Page 84 of Catching Feelings

“Almost four.”

“You’ve been dating someone for four months and never said anything? Forget that.” Jules crosses her arms and pivots her gaze between the two of us. “You’re dating someone. You’re in a relationship. Miles Buckingham. My brother. Is in a relationship.”

“Gee. Thanks, sis.” Miles rubs her head and picks up the takeout menu she ordered from. “I’m guessing theuninvitedguest didn’t order myinvitedguest anything. What would you like?” he asks me.

I glance at the menu and pick the easiest item. “A turkey sub is fine, thank you.”

He kisses the top of my head. “Got it.” He picks up his phone off the counter and calls, adding my sub to the order.

Jules studies us and when Miles sets his phone down, she shakes her head. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

“You make it sound like I’m some sort of player or have some abhorrence to relationships. I just never found a woman I wanted to be in one with.”

“Abhorrence? Do you have, like, word-of-the-day toilet paper or something? What happened to my dumb jock brother?” She drops her arms and gives me a smile. “You’re a nurse, right?” she asks.

“I am. I’m a pediatric nurse.”

“That’s cool. I’m in grad school and have an internship at a clinic in south Boston on Mondays. On Thursdays, I intern with a social worker at Boston Cares.”

“We refer our families there. They’re very good.”

“Yeah. They’ve been amazing to learn from.”

We talk about the increase in mental health illness and what the city is doing to support low-income families. When the buzzer chimes, Miles gets our food and sets it on the counter.

For two hours, Jules and I talk about work, Boston, school, and Miles. She tells me stories of their childhood. Mostly embarrassing stories of her brother, which he returned with embarrassing stories of Jules.

Their relationship is fun to observe. They tease each other endlessly, both dishing it out as much as they take it.

“While I’d love to hang out with you some more,Rowan, I gotta get back to my apartment. I have a huge paper due on Monday.”

“If I can ever be of any help, don’t hesitate to reach out.” We exchange numbers and I give her a hug before she leaves.

Jules stiffens slightly but then leans into the hug. “I like her. Don’t fuck this up,” she says to Miles before punching his shoulder and leaving.

“In case you couldn’t tell,” he says, folding me into his arms, “I’m the affectionate one in the family.”

“I appreciate that.” I tip my head back and kiss the bottom of his chin. “I’d much rather have a hug from you than a punch to the shoulder.”

“I can give you a lot more than a hug.”

And he does.

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