Letting My Brother's Best Friend Take My V-Card

CHAPTER 16

PART 4-CHAPTER 166

JESS

This was nice.

Peaceful.

It felt good to be out on a date, doing something normal.

I needed this.

Eric walked beside me, his hands tucked casually into his pockets, his eyes focused on the horizon. He'd been charming all afternoon-holding doors open, making me laugh with his dry wit, his dimples showing every time he cracked a small, quiet smile.

But there was still this... distance. Like there was something just out of reach, something he wasn't saying.

And maybe that was okay. Maybe I was just expecting too much.

"I love living by the beach. It's so beautiful," I said, breaking the silence between us as the cool ocean breeze ruffled my hair.

Eric nodded, glancing over at me with a slight smile. "Yeah. It's quiet. I like it here."

of a connection. "Did you come here ofter when you lived in the city? I mean,

from mine. "Sometimes, when I had time. The beach suits you. I

this discussion already." I fiddled with my fingers, unable to shake the feeling that he was holding back,

thought away and forced a smile. "What about your cabin? What made you decide to

for a second, then gave me another shrug. "Needed a change.

his life. But I let it go, convincing myself it wasn't a big

this to be

minutes, we reached a little ice cream stand, its neon sign flickering against the darkening sky. My heart lifted, and I

back, his dimples deepening.

quietly eating his ice cream, his eyes wandering over the shoreline. "So... do you ever miss living in the city? The busyness, the people?"

didn't meet my gaze. "Not really. I like the

this was the worst date in History - clearly, he wasn't interested, and

softly, more to myself than to Eric. "To get away from

expression unreadable. "Sometimes starting over is the only option." walk "We don't need to do this. Clearly you aren't in it. I'll just home. Really." I shrugged, ready to tuck my tail

this-for so long. I thought I'd never get another shot. "Eric confessed, and I cocked my head

say we even went on a date," Eric said, and I paused for a

on a date? How? I thought you said we met my first year, and I was with

thought it was a date. That's when you told me about your boyfriend and crushed my heart," Eric said, a little flustered, and I was relieved. "Oh jeez, I almost thought I was a cheater in my

tension easing a bit as he looked down at his cone. "No. If anything, I was planning on stealing you from him, but that didn't

up and charming, but we were back at my apartment

but I could hear the