Page 2 of A Date with Fate

I swiveled to look at Scott. “Sorry. Bad phrasing. This is a purely commission-free road trip, I promise.” Stepping closer to him, I smiled, trying to put as much warmth into my face as I could.

Scott shifted, and a whiff of his cologne teased my nostrils. For someone who looked like he stomped around a mountain half the year, he cleaned up well and didn’t look at all out of place here in Logan’s fancy apartment.

“Please, Scott,” I said, letting some of my desperation slip into my voice.

Deep in his wide blue eyes, I saw the moment Scott accepted I wasn't going to let him leave me behind. My grin spread, making my cheeks hurt as I bounced on my toes.

“This is going to be so fun!”

“Hey, he didn’t even say yes.” Logan pointed at Scott, his expression confused.

I hopped in his direction, pressing a smacking kiss against my brother's cheek before turning and leaping on Scott.

I’d known him since kindergarten. I knew he would catch me. And sure enough, thick, muscular arms snapped around me as he grunted slightly at the impact of our bodies. I leaned in, planning on giving him the same obnoxious kiss as I’d given my brother, when our gazes met and held.

Heat raced down my spine, making my toes curl at the awareness of all of the places we were mashed together. The moment dragged, making my chest ache a little as I looked down into the eyes of my brother’s best friend.

I didn’t remember them having this effect on me before. But now I shivered, my hands rising to his chest where I pressed against him lightly. Now my joking kiss seemed all wrong. It was too intimate. Or maybe not intimate enough? Confused, I leaned away.

Scott blinked and his arms went slack, dropping me unceremoniously onto the floor once again. As soon as I stepped away, Scott took two large steps back. Something close to rejection flickered in my belly as I saw the odd way he flicked his hands, as if trying to rid himself of any memory of me on his skin.

My cheeks burned. Even more so when I realized that Logan was still scolding me.

“You can’t just maul people, Taylor.”

I rolled my eyes dramatically for emphasis before twirling across the living room floor. “I’m all grown up, Logan. You can’t tell me what to do.” Scott’s eyes were glued to mine the moment I glanced over my shoulder. “Besides, like you said, it’s just Scott.” My tongue burned a little at the subtle insult, and in the second before I turned to the hallway, I saw something flash across Scott’s face.

Something that looked a lot like pain. But that couldn’t be right. After all, he was my brother’s best friend. There had never been anything between us, and there wouldn't be now.

***

Scott

I was still in love with her. Twenty years into this situation, and all it took was having Taylor walk into Logan’s kitchen to rob me completely of sane thoughts.

Honestly, I hadn’t heard most of the conversation about our little road trip, finally snapping out of it just in time to realize I must've agreed. Because Taylor’s body was suddenly in my arms, every beautiful inch of her against me.

Ruined.

Absolutely ruined.

And now I was apparently taking her on a road trip in my parents' brand-new camper. Just freaking great. I was a goner, that was for sure. Logan motioned me forward, ushering me farther into his downtown Chicago apartment. For a moment, I wondered if I had confessed something aloud. But as soon as we stepped into his kitchen, he offered me a drink instead.

“You sure you’re good with her coming along?”

“Taylor?” My heart thudded in my chest as I swirled the bourbon in my glass. I faked nonchalance. “Yeah, no problem. I really do want someone with me. It’s a long, boring drive home.”

Logan tapped his glass against mine. “I totally get that. Taylor is a great road tripper. I swear we crossed the United States ten times over as kids.”

“I remember the stories,” I responded, pausing to sip the sharp drink. I wasn’t much of a drinker these days. I had had my nose to the grindstone for the past few years, getting my life in order.

I wanted to complain to Logan but realized that in a year, our lives had been completely swapped. I’d been the family guy, desperate to build my house and then fill every single bedroom with babies that often looked a lot like Taylor. At least in my fantasies. Logan hadn’t wanted any of that.

And yet here he was, engaged to a Texas car saleswoman with a newborn in the next room over. Jealousy nipped at my throat, making me cough lightly into my fist. “How is everything? For real?”

Logan’s pensive look vanished in a breath. “Life is good. Carlie is amazing, and that baby…” Logan ducked his chin, the wide smile on his face impossible to hide. “He’s everything.”

“Hmm, just like I figured. Totally miserable,” I deadpanned.

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