Page 47 of The Boyfriend Gamble

AsIstoodonFelix’s doorstep, my stomach twisted.

The last hour had been close to insanity.

The next few minutes were likely to be the most consequential of my life.

With Josie’s words in my mind, I knocked on the door.

Nothing.

Knocked again.

Nothing.

Pounded.

I had raised my arm again when the door flew open.

Felix, hair mussed and a little disheveled, stood before me. Before I could evaluate the wisdom of my actions, I pushed into the house. Then I hauled him into a massive hug. He felt small in my arms, reminding me of the difference in our sizes.

The sound of high heels clacking on the porch was all the warning I got before the door closed.

Slowly, Felix pulled back.

I gazed into his eyes, but found them only a little hazy. Not red, as I’d first imagined.

We turned, together, to face Josie.

I eyed my sister. “Okay, you said he needed me.”

“He does.” She pointed to Felix. “Tell him.”

Before me, Felix turned a bright shade of scarlet.

“Look around the house, guys.”

Together, with my arm still supporting Felix, we did a slow survey of the great room with the living area as well as the kitchen and dining room. Everything was exactly as she’d said it should be—right down to the placement of the throw pillows and wool blanket she said was for cold, rainy days.

“Uh, Josette, I’m confused.” Felix huffed.

It always startled me when he used her full name. He always did, while I only ever did it when she pissed me off. Which was admittedly less and less over the years.

My sister sighed. “I designed it for you.”

Felix pressed a hand to his chest. “Right. For us.”

“Yes.”

“So I’m—”

“You and your future partner. And yeah, until today, I wasn’t positive it’d be my brother. I mean, you’ve barely got your head out of your ass while Jacob’s is still firmly planted—”

“Josette.” Apparently she could still piss me off. More because of her implication Felix had done anything wrong. I never worried about myself. I wasn’t the sensitive one. I drew in a deep breath. “You and Felix aren’t getting married.”

“Nope.”

“You designed this house for Felix and me?”

“See, I know you’re a little slow, but you get there eventually.”

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