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."

back, wanting to keep the 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

shrugged, his eyes flickering away from mine. "Sometimes, when I had time. The beach suits you. I always thought you'd look beautiful with

shake the feeling that he was holding back, but

a smile. "What about your cabin? What

another shrug. "Needed a change. Wanted to get away from

I let it go, convincing myself it wasn't a big deal. I'd been overanalyzing everything

needed this to be

against the darkening sky. My heart lifted, and I turned to Eric

his dimples

wandering over the shoreline. "So... do you ever miss living in the

gaze. "Not really. I like the

date in History - clearly, he wasn't interested, and I had no idea why he

to myself than to Eric. "To get

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

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

even went on a date," Eric said, and I

thought you said we met my first year, and I was with Luke then.

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 relieved.

If anything, I was planning on stealing you from him,

charming, but we were back at

tonight," I said, trying to sound casual, but I could hear the uncertainty in my own voice. "It