by Ella Arden
My sister is clearly more perceptive than I thought. Enough to realize this before either Aria or I did.
“I just want her back,” I admit. I’ll give anything to make things right.
Jessie leans in and grabs my hand tightly. “Then you need to show her you care. You need to tell her how you feel. Aria is someone who might take work, who might let their insecurities get in the way sometimes. But she’s worth it. And if you don’t think so, you don’t deserve her.”
Her words sink in and I know she’s right. I should have put up more of a fight for the love of my life. I know she’s worth it.
I stand and grab my jacket and keys. “I’m going to her place. Will you lock up when you leave?”
“Of course. But you owe me one. Big time, you hear me?”
I’m already halfway out the door.
I make it to Aria’s apartment in record time, blowing through several yellow lights and parking haphazardly on the street. When I get to her door, I don’t hesitate to knock.
She swings the door open and freezes when she sees me. Her hair is damp like she just got out of the shower and she’s wearing pink polka dot pajama pants, but I swear, I’ve never seen anyone more gorgeous.
“I thought I said I didn’t want to see you for a long time,” she says. I know she’s trying to sound tough but her voice wobbles and I know that she’s hurting. I hate myself for doing that to her and I intend to make sure she never doubts me again.
“You did. But I have some things I need to say.”
“I don’t want to hear it.” She goes to swing the door closed but I stop it with my foot.
“You know me better than that,” I tell her, and see her eyes soften the tiniest bit. “I’ll stand out here all day if I have to. Five minutes, that’s all I want.”
She sighs. “Fine. I’ll spare my neighbors the drama.” She walks back into her apartment, leaving me to follow.
There’s a well worn blanket on the couch, and several empty ice cream cartons and a half full bottle of wine on the coffee table. All that’s missing are the take-out containers and our apartments would be twins.
“I just have a few things to say, and I’d appreciate it if you’d just listen. If you want me to leave after, I will.”
Aria positions herself a few feet away, arms crossed and feet spread like she’s getting ready for a fight. “Fine.”
I swallow. I should be nervous but I’m not. I believe in us, I have to.
“First, the call with Jessie wasn’t what you thought. I meant it when I said that I would deal with her, but I didn’t expect her to call first thing in the morning before we’d had a chance to talk about it. I’ll admit, I was an idiot and I panicked when she asked about you. You know how perceptive Jessie can be so I overdid it. You have to know, I don’t think any of those things about you, I never have.”
She doesn’t react so I keep going.
“The truth is... I’ve never been good enough for you. All these years, I’ve been watching you, wanting you, and not letting myself think about it because you deserve someone better. I never felt like the man you needed.” I hope she can hear the truth in my words, the years of longing I’ve kept bottled up for her. “You’re gorgeous, smart, funny, stubborn, and you’ve never taken my shit. From day one, you stood up to me in front of my sister and refused to back down because you love her. I’ve never known anyone like you.”
Aria opens her mouth but I don't slow down or stop. I need to say it.
“I love you. I am so in love with you, this last week has nearly killed me. I know I’m not good enough for you but I want to become the man you deserve. I want to spend the rest of our lives together showing you how much I love you and that I mean it. If you’ll have me.”
She isn’t looking at me and my heart sinks. Maybe I’m too late.
“Since I’ve known you, you’ve been my best friend’s jerk older brother,” she says quietly. “Giving me a hard time, trying to chase me away from your sister, pulling the over-protective act every chance you had.” She finally looks up and I see that her eyes are filled with tears. “And since I’ve known you, I’ve loved you. So much.”
Her smile nearly knocks me to my knees.
I don’t know who moves first but then we’re kissing, she’s in my arms, and I’m never going to let her go again.
EPILOGUE
ARIA
Today is the day.
“I can’t believe how beautiful you look,” Jessie tells me, her voice thick with emotion.
“Don’t you dare start crying. If you cry, I’ll cry, and I can’t go out there with a streaky mascara face. Nathan will take one look and run away and then you'll have to take his place.”
She laughs and dabs at her eyes. “We both know he’s not going anywhere.”
Yeah, she’s right.
Good thing too, because I look amazing right now.
I glance in the mirror again, still not believing it’s me. I never thought that white was my color but my gorgeous wedding dress changed my mind the second I put it on.
“Don’t forget this.” Jessie lifts the veil and tucks it into my bun, letting it frame my shoulders. I've never felt more beautiful, though part of it might be the huge smile on my face that I can't seem to make go away. I look like a fairytale princess.
And just like a fairytale, I’m about to marry my Prince Charming.
“I think I’m ready,” I tell Jessie. On cue, the music kicks up in the other room and my stomach erupts into butterflies—this is really happening.
I can’t wait to see the look on Nathan’s face when I walk down the aisle.
Jessie takes my hands in her own. “For some reason, my idiot brother makes you happy and I never wanted anything more for you. I couldn’t be happier that you’re going to be my sister.” She gives me a hug, careful not to crush my dress or veil. “I love you.”
My throat is too tight so say anything but I know that she knows exactly what I want to say.
The wedding coordinator waves her out the door, then it’s just me.
I don't wait very patiently. I know this is supposed to be my big day but I just want to see Nathan. I want to kiss him and call him my husband and go home together where I can be in his arms and peel his tux off of him. I promised myself that I’d wait until after the wedding to give him the news about the little pink plus sign on my pregnancy test, and I think tonight is the perfect time.
The violins start up and I know it’s my cue before the coordinater even gestures me forward. The doors open and I walk out, glad that I wore flats instead of the three inch heels Jessie had tried to talk me into.
Every seat is taken, more eyes on me than I can count, but all I can see is Nathan.
He’s waiting for me at the end of the aisle, eyes wide with disbelief and awe. As I walk towards him, his face splits into a huge smile and I think I see a glimmer of tears.
Yeah, that was about the reaction I was hoping for.
About The Author
Ella Arden
Ella Arden spends her days writing fun, flirty stories with confident, relatable women and the sexy men who can't resist them. She's a firm believer that the perfect story has lots of sweet, just enough heat, true love, and an always happy ending.
Books In This Series
Love in Unexpected Places
The Love in Unexpected Places series are short, standalone sweet and steamy enemies-to-lovers romances with alpha men and sassy, confident women. Always guaranteed to have a happily ever after with no cheating and no cliffhanger.
Criminal Temptation
Bossy Temptation
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