Loving The Better Brother novel Chapter 97

Chapter 97 A New Date

WILLOW

My eyes fluttered open.

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Tristan was right there, closer than I had ever seen him before in this kind of stillness. His face was relaxed, his lashes resting against his skin, and his lips slightly parted as he slept.

I stayed quiet and just looked at him.

Slowly, I moved to study him properly.

My fingers hovered for a second before I let them trace lightly along his jaw. His skin was warm beneath my touch, the faint roughness of stubble grazing my fingertips.

I moved from his cheek to his nose, then to his lips.

“You like the view?”

I froze.

My eyes snapped up.

He was already looking at me–wide awake.

A smirk tugged at his lips. Heat rushed to my face instantly.

“Stop,” I said, pushing against his chest lightly.

He chuckled, tightening his arm around me instead of letting me go.

“You’ve been staring at me for a while,” he added, clearly amused.

“I was not,” I muttered.

“You were tracing my face, too. I quite like how it feels. I’m giving you permission to do it again.”

I pushed him harder this time, finally slipping out of his hold.

“You’re annoying,” I said, though my voice lacked any real bite.

“And you’re obsessed with me,” he shot back easily.

I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t stop the small smile forming on my lips.

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Chapter 97 A New Date

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The next few moments felt normal.

We stood side by side in the bathroom, brushing our teeth like it was something we had done a hundred times before.

I glanced at him through the mirror.

He caught me.

“Do you want to shower together?” he asked casually, his mouth full of toothpaste.

I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Stop it.”

He grinned.

“I’m kidding.”

I definitely did not believe him.

“Mostly,” he added.

I rinsed my mouth and shook my head.

He spat into the sink, then glanced at me again.

“I’ll get ready at my place,” he said. “I’ll fetch you in thirty?”

I nodded.

“Okay.”

He smiled.

And just like that, he went out of the room while I got ready for our date.

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my outfit, trying to decide if I liked it or not. My hair

fell naturally over my shoulders, my makeup soft but enough to highlight my features.

I was in the middle of changing when I felt the strange sensation of being watched.

I frowned slightly.

The window was open, letting in the cool air. I had not thought much of it earlier, but now-

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Chapter 97 A New Date

I realized I had left the curtains open, too.

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When I looked out of it, I saw Tristan standing by the window of the house next door. He was holding up a piece of paper. I squinted my eyes to see what he had written.

“Sexy.”

I stared at him.

He wiggled the sign slightly, grinning like an idiot.

My face burned.

“Tristan!” I hissed, quickly grabbing the curtains and pulling them shut.

I could somehow hear his faint laughter from outside.

I shook my head, trying to suppress my own smile.

When I finally went downstairs, he was already there, leaning casually against his car like he had been waiting for hours, even though I knew it had only been a few minutes.

His eyes

landed on me.

“Damn,” he said.

I stopped mid–step.

“What?”

He straightened, his gaze sweeping over me unapologetically.

“This is who I’m taking out on a date?” he added.

“Tristan,” I said, my face heating up again. “You’re flattering me too much today.”

He shook his head.

“It’s not flattery. I’m just telling the truth.”

I rolled my eyes, but I could not stop the warmth blooming in my chest.

“Let’s go,” I muttered.

He opened the car door for me.

And just like that, we were on our way.

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Chapter 97 A New Date

***

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For this date, Tristan decided to take me to the aquarium again.

Tristan walked beside me as we entered, his hand brushing lightly against mine before finally intertwining our fingers.

“I’m determined to erase your bad memories here,” he muttered.

I pursed my lips, and despite a slight unease in my chest, I nodded.

The moment we stepped inside, I was already enamored.

“Look at that,” I said, pulling him toward one of the tanks.

A school of fish swam gracefully, their bodies catching the light in a way that made them look unreal.

“They move together,” I continued, my voice filled with excitement. “Like they’re connected somehow.”

Tristan didn’t respond, so I glanced at him.

He was not looking at the fish.

He was looking at me.

“What?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he said, smiling softly.

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