Page 20 of Summer with a Brother's Best Friend
Away from him.
My face must give something away because before I can take my next breath, Isaac’s mouth is on mine, his kiss bruising and all-consuming as he presses me into the mattress.
“Let go, Reece. Give me every second till you’re gone.”
15
REECE
“Um wow, okay,” Vienna says as she looks at the absolute disaster laid out over the living room of our rental.
Blowing out a breath, I nod. “Yeah, I know.” Poster board, favors, sticky-note reminders for the seating chart, and decorations litter every available surface.
“I saw your brother and Marigold getting cozy at the bar last night,” she says as she drops onto the couch and tucks her feet under her.
“Yeah, they’re both too damn stubborn for their own good.”
“I don’t know anyone like that,” Vienna deadpans, and I glare at her because it’s not the same. Marigold had a lot of baggage from her asshole ex, and my brother continued to just be an asshole.
But he was getting better.
Especially with us finally being able to wrap up the plans for the party, the mess in front of me aside. It feels like I can finally breathe again—maybe enjoy the rest of summer.
And it was obvious last night how much my brother cares about Marigold, but love and lust don’t fix your problems nomatter how hard you try. I just hope he figures it out before it’s too late.
“What’s that face for?“
“Just hoping my brother can figure his life out before he loses Marigold. She’s so sweet and fun and everything he needs. We’ve gotten close, and honestly, if they don’t work out I’m keeping her”—I pause—“and Logan, the guy who works with her; he’s a hoot.”
“I met him the last time I stopped into Cakeology.” Vienna laughs and give me some serious side-eye. “But I’m your best friend.”
“I can have more than one best friend.”
“I don’t like it.”
I roll my eyes. “Are you going to see Aspen this weekend?”
“Kind of. I mean I’ll see her but…”
“You’re going to hook up with the guy you won’t tell me any details about?”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
“You can ask about me and Isaac and I’ll tell you.”
She snorts and starts assembling a pile of the favors. “Girl, I hear you guys through the walls—there’snothingI don’t already know.”
My mouth drops open and my face flames. I stare at her for a whole ten seconds before she falls over, laughing hysterically, tears leaking from her eyes.
“I cannot believe you just said that.”
“What? It’s true. And, if I may, that sounds like a forever kind of love.”
“Please stop talking,” I say as I cover my face with my hands and will my cheeks to return to their normal color.
“In other news,” she says, making me peek from between my fingers, “I need to tell you something, and I hope you won’t be mad.”
“Of course I won’t be mad.” My hands drop as I give her my full attention. “Besides, I’m still mortified, so you’ve got that going for you.” She smiles but it doesn’t totally meet her eyes.
