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."

the conversation flowing, wanting to feel more of a connection. "Did you come here ofter when you lived in the city? I mean, you

his eyes flickering away from mine. "Sometimes, when I had time.

Sorry. We probably had this discussion already." I fiddled with my fingers, unable to shake the feeling that he was holding back, but I told myself

smile. "What about your cabin? What

hesitated for a second, then gave me another shrug. "Needed a change. Wanted to get

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

this to be

ice cream stand, its neon sign flickering against the darkening sky. My heart lifted,

his dimples deepening.

his eyes wandering over the shoreline. "So...

gaze. "Not really. I like

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

more to myself than to Eric. "To get away from everything. Start

didn't respond right away. For a second, I thought he wasn't going to, but then he looked 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 legs and run away from this

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

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

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

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 previous life. That would

a bit as he looked down at his cone. "No. If anything, I

laughed. Finally, Eric was warming up and charming, but we were

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