Page 87 of For the Promise

I contemplate lying. I don’t want my brothers all up in my business. But there’s little chance of them removing their noses from my business anytime soon. Besides, I don’t want to keep Blossom a secret. I’m proud to be with her.

“We’ve agreed to start dating.”

Kai’s mouth drops open. “Say what now?”

Zane bumps his shoulder. “Don’t be jealous because Harper won’t date you.”

“I’m not jealous,” Kai mutters. “I’m surprised a woman as beautiful as—”

“Not to mention outgoing and fun,” Miles interrupts to say.

“Would date Mr. Nerdy,” Zane finishes.

My insecurities roar to life. They’re right. Blossom is too different from me for this to work. I shouldn’t have agreed to date her. She’s going to end up breaking my heart.

Rhett squeezes my shoulder. “Don’t listen to the rabble-rousers. They’re trying to get a reaction out of you.”

“After all, you do have a temper,” Miles says.

I frown. “I do not have a temper.”

He lifts an eyebrow. “And you didn’t punch the groom in the face at a wedding either?”

“He deserved it.”

“He deserved to have his nose broken?”

“Yes. He said some nasty things about Blossom. I asked him politely to stop. He refused. I felt consequences were necessary to make my point.”

“I’m just going to say it,” Zane says. “I’m loving my nerdy, emotionless brother falling in love.”

It’s true. I am falling in love. I’m helpless to stop the fall when it comes to Blossom. I did try. I attempted to ignore her for months. But Blossom is not a woman who can be ignored.

“I am not emotionless,” I argue, since I’m not discussing how I feel about Blossom with my brothers.

“Obviously, since you punched Blossom’s ex at his wedding.”

I didn’t suddenly develop emotions this weekend. But I refuse to argue this point with Zane or any of my other brothers. It’s an argument I can’t win. Trust me. I’ve tried. I know when to retreat with grace.

“Aren’t you on your way toRumrunner?” I try to shoo them out of my office.

Rhett growls. “No one better be on their way to a bar at two in the afternoon on a Monday.”

Kai groans. “You’re boring.”

“You’re lucky the waves aren’t calling my name,” Miles mutters as he leaves. Kai and Zane follow him out.

“Thanks,” I tell Rhett.

“You can thank me later.”

“Later?”

“After you fuck this up and I help you get your girl back.”

I push my glasses on top of my head and massage the bridge of my nose. “You’re not helping the situation.”

He slaps me on the back. “I am. You don’t realize it yet. But I am.”

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