Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50 Chocolate

WILLOW

“Fuck,” she breathed after a while. “Let’sinvite him in.”

“Kath!” I snapped under my breath. “No. Let us absolutely not do that.”

“Why not?” she demanded, spinning toward me. “Give me a good reason.”

Because I slept with him.

Because his hands still felt like they were on my skin even when they were not.

Because if he stepped inside this house, inside this secret, everything would unravel faster than I could control.

“Is it because he’s Marcus’s brother?” she continued. “The two don’t even get along, right? He will not tell Marcus that you are richer than his filthy ass now.”

“That is not the point.” I said, though the fact that she was not entirely wrong did not help.

The doorbell rang again.

Kath did not hesitate. She held onto the door handle, already twisting it slightly.

I groaned softly. Kath was really stubborn.

“Act like you are alone,” I whispered urgently.

Without waiting for her response, I moved quickly across the living room and ducked behind a massive indoor plant positioned near the wall. The leaves were wide and glossy, tall enough to conceal me if I crouched slightly. From my angle, I could see the door and Kath’s reflection in the glass, but Tristan would not see me unless he deliberately stepped inside.

My heart pounded against my ribs as she finally opened the door.

“Good evening,” Tristan’s voice flowed inside, with that low timbre that made it impossible to ignore.

“Good evening,” Kath greeted brightly, her smile wide and entirely too enthusiastic for my comfort.

There was a brief pause.

“Umm,” he muttered lightly. “I saw that the lights were on, so I realized you must be home. It’s been a while since I got a new neighbor, so this is a housewarming gift.”

From behind the plant, I saw him lift a box.

Kath glanced back at me.

I shook my head violently, silently pleading for her to behave.

“Brownies!” she exclaimed, far too loudly. “Someone’s favorites.”

OOGT

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13:57 Tue, May 12 M.

Chapel bo–Chordate

I widened my eyes at her in horror.

“Mine, of course,” she added quickly with a laugh. “Thank you for this. That is so sweet. Unfortunately, we just started moving in, so we do not have anything to offer. But we will be sure to give you something soon.”

“We?” he asked. “You live with someone?”

My stomach dropped.

“Yes,” she replied smoothly.

I silently begged her not to elaborate.

“But she’s not here at the moment,” Kath continued. “She’s a very busy person, you

see.”

“I could guess,” Tristan said thoughtfully. “The lights have been shut off ever since. I’ve actually been waiting to visit you.”

My breath caught.

“Anyway,” he continued lightly, “let us be good neighbors.”

“Of course,” Kath replied.

“Tristan, by the way.”

“Kath.”

“I will see you around?”

“Yes,” she said eagerly. “I will definitely see you around.”

She closed the door gently and waited three seconds before spinning toward me.

“He’s gone,” she whispered dramatically.

I exhaled so deeply that my knees almost gave out.

Then she suddenly straightened and waved toward the door.

“Bye. Tristan!” she called out sweetly.

My heart nearly stopped.

I lunged from behind the plant and slapped her shoulder. “Seriously?”

She burst into laughter. “You should have seen your face.”

“You are going to kill me one day.” I muttered, pressing my hand against my chest.

She walked to the kitchen counter and opened the box with care.

The scent hit me immediately–rich and warm chocolate.

12

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13:57 Tue, May 12 M.

Chonter 60 Chocolate

“You like these, right?” she asked casually. “Ooh, it has nuts too. Just how you like it.”

I stared at the brownies before nodding slowly. Rich brownies like these were my favorite. If it had nuts, then it was another merit.

“Well, let’s eat!” she exclaimed.

We sat on the couch with the box between us.

She took a bite first, and her eyes widened right away.

“Fuck,” she muttered reverently. “This is good.”

I took one for myself.

The texture was perfect. Slightly crisp on the edges, soft and dense in the center. The bitterness of dark chocolate is balanced by just enough sweetness.

“Did he bake this himself?” she asked, inspecting the box for any markings.

“I think he did,” I admitted quietly.

She looked at me sideways. “He really is the ideal guy.”

I didn’t respond.

She chewed thoughtfully before narrowing her eyes at me.

“Okay,” she said slowly. “Now tell me everything.”

“There is nothing to tell,” I lied.

She raised an eyebrow.

“You are hiding something,” she declared. “You’re too tense, and you reacted like he was not just a neighbor.”

I stared at the brownie in my hand as if it might provide an escape route.

Silence stretched between us. She leaned forward, elbows on her knees.

“Willow,” she said softly. “What happened?”

I swallowed.

Then I said it before I could overthink it.

“I slept with him.”

The words hung in the air like a confession in a courtroom.

Kath blinked once, then twice.

“What?” she exclaimed.

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