Page 49 of Tempting the Heart

I shook my head. “Come on, dude. Don’t go filling my head with nonsense.”

He straightened and faced me. “I’m not. I haven’t said anything over the years, but she’s been kind of hung up on you since you left.”

I nodded. “I didn’t know that. I mean, not until recently.”

He looked at me over his cup and drank. “What do you mean?”

I shrugged and let out a heavy sigh. After all, this was why I wanted to chat with Brad.

“We kind of connected and had a good laugh about crushing on each other all those years ago.”

Brad’s brows raised. “That doesn’t sound like Mae. She fell for you hard. I can’t imagine she’d laugh about it unless you were laughing about it.”

I nodded, knowing what he was getting at. “It was more of a nervous laugh. I don’t know. We both kind of wondered over the years what would have happened if…”

Brad stared at me. “If what? You told me you weren’t into her.”

I cocked my head slightly and shook my head. “You knew I couldn’t get enough of your sister. That’s why you threw me the ultimatum.”

Brad chewed on his bottom lip and nodded. “Yeah, I did. I just didn’t want her to get hurt or to lose you as a friend.”

“Both probably would have happened,” I agreed, setting my cup on the bench.

“You still heading out on Friday?” Brad asked.

“I’m hoping to, but I don’t know. My dad’s therapist thinks he could use one more in-office visit next week.”

“I can pick him up and take him if you still want to get out of here,” Brad offered.

I chuckled and shook my head. “Wow. They really don’t make friends like you anymore.”

He leaned back and nodded. “What can I say? They broke the mold.”

“Same with Mae.” I glanced at Brad, who nodded slowly.

A few seconds of silence sat between us.

“Please don’t hurt my sister, Tyler. I know you wouldn’t do it on purpose. You’re not that kind of guy. I know that in my heart.” He let out a heavy sigh. “But she’s been pretty sheltered, and she hasn’t really ever gotten over the idea of you.”

I moved my gaze to a circling seagull and nodded slowly. “I understand.”

“I’m not sure you do,” Brad said quietly. “I’ve never seen her light up like I do when she’s around you. It makes me happy and sad. I’d love nothing more than for my best friend to fall in love with my sister and care for her how she deserves, but…”

He didn’t have to say it. I’d told Brad many times over the years how I’d never settle down. I wasn’t boyfriend material.

I nodded, still believing it.

“Basically, it’s probably better if you leave sooner than later,” Brad said, standing. “My mom said she ran into you last night, and you were headed over to Mae’s.”

Busted.

“Yeah. She invited me over to dinner.”

“And?” Brad asked.

“We had a nice dinner, lots of laughs…” I shook my head. “She knows I can’t stay. Neither of us wants to tie ourselves up in an impossible situation.”

The similarity between Brad and his sisters was eerie. His green eyes sharpened on me. “You’re sure?”

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