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."

conversation flowing, wanting to feel more of a connection. "Did you come here ofter when you lived in the city? I mean, you mentioned you've been living out in the nature reserve

"Sometimes, when I had time.

this discussion already." I fiddled with my fingers, unable to shake

smile. "What about your cabin?

shrug. "Needed a change. Wanted

real glimpse into his life. But I let it go, convincing myself it wasn't a big deal. I'd been overanalyzing

needed this to be

cream stand, its neon sign flickering against the darkening sky. My heart lifted, and I turned to Eric

his dimples deepening.

over the shoreline. "So... do you ever miss living in the city? The busyness,

didn't meet my gaze. "Not really.

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

be nice," I said softly, more to myself than to Eric.

over at me, his 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 between my

I didn't realize. It's just. I've wanted you-I mean this-for so long. I thought I'd never get another shot. "Eric confessed, and I cocked my head to the side. "You asked me

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

thought you said we met my first year, and I was with Luke then. "That didn't make sense. Did I cheat

it was just a study night, and I 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

looked down at his cone. "No. If anything, I was planning on stealing you

charming, but we were back at

trying to sound casual, but I could hear the uncertainty