Page 55 of Protected By My Best Friend's Brother

“Now I might lose her love and our friendship again.” I press my palms against my eyes, reality crashing down. “Oh no, I’m an idiot.”

“Yes, but a well-meaning one,” Sophie agrees, patting my shoulder with sisterly condescension. “Though watching you try to protect Emma from board politics was like watching someone try to shield a hurricane from rain. She reorganized the entiresustainability division while you were gone, Lucas. Took on Garrett—repeatedly—and won. She doesn’t need a white knight; she needs a partner.”

I think of all the times Emma stood her ground in board meetings. How she rebuilt entire systems while I was in New York, proving herself through sheer brilliance and determination. How she faces every challenge head-on while I’ve been trying to shield her from battles she’s not only capable of fighting but has already won many times.

Mom watches my face, understanding dawning in her eyes. “You know what I love about Emma? She’s never been afraid of messy. Of taking risks. Of believing in people even when they don’t believe in themselves.”

“Like believing I could be more than Dad’s disappointment?” The words slip out before I can stop them—the core insecurity I’ve carried for years.

“Like seeing my son instead of the CEO everyone expects him to be.” She clasps my hand, her eyes brightening with emotion. “She’s loved you—the real you—since long before either of you would admit it. The question is, are you brave enough to let her?”

The question hangs between us, weighted with years of running, avoiding, escaping. From Dad’s expectations. From my fears. From the possibility that I might not be enough. But now, with Emma, I’ve found someone who makes me want to stay and fight. To face everything head-on, together.

“Go fix this,” Sophie urges, straightening my tie with unexpected gentleness. “Though maybe try not to sound too CEO-like when you apologize. We’ve had enough corporate strategy for one night.”

Through the terrace doors, I glimpse Emma at the railing, moonlight silvering her hair. She looks ethereal in that dress, but it’s her strength that captivates me. Her brilliance. Her courageto face every challenge head-on while I’ve been trying to shield her from fights she’s more than capable of winning.

“I don’t know how to stop wanting to protect her,” I admit quietly. “It’s instinctive at this point.”

“Then protect her by standing beside her, not in front of her.” Mom touches my cheek, the gesture reminiscent of childhood reassurances. “Trust her mind as much as you trust her heart.”

“Now go fix this before Clara convinces any more board members that she’s saving the company from scandal,” Sophie adds, giving me a gentle push. “And remember—Emma became a force in this company while you were gone. She doesn’t need saving; she needs a partner who sees that.”

I straighten my shoulders, gathering resolve. “Wish me luck.”

“You don’t need luck,” Mom says. “You just need to be honest. About everything.”

***

I find Emma exactly where I expected—by the fountain, Mom had drained. She stands with her back to me, one hand tracing the edge of the emptied basin, the midnight blue of her dress blending with the shadows. The terrace is quiet now, most guests have moved inside for dancing or dessert. Strings of fairy lights create pools of golden light among the darker corners.

“Seems a shame,” I say softly. “To waste such a perfect dramatic moment. You could have stormed off and pushed me in.”

“Don’t tempt me.” A hint of a smile colors her voice, though she doesn’t turn.

I approach but stop a few feet away, respecting her space. “Emma... I’m sorry. Not just for tonight. For trying to handle things alone. For not trusting that you’re strong enough to facewhatever comes. For falling back into old patterns the moment things got complicated.”

She partially turns, her profile illuminated by the soft lights. “I don’t need you to fight my battles, Lucas.”

“I know. I know that here.” I tap my head, then my heart. “Still working on believing it here. Old habits of trying to protect people I love by taking control instead of standing with them.”

“Love?” Her voice catches on the word.

“Yes. And I’m terrified of losing you again. But I’m more terrified of losing you by not trusting you enough to stand beside you instead of in front of you.” I step closer. “You built an incredible career while I was gone. Faced down Garrett, transformed our sustainability division, and saved accounts I thought were lost. You did all that without me swooping in to ‘protect’ you.”

She remains quiet, her fingers drawing invisible patterns on the fountain’s edge. “Mr. Brighton said the board was planning to restructure my division. To move me away from client interactions.”

“Garrett suggested it. Three board members supported the idea. I was researching how to counter it.” I force complete honesty. “But I should have told you immediately, brought you into the conversation. Instead, I tried to handle it alone, like I always do.”

“Like you did when you left for New York.”

The parallel strikes deep. Running away to protect myself and everyone, only to create more damage in the process.

“Clara’s trying to break us apart because together we’re unstoppable. Because you make me better, braver, more real. And I’ve been so busy trying to protect what we have that I almost ruined it myself.” I move closer, near enough now to see the faint freckles across her nose, visible even in the dim light. “I’m done running, Emma. From problems, feelings, the messof facing things together instead of trying to handle everything alone.”

Finally, she faces me fully. Her expression holds more complexity than I expected—not just hurt, but determination. The same look she gets before presenting a particularly challenging integration strategy.

“No more making decisions about my career without me?”

---