Page 50 of Tempting the Heart

The seriousness in Brad’s tone whisked me right back to when we were teenagers. Even though he was a few years younger than me, I respected him back then as much as I do now.

“So, nothing happened?” he asked as I thought back to Mae’s observation about her brother caring about whom she kissed.

“I didn’t sleep with your sister, if that’s what you’re asking.”

Brad shook his head. “Listen, I’m just so worried Mae is going to be devastated if she falls for you.”

“Mae’s a grown woman, Brad. You can’t stop her from getting hurt. If not from me, someone else might break her heart. Besides, I’m not going there with your sister.” I shook my head and let out a sigh. “She deserves better.”

Brad’s eyes widened. “That’s not what I meant, Tyler.”

“It’s what I think in my own heart. She deserves someone who can offer her stability and a family to lean on and all those good things that I can’t deliver to her or anyone. My parents are nightmares for even their own children. I can’t imagine trying to sell a woman on the idea of what their holidays could look like.”

Brad scowled. “You don’t spend the holidays with your parents, do you? Have you been coming back to Marigold and I didn’t know?”

“No, I just meant that if I had a wife, it would…” I shook my head and ran my hands along my jeans. “It’s just all hypothetical, but no. I do not want to drag your sister, of all women, through anything my family has to offer.”

“I really didn’t mean it like that,” Brad said, pressing his lips together.

“It’s fine, even if you did.”

“But I didn’t. I guess I just can’t stop being her protective brother.” He shrugged. “And maybe on some level, I’m worried about what would happen to our relationship if you two broke up.”

I nodded sympathetically. Those were the same thoughts I had so many years ago.

“You don’t mean if. You mean when,” I pointed out.

“The worst of it is that I know it’s not my place. It’s absolutely none of my business.” He shook his head. “I already screwed this up for you two once, and I can’t help myself again.”

“It’s out of the goodness of your heart.” I chuckled and groaned, shaking my head.

Brad laughed and nodded. “Yeah. I guess so.”

“Listen, I’ll just plan on making myself scarce until next week when I can leave. I don’t want to add more complication to Mae’s life.” I sat back and looked across the glistening water. “She’s got a good one, a really good one built up for herself.”

“I think I just won the worst brother award,” he muttered, pacing in front of me.

“No, you didn’t. I’d probably do the same.”

“It’s awful, though. I know how much she likes you, and seeing you in person has only made it worse.”

“How can you be sure?” I asked, raising my brows. “I could be her worst nightmare. Maybe my being here has put everything to rest or in perspective that she dodged a bullet.”

Brad stopped pacing and looked at me. “Is that how it worked for you?”

“No. Seeing her as a woman did not help things.” I smiled. “How about this? I won’t even go into the coffee shop to grab some java. I’ll just get the stuff at the hotel and call it good.”

“I just know Mae will be wrecked if this doesn’t work out.”

I nodded, feeling void of emotion as I thought about the days ahead.

Because there was no doubt about that kiss last night. She felt everything I did, and it was nearly impossible to think of anything else.

“There is nothisto worry about. Things will be fine,” I assured him. “You’ve heard me bewail relationships for the last decade.”

“Two decades.”

I cocked my head. “Not quite.”

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