Page 55 of Tempting the Heart

“It’s not like that, Mae.” Brad shook his head. “I’d love for you two to become a forever couple, but he has repeatedly told me that he’s not the settling-down type. Why would I want my sister’s heart to be broken when he decides to move on?”

Emily shook her head. “You can’t be sure he’d move on, Brad. That’s really conceited to think you know what’s best for youroldersister.”

Brad groaned. “I’m not pretending to know what’s best for Mae.”

My brows shot up as I crossed my arms over my chest. “What would you call it, then?”

“I just… he seemed… I merely explained that you’ve been sheltered and—”

My gaze blazed with fiery daggers. “You said what? I’m not sheltered.”

“Well, you’re not experienced,” Brad tried again.

“What? Just because I don’t sleep with a ton of men, you think that makes me sheltered? Maybe that makes me smart.”

Brad held his forehead in his hand. “No, you’re right. It does make you smart. I have the smartest sisters in the world. Mae, you’re amazing. You’ve guided all of us to make great decisions over the years. You’ve always been there for us.”

“Then what’s the problem? Why can’t I be trusted when it comes to Tyler?”

“It’s not about you in this situation, Mae.” He shook his head.

“Who else would it be about?” We rarely disagreed in our family, but this just… hurt. “You already stopped us once from trying things out. Why do it again?”

My mind shifted to the incredible kiss I shared with Tyler and all the emotion that swam through me as he held me in his arms. When he looked into my eyes, it was like I saw the deepest part of his soul—the goodness. He wouldn’t hurt me, not on purpose.

Brad sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Listen, I know it’s not my business. But I also know that over the years, he hasn’t exactly been a saint.”

Laughter shot out of my mouth. “And you have?”

Audrey whistled again. “She has a point there, Bro.”

Brad stood and took his cup over to get a refill on coffee.

“Was the kiss incredible?” Audrey whispered.

I nodded, feeling my cheeks warm at the thought.

Everything about Tyler was incredible. That was the problem. Plus, Tyler and I already agreed to not pursue anything.

But that didn’t mean I liked Brad sticking his nose where it didn’t belong. It was my decision, not my brother’s.

Brad sat back down and avoided my stare.

“Guys, we can’t be arguing and in a fight on the night we’re celebrating our parents’ retiring. It will make them think they can’t leave. That they were wrong about trusting us,” Emily said, looking at each of us.

Guilt swam quickly through my veins. My sister was right. Our parents deserved peace of mind when they boarded their flight tomorrow, and this argument was pretty pointless since Tyler and I weren’t planning on getting romantically involved.

It didn’t matter what my heart wanted.

Tyler wasn’t really interested in moving forward, so there wasn’t any real point in arguing with my brother about things.

“Mae, I’m sorry. It’s just that Tyler has had a complicated past, his family is dysfunctional, he’s never been in a long-term relationship, and I just don’t want to see you get broken.”

My eyes stayed on Brad’s, and I let out a sigh. “I’m not a piece of porcelain, Brad. I can put the pieces back together again. But it’s a moot point anyway. He’s leaving Marigold and will probably never come back, and I’m certainly not giving up on this.” I waved my hands around my coffee shop.

“You’re right, and I’m sorry, Mae.” He shook his head.

“And maybe if he gets to know Bethany, things will work out. She’s obviously not turned off by his parents, and she can do her job just about anywhere.”

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