Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
He crumples up his napkin and lifts his half-empty drink. “I hope working in the same building and using the gym won’t make it awkward.”
“No, of course not.” I straighten my shoulders with whatever dignity I have left. “We’re both adults.”
My stomach bottoms out as he stands and says his goodbyes. He can’t get out the door fast enough, but I’m rooted to my spot. I’m speechless and bummed and can already hear myself making excuses to my parents for my bad taste in men.
2
DAWSON
I try not to pay too much attention to Nathan and Briar, but it’s hard. When we spoke earlier, Briar didn’t mention anything about Nathan’s upcoming trip to Miami for the holidays, so I certainly didn’t bring it up. It didn’t seem like Briar cared he and Nathan wouldn’t be together.
When Nathan first told me he was going, I wondered if he would ask Briar, but he said he was going with his friend and asked if I wanted to go. He knows spending Christmas in a sunny, beach-type location isn’t my thing, though. I’d rather the two of us hang around here. Even when our parents aren’t with us, I usually at least see Nathan on Christmas, so this year will be…different.
Movement in my periphery catches my eye. I can tell by the way Nathan hurries out, trying to look nonchalant, that something is wrong. I know my brother almost as well as I know myself. I know his personality, his preferences, his body language, and most of the time, I can predict what he’s going to do before he does it.
Three to six months is the average for him when it comes to dating anyone. There’s nothing wrong with preferring to keep things casual, but I hoped it would be different with Briar…though maybe I also didn’t hope it. What kind of asshole does that make me? I’ll self-reflect later. The issue is, Nathan doesn’t tell people that up front, and he’s the kind of guy who can make you feel like the center of the universe for a while, so the person on the other end of the relationship often gets the wrong idea and ends up with a broken heart.
If Briar’s body language is any indication, my worries have come true. If Nathan just ended them, Briar didn’t see it coming. The only reason I did is because it’s a pattern.
“I’m gonna take a break,” I tell Andrea.
“Sure thing, boss.”
I playfully roll my eyes at the boss comment. She knows I hate that. I might be everyone’s boss here, but I don’t feel like it. That’s just not my style.
I walk around the counter, heading for Briar’s table, and ask, “Can I sit?”
“You own the place.”
“Doesn’t mean I’ll sit if you want to be alone.”
He looks up, slightly squinty like he’s studying me, or trying to figure me out. He still makes my stomach feel like it’s full of butterflies, definitely not something a guy should feel for his twin’s boyfriend—or ex, even.
“I don’t want to be alone.” The way he words it makes my pulse stumble. I’m sure he doesn’t mean it like that, that he’s just saying he’s fine with my joining him, but when it comes to Briar, my mind likes to play tricks on me.
I pull out the chair across from him, turn it around, and sit down. “Want to tell me about it?”
“Oh, you mean the fact that I asked a guy I’ve only been dating a couple of months to meet my family and got dumped?” His voice is filled with both hurt and sarcasm. “Sorry. I don’t mean to take it out on you. I’m just feeling like an idiot.”
Shit. So Briar hadn’t known about the Miami trip. Come on, bro. You can do better than that. “Don’t,” I tell Briar. “It happens. And that…well, as much as I love my brother, it’s his MO. I didn’t feel right saying anything earlier. I hoped I was wrong. I do know he didn’t mean to hurt you. Nathan is just…too big to contain. I’m sorry you got caught up in it.”
He sighs, then gives me a sad smile. “It’s okay.”
“Are you in love with him?” I try not to hold my breath waiting for the answer, but it’s impossible not to. “Never mind. You don’t have to answer that.”
“No. Not in love. And if I’m being honest, I knew this wouldn’t work out. Nathan and I don’t really fit. But I’m not always good at listening to my instincts. I keep looking for something that doesn’t seem to be looking for me. Shit. I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m saying all this to you. I’m sure you don’t want to hear it. You’re just easy to talk to.”
I want to be easy to talk to for him, want Briar to trust me, want to grow this friendship between us even if it will be a little weird now because of my brother. “You can talk to me. I don’t know you well, but I’d like to think we’re friends. And I mean, it’s not every day someone calls me easy to talk to. Now you have to follow through.”