Page 4 of Dating Her Brother's Best Friend

I set my phone aside, anticipation coursing through me at the thought of seeing him tonight. God. I am so gone over this man. If my Fairy Godmother’s plan doesn’t work and he shoots me down, it’s going to break me.

CHAPTER 2

JEREMY

There'sa curious smell in the air as I step into Midnight Brew, a familiar blend of fried food, wooden beams long steeped in hoppy beer, and just a hint of the year-round Halloween this town is known for.

It’s exactly the kind of place that feels like a second home—cozy, slightly chaotic, with that small-town charm you don't findanywhere else. I’ve got that jittery, too-much-coffee buzz going because I showed up early to get the prime table along the back wall.

I stroll past a group of regulars huddled around a high-top table near the bar. They're deep into some animated discussion over the merits of vintage cars, beer mugs clinking in their effusive gestures. I nod, raising a hand in a lazy salute. They nod back, mid-word, because here in Midnight Falls, everyone knows everyone and there’s something reassuringly friendly about that.

The back table is nestled right beside an old jukebox that's seen better days but has more character than any sleek, modern contraption. It starts to play an old classic at just the right volume.

I flop down and inhale deeply, signaling to the waitress to bring a basket of fries to the table while I wait. Asa and Caroline are going to laugh at my predictability, but they know I’m all about comfort zones. They should be here soon, each sibling as different as night and day. Asa, my best friend since we went through boot camp together, is as steady and reliable as a rock, while Caroline is the human equivalent of a live wire that sparks and lights up any room.

She fucking stole my goddamn heart years ago, and I’m not any closer to getting it back than I was back then. I’d risk my friendship with Asa in a heartbeat if I had any hope of winning her heart, but she’s never given me any indication she’s interested. In fact, it’s just the opposite. She’s independent to a fault and makes sure everyone knows she doesn’t need a man to take care of her.

Fifteen minutes until Asa and Caroline are supposed to arrive, I pull out my phone to make the time pass quicker. I’m sittinghere flicking through my emails with the kind of detached interest reserved for repetitive chores. It’s mostly junk until I come to the last one. The subject line catches my attention. “Maybe dinner, maybe more?!” I blink several times as I quickly scan the email.

An involuntary chuckle escapes my lips. I bet it’s either Asa or my idiot brother, Sawyer, fucking with me. Has to be.

I type out an asshole response then delete it. What if it isn’t Asa or Sawyer? I don’t want to come off like an asshole and shoot down someone who’s brave enough to go for what they want. I read it again slowly and realize this email sounds serious. A thought suddenly occurs to me. Could it be Caroline? I can’t ignore how much I want it to be her. The thought that it could be Caroline sends a thrill of hope through me, stronger than any anonymous flattery possibly could. I shoot down the errant thought as quickly as it comes. There’s no way I’d be lucky enough to have her make the first move.

It takes two tries, but I finally come up with a response I’m happy with.

“Hey ???,

Thanks for reaching out! I’m really flattered by your offer. I know it took a lot of bravery to send the email. However, I must be honest with you. My heart already belongs to someone else. I hope you find your perfect someone soon. All the best!

Jeremy”

With a decisive tap, the email is whisked away into the ether. Just as I'm about to lay my cellphone on the table, the doorswings open with a familiar creak. In walks Asa, tall and composed, wearing the leather jacket that saw its better days twenty years ago.

Right on his heels is Caroline, and honestly, she looks like she’s just come off a magazine cover with her hair all wild and carefree, wearing one of those summery dresses that hugs her curvy body in all the right ways.

I just sit there like an idiot soaking it all in. There’s a flutter in my chest, and an intense spark traveling south at the speed of light. It hits me fucking harder each time I see her. The piercing in my cock, a decision made in a moment of stupidity while at boot camp, suddenly brushes against the inside of my zipper. The insistent throb pisses me off more than anything since I can’t exactly do something about it until I get my head out of my ass and convince this gorgeous woman to give me a chance.

“Jeremy!” Caroline spots me and waves enthusiastically as ever. I stand up, almost knocking my phone to the floor, and greet them with a wide grin.

“Caroline,” I say, sliding out a chair for her with what I hope is a gallant flourish.

Asa snorts, clearly unimpressed by my gentlemanly efforts, and I rub my middle finger up the side of my head to demonstrate what I think about his view on the matter. Caroline laughs, a little bell-like sound that tinkles over the background music, and plops down opposite me.

“No way I’d miss a chance to hang out with you in the back corner of a pub,” Caroline teases, eyes sparkling with that mischievous glint I can’t help but respond to. “Plus, I have anulterior motive.” That’s right. I almost managed to forget Simon, my nephew, has been causing more trouble at school.

“What did the little shit do now?” I roll my eyes, preparing myself for the bomb to drop.

Asa just shakes his head, glancing at the menu like he's never seen it before, even though I know he’s going to order the burger just like always.

“Uhh…” she says, biting her juicy bottom lip. “Simon’s pulled quite the stunt.”

Asa stands up, interrupting us. “While you discuss Simon’s latest antics, I’m going to hit the head.”

“Thanks for the heads up,” I mutter and ignore him as he walks away.

“Now, why don’t you explain to me what Simon did this time?” My mind races through guesses before she can fill me in. I should probably wait for my drink before I let her explain, but curiosity gets the best of me. “On a scale from minting his own currency to taking hostages, how bad is it?”

Caroline stifles a laugh. “He brought one of your brother’s drones to school.”

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