Page 29 of My Brother's Best Men
“I’m fine, now that you’re here,” I say without thinking. Maybe Eli would ruminate over saying something so cringe, probably second-guess himself for saying it. But me? I make no apologies.
Sophie can take it however she wants. She knows how I feel. I’ve always been more than clear about my feelings, even if she’s ignored them.
I don’t miss the blush in her cheeks or the way she bites her lip. The sight makes my damn cock twitch and I stand up straighter, gripping her bag as I head for the Starbucks.
“Come on,” I say. “I think we could both use a coffee.”
She nods in agreement, following me as I head over to the line that’s starting to form.
“How much time do we have?” I ask, trying to change the subject so I can focus on anything other than my unruly dick.
“Uh…” She pulls out her phone. “Flight leaves in forty minutes, so they’ll probably start boarding in thirty.”
I nod as we move up, the strange tension between us thick with unspoken words.
“I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable,” I say, feeling a little concerned itwassomething I said. Maybe I should dial back the enthusiasm.
“Huh?” She turns to me, as if I’ve caught her mid-thought.
“I mean, I wasn’t trying to be pushy or anything given the circumstances…” I run a hand through my hair, feeling suddenly flushed. Before she can say anything, I move up to order our drinks. “I’ll have a grande java chip frappe, and the lady will have…”
She looks at me with a raised eyebrow, as if judging me, then turns to order. “I’ll have a grande caramel macchiato with oat milk, please,” she says in the sweetest, most poignant voice ever.
But that’s just Sophie. She’s perfect, and everything she does is perfect. So out of my fucking league, with or without a boyfriend.
She moves to grab her wallet, but I stop her and hand the guy my credit card. “Absolutely not,” I say as she pouts.
“But—”
“No buts,” I say as the man finishes up the transaction and passes my card back to me. I grab the receipt and gently nudge Sophie down to the end where everybody and their brother are standing.
Once again, we stand side-by-side, the tension between us thick like peanut butter.
“You didn’thaveto do that, you know,” she says with a pout.
“Do what?” I ask, my eyebrows furrowing at her sudden shift in tone and mood.
“I can buy my own coffee.” The way she says the words is almost like she’s offended, but not quite offended enough to sound pissed. Annoyed, but I’m not entirely sure she’s annoyed at me.
Could just be this whole situation. Sudden breakup. Impending wedding. Waking up early to catch the first flight out to Paradise.
“Guessing your ex wasn’t the coffee buying type?” I say with a chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. I mean, I thought girlslikedit when guys bought them stuff…
Her eyes widen and all at once, I realize my error. Shit.
I shouldn’t have?—
Her entire body tenses, her expression shifting from surprise to panic to downright anger.
“Oh my God! Hetoldyou?”
There’s no point denying the truth. Not now. I mean, I couldn’t backtrack this if I tried, so I might as well own up to it and reassure her the best way I can that her secret is safe with me.
I just won’t mention that Benny was in the room—er, car—when the admission was blasted for all to hear.
See, I can be smart. I know when to leave shit out.
“I mean, I kinda overheardsomeof it, so I kind of assumed…”
