Page 78 of My Ex's Brothers

He does what he wants and he doesn’t give a shit what people think.

And that’s kind of refreshing, to be honest.

Even then, I felt this draw. This pull. The magical spark that ate at me until I picked up my feet and made my way across to him. That warmth that drew me in. The comfort, the ease, and the butterflies.

Dex gave me a lot of things—including my daughter—but not once did I look at Dexter Rose and feelbutterflies.

So I say, “Yes.”

Dane grins and I swear it should be a magazine cover.

“But I should stop and change, because I’m clearly not dressed for a date,” I say, motioning to my high-waisted jeans, converses, and my dark blue sweater.

Dane shrugs as he opens my car door. “I think you look perfect,” he says.

It’s not smooth or practiced. It’s not a line or something he’s said a million times. Dane tells me I look perfect because he trulythinksthat, and something about that melts every reserve I have about what we’re doing here.

I said that things are complicated, and they still very much are. But as Dane looks at me, holding my door open, waiting for me…

I can’t deny it feelsright.

So I do what feels right and get into the car, buckle up, and take a deep breath.

I’m going on a date. With my ex’s twin brother who gives me butterflies.

What could go wrong?

19

AMELIA

“No,I’m totally serious, we had to call the fire department and everything,” Dane says with a wide grin as I laugh so hard my stomach hurts.

I shake my head. “Sounds like you have your hands full.”

I can’t remember the last time I felt this good. I know the two glasses of wine helped, but so did the trip to the cabaret. I can’t remember the last time I watched something that wasn’t Cocomelon or Bluey.

And it was a comedy, which made it even better. The drinks, the food, the company…it felt good.

I felt likeme.The me I was before my life was turned upside down.

Dane chuckles as he sets his hand on the small of my back, guiding me gently to the door. He glances at me from underneath his eyelashes. “I would walk you to the door and kiss you good night, but you kind of live here now. For the time being anyway, so…”

A soft laugh escapes my lips, but then there’s quiet pause as we hit the porch. His hand is still on my back, my skin warm where he touches me. I’m acutely aware of how hot I suddenly feel and how fast my heart is beating.

I shift my position, looking up at him. He gazes back at me with reverence and dare I say…longing. Like he’s afraid one wrong word or one wrong move will shatter our perfect night.

Part of me thinks we should turn around and pick up Lyla, even though it’s late. Her grandparents hadn’t agreed to an overnight initially, and though Dane called them and asked—with them on speakerphone—if they’d be okay keeping her overnight so I could get some rest, I still feel strange leaving my baby with people overnight even if they are technically family.

But there’s also a part of me that wants nothing more than to grab Dane Rose by his throat and kiss him until I can’t breathe.

He blinks for a moment and starts to unlock the door.

“So what’s stopping you?” I ask, and his hand freezes as the key clicks.

“What?”

“What’s stopping you from kissing me good night, right now?”

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