Page 15 of Kissing My Brother's Best Friend

"Morning," I reply cautiously, taking a few steps towards him when he crooks a finger towards me. "Why in the hell are you here, and why haven't you been answering my messages?"

When I'm close enough to grab, Liam does just that, snatching my hand and pulling me against his body. I inhale sharply, surprised, and look up at the face I've been crying over since I left Brody's apartment.

Liam, of course, doesn't answer any of my questions but asks his own instead. "Truth or dare?"

I blink. "What?"

He smiles. "Truth or dare, Anna?"

"I…" I'm so confused. "Truth."

"Do you want to try and make this thing work between us? Semi-long distance, mostly weekends together. Do you want to give it a shot?"

My heart leaps in my throat. I don't know what to say. I didn't expect him to ask that. "I do, but?—"

"But what?"

I shrug helplessly. "Brody?"

Liam pulls me in for a kiss. "We'll figure it out." His lips brush against mine. "He's reached some peace with it, but we're forbidden from being in his apartment together until further notice. Good thing I've got my own."

His hands slide down to cup my ass, and I almost jump out of my skin, making him laugh.

"So," I whisper, "are you saying that we can do this?"

He laughs. "Hell, yes, we can do this. If you'll have me."

"Of course, I'll have you," I say. "But Liam, are you sure about this? It won't be easy, and I don't want to mess up your friendship with Brody."

"I'm sure." He kisses me again. "I want this, Anna. I want you. We can make it work."

I can't help but smile. "Okay."

Liam pulls me in, setting his cup of coffee down on the counter so he can properly cup my face. I melt into him, my hands gripping his shirt as we lose ourselves in each other.

EPILOGUE

LIAM

Five Years Later

Even in the NFL, football isn't all that different. I'm still good as hell at it, and the game is the second-biggest love of my life.

The first is her, walking onto the field after the team's big win, wearing my jersey, a smile on her face brighter than any arena light.

It's chaos around us, but none of it matters. Today, we've been dating for five years, and we've accomplished everything Anna had on her list for us to do before we got married. She's graduated, I've gone pro, and last week, we signed on our first house.

I've been patient. I've waited. I've worked hard. Now it's time for me to claim my prize.

The water boy walks close behind me and slips a small velvet box into my open palm discreetly.

When I reach Anna, she throws her arms around my neck, and I lift her into my arms, holding her up for the cameras. She's laughing, carefree, having no idea what's about to come. I'm not sure if she wants her engagement televised to the nation, but she knows what she's gotten herself into dating me.

"You were amazing!" she says, pressing her mouth against mine. I kiss her back, tasting the familiarity of her, of home … and a little bit of concession stand candy. My Anna has a sweet tooth.

I put her back on her feet and take both hands in mine. She senses that something is off, and her face turns serious, her eyes wide.

"Anna, baby, I need one more truth from you, okay?"

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