Page 53 of The Confidentiality Clause
Over these last few weeks, I’ve seen so many different sides to Brock. He’s not just Sutton’s annoying twin brother who works too much, or the guy who pushes all my buttons. He’s also the man who cooked dinner with me, who tended my wounds, who offered to be my date so I wouldn’t be embarrassed. We’ve made so many amazing memories lately, and even though many of them are paired with fights about his job, they’re still good. It’s hard not to feelsomethingtoward him.
My eyes flutter open again. Deep down, I know it’s not a good idea to let myself feel anything more than annoyance for Brock, but my hopeless romantic heart is careening down a path with no way of turning around. Last night showed in a lot of ways that he’s getting better. He laughed and joked with everyone until late at night, then took care of me. Just the fact that he’s sleeping right now is a step. Maybe…maybe it’s okay to have a little crush on him. I won’t do anything about it, but I can let it exist. There’s no harm there.
A knock sounds at the door. My whole body tenses.
“Brock! Are you awake?” Sutton’s voice filters through the door.
I shake Brock’s shoulder. He groans, not opening his eyes.
“I’m coming in,” Sutton warns.
I jump off the bed and bolt into the bathroom, shutting the door behind me as the bedroom door starts to open.
“Why are you in here?” Brock rasps.
I press my ear to the door, my heart galloping in my chest.
“Because breakfast is ready and Mom is insisting everyone wait on you and Ariel to be up. Speaking of, have you seen her? She wasn’t in the guest room.”
“I just woke up, so no, I haven’t seen her. Maybe she ran away because you’re a terrible friend who barges into people’s rooms while they’re sleeping.”
“Funny,” Sutton deadpans. “If you see her, tell her breakfast is ready.”
“Will do.”
I’m about to open the door when Sutton asks, “Why do you have grandma’s quilt in here?”
There’s a weighted pause.
“I got cold.”
“You’re acting weird. Is this one of your dumb pranks?”
“Yes, Sutton, I got a quilt last night to prank–”
I jump out of the bathroom and yell, “Boo!”
Sutton startles, then laughs. “What are you doing in there?”
I smile, trying to regulate my panicked breathing. “I came in here to bother Brock, then when we heard you, we decided to scare you.”
“I called it!” Sutton says, pointing at Brock. “You’ll never get anything by me. I’m too good.”
“Best detective in the country,” Brock says wryly, shooting me a knowing look.
“You said breakfast was ready?” I ask quickly.
Sutton nods. “Mom made French toast casserole. It smells so good I had to come get y’all up. I tried to sneak a bite, but she’s guarding it like a hawk.”
I laugh, but it comes out squeaky on account of my nerves. “We won’t make you wait any longer.”
“Good, because Shaw won’t help me sneak any since I accused him of cheating last night.” She rolls her eyes. “Such a sore loser.”
She heads out of the room.
I turn around and catch Brock’s eye. He raises his brows. “Nice save there.”
I cringe. “Not my best work, but she seemed to buy it.”
