Page 124 of One More Kiss

“I don’t know, you just keep looking over here at me.” laugh.

“Just thinking, I guess.” She says.

“Do you want to talk about it?” I ask taking a sip of my vanilla cola.

“Do you think Asher’s hot?” She asks looking over at me causing me to choke. I cough and gasp for breath. Margot pats me on the back until my lungs stop burning and I can take a breath.

“You okay?” She asks.

“What the hell?” I ask looking at her.

“What?”

“Why did you ask me that?”

“I was just wondering!” She says.

“Well maybe don’t wonder if your brother is attractive,” I laugh.

“But do you think he is?” She asks again.

“I think he’s okay,” I say hesitantly. “Like there are worse people to look at, but also better people to look at.” I say defensively.

“Right,” she says thoughtfully.

“Why are you thinking about this?” I ask trying to laugh it off.

Margot whips into a parking space and turns abruptly to face me in her seat.

“I know about you and my brother.” She says simply.

“There is no ‘me and your brother.’” I scoff.

“My brother thinks there was,” she eyes me carefully.

“Nothing happened.” I reassure her.

“He told me he loves you, Gen. Something had to happen.” She says picking at the polish on her fingers.

I put my hands on my head groaning at the mess I’ve found myself in. Margot’s hand rubs my back gently. “He told me you don’t feel the same way,” she says softly.

“That isn’t true,” I whisper my lip trembling.

“You love him?” She prods.

“Yes,” I say without hesitation, and I realize it’s true. I am definitely in love with Asher Tiernan.

“Start from the beginning,” she demands. So, I do. I tell her about the first time I fell in love with her brother. I tell her about everything, the secret thoughts that have been going through my head, the emotions I’ve felt. I tell her everything.

“I love you,” she tells me with tears in her eyes by the end of it.

“I love you, too.” I tell her, sniffling.

“I love him, he’s my brother. But you have to know I could never hate you.” She tells me with her hands on my cheeks.

“I’m in love with your brother.” I say again out loud.

“Which is why you need to go talk to him and tell him everything you just told me. Tell him how you feel.” Her thumbs wipe under my eyes.

---