Page 81 of Texting My Secret Santa

“Huh?”

“If Asher leaves, there will be healing for me, right?” Dan says. “Look at the two of you. You’ll be broken.”

“You can’t let that influence your decision,” Asher says. “This isn’t about us. This is about you.”

Dan massages the bridge of his eyebrows. “You’re both adults at the end of the day,” he says. “It was a shock last night. Weirdly, that video is the best thing that could’ve happened. When I watched it, I knew you weren’t thinking, Asher. You were speaking from the heart. No offense, but that’s rare for you. Even when we were kids, you clammed up or made a joke if things got serious.”

“It was probably a defense mechanism,” I mutter.

“It was that or face what was happening at home,” Asher says.

“Hearing you speak like that, you know what I thought?I want this for him. I want it to work out.”

“But?” Asher says.

“Who said there’s a ‘but’?”

“Come on, Dan. You were furious.”

“That was before the video. That was before I saw you two together.”

“Us together? We haven’t even spoken to each other about it,” Asher mutters.

“You don’t realize you’re doing it, but you look like a couple. It’s difficult to explain. Sometimes, you see two people standing in line together, sitting in the park, or playing a board game or a sport. They’re not touching or looking at each other, but you know there’s a connection. It radiates from them.”

Dan laughs, shaking his head ruefully. “I can hardly believe I’m saying this, but you two have that energy. Couple energy. It’s nuts.”

“What are you saying?” I whisper, trying to stay steady and sane.

I’ll wake up at Brianna’s house, in Asher’s arms, and tell him about the wild dream I had. I’ll tell him that my big brother gave us the go-ahead. His beautiful speech can become a reality in the dream.

“I’m saying I think I’ve lost my mind,” Dan says. “I’m saying I don’t want to lose either of you. I’m saying that seeing you together and that video has changed everything. I’ve always wanted you both to find somebody. I just never expected it’d be each other.”

Another rueful laugh. “I can’t hate either of you. I was angry yesterday. Who wouldn’t be? I don’t want you to leave the city, though, Asher. I don’t want my sister to settle for being alone when she’s got so much to offer. I don’t want to stand in your way.”

He gets choked up, tears welling in his eyes. When I see his eyes glistening, I know he put up his CEO shield to hide his true feelings.

I walk around the kitchen island and wrap my arms around him. “Dan, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have snuck around. I shouldn’t have lied. I’m so sorry.”

He clutches onto me. “These aren’t sad tears. I’m happy for you, for both of you.”

“Dan, brother,” Asher whispers, croaking as he gets emotional, too. “I swear, your sister will be the most cared-for, protected,cherished, loved woman who has ever lived. If you can find it in your heart to forgive us, you won’t regret it.”

Dan hugs me tightly. “Asher, all I’ve ever wanted is for my best friend and sister to be happy. Now that you are, I can’t be the one who ruins that.”

“You have the right,” Asher says. “I need to make that clear. Even if you want things to work out for us, you have the right to smash this to pieces, as her brother, my friend, the wronged party.”

I sob, sniffling. I know why Asher says this. He wants Dan to be confident.

“I know,” Dan says. “I’m choosing not to use that right. I’m choosing to make this the happiest Christmas we have ever had.”

“You’re a good person,” Asher says.

“The best.” I cling tightly to my brother. “Dan, you’re just the greatest person, not just good. I never expected this. I thought I was going to lose Asher forever. Or I was going to lose you.”

“Look at you, sis. You’ve got so much love to offer. I’m happy for you.”

“You’re a miracle, Dan,” Asher says in awe.

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