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I take a deep breath and get ready to jump off the proverbial ledge. I’m tired of harboring this secret and if telling him means that he wants nothing to do with me, I’ll deal with that.
“I’ve felt this way about her since high school. I tried to go off to college and football and forget all about her. I did everything I could to push any and all thoughts of her from my mind.Heck, I even dated women so far the opposite of Emily that they shouldn’t even be in the same universe. I tried to stop thinking about her smile, the way she laughs, how kind she is…”
“Okay before you go any further, that’s my sister and I don’t want to hear about all her other attributes that you’ve been admiring since we were kids.” He shakes his head, then asks seriously. “Why didn’t you ever do anything about it?
“Seriously? She’s your sister! How many times did you warn all of us guys away from her? That you would break bones and smash sensitive body parts if we so much as looked at her.”
Jack smirks. “Glad to know my warning stuck. I didn’t mean it. If you had real feelings for her I would have been the first one to tell you to go for it.”
I just stare at him for a moment. “Would you be okay if I dated your sister?”
“Sure, Mason, you’re one of the best guys I know. She couldn’t do better than you.” I sit back and sip my beer for a moment digesting what he said.
“Naturally, if you broke her heart, I would chop you up into pieces and use you as chum for the sharks.”
I nod. “Of course, that goes without saying.”
“What are you going to do now? She is out and about with a perfect man. Do you think that she even feels this way about you?”
I think back to the multiple times we almost kissed and how I felt with her so close to me. The way she leaned in like she wanted it too in spite of her hesitation.
“Yes, I think she does, but I might have lost my chance.”
Chapter Eleven
Mason
I can’t stand thetension between Emily and I. Usually when I’m around her it’s easy and comfortable. Conversation just flows. Tonight it’s awkward. I know it’s my fault and it’s driving me crazy. Yet, I’m not sure what to do about it or how to make it better.
I mean really, how does one handle the realization that you’ve been in love with someone your entire life who, until yesterday, you believed was completely off-limits?
It’s not like I have to worry about how Jack feels now. He basically gave me permission to pursue his sister and yet I’m not sure what to do with that. Usually I’m confident and certain of myself around women. But if I’m honest, Emily isn’t like any other woman that I’ve ever decided to pursue.
This wouldn’t be me asking Emily out on a date and wanting to get to know her better.
This would be me acknowledging, to everyone, including myself, that I want to spend the rest of my life with her, and that terrifies me. I’m not ready to go there yet.
“I don’t think I told you how beautiful you look tonight,” I say, as we walk into the Yacht Club for the auction. The ride over was a quiet one and I’m trying to get Emily to talk to me. She’s been closed off and it’s not a version of her I’m used to, which makes it difficult for me to navigate.
“Thank you, Mason,” Emily shyly glances in my direction with a small smile. “You look handsome yourself.”
I feel my heart bang against my ribcage at her words and then it immediately drops into my stomach as she looks away. I hold the door for her and we walk inside. Feeling the loss of her warmth like a cloud that has hidden the sun on a cool spring day.
She lightly touches my arm not looking at me, “Hey there’s Adam. I’m going to go say hello.” She walks away without waiting for my response and I just watch her. My stomach drops as she’s touching his arm and smiling up at him.
My body tenses as I feel jealousy consume me.
“Planning on using those fists of yours?” Mike says with a chuckle, catching me off guard.
I look down at my white knuckles and immediately shake out my fingers.
“Hey, Mike. How’s it going?” I ask, not really interested in his response.
“Better than you apparently.” I glare at him and he laughs, raising both hands up as if surrendering.
“Sorry. I’m a little out of sorts,” I say just as Emily’s laugh rings out. It vibrates through my entire being and I feel a bit lost. I grind my teeth angry at myself for being in this situation. Adamis a good guy and Emily deserves to be happy. I give myself a mental shake and put my full focus on Mike.
“Where’s your lovely partner in crime?” I ask, wondering where Lily is. Mike gives me a teasing look as he answers like he knows I’m trying to take my focus off Emily and Adam.
