Page 21 of The Fangirl and the Crooner

“Please, girl,” she says with a chuckle. “It’s obvious. As soon as a spark flickers to life, you douse it and scurry right back into the friend zone. I’ve literally watched it happen.”

She looks over at Keegan for backup, and that one gives me a sad smile and a nod. “I’ve seen it, too.”

“Do you think Bram’s noticed?”

“Uh, yeah,” she says forcefully, then reaches over to take my hand. “But he’s been doing it, too. I always assumed it was because you lived in Seattle, and he didn’t want to get into a long-distance relationship. Then everything went down with the viral video…”

“But he’s obviously getting over that since he asked you to move in,” Willow jumps in to say when Keegan’s words trail off. “And you’re almost asshort-distance as you can get being just down the hall from him.”

I shake my head. “I’m not sure if he’s really getting over it, or if he’s just beingBram. I needed rescuing, and he felt obliged to be a white knight.”

“Nope,” Willow says with authority. “I’ve known him my whole life, so you can believe me when I say he’s definitely softening.”

“I agree,” Keegan says. “Now we just need to come up with a plan to make him realize how much he wants you and how great you’d be together.”

“Did you guys ever buy those sexy pajamas you were talking about?” Willow asks, directing the question to Keegan while keeping me locked in a mischievous gaze.

“No, but Trace did,” Keegan says with a completely straight face.

“He did what?” Willow snaps, turning her head to look at Keegan so violently, I’m surprised she didn’t crack her neck.

Keegan’s serious mien crumbles as laughter peals out of her. “He found some things I put in my online shopping cart for Pressley, thought they were for me, and ordered them. They should be here in a few days.”

“Jesus,” Willow breathes, pressing a hand to her chest. “You made it sound like you guys were getting ready for a three-way with my brother, and I almost threw up in my mouth.”

“Shut up,” I say, shoving Willow’s shoulder. “You thought no such thing.”

Willow shrugs. “I don’t want to know what kind of freaky-deaky things those two get up to behind closed doors.”

She shivers dramatically, and Keegan chuckles while pointing a finger at her. “You’re right. You really don’t want to know.”

“Okay, enough,” Willow says firmly. “We’re getting off track, here. We’re supposed to be helping Pressley with her Bram situation.”

“If my opinion matters, I think I should make sure our friendship is repaired before trying to move things forward,” I offer, raising a hand into the air for effect.

“You’re backsliding,” Keegan says sadly. “I thoughtwe decided you were going to go after what you really want.”

She’s right. I am backsliding. Because I’m afraid.

I’m afraid that if they’re wrong, and Bram doesn’t really want me in that way, any attempt to push things between us will end in disaster, and I’ll lose him completely.

“Don’t let fear control your actions,” Willow says softly, obviously using her witchy powers to read my mind. “I did that for too long and wasted so much time I could’ve had being happy with Gavin.”

I heave out a sigh. “I’ll think about it. Seriously. And if the occasion arises, and I think he’s game, I’ll shoot my shot.”

“That’s my girl,” Keegan says, lifting her mug and holding it out so we can clink ours against it. “And in the meantime, I’ll bring the sexy nighties Trace bought you over to Bram’s as soon as their delivered.”

We both look at Willow, whose nose is wrinkled in distaste, and burst into laughter. She shakes her head and crosses her arms over her chest. She narrows her gaze at each of us, then takes a drink of her coffee while murmuring, “Kinky bitches.”

“I love you guys,” blurts out of my mouth without a thought, and they both smile.

“We love you, too,” Willow says. “Now, go get your man.”

Chapter

Fourteen

Bram

---