Being in the same room as Madi and June was turning me into a fucking caveman. Words jumbled in my throat and my palms were sweating and like a flustered idiot.
“If you need a sweater, I have one,” I finally blurted out.
Madi tilted her head. “A sweater? It’s so hot outside.”
“June keeps it colder in here for the flowers.” I cleared my throat.
The corner of her mouth twisted up and she studied me closely, as if seeing something I was oblivious to.
“Just a reminder that you’re notmyolder brother.”
Suddenly the room felt very hot. “Oh, I’m aware.”
June materialized in front of us with two aprons and a knowing smirk. “Let’s get started, you two.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
June
Having Madi and Dallas in the same room at once made me realize that the last few days, I’d been walking through a dream. But now here they were, not only in the same room, but around my friends. There was no hiding what had happened this last week.
Everyone knew.
And I wanted to hide.
I was scared. Did that make me a coward? Yes. But dammit, I couldn’t handle the way seeing them again made me feel. My chest felt sticky. I was sweating. I wasangryat myself for not being a normal person about emotions.
Why did love have to feel so out of reach?
Avery and Evie cornered me by working on either side as I cut and layered and stapled various ribbons to small paper discs.
“What are you up to, hmm?” Evie asked.
“Yeah,” Avery whispered. “What was that all about? Why are you giving Dallas the cold shoulder? Why?—”
“Shush,” I hissed at her. “This is a couch topic.”
There were too many people around us. As much as I loved Mateo and Levi, this wasn’t a topic for them, or for Austin. Icould feel the three of them occasionally glancing at us and then looking over at Dallas and Madi, who were two peas in a pod.
Even Laura wouldn’t stop scrutinizing us. I loved that kid, but man, she noticed way too much for her own good. Ethan had dropped her on Avery and me, and I’d been too frazzled to argue.
Evie and Avery exchanged looks but nodded. A couch topic was exactly what it sounded like. My giant sofa had been our landing pad for countless serious topics. Whenever we needed each other, we convened there.
The truth was, I wasn’t exactly sure what I was doing.
Romancewas on the brain.
Being with them, kissing them, coming undone for them. It was all part of my proposal, but my heart was starting to yearn for more. It felt dangerous, almost, because I knew Madi would be leaving. I’d set myself up for heartbreak.
Madi’s husky laugh floated through the room. My throat felt dry as I stole another glance. She wasgorgeous.The sundress hugged her hips in a way that made me want to kneel for her. A lock of hair had loosened from her bun and framed her face as she arranged roses and baby’s breath together.
Between running my own business and helping my brother and my niece, where would I ever get the time to give someone the love they deserved?
Madi deserved to be loved.
So did Dallas.
But did I? Had I earned my spot in their lives?
