day, I become more open to that. I feel my body lighten at the thought.

If everything works out, I end up with the man I love. And if it doesn’t…well, I’m not going to let myself go there at this moment.

Chapter 16

Jamie

I towel dry my hair as I get out of the shower. I still can’t believe I let Sean and Jess talk me into a makeover. It’s the silliest thing I’ve ever heard.

“Guys don’t get makeovers,” I protest to my empty house. “Right?”

I throw on a pair of black sweats and a black long-sleeved henley. I look in the mirror and shake my head. I look like I’m going to a casual funeral. I feel like I’m going to a funeral, which is strange since, really, I’m just going shopping.

And there it is! I pull my forehead and rub my face. Shopping is like a funeral—the death of my individuality.

My phone beeps, snapping me from my morbid thoughts.

Sean: I’m on my way.

Sean: Be there in about ten.

My eyebrows shoot up, and I'm surprised Jess won’t be involved in today’s activities. A sense of relief washes over me. This feels humiliating enough. The last thing I want is for my sister to see me exposed and vulnerable.

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