Page 66 of Wish I Didn't Want You Back

I reached for the cream to add more to my coffee. “I feel bad for the poor girl. She has no idea what she is signing up for.”

He threw a hand over his heart. “Are you two ganging up on me now?” He leaned back in his chair, clearly enjoying this.“That’s okay. I’m a big boy, I can take it, but enough about me. What’s on the agenda today for you two lovebirds?”

“We are going to see Marty,”Brooks said, taking a bite of his sandwich.

Hayes nodded. “Good. It will make the old man happy. Are you going to share your good news with him?” he asked, pointing to the engagement ring on my finger.

Brooks picked up his coffee and took a sip. “That’s the plan.”

“You seem a little bored today. Would you like to join us?” I asked, holding up my plate of food and offering him some.

He snatched up a piece of bacon and popped it into his mouth. “I would love to, but I’m headed to the office for a few hours, and then I need to rest up for my hot date later.”

Brooks wiped his mouth with his napkin. “We are going to stop by Harlow’s house for a few hours. Do you know when the materials I ordered will be in?”

“They should be here next week.” He set his mug down and stood up. “All right, lovebirds, I’m out of here. Try not to have too much fun with Grandpa today.”

Brooks stood up and walked his brother toward the door. “Next time, call before dropping by, yeah?”

Hayes looked amused. “So, does this mean you two are an actual couple again?”

Brooks shoved him. “Bye, Hayes. Good luck with your date tonight.”

He chuckled, waved over his shoulder, and disappeared outside.

Once he was gone, I glanced at Brooks, who was rubbing his temples.

“You know he’s never going to shut up about this, right?”

“Unfortunately.”

I took another bite of my sandwich and brought my dish to the sink. “I should probably start getting ready.”

Brooks watched me for a moment. Then, without warning, he leaned over, pressed the sweetest kiss on my forehead, and walked away.

My mind raced, trying to piece together all that had happened in the last twenty-four hours. We’d crossed so many boundaries, more than either of us intended to.

I always wondered what it would be like to have him in my life again. The intimacy we shared last night was better than I imagined. My heart knew he was it for me. He would always be the one for me. I had a sinking suspicion that he needed more time to accept me back into his heart, but after last night, I finally had hope.

CHAPTER TWENTY

BROOKS

Pulling into the parking lot of Sunnybrook Assisted Living, I killed the engine and glanced at Harlow.

“This is not what I expected.” She leaned forward in her seat and pushed her sunglasses on top of her head.

I laughed. “They have a farmers’ market every weekend. It’s an ongoing joke with Marty, he thinks I only come for the pies.”

“How is he doing?”

“Slowing down, but personality-wise, he’s as spunky as ever.”

She’s only been back for a couple of weeks, and I was already getting used to having her around. Marty, on the other hand, had probably been waiting for this moment forever.

“Ready?” I asked, grabbing the umbrella from the back in case it started raining again, and stepped out of my truck.

She nodded while watching the two old ladies bickering over who had the best hand-knitted blankets.

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