Page 3 of A Childhood Crush

“I brought that copy you asked me to write,” I replied.

My job as a freelance writer wasn’t exactly booming. Luke kicked a little work my way when he could. I did the copywriting for press releases and recently an article that was featured in a local real estate magazine. I wrote a glowing piece about Leo, talking about his plans for Southie and the brutal beating he endured. The piece was amazing, and it brought in some work, but I would always drop everything and work for Luke.

“You could have just emailed it,” he said.

I was used to his attitude. We were good friends, but I was sure he thought of me as a little sister. We both annoyed the hell out of each other but were also each other’s best friends. I was the one carrying a torch for the boy who could never think about dating me or doing anything else with me for that matter. That didn’t mean I didn’t think about him in that way. Hell, I dreamed about it all the time.

“I could have, but I didn’t want to,” I shot back. “Quit being an asshole. You don’t own Boston.”

“We’re in a meeting,” he said.

“No shit,” I snapped. “You can ask your boss why I’m here.”

Luke looked at Leo. “Why is she here?”

“Like she said, she had some copy for me to go over.” He shrugged. “I wasn’t aware I needed to ask your permission to invite people to my own office.”

“Alright, you two gang up on me,” Luke said. “I think you’re just fishing for information.”

“Me?” I asked innocently.

“Yes, you Miss Nosy,” he said with a half-smile.

“I was just curious to see how things were progressing for the wedding,” I replied. “Am I allowed to ask?”

“Yes,” Leo answered for him. “Things are good. Caroline is in full planning mode. For a small, intimate wedding it’s turned into a bit of a circus. I’m just staying out of the way and letting her do her thing.”

“That’s always a smart move.” I laughed.

Luke looked at me kind of funny. I scowled at him. “What is wrong with you? Do I have something in my teeth?”

“No,” he answered.

“Then quit looking at me, you freak,” I growled. “Really, you’re acting weird.”

“I’m acting perfectly normal.”

“No, you’re not,” I said with a shake of my head.

“Do have that copy?” Leo asked.

I pulled a printed version and handed it to him. “Do you want to approve?” I asked Luke.

He shrugged. “I know you’re good.”

It was such a silly thing, but it made me feel really happy. I wished I could tell him how I felt. I didn’t think it would do any good, but I wanted him to know I saw him for a lot more than the big brother I knew he thought he was to me.

Leo scanned through the copy. I looked back at Luke who was staring down at his tablet and tapping away. I took in the sight of him. He was cleanshaven with his hard, square jaw on display. His black hair was short with it just a little longer on the top and styled with plenty of hair products to keep the perfect little flip in the front exactly where it was supposed to be. He wasn’t looking at me, but I didn’t need him to. I knew exactly what his eyes looked like. A deep green. The thick black eyebrows and even thicker, longer eyelashes made the green look even deeper. I used to tease him about those thick brows when we were younger. I called him caterpillar face. Not exactly unique or all that creative, but it had been funny when I was twelve and he was sixteen. At least it was funny to me. Not so much to him.

I loved looking into his eyes. Fortunately, because we were such good friends, I got to look at him a lot. I got to stare into those eyes and laugh with him. Unfortunately, I couldn’t look into those eyes and get all dreamy. I had to keep up the wall between friends and lovers.

“It’s good,” Leo said. “I like it. You can send me the file and I’ll get it pushed out.”

“Thanks,” I said and looked to Luke. I didn’t need his approval, but it was nice to have it.

“What?” he asked and looked at me, then Leo.

“You’re not going to say anything about it?” I asked.

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