Page 26 of Crushing On My Brothers BFF

I wave a hand. “The worst that can happen is they aim a camera at us. It’s all people have these days. Take those paparazzi bastards, for example. The second it got tough, they turned the cameras on me. Not one man in that group would’ve stood man-to-man to answer for what they did to that girl. Not a single damn one.”

She looks at me with so much emotion. I wish I could reach inside her mind, stir her thoughts, and pluck them like petals. Knowing me and my big hands, I wouldn’t pluck. I’d uproot the whole plant. I’d cause mayhem. I’d ruin everything.

The front door opens, and Riley, the nurse, walks in. “Morning, sir,” she says to me, nodding.

“Morning,” I reply.

Sophie stands. “Shall we get going while the light is good?”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Sophie

He got so fierce and protective when he talked about saving the girl from the paparazzi. It made me think what an incredible boyfriend he’d make. Or maybe evenmorethan a boyfriend. That’s why I wanted to get out as quickly as possible. The beach is public and always has a few people on it. There’s no chance of us losing our cool here.

Well, I’vealreadylost my cool. I lost it the second I opened the door and saw his eyes flit to my chest. Warmth tingled across my boobs as if telling me to do something reckless. Pull my top down, show him the goods, and let him lead the way. Show me how to please him. Let him show me how he can return the favor.

Now, I carry my camera down the beach, judging the shot. He walks opposite me, barefoot, his sleeves rolled up. The sunlight dances in the silver of his hair. Fourteen-year-old me would freak if I could tell her what we’re doing. A chance to record Kaleb Kennison and ask him any questions I like? Sign me up!

“Be careful,” he says, reaching out for me.

Wealmosttouch. Ialmostlet him, but I know it would shatter my resolve. Instead, I walk to the side, narrowly avoiding the sign with the tide times on it.

“Thanks,” I say.

“You need to be more careful,” he comments, “but I guess you’re too much of an artist.”

I roll my eyes, but there’s a smile on my lips. Every gesture feels like a betrayal. Every gesture makesmefeel like the lowest of the low. I shouldn’t be grinning like this. I shouldn’t be so pleased when he offers me attention. It’s like I always dreamed, putting on a show for Kaleb, twirling in my prom dress in front of Gwen.“Do you think he’ll like it?”

“Take the advice of an old man,” he goes on. “You can only get really good at something if you’re aware of everything around your craft.”

“I don’tusuallywalk into stuff,” I tell him.

“Only when you’re obsessed with your art,” he replies proudly. It fills me with so much confidence I’m bursting with it.

“Oh, for God’s sake,” I snap when my camera screen blinks off. “This stupid thing… I only bought it a couple of months ago.”

“Hey, relax…” He walks closer to me,almosttouching my shoulder again. I’m not the one who moves this time. He lowers his hand, seeming to come to his senses. “You won’t make it better by stressing about it.”

“Thanks, that’s helpful.”

Now, he movesevencloser. He’s staring at me with intensity in his blue, captivating eyes. “Don’t get sarcastic. I mean it. You have a mission.Get the camera working. Getting emotional won’t help. Take a breath. Sort the issue.”

“You’re always calm and collected, are you?”

We’re getting snappy with each other, but something tells me it has nothing to do with the camera. He laughs dryly, his eyebrows raised, seeming to enjoy this even if he shouldn’t. “I do my best,” he says.

Except when we’re kissing…

I take a long, exaggerated breath, shooting him a look. “Happy now?”

“Do you always act this immature?” he asks, but again, he’s smiling, eyebrows raised.

“I think youlikeme acting immature,” I shoot back.

He leans down. Not as close as he was before when his warm breath painted me, but close enough to get my heart hammering hard. “Oh, yeah? Why’s that?”

“Because then you can feel experienced and mature and in charge.”

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