Page 55 of Fake Dating My Best Friend

“With who?”

“Well,” Conner stretches back in his chair, pure smugness radiating off him, “since you’re not interested, I probably shouldn’t say. But I did tell her it was about time she started dating again. Even suggested she try that new dating app everyone’s talking about.”

“You what?”

“Yeah, I told her she should put herself out there more. Stop waiting around, you know?” Conner’s eyes gleam. “Actually, I know this guy from my old team who’d be perfect for her-”

“No.”

“No? Why not? You’re just being protective, right? Like afriend?“ He practically spits the last word.

My hands are clenched into fists under the table. Xander’s gaze cuts to me. Conner just stares me down, waiting.

“Because I have been falling for your sister.”

The world goes dead quiet.

“Finally.”

Conner exhales, running a hand over his face. “Took you long enough.”

“What?” I grumble.

“To finally admit it tome.“ Conner taps his knuckles against the table. “Now, what are you actually doing about it?”

“I’m working on it.”

“Just tell her already,” Xander says, checking his Rolex as the waitress tops off his espresso. “It’s not exactly closing a billion-dollar deal.”

“When’s the last timeyouput any effort into a woman?“ Conner rolls his eyes.

“I don’t.” His mouth curves slightly. “They put in the effort.”

“We’ll wait for that day you actually have to. I’m framing it.” Conner claps Xander on the shoulder.

Isla’s voice drifts across the café again. She’s doing that thing where she talks with her hands, nearly knocking over her coffee cup. I want to grab those small hands, run my fingers through her hair, kiss her forehead, her cheeks, and finally claim those lips.

A sharp kick to my shin. Conner’s glare could make a bouncer back down. I drop my eyes to my coffee, hoping he doesn’t just read my mind about kissing his sister.

“Listen, man,” Conner says, leaning forward, voice dropping. “You were there when I couldn’t be. When I was chasing pucks across the country, you were the one making sure she got home safe, checking her car’s oil, being the shoulder she cried on.” He runs a hand through his hair. “You probably know her better than I do at this point.”

He takes a long pull of his coffee, something heavy in his eyes. “Look, is it weird? Yeah. You’re my best friend. She’s my sister. I wanted to deck you when I figured out those protective looks weren’t so friendly after all. And trust me, I figured that out, way before I left for hockey.”

A wry smile tugs at his mouth. “But you’re not just any guy, Ash. You’re family. Have been since you punched Tommy Rogers for making Isla cry in fourth grade.”

His jaw tightens. “I’d break any guy’s face for looking at her wrong. And watching those jerks hurt her while I was away—” He shakes his head. “That killed me, man. Still does.”

His expression softens slightly, though his voice stays gruff. “But you’re the only one I’ve ever seen put her first. Every single time. No questions asked.”

My throat is tight. Hearing this from Conner, Isla’s brother and my friend since we were kids, breaks through years of iron control. Every feeling I’ve locked down surges up like a knockout blow.

“Thank you, Con.”

Xander takes a slow sip of his espresso. “Shame I missed the whole pining show.”

I grunt. “You’re a real support system.”

“Con risks everything and you risk nothing.” Xander leans back in his chair, thumb tapping once against the side of his cup. “Try the middle. Some risks are worth it.”

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