The Better Brother

“No,” Andrea said firmly.

“Okay, wise one,” I said with a chuckle. “Enlighten me.”

“You’re freaking out because of Joshua.”

Andrea’s bold assumption immediately pissed me off. I hated her for even mentioning Joshua’s name. After all, I’d spent a long time getting over him. Now that I was happy with someone else, I didn’t want to think about my ex ever again.

“This isn’t about Joshua,” I said. I tried to keep the anger out of my voice, but I knew Andrea could sense it.

“It is, though,” she said. “Think about it. You spent months helping Joshua find his long-lost brother, right? And the, you spent over a year just waiting around to meet him. Joshua never introduced you. He never once let you be involved. I mean, did you even learn his brother’s name?”

I opened my mouth to answer, but her question brought me up short. When I helped Joshua find his brother, I researched adoption agencies and foster families. I dug around to find the kid who had the right birthday, but I never learned any details. Not one.

“No,” I said with a sigh. “Joshua didn’t really tell me anything about his brother. Once he found him, my job was done.”

“Exactly,” Andrea said proudly. “Now, you have this guy who is excited to introduce you to the people he cares about. His clients. His family. You’re obviously important to him.”

“I think so.” I smiled to myself.

“You are,” Andrea said with confidence. “Which is why you’re freaking out.”

I sighed and shook my head. She was right. I spent two years in a relationship with a man who couldn’t be bothered to truly care about me. With Michael, we were already so close after such a short amount of time. I’d fallen for this man completely and, deep down, I knew he felt the same way.

“You just need to relax,” Andrea said kindly. “Go for a walk. Take a drive. Get some ice cream. Just get out of the house and clear your head. Tonight is going to be great, okay?”

“You’re right,” I said. “You’re totally right.”

“I always am.”

I laughed and said my goodbyes. Andrea and I hung up, and I immediately took her advice. I walked into town and did a few laps around the square. The cold air whipped across my face and brought me back down to reality. By the time I made it back home, I realized I’d been freaking out for nothing.

“It’s just dinner,” I whispered to myself in the mirror. It was almost time to get ready. “Just dinner.”

***

“You look incredible,” Michael said when I opened my front door. “As always.”

“Thank you.” I shrugged and stood back to let him inside. “Let me grab my shoes, and I’ll be ready.”

“Take your time,” Michael said playfully. When I turned back to look at him, he was staring at my ass with a grin on his face.

“Behave yourself,” I teased.

“Never.”

I shook my head and slid my feet into a pair of boots. I was wearing a simple, knee-length sweater dress. The weather was getting colder by the day, so my options were limited.

“Ready?” I asked, smoothing out my dress and smiling at Michael.

He just nodded and escorted me outside. We hurried to the car, which Michael already had warmed up for me. I slid inside as he shut my door and ran around the front of the car.

“You nervous?” he asked on the way to the restaurant.

“A little,” I said with a shrug. I didn’t want to admit it, but Michael already knew me well enough to see through my façade. “Are you?”

Michael nodded. “My brother has never met any of the women in my life.”

“Oh, I feel special,” I said, poking Michael’s arm.