Page 18 of Let’s Be Real

I shifted on my stool to face her. “I’m not usually a person who gives out relationship advice, but next time, maybe find someone who’s a big fan of everything about you.”

“Yeah.” She propped her elbow on the bar and leaned her head on her fist. “I’m going to take a break from boyfriends.”

“Probably a good idea.”

She nodded, but now that I was looking at her up close, I couldn’t miss the melancholy behind her wide eyes. I knew nothing about the men she’d dated or her relationships, only that she was usually in one. Was she sad about the breakup with the last guy? Were my brothers right about her and Adrian’s unrequited love?

I didn’t see it. Then again, I’d never given their theory much weight.

There was no reason for them not to be together, unless Samantha’s desire for a relationship and Adrian’s aversion were holding them back.

Or maybe they were just friends.

Weirdly close, codependent friends, but platonic, nonetheless.

“I’m sorry about the position Ade put you in earlier.”

My eyebrows rose of their own accord. “What do you mean?”

“You know, when he was trying to guilt you into going to my sister’s wedding with me. That wasn’t fair, putting you on the spot like that.”

“No, no, don’t apologize. I didn’t feel put on the spot. If anything, I felt confused. I had no idea Adrian was being serious until he tried to get Rome and Ben to convince me.”

“Ugh.” She covered her face with her hands. “Wow. Now all the Wells brothers know how terribly pathetic I am.”

“Not at all.” I tugged her hands away from her face. Her wrist bones were delicate beneath the circle of my fingers, her skin warm and incredibly smooth. For a heartbeat or two, my gaze snagged on what that looked like.

My fingers around her wrist.

Her eyes lifting to mine almost immediately.

The glint of hope overpowering her embarrassment.

It was why I said: “If the offer still stands, I’d be happy to go with you.”

“Really?” Her smile was instant and grew wider by the second. “You will?”

“Sure. I don’t have anything happening next weekend, and you shouldn’t have to go alone.”

“Nate,” she sighed softly. “Thank you, Nate. I didn’t…I thought I was fine going alone, but I can’t even express how relieved I am that I won’t have to.”

“I’m glad to help. I can’t promise to be the most exciting date, but I’ll be there.”

“That’s all that matters.” She clutched her hands together beneath her chin. “Oh, you’re going to get the biggest plate of nachos when I get home.”

I smiled with her, never having imagined nachos as a thing I’d look most forward to. But here I was.

“I can’t wait.”

Chapter Seven

Samantha

Silver Springs was a small resort town a little over two hours outside of Denver. My family owned a cabin—a real stretch of the word—used for skiing during the winter and summer weekend getaways. As a child, I’d been more times than I could count. As I got older, I’d learned to come up with flimsy excuses for staying with the Wells. Not that me going along or not made a difference.

Kelly choosing the town for her wedding hadn’t been a surprise. My parents had gotten engaged there during a college ski trip, and my older brother, Decker, had gotten married there five years ago. It was becoming a family tradition of sorts.

We were on the highway. Nate was driving, and I was giving him a rundown of everyone in my family.