Page 95 of Heartbeats & Highways

“You two,” Homer said to Roman and Virgil. “Beat it.”

“Fine, but you know we’ll listen from the hallway,” Virgil said.

“Not this time.” Roman clapped his younger brother on the shoulder. “Let’s go.”

Virgil shook his head in disappointment but trailed after Roman.

After the sound of two doors closing, Homer turned to me.

“Yes?” I asked.

“What do women like?” he blurted out.

I frowned. “That’s way too general. I’m not following.”

He sighed. “You were with Jazz and Brielle last night, right?”

“Yes.”

“So I’m sure Jazz said some things about relationships . . .”

“Still not following you.”

“God damn it, I want to convince her to be with me after years of dancing around each other, but I don’t have a fucking clue how to do that.” His dark expression cleared, and he suddenly looked forlorn.

“Oh,” I said quietly. “You want to show her you actually care about her, don’t you?”

“Yes,” he gritted out.

“And you don’t know how to do that.”

“No, I don’t.”

“You’ve known Jazz a long time,” I said. “You really have no idea how to woo her?”

“Would I be baring my soul and asking you for help if I had any idea on how to woo her?”

I wasn’t going to tell him that by admitting his feelings for her, he’d done half the work already. Jazz was my friend;she deserved a happily-ever-after, but she also deserved Homer putting forth some effort.

“Well?” he prodded.

“I’m thinking.”

When I was silent for a few moments he demanded, “Can you think faster?”

“Do you want my help or not?”

“Yes.”

“Then give me some time. I’ll think about it today and come up with a list. And before we go any further, why aren’t you asking Brielle what Jazz wants? Why me?”

“She’s my sister and it feels . . . weird. I want to leave Brielle out of this.”

“Have you texted her today?” I asked.

“My sister? No.”

“No, not your sister. Jazz,” I said with a roll of my eyes.

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