Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 102

Chapter 102 Uncomfortable

WILLOW

86

Finished

I was sitting inside Tristan’s cafe, tucked into the corner table by the window–the one he had apparently “reserved” just for me.

At first, I thought he was joking when he said it. But when I arrived that afternoon, the staff had greeted me like they already knew me. The table had been cleared, prepped, and even had a small vase of fresh flowers placed neatly at the center.

“Reserved for Miss Willow,” the waiter had said with a polite smile.

I had not known whether to laugh or hide my face. Now, I sat there with my sketchpad open, a pencil loosely held between my fingers as I stared at the half–finished design of the Zinnia.

It was finally coming together.

After everything that had happened–the delay, the doubt, the chaos–I was finally starting to see it clearly.

The missing piece–the spark.

I leaned forward slightly, focusing on the curve of the handle, refining the structure, letting my thoughts flow freely for once.

This was what I needed.

“Miss?”

I looked up.

The waiter stood beside my table, holding a small notepad with a polite expression.

“Are you ready to order?” he asked.

“Ah, yes,” I said, glancing briefly at the menu even though I already knew what I wanted.

“Just the usual-”

Before I could finish, my phone buzzed lightly against the table.

I paused. The waiter waited patiently.

“Sorry,” I muttered, picking up my phone quickly.

11:23 Sat, May 16

Chapter 102 Uncomfortable

86

Frished

I glanced at the screen and saw that Tristan messaged me. I opened it haphazardly, but I should have known better.

Immediately, my face burned.

“Oh my—”

I cut myself off, my eyes widening slightly as I stared at the image on my screen.

It was a picture of him. His shirt was slightly unbuttoned, his tie loosened to show off a bit of

his chest.

The waiter shifted slightly beside me. I realized too late that he had caught a glimpse of my phone.

I turned it slightly away, but the damage was already done.

He let out a small, amused chuckle.

“The boss looks hot,” he said casually.

My face turned even redder.

“I-” I started, completely flustered.

He smiled politely, as though he had not just embarrassed me to death.

“Mr. Hale already gave us a list of your favorites. Would you like that?”

“Yes, please,” I said out of embarrassment, and I wanted to bury myself under the table as he walked away.

I turned my attention back to my phone and quickly typed.

Me: ‘I’m in public!‘

The reply came within a second.

Tristan: ‘For your eyes only.

I let out a small breath, shaking my head slightly.

He had been so… flirty lately.

I locked my phone and set it down, trying to regain my composure.

My gaze drifted back to my sketchpad.

2/6

11:24 Sat, May 16

Chapter 102 Uncomfortable

86

Fraiched

We had already decided on the collaboration.

His idea had been solid from the start, and somehow, it fit perfectly with the direction I wanted for the Zinnia.

We were going to launch them together.

And through it all, he had been there.

A small smile formed on my lips as I picked up my pencil again.

Maybe things were finally falling into place.

“Oh my goodness.”

I froze when I heard the familiar voice.

“It’s really you!”

I looked up, and my heart dropped slightly.

Kate.

She was standing right in front of my table, her eyes bright with recognition.

Before I could even respond, she pulled out the chair across from me and sat down.

“I thought it was you from earlier, but I wasn’t sure,” she said excitedly. “But it really is you!”

I frowned slightly.

“Hi,” I said.

She smiled widely.

“Wow,” she said, looking around the cafe. “This place is so nice. I love sweets, so I came in. I didn’t realize it would be so perfect. Tristan was just planning to build this back then.”

I pursed my lips and stayed silent.

“You don’t mind if I stay here, right?” she asked.

“It’s okay,” I said after a second–even though it was not.

I had finally found my rhythm. I was quite close to finishing the Zinnia design, and I don’t think I would be able to finish it in her presence.

11:24 Sat, May 16

Chapter 102 Uncomfortable

86

Finished

She leaned back slightly in her seat, looking around with curiosity.

“This place has a really nice atmosphere,” she said.

I nodded absentmindedly, my fingers tightening slightly around my pencil.

Please don’t stay long.

Just then, the moment was interrupted when the waiter came back with my order.

Kate’s eyes lit up immediately.

“Oh!” she said. “These are your favorites?”

“Umm, I guess?”

“These are mine too,” she said. “I love these.”

I frowned slightly.

We had the same favorites?

I cleared my throat.

“It’s good,” I said simply.

She smiled.

“Tristan used to buy these for me,” she added, her voice softening slightly.

I knew she wasn’t as intimidating as before, but the way she always spoke about her past with Tristan while I was around made me doubt my thoughts a bit.

Tristan had already explained his side and even reassured me. Still, I did not like this feeling.

“I’m going to the bathroom,” I said suddenly, standing up.

She looked up at me.

“Oh, okay,” she said.

I walked away before she could say anything else.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify