Page 45 of Accidentally Checked By My Brother's Best Friend

I’m not sure the last time I’ve had butterflies about someone or something. Maybe when Nathan and I first started dating? I mean, how could I not have been excited about Nathan? He’s Nathan Vaughn.

But who he is versus who I thought he was are two different people.

This experience is altogether different. It’s Duncan. There’s no guessing about who he is; I’ve known him more than half my life.

“Duncan,” I say, awe and disbelief filling my voice.

Jessie’s Girlsings out over the speakers, and I look to see Caroline calling for what has to be the hundredth time today. I know she wants to talk about the press conference and Nathan’s reaction, but for just this moment, I want to revel in this giddy feeling I’m experiencing.

Hitting the decline button, I send a quick text.

Me:I’m picking up Scarlett from school. I’ll call you later.

Caroline:Fine. I guess I’ll just have to wait to hear about that kiss.

Warmth moves through me as I think about the kiss she’s referencing. That kind of kiss is the sort of thing every girl dreams of, and movies do their best to convey.

Wait! How does she know about the kiss?

Another text pops up with a link toTea Time.I blow out a deep breath and groan, running my hand through my hair, so much for not having eyes on me while I’m here.

Caroline:I must say for a local gossip columnTea Timeis on the ball.

Caroline:Girlll! Either both of you are really good at acting or…

Caroline:Call me as soon as you get home!!

For a moment, my stomach thuds at the thought of Nathan’s reaction to the photos, only to find I don’t care what he does. I did nothing wrong.

I ended a relationship that wasn’t working, and because he’s acting like a spoiled child, I know I made the right decision.

He can throw whatever he wants at me. The only thing I’m going to focus on is what Duncan thinks and feels about whatever is happening between us.

Turning onto Scarlett’s elementary school street, I’m surprised to see a line of cars waiting. This is the first time I’ve picked her up, and the scene unfolding before me was not what I had expected.

Pulling up behind the last car, I park. Killing the engine, I leave and walk over to the front of the building, where I see others waiting. Immediately I notice everyone glancing at me and then do a double take. Pretty normal response and nothing new to me, just part of being a celebrity.

However, their reaction is a bit different from the norm.

Usually, people look at me, smile, and talk behind their hands or come up and ask for a selfie. Today, they’re just talking, looking at their phones, and then returning to me.

Heat creeps up my face as I remember theTea Timelink Caroline sent me, and I pull the sweater I’m wearing closer, wrapping my arms around my waist. Whirling away from everyone, I head back to the car and grab my phone.

Looking up Caroline’s text, I click on the link toTea Time,where I find multiple photos of Duncan pulling me out of the car, wrapping me up in his arms, and kissing me.

My breath catches as each image has me reliving every moment. One picture shows Duncan looking at me. I enlarge it so I can see his expression. The smirk he’s wearing is so rare that I struggle to drag my eyes from it. Running my fingers over his face in the picture, my heart skips across my chest.

This man is so unbearably handsome he literally takes my breath away.

A chuckle falls from my lips, and I shake my head. For the first time, I feel like one of the characters I play in my movies. This lightness filling me can’t be real life, can it?

The ringing of the bell pulls me out of my thoughts and back to the sidewalk filled with parents waiting for their children.

The majority of them are watching me. Intently.

Loud, excited voices take the focus off of me as kids appear through the doors.

“Aunt Ava,” Scarlett yells, running over to me. “How did the press conference go?”

---