Page 39 of Fake Engagement with my Brother's Best Friend

Joseph nods. “She kicked up a fuss, as expected. Tried to make a scene, but Emily and I shut it down before she could cause too much trouble.”

A surge of relief washes over me, but it’s quickly followed by guilt. “You should’ve called me, man. I would’ve dealt with her. She’s been my mess from the start.”

Joseph shakes his head, his expression calm but firm. “You’re going through enough with Grace right now. You didn’t need to get dragged into Samantha’s drama again. We’ve all had enough of that.”

I let out a heavy sigh, the weight of everything pressing down on me. He’s right—I’ve been juggling so much, trying to figure things out with Grace while Samantha kept throwing curveballs. Hearing that she’s finally gone, that she’s out of the picture for good, it feels like a massive weight off my shoulders.

Still, part of me can’t help but feel responsible for the chaos she caused. I should have kicked her out the moment she showed up,should’ve dealt with this before it got so out of hand. I glance at Joseph, feeling the need to apologize.

“I’m sorry you had to deal with that,” I say, rubbing the back of my neck. “I let things go on too long.”

Joseph shrugs, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Don’t sweat it. She’s gone now, and that’s what matters. You’ve got bigger things to worry about—like fixing things with Grace.”

I nod, appreciating his support more than I can put into words. “Yeah. I’m just hoping she’ll show up tonight, you know? I’ve messed up so much, and I don’t know if I can fix it.”

Joseph claps me on the back, his expression reassuring. “You will. Grace cares about you, Logan. I know it’s been complicated, but just be honest with her. Tell her how you really feel.”

I swallow hard, knowing he’s right. Tonight, I’ll have to lay it all out there—no more hiding behind excuses, no more pretending. I’m going to tell Grace how I feel, even if it scares the hell out of me.

“Thanks,” I say, my voice low but sincere.

Joseph nods, standing up straight again. “I’ll leave you to it, then. Good luck.”

As he walks away, I turn my gaze back to the ocean, the sound of the waves crashing against the shore oddly soothing. Samantha’s gone. Joseph and Emily have my back. Now it’s just me and Grace, and the words I’ve been too afraid to say.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Grace

I step onto the beach, the soft sand shifting beneath my sandals as I approach the restaurant. My heart is pounding in my chest, a mix of nerves and anticipation fluttering in my stomach. I almost didn’t come. The whirlwind of emotions swirling inside me—the confusion, the hurt, the uncertainty—had made me want to stay holed up in my room.

Something pulled me here, a quiet hope that maybe… just maybe, Logan and I could figure this out.

As I get closer, I stop in my tracks, my breath catching in my throat. The restaurant is stunning. The entire place has been cleared out, leaving only a single table set for two. Flickering candlelight dances in the gentle breeze, casting a warm glow over the white linens and polished silverware. Lanterns hang from the nearby trees, illuminating the area in soft golden light, while the ocean waves crash softly against the shore in the background. The whole setup feels intimate, private, as if the world has been reduced to just the two of us for the evening.

Logan has put in so much effort. I can see it in every detail—the way the candles are arranged, the quiet elegance of the place. It's nothing extravagant, nothing showy, but that makes it all the more beautiful. He’s trying. Despite everything, despite all the doubts that have been plaguing me, the sight of it softens something deep inside me.

I let out a shaky breath, my heart aching as I walk toward the table. He’s standing there, waiting for me, his eyes catching the candlelight as he watches me approach. For a moment, we juststare at each other, the air between us thick with tension—both of us knowing there’s so much to say, but neither of us knowing where to start.

Logan shifts slightly, clearing his throat as I come to a stop in front of him. “Grace,” he begins, his voice low and rough with emotion. “I—”

Before he can finish, he stops, his brow furrowing as if the words are stuck in his throat. I can see him struggling, the weight of whatever he’s trying to say hanging heavy in the air.

“I…” he tries again, but instead of speaking, he steps forward, closing the distance between us in a heartbeat.

Then his lips are on mine.

The kiss is sudden, unexpected, but I melt into it almost instantly. His hands cup my face, holding me to him as his lips move over mine—hungry, desperate, filled with all the emotions he can’t seem to put into words. I feel a shiver run down my spine, the intensity of the kiss sending heat pooling low in my belly. The world around us fades, the sound of the waves, the flicker of candlelight, everything disappears, and all that’s left is Logan and me.

I kiss him back just as fiercely, my hands gripping his shirt, pulling him closer, needing more of him. His hands slide down my back, pulling me flush against him, and I gasp softly into his mouth as I feel the hard press of his body against mine. It’s overwhelming, the way he kisses me, like he’s been waiting for this moment forever, like he’s trying to tell me everything he hasn’t been able to say with just the way his lips move over mine.

It’s passionate, raw, and steamy in a way that has my heart racing, my skin tingling. I can feel the heat between us building,the tension that’s been simmering beneath the surface for so long finally boiling over.

When we finally pull apart, we’re both breathless, our foreheads resting together as we try to catch our breath. My heart is pounding so hard I can barely think, and for a moment, neither of us says anything, the silence between us filled with the weight of what just happened.

Logan’s hand comes up, brushing a strand of hair away from my face, his touch gentle, reverent. His eyes are dark, intense, and when he finally speaks, his voice is low, almost a whisper.

“I love you, Grace.”

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