Page 9 of Dating Her Brother's Best Friend

I drop the phone in shock, only to pick it back up, my heart in my throat.

Me

What? He said that he’s in love with someone else.

That’s more or less exactly what he told me. Thanks, but no thanks. “I’m in love with someone else.” Did I misunderstand? No, I couldn’t have. He was crystal clear. As usual, Asa just doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

Honestly, I don’t know how someone as smart as my brother is as oblivious as he is.

Asa

This has nothing to do with me. Talk to him, Caroline.

Me

No, thanks.

I drop my phone on my lap, groaning. Asa has lost his mind. Jeremy isn’t in love with me. He told me so himself. I have it in writing.

“Oh, crap.” I jerk upright, reality crashing down on me like a ton of bricks. He did tell me he was in love with someone else.But he doesn’t know I’m the one who sent that email.

Could Asa actually be right for once? Was Jeremy talking about me?

“No,” I whisper, shaking my head, and refusing to go there. With the sting of heartbreak still fresh, Ican’tgo there. Because I’m not sure I’ll survive it if he shatters me a second time. Once hurts more than enough.

CHAPTER 4

JEREMY

It'sone of those days where the universe is conspiring against me. I'm sitting in my living room, staring at my phone as if sheer willpower could make it buzz with a message from Caroline. No such luck. It lies there, frustratingly unbothered by my disquiet, casting silent judgment over my latest attempt to untangle this mess I've made.

Why didn't I see it before? It's a question that gnaws at me like a persistent itch I can't quite reach. I've been blind, stumbling through our friendship like a moron, utterly oblivious to the signals Caroline's been sending. And now, I'm facing the cold, hard truth: I've wasted so much time. Time I could have spent doing more than just being her friend. Time I could have spent knocking her gorgeous little ass up.

I need to kick my own ass for not recognizing the obvious, for letting my fear of damaging my friendship with Asa override the intense feelings I’ve had for Caroline. And fear, after all this time, really does feel like a weak excuse. I replay our moments together—every teasing conversation, every shared laugh—and all those scenes are colored differently now. In hindsight, it all seems so clear, and yet, here I am, a day late and a lot of time with Caroline short.

I’m pissed at myself, brooding more than I probably have a right to as I flick through the messages I sent her, each one more desperate and hopeful than the last. The ticking clock mocks me with each second that passes without a response.

8:35 AM

Me

Hey, can we talk? I know things are awkward, but I really want to clear the air.

10:02 AM

Me

Sweets, I'm really sorry for everything. You have it all wrong though.

12:47 PM

Me

I miss our chats. Please don’t shut me out.

And the kicker, my crowning plea at 2:30 PM:

Me

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