Page 69 of Falling For My Best Friend's Brother

“Cannot cook to save her life.”

Lindsay crackled. “God, I love the taste of her undone pasta.”

I glanced at her. “Me too.” We both shared a look, then burst out laughing.

When the laughter subsided, my sister inched closer to me and took my hand. “Love is hard, but a life without love is harder. She’s not perfect and neither are you. That’s what makes love worth fighting for—two imperfect people refusing to give up on each other.”

My eyes were hurting from holding back tears. The truth of the matter is, I’d been convinced that Nina was too good for me. Unlike what I’d told Claire, Nina was kind and selfless and I’d never met anyone like her.

“That said, Dad would be proud of you, Knox. You’ve managed to achieve at half his age what he never even got to aspire to. Mom and I, we’re both so thankful to you for being such a good man. For caring for us, for not abandoning us after he died. You’re worthy of being chosen, and fought for, and loved. You deserve a woman who’s as crazy about you as you are about her. And I think Nina is that person.”

I lost the battle; one tear finally slipped down my face. I huffed out a breathy chuckle, drawing my sister in for a hug. Despite everything, I was blessed with an amazing family, people who genuinely cared for me, no matter the weather we had to face.

“When did you become so wise?” I mumbled into her hair.

Lindsay giggled. “It was a cold Thursday evening, and the sun had just set—”

“Alright, that’s enough.”

We both laughed for a short while, then fell silent. I thought about Nina and the look on her face from earlier in the kitchen.

Nina was both a want and a need. It would be stupid to deny it. I wanted her laugh, her smiles, her body, the sheer miracle of her presence that overwhelmed me. And I needed her admiration, her strength and simplistic approach to life. The way she never backed down from a fight no matter what life threw at her. Her perseverance, her fucking kindness.

Fucking hell. I’d hurt her so much and in so many ways. If she never forgave me, I would hold nothing against her. But like Lindsay said, I had to fight for her and try to win her back or life would lose its meaning. I couldn’t let my princess go.

Lindsay broke away, tapping my chest eagerly. “Alright. Go get your woman or you’ll really lose her.”

“Right. You’re right.” I jumped to my feet, searching for my keys. Lindsay settled onto the sofa, reaching for the TV remote. “Aren’t you coming?”

She shook her head, switching on the 65’ inch screen. “Nah. I’ll give you guys some privacy; you have a lot to talk about.”

Chapter twenty-five

Nina

I’d cried out every drop of water in my body, and yet silent sobs still wracked me from head to toe.

I couldn’t stop. There was nothing left of me anymore. It felt like I was floating in time, oblivious to my surroundings, neither here nor there. Even the suitcase I was packing was a wreck—I was just stuffing random clothes into it left and right.

It’d taken me many hours to come to the conclusion that my parents were right. This—whatever “this” was—wasn’t sustainable. Painting was a passion, not a plan, and maybe it was time to go back to California, rejoin the company, and let go of the illusions I’d been clinging to.

But first, I needed to get out of here. I didn’t even need the suitcase; I could always buy more clothes. I’d already spoken to my mom. Well, it wasn’t so much of a conversation.

She’d answered the call, heard me crying buckets, and then spoke two words:“Come home.”

I didn’t need to be told twice. Grabbing my tote bag, I threw my phone, iPad, and passport into it and left my room. I had no idea where Lindsay had run off to. She’d taken one look at my face earlier and just… left. It didn’t matter. I’d send her a text when I got to my parent’s house.

But my feet came to an abrupt halt when I walked into the living room and saw Knox standing there, his eyes on me and his hands intertwined in front of him. Images from earlier filled my mind and against all odds, my eyes began to tear up again.

Fuck this shit.I was done doing this sick dance with him.

I decided it wasn’t my business, whatever he’d come here for. Thrusting out my chest, I started for the door, but Knox stepped in front of me, blocking my way. I whirled around to follow a different path, but he pivoted, blocking that way too.

Huffing, I paused, lowering my eyes to my feet. I refused to look at him once more. “Move.”

“No.”

“I’m not playing with you.” I tried to sound threatening, but my voice was frail from all the crying I’d done.

---