Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 30544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 30544 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 153(@200wpm)___ 122(@250wpm)___ 102(@300wpm)
I don’t get to have my weekly conversation with him, and when they leave, they’re off together, Briar giving me a kind wave and smile as he holds the door open for my brother.
It’s not his fault. He doesn’t know I’m into him. I can’t blame Briar…or Nathan, for that matter.
Later that night, I’m in bed, when I get a call from Nathan. “Hey, how’s it going?” he asks.
“Not bad,” I reply, hoping my voice doesn’t come off sharper than intended. Again, none of this is Briar’s or Nathan’s fault. I don’t have the right to be upset with either of them, and while my brother might not be perfect, he’s still the only brother I have. “Wanna come over and hang tomorrow night?” I ask.
“I can’t. I asked Briar out.”
My heart drops to my stomach, drowning in the acid. “Oh, gottcha.”
“We could hang out on Saturday. Movies at my place?”
“Yeah, sure.” The words stick like peanut butter in my mouth. Of course Nathan would get Briar first, and I have no one to blame but myself. “I’ll bring dinner,” I tell him, trying not to be too frustrated. No matter what, I like spending time with him.
When they officially start to date, I try to convince myself my crush on Briar is over. Unfortunately, crushes don’t really work that way. But I still enjoy our Thursdays and tell myself that being friends with Briar is enough.
1
BRIAR
“Ordering for the both of you?” Dawson asks as I approach the Sip and Savor counter Thursday afternoon.
I glance at my watch. “Yeah, might as well.”
I notice the tic in his jaw as he turns away, and I wonder if his twin’s tardiness annoys him too. Not that I’m irritated enough to call Nathan on it. We’ve been dating for about three months now, and though we’re both busy, I do wish he’d give me a heads-up if I’m going to be waiting on him.
I clear my throat and make small talk with Dawson instead. One of the perks of meeting Nathan here today. Truth be told, I miss our chats and flirty banter because this small-business owner is a hottie, especially since he’s been sporting some scruff, but I was never sure if he shared the sentiment. When I found out Dawson has a twin and said twin asked me out, I figured it was a win-win.
Except the brothers are nothing alike, and not only because Dawson’s blond hair reaches his shoulders while Nathan keeps his cropped and his jaw clean-shaven. But maybe that’s a good thing. Where Dawson is kind, compassionate, and has this quiet confidence, Nathan owns any room he walks into. In fact, I noticed him as soon as he entered the gym in our office building and began pumping weights. His self-assurance draws attention, and he’s very aware of it. Not that he’s arrogant or flaunts it, just that his charisma and decisiveness take center stage. Nothing seems to ruffle his feathers, and I figure I could learn a thing or two about letting stuff roll off me.
Like his constant tardiness. And lately his last-minute cancellation of dates.
“Any plans for the holiday?” Dawson asks, breaking me out of my increasingly frustrating thoughts. He places Nathan’s protein smoothie beside my latte on the counter. His plaid shirt is rolled to the elbows, and his smile is one of genuine curiosity.
I breathe out because Dawson is charming in his own way. He makes me feel calm, which might be what drew me to him in the first place. “Oh, every Christmas I head home.”
“Maine, right?”
“That’s right.” His recall for details is impressive. “I was raised in a picturesque small town called Bright’s Hollow, and though that’s the exact reason I moved to the Boston area, it’s perfect for the holidays.”
“Well, now you’re making me jealous. I’m picturing snow, smoke curling from the chimney, and a roaring fireplace.”
“If you include a huge decorated tree in the town square as well as lights strung from each shop, you’d be right.”
“Nice. Just like those Christmas movies. I’ve always wanted to spend the holiday in a town like that.” His eyes light up. “As for the movies, I’m not ashamed to admit I’m addicted. There’s just something soothing about them.”
“They have a formula that obviously works, no matter how unrealistic.”
“Oh, come on. What’s unrealistic about leaving the big city to celebrate the holidays in your small town, only to find the love of your life was right under your nose all along?”
I huff out a laugh, having no doubt Dawson would enjoy my hometown. Nathan on the other hand…
“How about you?” I ask. “Any plans for the holidays?”
Actually, his answer might give me a heads-up on how to handle the topic with his brother. I know they grew up outside the city, and from what he’s told me, his parents were able to retire young and they like spending time abroad. Pretty ideal if traveling is your dream. The thought niggles at my gut. They’ve traversed the world, whereas I’ve only managed one continent and scenic local attractions as an adult. My parents never had the means to travel very much, not given how busy our family farm keeps them. They’ve barely been able to keep their heads above water year-round, selling small-town favorites, from hanging baskets in the spring to live trees in the winter.