Page 27 of Choose Me

I deserve the eye roll I get. “Come on. The way he watched you the night everyone was here for the tournament? And I saw how he was at the bowling alley. Now you’re telling me he told people you work with that he was your date, and you’re texting until all hours of the morning.”

I shove Quinn’s shoulder. “He was helping me bowl.”

“He was helping you withsomething, but it wasn’t bowling. Don’t think I didn’t see the kiss on the cheek.”

My skin burst into flames, because Erik kissing me, even just on the cheek, makes my stomach fluttery.

“Jules, listen to me.” He pins me with his gaze. “If you walk away now, nothing changes. You’ll still be in love with Erik like you’ve been for years. And that means he’s where your romantic focus will always be. Do you honestly think you’ll be happy with anybody else? Do you think they’ll be happy knowing they don’t have your whole heart? Because I don’t. Better to have loved and lost, right?”

Jesus. I rub my stomach, feeling like I’ve been gut punched. That does kind of sum it up. “I guess.”

“Okay, I’m gonna say one more thing and then I’ll drop it for now because we both need to get ready for work.” I nod and he squeezes my shoulders. “Heartache sucks. It sucks worse than a lot of things. But it doesn’t outweigh the incredible high you get being with somebody youtrulycare about, whotrulycares about you, andgetsyou.”

He’s so animated, and passionate, and I realize he’s speaking from the heart about his heart. “You’re in love with Tadhg.”

Now it’s his turn to blush. “Yeah. I am.” His smile is beautiful. “And he loves me back.”

I blink to stop the prickling in my eyes. “God, Quinn, that’s so wonderful! I’m so happy for you.” I wrap him in a tight hug. “I always knew you guys would work it out. You’re so amazing together.”

“And you and Erik are amazing together. I’ve watched you two, and he gets you, Jules. Like Tadgh gets me, and I get him. You gotta go for this. You have to try. And if Stef ends up being a dick about it, that’s on him, not on you or Erik. But no matter what, I have your back. And I believe Stef does too. If you both really want to be together, I don’t think he’ll stand in your way.”

I wish I had Quinn’s confidence. “Okay. Thanks. It’s a lot to think about.”

He sighs, knowing that’s about the best he’ll get from me right now. “Please, at least actually think about it.” He takes a last sip of coffee, rinses out his mug, and puts it in the dishwasher. “I’m going to go take a shower and get ready for work. I love you, Jules.”

“Love you too, Quinn.” I rinse out my own mug, put it in the dishwasher, and wonder if I have the guts to do this.

And if I do, does Erik?

9

Erik

Irolldownthetruck window, enter the code into the keypad at the end of the driveway, and wait for the big iron gates to swing open. Gunnar’s and Astrid’s cars are already parked in front of Bjorn’s ridiculously large Tudor-style house, which means I’m the last to get here. Great. I can make an entrance with all eyes on me. Well, nothing I can do about it now.

I pull my truck over by the garage so I’m not blocking the driveway and walk to the front door, preparing myself for… I don’t even know what. Okay, that’s a lie. I’m worried Bjorn and Gunnar will go at each other. This is my first family dinner since I moved back. I’ve managed to avoid it for the past few weeks, using every plausible excuse I could think of. It wasn’t easy because I’m staying with Bjorn until I find my own place, and there was no getting out of it this time. Astrid threatened me with bodily harm if I didn’t show up.

Distracted by my own thoughts, I push the front door open, and fifty pounds of barking, jumping Norwegian Elkhound slams me back about five feet, and I almost lose my footing. “Oooof! Hey there Pita.” He continues barking and jumping as I try to calm him, but I’m not the alpha here, and he knows it. “It’s okay. Stay down.” I get a slobbery kiss for my trouble. “It’s nice to see you, too.”

Bjorn pokes his head out of the kitchen and bellows, “Pita! Down!”

He immediately stops jumping and sits at my feet, tail wagging, an adorable doggie grin on his face. “Good boy.” I step inside and Pita follows, trotting past me down the hall to the kitchen. Leaning against the entry wall, I unlace my boots, hauling them off my feet to set them with the other shoes at the door, then I wander toward the clattering of cookware and my sister’s laughter. I step into the central hub of my brother’s home and glance around, wary and alert, trying to act like I’m neither. “I still can’t believe you named your dog after a bread pocket.” Astrid snorts and all eyes turn toward me.

“He’s not named after pita bread. He’s a Pain In The Ass and was even as a puppy, so that’s what I named him.” I know this already, but I love to give him shit about it.

Astrid is sitting at the breakfast bar, glass of white wine in hand, looking amazing as usual in a chestnut turtleneck, dark jeans, and brown leather boots. I walk over and put my arm around her, leaning in to give her a kiss on the cheek. “How is it you always look fabulous?”

She beams and raises her glass to me. “Because Iamfabulous.”

“Which makesmefabulous, since we’re twins.“ We both roll our eyes at Gunnar, who exits the basement with several bottles of wine in his arms. He nods in my direction. “Hey Erik.” He sets the bottles on the counter and pulls me into a hug that’s surprisingly tight and goes on longer than I expect.

“Hey.” I squeeze him back, cautiously optimistic. “It’s good to see you.” We step back and he grips my shoulder before picking up a few of the bottles. “You planning on doing some drinking tonight?”

“Not this much.” He jerks his thumb in Bjorn’s direction. “Someonedoesn’t like to take the time to restock the wine cooler in the kitchen.”

“I didn’t have time. I’m a busy guy.” Bjorn turns away from the stove and grabs me in a bear hug. He may be four inches shorter than I am, but he’s strong. “Hey, brother. Good to see you.”

Even though we’re currently living together, we don’t see that much of each other. He works strange hours, and when he’s awake, I’m sleeping. “Good to see you, too.” He turns back to the stove and lifts the lid on a dutch oven, and I get a peek inside at the brown gravy. He stirs the contents a few times, sets down the spoon, and opens the oven. When the smell fully hits me, my stomach growls loudly. “You madefarmor’s kjøttkaker?”

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