Page 24 of Summer with a Brother's Best Friend
“Did you ask her?” I press my lips into a firm line and she scoffs. “Or maybe you’d consider moving with her?”
“This bar is?—”
“Not keeping you warm at night.” I open my mouth to retort, but she doesn’t give me the chance. “It’s also not giving you babies, or walking down the aisle to you, or sucking your cock so expertly that your girlfriend’s roommate has to wear earplugs to bed when you’re over.”
My cheeks heat, but I can’t deny anything she just said.
Also am I really that loud? I mean, Reece totally is…
Vienna snaps her fingers in front of my face, jolting me back to the present.
“I have never seen two people so completely oblivious about what’s in front of them. You love her, Nowak; don’t let her go.” She picks up a chair and pushes it into my arms. “And if you do, maybe you should think about going with her.”
We stare at each other for a minute before I nod. “I’ll figure it out.”
“Good. I’m going home so I can prepare for whatever shitstorm y’all stir up.”
“You really have a way with words, you know that?”
“It’s my superpower, and we’re either going to need champagne or tequila after tomorrow.”
“What about you?”
“What about me? I’m enjoying my fling and saying goodbye when it’s over. It’s what I want, and I’m happy with it being temporary, but what I have? It’s not what you have. Stop trying to make it be more complicated than it is. You love her, Isaac. Show her what that means.”
It’s not until Vienna is gone that I realize I’m still holding the chair. Mind racing, I place it on the ground and drop into itlike the weight of the world is resting on my shoulders and look around.
All I’ve ever wanted was to run this bar—to bring joy to tourists and locals alike—and to keep the things I love most about Love Beach front and center both as a businessman and neighbor.
And I’ve done that.
But it’s never come close to how I feel when I’m with Reece. Vienna was right, about more than I’d like to admit, and I know what I have to do.
17
REECE
“Reece! Please, come in!” Mr. Gomes says cheerfully, his eyes crinkling at the corners like he’s truly happy to see me. He offers me his hand, and we shake as if I haven’t hugged this man a million times at various gatherings around town.
“Thank you so much for seeing me,” I reply, taking the seat across from him.
“Of course. I’m sorry we haven’t been able to connect before now.” His tone is sincere, and we talk about his trip and some of the more mundane things happening in Love Beach before he pulls a manila folder from the center drawer and places it on the desk in front of him.
“I’d really like to know why you think I’d be a good fit here,” I ask, and his returning smile is knowing as he pushes the folder toward me.
“I had a feeling after the last time we spoke that you were under the impression this position was a favor to your family.” I hold his gaze but remain silent. The words are uncomfortable, but I appreciate him giving them life—because he’s right, I have wondered about that.
A lot.
Mr. Gomes nods toward the folder, and with thankfully steady hands, I lift it from the desk and flip it open. Dozens of articles with my name stare back at me for events I helped put on, awards I’d received, and thanks from the school and community.
“Each candidate had a folder like that—things that went beyond just showing up for their job. Your folder is remarkably bigger than the rest.” My cheeks heat as he continues, “Your family has always been a pillar in our community but that”—he points at the stack of papers—“is what you’ve managed to accomplish out in the world all on your own.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I admit, thumbing through the pages and smiling at the memories of moments past.
“Your father, and especially your brother, have taken every opportunity to tell me how impressive your teaching career has been. And I have to agree.” He nods again at the folder in my hands. “Your enthusiasm and heart precede you, Reece. Teaching at any level requires a certain disposition, and I’d argue that’s especially true for wrangling high school students.”
“They’re certainly a challenge.”
