Chapter's song: Don't be a fool by Shawn Mendes (OMG OMG listen to this song reading the chapter!) ❤

Bryan had to move his hand so I could pull my cell out. Ugh. Seth's face was in the screen. He was so dead. I rolled my eyes. "What, Seth?"

"Why are you so crabby?"

You just ruined my life. "What do you want?"

"Sheesh. Take a chill pill, Jess."

The grip on my phone tightened. "What. Do. You. Want."

"I just wanted to let you know that Amy is coming today. So please, behave as a normal sister. Please."

My heart warmed. I knew how shy Seth was when it came to girls. Inviting Amy over was a big deal for him. A small smile played in my lips. "I won't kick your ass if that's what you're worried about."

My little brother breathed out. "Okay. Thank you." His voice quivered and I felt bad for him. For a full second.

"I'll just show her your baby naked pictures!" I grinned as my brother cursed.

"Don't you dare, Jessica or I'll show Bryan your pictures when you had with braces!"

"There aren't any," I said in a sing-song voice before hanging up. I wasn't bluffing. I made sure to destroy them because I knew one day, Seth would use them against me.

Bryan laughed again. "I wouldn't want to be in Seth's shoes today," he quipped.

I gazed at the front. The water shimmered as if it was made of diamonds. "I won't show his girlfriend the pictures, I'm not that mean." I would totally use them for my advantage, though. Seth would be washing dishes for the next few weeks, for sure.

"You're a great sister, Jess." I turned to him. He smiled and my stomach felt as if the ice cream I ate was made of rocks. The moment was gone, and as much as I loved my brother, I wanted to strangle him for his timing.

"You've already said that."

"Because it's true."

We didn't talk much after that, but it wasn't a heavy or awkward silence. In a way, it was peaceful. After the week I had, at least I was happy to be around Bryan without trying to pull my hair out or wanting to punch him for being rude. We finished the ice cream and went back to the supermarket to do the shopping we needed for today's meal.

Amy showed up after three. She was incredibly gorgeous and extremely nice. I wondered why Seth hadn't brought her home sooner. The best part was how different he behaved around her. He wasn't swearing, he looked handsome in that red plaid shirt of his, and he was being chivalrous.

It was hard not to pick on him. I wasn't such a bad person, though.

I only did it when Amy was looking away. I'd stashed a bunch of his baby naked pictures on my jeans back pocket and I took one out whenever I could. Bryan would only smile at me at the same time Seth glared and clenched his jaw.

He deserved it after that stupid call at the worst time.

After coffee, Seth pretty much had it with me. I was finishing my chocolate mousse when he stood up. "Thank you so much for the meal, but we're going to the movies." He wasn't even looking at me. He was talking to Bryan.

"Are you sure? We're having so much fun!" We were. Seth was extremely ticked off but Amy had just finished telling me how they met.

Apparently, my little brother had knocked her off her feet with a basketball ball. Literally. He'd taken her to the infirmary and he stayed with her until she was good to go. He asked her out a month later.

It was such a cute story.

Amy smiled at me before turning to my brother. "We don't have to go, Seth. We can watch a movie here."

"Yes, Seth." I smirked at him. "Or we can watch old videos! There's one of him when he's─"

"We're off, Jess," he muttered through clenched teeth as I suppressed a smile.

Amy frowned. "Sorry."

"No worries. I'm sure you can come over some other time." I grinned. "And you have to meet Juno!"

"Let's go," Seth added as he grabbed her hand. Smiling apologetically, she thanked us for dinner before he steered her away. I chuckled as the front door closed.

"You're the worst." Bryan shook his head. My grin widened.

I shrugged. "It's nice to have the upper hand for once." He chuckled before reaching out for his coffee. "They do make a cute couple, and Seth looks happy." It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I took a spoonful of the mousse and savored it on my mouth before I glanced at Bryan.

My chest tightened. Ask him. Just effing ask him.

I cleared my throat after I placed the spoon back in the plate. I licked my lips. "Thank you."

He gazed at me. "What for?"

"For being here."

His eyes were intense as he nodded. "You don't need to thank me, Jess."

My heart soared for him. I wanted to reach out and run a hand through the soft waves of his hair, to gaze deeply into his eyes and to feel his arms around me. I swallowed hard. "What happened? Why did you leave?" My brows furrowed, glancing at my hands on the table.

Bryan stayed quiet for a moment. My stomach clenched because the silence felt heavy again.

"It was my Mom," his voice was soft and thick with emotion. I looked up and his whole stance seemed tense. A chill ran down my spine. This doesn't sound good.

"She remembered me." He wasn't looking at me. He was staring at the front, lost in his thoughts, but he seemed haunted somehow. I couldn't help myself. I leaned forward and reached out for his hand. His eyes cut to me and a slight smile played on his lips before he held my hand tighter. "She talked to me about my childhood, about my father..." he intertwined our fingers before pursing his lips. "It lasted for a week. I spent all the time with her. She asked me to forgive her for not fighting enough for me. For letting me go like that. And then she was gone. One moment she was crying and the next, she didn't know who I was." His voice was thick with emotion as he shook his head. "It felt like losing her all over again."

I gasped and my whole soul soared for him. That had to be so tough. Especially for him. "Bryan, I'm so sorry."

His eyes were brimming with tears and my heart broke for him. "Why didn't you tell me?"

I would have been there for him. I knew how hard anything concerning his family was for him. Hell. I knew, because I've been through an abusive situation as well.

"I always figure out everything by myself." His thumb made small circles over my knuckles as he gazed at our hands.

"You're not on your own anymore," I blurted out frowning.

His hand froze as he looked up. "I'm not?"

I bit my lip before shaking my head. "No. I'm here for you. I told you before."

A forced grin flashed through his face. "I don't want to be friends with you Jess." He shook his head. "I want more. I want you."

My breath caught in my chest. I swallowed hard. We gazed at each other and I felt like an undercurrent of buzzing energy surged between us. The thumps of my heart were frantic, especially when he leaned closer to me. I didn't close my eyes. I couldn't. I was completely lost in his.

"Jess?" his tone was rough and my stomach did a summersault. We were so close. I could feel his breathing caressing my lips.

"Yes?"

"You're fired."

My whole body froze. I blinked at him as I pulled away. "What?" His lips curved up as I added, "Are you seriously firing me?"

He nodded as he cupped my chin, moving forward, closing any space between us again. I didn't know what was more shocking, the fact that he was leaning in to kiss me or that he'd fired me.

"I know you won't date me if I'm your boss. This solves all our problems," he said. My brows furrowed. It was hard to concentrate while having him so close, though. "I can ask─"

Narrowing my eyes, I placed a hand on his chest to stop him. "Don't you dare say, Nadia."

He laughed. "I was going to say Andrew, but she could fill in since she's been learning the ropes for the last few weeks."

I rolled my eyes. I also gripped him by the shirt and pulled him closer. He was still smiling as I gazed into his eyes. My playfulness vanished completely as my heart raced faster. "I'm here for you. Always."

I love you.

His smile faded as he cupped my chin again. His pupils were completely dilated. "Are you sure? Because I'm going to hold on to that."

My chest constricted. Say it Jess. Just freaking say it.

"I-I care for you... " I was going to say a lot, but before I finished speaking, Bryan kissed me. I felt lightheaded and my pulse rocketed to the sky as I felt this increasing burning from within inside of me.

Out of breath, we pulled apart, but we didn't let go of each other. His gaze was penetrating and soft at the same time. "I love you, too Jess." My throat grew thick as I placed a hand on my mouth. My vision blurred as tears pooled in my eyes. Bryan grinned nervously at me. "Because that's what you mean when you say that you care about me, don't you?" He pulled away, running a hand through his hair.

My heart was hammering inside my chest as I stood up. I grabbed his hand and he pushed himself up too. I licked my lips and my cheeks flushed furiously. "I do. I love you," I said softly. Bryan's lips tugged up. He passed his arms around my waist, drawing me closer to him. "But you just fired me," I raised an eyebrow.

He cracked up, making me feel all warm inside. "I'll make it up to you, I promise."

I was smiling like an idiot before he kissed me again. 

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