Page 46 of 10 Ways to Accidentally Fall in Love

Oh boy.

My uncle gives us a grin, his eyes squinted against the sun and his grill tongs held in one hand. “That so? Handsome fella.”

“That’s what I said,” Margot responds with a laugh, slapping her husband’s shoulder.

Brad looks positively gleeful.

Oh boy.

“His name’s Brad,” my aunt adds, pouring premade margarita mix into two glasses.

“Well, it’s nice to meet you, Brad,” Johnny says, holding his free hand out to shake. “If you’ve got our Joey’s approval, you’ve got mine. You like chicken?”

As my uncle pulls Brad over to the grill, Margot hands me a drink.

“He’s just my friend,” I whisper.

She tweaks my cheek. “Sure, hon.”

I sigh, startling when someone careens into my back. At least I have a tight hold on my drink. “Iggy,” I say in greeting.

My cousin pats my shoulder a couple times before stepping around in front of me. He has an eyebrow raised. “You brought your gym-bro?”

“Don’t judge,” I say, voice quiet as I cut a glance Brad’s way. He’s talking excitedly with my aunt and uncle, looking utterly at home. “I just… I can’t quit him, Iggy. I don’t want to.”

His expression turns almost contemplative. “I’m not judging. I just don’t want to see you get hurt is all. He’s still…”

“Straight?” I fill in. “As far as I’m aware.”

He nods, lips pursed. “Hmm. I don’t suppose he knows you have feelings for him?”

I don’t bother telling Iggy Idon’thave feelings because there’s no point. I think the only person unaware is Brad himself. “Heknows I was attracted to him,” I say, which is true. Even if it doesn’t quite answer his question.

And even if that attraction never went away. Not even close.

Iggy nods, but a sudden “Not near the grill!” from Margot has our attention shifting.

One of the kids is near the edge of the hot metal grill, using the side of it as cover for the ongoing water gun fight. Margot tries to shoo him away, but he stays put, doing his best to avoid the high-pressure blasts of water coming from his brother. Before anyone has a chance to herd the kids back toward the lawn, there’s a battle cry, and Brad is leaping into the fray.

I watch in…not quite disbelief, really, but awe as Brad wields his own squirt gun he got from who-knows-where and runs after the kids. They both sprint away, trying to avoid Brad’s blasts, and he chases after them, a huge grin on his face.

I shake my head, my chest feeling warm. Dangerously warm.

“Who’s the hunky stranger threatening my children?” my cousin Alice asks, amusement lacing her tone.

“That’s Joey’s Brad,” Iggy answers.

He steps away as I try to smack him.

“Nice catch,” Alice says, sending me a wink before heading back inside.

I sigh. Again.

As Brad plays with the kids, helping keep them away from the grill, I bring out plates and utensils for our late lunch. Brad’s shirt is soaked when he finally calls it quits, but his smile is wide and his light green eyes are positively sparkling.

“Did you see that?” he asks, a little out of breath. “Sonny was ruthless, but I totally won in the end. Not that we were keeping score or anything.”

“Have a good time?” I ask, even though it’s obvious he did.

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