Page 51 of Tempting the Heart

He laughed. “Close enough.”

“And what should that tell both of us? It’s not like I’m the only single here.”

Brad winked. “Good point.”

I polished off my drink and stood, stretching my quads and back as I reached for the sky.

“No hard feelings?” he asked.

“None whatsoever. You’re a good brother, just looking out for your sister. I get it.”

He reached out his hand, and I took it into our secret grasp that we’d done since we were kids, polishing it off with two snaps of the fingers.

“I should probably get going. I’ve got some stuff to get ready for my parents’ farewell dinner tonight.” Brad glanced at a couple of birds fighting over something in the grass before bringing his gaze back to mine. He felt bad. I could see that much, but he said everything I’d been worried about.

“Sounds fun. Give them my best.”

Brad nodded as we took off toward the parking lot. When we got to my truck, he turned and faced me.

“You kissed her, didn’t you?”

The bit of tension that had drained out of my shoulders quickly returned as my gaze met his. I wasn’t going to flat-out lie to my best friend. I did a little shady avoidance earlier, but I couldn’t lie to him. I also couldn’t get the words to come out, so I just stared at him.

“Damn it, man. I knew it.” He shook his head, dropping his gaze to the gravel lot.

“It wasn’t planned. It just happened naturally, but as soon as it happened, we both agreed it wouldn’t happen again. We’re done before we began.”

Brad scratched his chin and let out a sigh. “That’s not how Mae works.”

“I know,” I said softly. “But I don’t know what else to do other than accept your plan. I don’t want to make things harder for her. I will stay away.”

Brad nodded. “There’s no way you’d ever consider moving back here?”

I shook my head and let out a deep breath. “No. There’s no way.”

“That’s what I was afraid of. Mae’s dreamed of this coffee shop forever. She’s not leaving Marigold, and I wouldn’t want her to.”

“I wouldn’t either.” I rocked on my heels and nodded. “Staying away is for the best. Truthfully, I’d never planned on telling you I was here.”

“Seriously?”

My stomach sloshed around the coffee as I thought about my original plan.

Get in.

Get out.

“I had no plans on seeing anyone. It just all kind of unraveled when I stopped in for a cup of coffee and the girl I had a crush on was running the place. I couldn’t very well not call you after we bumped into one another.” I shrugged. “So now you know that my intention wasneverto complicate things for any of us.”

“But fate stepped in,” Brad grumbled.

“Pardon?”

He grunted. “Just this whole thing my mom and sisters seem to believe in.”

“I’m still not following.”

“You know the whole mayflower earring thing.”

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