Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
“Imply doesn’t mean it’s set in stone. Maybe you should talk to him?” Reaching out, Brooke put her hand over Fallon’s. “I can see how hard you’ve fallen for him. You can’t just walk away without a discussion. Even if it’s about the hard things.” She patted Fallon’s hand and pulled hers back, taking another sip of her drink.
The thought of having that talk had Fallon freezing. “We haven’t even had a relationship discussion. I’m not going to freak him out by mentioning kids so early!”
“The way I see things, you can stick it out and wait for the conversation to happen naturally or bring it up. What you shouldn’t do is pull back because you’re panicking.”
She bit down on her lip. “I’ll think about it,” Fallon promised. But she honestly wasn’t sure what she wanted to do.
Get in deeper and be hurt more once she confirmed the truth? Or bring up the baby discussion at this stage of their relationship and send Noah running anyway?
Either way, in the end there were two choices. End things with Noah and walk away from the best man she’d ever known, or give up on her personal dreams to accommodate his already set life. Her stomach hurt at the thought of either resolution.
“Fallon? Is that you?” She glanced up as Noah’s brother, Liam, strode over to the table.
“Liam, hi!” She rose from her seat and accepted his hug. “It’s good to see you. What are you doing in my neck of the woods?”
“I came with some friends.” He tipped his head toward the bar. “But I have time for my brother’s girl. Who’s your friend?” he asked, his gaze on Brooke.
“Liam Powers, meet Brooklyn Snyder. Brooke, this is Noah’s brother, Liam.” She gestured between the two.
Eyes on Brooke, Liam lifted her hand and kissed the top. “A pleasure, Brooklyn.”
Her friend’s cheeks flushed red.
“Liam, you don’t have to lay on the flirting so thick the second you meet her!”
“But she’s beautiful.”
Fallon rolled her eyes and Brooke laughed. “Oh, he’s a charmer.”
“See? She likes me. Mind if I join you ladies for a few minutes,” he said, rather than asked, and slid into the booth beside Fallon.
He gestured to the waiter and when the man stepped over, Liam ordered. “I’ll have Macallan on the rocks. Refills?” he asked them.
“No, I’m still good,” Brooke said.
“Same.”
“So, Brooklyn, what do you do with your free time?”
“Oh my God!” Fallon threw up her hands, giving up on the flirt. Brooke could handle herself just fine.
Brooke laughed out loud. “I work at a financial firm and I don’t have all that much time to spare,” she lied. Brooke put in long hours at Fallon’s dad’s company but she was a valued employee who’d proven her worth. She could take time for herself. If she wanted to.
“I like you,” Brooke said, still grinning. “But the truth is, I’m seeing someone.”
Knowing better than to contradict or question her friend in front of the man she was letting down gently, Fallon focused on her drink and took a sip.
“Aah, she broke my heart.” He placed a hand over the left side of his chest.
Fallon lightly nudged him in the ribs. “You really are a flirt.” She hadn’t seen that side of him when they were at his parents’ house. He was lighter than Noah in personality, more initially friendly and easygoing. She’d liked both of Noah’s brothers.
He shrugged. “A man’s gotta take his shot. But that’s my cue to go join my friends. Nice to meet you, Brooke. If you ever find yourself single, Fallon can get you my number.” He winked, said his goodbyes, and strode away, every bit as cocky for having been shot down.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Brooke blew out a breath and fanned her face. “That man is potent.”
Fallon studied her friend, confused by her conflicting behavior. “Then why turn him down?”
“Oh, I really am very busy at the office.”
Fallon bit down on the inside of her cheek. “You know, if you ever want to talk about him, you can. It doesn’t matter that he’s my brother. You’re my ride or die.”
Brooke smiled but the sentiment didn’t reach her eyes. “It’s complicated and not worth digging into.”
“Then consider going out with Liam… or any guy for that matter.”
“I’ll think about it,” Brooke said lightly.
“Touché.” Fallon lifted her drink and tipped it toward her friend. Because it wasn’t lost on Fallon that Brooke had mimicked Fallon’s own words about Noah right before Liam had shown up and interrupted them.
Brooke grinned and indulged in her drink.
* * *
Exhausted after pizza with the twins, a movie, and getting them to settle down and go to sleep, Noah slid between his sheets with a low groan.
Bracing a hand over his head, he leaned back and closed his eyes, his thoughts on Fallon. Though he appreciated her help with the girls, he wanted more time alone with her. He hated to ask his parents for yet more babysitting hours, though they loved being with their grandkids.