Page 24 of Mr Best Friend's Brother Grump

I haven’t seen Rosa since last weekend. She called to say that her neighborhood was safe, and she had gone back to her apartment. When I asked her about the things that she left in Kendra’s room, she said not to worry. That she was meeting up with my sister sometime later. So, that is that. Memories of ‘Star Wars’ and salsa dancing with ice cream have taken on a dream-like quality. I wonder if I just didn’t make the whole thing up.

I didn’t see Ken when she got back after her conference. She arrived when I was out and left a note for me on the kitchen counter.

Nate. Hi. This is your sister. I’ll have my people contact your people to arrange a meeting. It’s been ages, bro. Let’s hang out. x o x

I added a, Yes please, underneath her scrawl, with a smiley face. We hadn’t connected properly for weeks. I needed to make time for Kendra. Our work commitments had taken over, and although we shared the apartment, we hardly saw each other. I had a couple of jobs in New York, then a fashion shoot booked for L.A. next month. I message my sister, then make a reservation at Marcello’s. Just the two of us.

“Nathan. Tell me everything,” Kendra says when we’re settled in the booth seat at the back of the restaurant. It’s Tuesday evening and not particularly busy.

“Hawaii was spectacular. We should go some time. You would love the eco-lodge I shot. It’s so well thought out and kind of blends in with the landscape. And, oh gosh, the surf was incredible.”

Gino brings our pizza. We talk about Kendra’s conference in Washington. She laughs and says how happy she is to be back in NYC. It’s a different buzz there, she says in between bites.

“And how are things going with Ingrid?” Kendra puts down her cheesy slice, wipes her hands on a serviette, holding my gaze.

“What do you mean? We broke up, remember?”

“I know, but Nathan.” Kendra is suddenly serious and talking to me as if I’m a client. “She really does love you and is trying to make it up to you. Why not give her a second chance? Look at you both. Such amazing people. You’re a world-renowned photographer. She’s a model/actor, YouTube sensation, influencer. You were happy Nate. What happened? Couldn’t you patch things up?”

“Kendra. I’m happy now,” I say, exasperated, but I feel the need to explain. “It’s in the past. Ingrid is amazing. She is… But I can’t see us together anymore. I’ve moved on… and so has she.”

“Well, that’s a shame.” Kendra picks up her pizza slice and takes another bite. Then, after a few chews, she fixes me with one of her looks and says, “You’re not getting any younger, you know.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Well, bro. I’m just concerned that you fill your life with work, and you don’t leave any room for… love. I’m your sister and we live in the same apartment, and you barely have enough time to see me. So…”

She had a point, of course. But I feel defensive.

“Kendra. I appreciate your concern. I know it comes from a good place, but I am fine. I’m more than fine. I’m living my best life. And maybe...,” I pause here as I think about what it is I want to say. I can’t really come out with, ‘Oh, by the way, I wanted to kiss your best friend when she stayed over at the weekend.’ That wouldn’t be appropriate. But I want to make it clear to Kendra that the file on Ingrid and I is firmly shut. Case closed. “I have met someone,” I say, warily. “…who is so special, I’m taking things slow because I don’t want to burst in there, guns a-blazing and wreck anything, just yet.”

“Oooh! Now you have my attention. Who is this lucky lady?”

“I can’t say… at the moment. I’ll let you know. In fact, you’ll be the first to know.”

I knew I had to tread carefully. The idea of me dating Kendra’s best friend may not be as warmly accepted as I hope it will be. I’ll cross my fingers and approach things cautiously to see how each step plays out. I have no idea how Rosa feels about me. If I made any kind of move romantically, she might be appalled and run in the opposite direction. But, like Kendra says, I’m not getting any younger, and, when I’m with Rosa… I don’t know. I just want to be with her. It doesn’t matter where we are or what we’re doing. She is so real. There’s an honesty about her that is rare and wonderful. When we’re together, I feel I can just be myself. Just Nathan Ellis.

I have made a decision. I can’t sit back and do nothing. Rosa lights me up in a way no one has before. Being with her is like winning a prize, bigger than any Big Apple award. As I go about my day, I find myself inventing all sorts of scenarios where we run into each other. Then I feel nervous about that happening because I don’t know what to say. I could easily wreck something beautiful before it has even started. And what if she doesn’t like me? Or only likes me as her best friend’s brother? I wonder when I will see her again.

Chapter 21

Rosa

I call Kendra from my apartment. The emergency had passed, and everything is back to normal as usual. My roommates were in the lounge when I got back. It was good to see everyone. I didn’t want to put myself in the position of seeing Nathan with Ingrid, so I arranged to meet up with Kendra who kindly agreed to bring me my laptop and other things that I had left in her room. We meet in a café on my side of the river. She was in good form and chats enthusiastically about her trip.

“Thanks for bringing my stuff over,” I say, smiling gratefully. “And I’m sorry about your dress. It was a marshmallow malfunction, but it should be alright after a wash.”

“Ah, don’t worry about it. You’re most welcome to anything of mine. You know that.” I almost interject with, ‘Even your brother?’ but I hold it in. Kendra smiles. “And you were a refugee, Rosa. How awful,” she says with concern, lightly touching my arm.

“Yes. It was strange and weird. But Nathan rescued me… He was so kind.” My head is filled with popcorn, ice cream, and salsa dancing in the kitchen. Remembering our movie night together I wilt like a flower without rain but try not to let it show.

“He is…” Kendra sips her spirulina smoothie. “So, tell me… You have been invited to some awards by the journo from The New York Times magazine? That’s pretty cool. Is he, you know… boyfriend material?”

“No! Kendra!” She makes me laugh. “Alfie is a nice guy. He asked me to go as his plus one as a kind of thank you for the piece he did about the center. There’s nothing… It’s… We’re just friends…” I catch the sneaky look in her eye. “Really,” I say firmly.

“Oh, how boring.” There’s a pause in conversation. I gaze around the café at the other customers. Then Kendra asks, “What are you going to wear?”

“Ah, gosh. I hadn’t given it any thought.”

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