Page 22 of Wish You Would

Briar blinks, straightening her spine as she takes a step back. “That’s dinner. I better… uh… get that before it burns.”

I watch as she pushes back from the counter, turning towards the stove. Maybe this intense attraction I feel isn’t just one-sided. That thought makes my pulse race.

“Can I help you with anything?”

Briar pulls a pan out of the stove. “I’ve got it.”

“You sure?” I slip off the stool, stepping behind her, so close that her back almost brushes against my chest. So close, I can feel the heat radiating from her skin, smell the sugary scent of her shampoo. “I’ll get us plates.” I reach around her to the cupboard above her head, trapping her against the counter, my hip brushing the curve of her lower back. I hear her breath hitch when my arm rises over her head, landing on the cupboard’s shelf, crowding every inch of her personal space.

Briar’s breathing is shallow. My own breath is trapped in my throat being this close to her.

The doorbell rings, breaking the tension that has suddenly filled the room. I immediately take a step back while Briar places her palms on the counter taking a deep, fortifying breath. I leave her in the kitchen while I walk to the door. Only when I’m in the hallway, away from the pull of Briar, do I exhale, looking up at the ceiling.Of course, someone has to be ringing my doorbell at this exact moment.

I pull open the door to find Jake standing on the doorstep.

“Hey, man.”

“Hey.” I watch Jake’s eyes wander over my shoulder into my kitchen, where I’m sure he can see Briar. “Sorry, needed a quick favor but maybe it’s not a good time?”

“Nah, it’s fine. What’s up?”

“Hey, Jake. It’s good to see you,” Briar says, appearing in the entryway. “How’s Everly and the kids?”

“Everyone is good, thanks.” Jake grins. “Ev said she’d like to invite you over for dinner. Welcome you to the neighborhood.”

Fuck my life.Jake is loving this right now. He’s playing it up; he knows he’s under my skin.

“That would be nice. I’d love that.” Briar nods her head and smiles. “I’ll leave you guys to it while I finish up with dinner.”

When Briar disappears back into the kitchen, Jake smirks at me and I shoot him a death glare in response. I motion him out to the porch, where I join him, shutting the door behind me. “What do you want, Jake? Or did you just come over here to torture me?”

He laughs. “I need help moving a couch and a dresser.” He’s wearing a shit-eating grin. Asshole. “So, Tucker was telling me Briar moved in. How’s that working for you?”

“I can tell you’re enjoying this, but you can cool your jets. She needed a place to stay, that’s it. Daisy practically forced her on me.”

“I should send you a gift basket for the hardship you’re having to endure. Are you going to make it, buddy?” Jake mocks me. “It must be so tough living with a woman who looks like Briar. And she’s cooking for you too? What a tragedy.”

“Fuck off.” I shoot him a glare. “The moving, can it wait until after I eat dinner?”

The fucker laughs as he turns and heads back towards the driveway. “It can wait.”

I go back inside and find Briar still in the kitchen. The table is set but the rest of the kitchen is a complete disaster. Dirty bowls. Used spoons. Condiments from the fridge cluttering the counter.

I always clean the kitchen before I sit down for dinner. It’s the way I like it. But Briar has taken the time to cook for me, so I overlook the mess and sit down beside her.

She glances at me quickly as I pick up my fork. I can tell she has something on her mind. It’s the first time since she moved in that she seems nervous around me and it’s cute as hell. It’s sexy too.

“Anything on your mind?” I ask.

She shuffles her broccoli around on her plate. “I was just thinking about the wedding invite.”

This again?

She scans my face, then clears her throat, her eyes softening, “You’ve got a plus one. You could bring a date; make her see what she’s missing.”

“And who would I bring, Bee? I’m single.”

“You could bring…I don’t know… maybe me?”

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