Three's A Crowd: A Best Friend's Older Brother Rom Com (Love in Apartment #3B Book 2)

by Everly Ashton

  Jemma’s and my mouth hang open before we respond.

  “Wow, that’s… a lot,” Jemma says.

  “Maybe it’s time for you to get off the dating apps for a bit?”

  “Right?” Marlowe says. “I’ve been considering hiring a matchmaker.”

  “Aren’t those expensive?” Jemma asks.

  Marlowe shrugs. “They’re not too bad. I consider it an investment in my future.”

  “That’s one way to look at it,” I say. The truth is, I admire Marlowe’s romantic heart and how she puts herself out there, but sometimes I think if she stopped trying, she’d have better luck.

  The waiter returns with our drinks and takes our order.

  Once he’s gone, Jemma turns to me. “What’s going on with your love life?”

  “It’s as barren as a desert,” Marlowe deadpans.

  I guess she doesn’t know about Keane and me. I tilt my head and give her a look. “I’m happy to wait and see what the universe has planned for me.”

  “Ah yes, the universe. You’re going to be past your sexual prime by the time it decides to send someone your way. You need to take action and control your future.” Marlowe’s tone is concerned, not judgmental, so I don’t take offense. She and I are on opposite sides of the love spectrum.

  “How’s that working for you?” I ask with a grin.

  Jemma laughs. “Touché.”

  “Anyway, let’s talk about happier things. How’s the wedding plans going? Have you guys really started diving in yet?” I ask Jemma.

  The wattage on her smile could light up this entire room. “Well, I think we’ve settled on next spring for the wedding. We’re going to start looking at venues this weekend.”

  Marlowe and I smile, thrilled that she’s so happy.

  We chat some more about what Jemma has in mind for her wedding and soon our meals are delivered to our table. The conversation shifts to work and Jemma tells us how one of her third graders pooped his pants and didn’t tell anyone until the girl next to him said “it smells like a barn in here” and the little boy burst into tears.

  “I’m so glad I don’t work with kids,” Marlowe says.

  Jemma laughs. “Stuff like that only happens once in a while.”

  “Hey, you mentioned on the phone that you’d need a drink tonight. What’s up with your work?” I ask Marlowe.

  She heaves an exasperated sigh and flops further back into her chair. “They hired this new guy at work, Isaac.” She says his name with venom in her voice and rolls her eyes. “The guy is a know-it-all and a serious thorn in my side. And who’s been tasked with showing him the ropes?” She points her thumb at herself.

  “Ew, that sucks,” Jemma says.

  “Tell me about it. And the worst part is that my boss seems to think this guy is a gift from heaven or something. I’m honestly wondering if he’s suffering from a mid-life crisis and sees himself in this guy?” She sips her wine.

  “What does he do at the magazine?” I turn the stem of my wine glass with my thumb and forefinger.

  “He’s writing a new column geared to the male demographic. Basically, he was hired to attract bros.”

  Marlowe works at ON MASS, a weekly magazine that’s distributed throughout the state.

  I frown. “I’m sorry. That sucks.”

  She shrugs. “Not much I can do but grin and bear it. How’s things at the shelter?”

  “Different since I switched shifts, but it’s given me better insight on how to improve our services. Did Ollie tell you I wrangled him and Nick into making monthly visits to help some of our users?”

  I was able to convince Jemma’s fiancé and his best friend to put their medical skills to work once a month by donating some time to see people in need of medical intervention. Many of the people who use our services aren’t comfortable going into a hospital to seek treatment, so I thought it might be better if a doctor came to them in a place they were already comfortable. It’s a pilot project at this point, but I have my fingers crossed it will be successful.

  “He did. Actually, he asked me to tell you that he’s going to talk to his dad, since he’s a retired dentist, and see if he’d be willing to do a monthly visit as well, if you thought it’d help.”

  “That would be amazing, Jem. Please thank him for me.”

  “Absolutely.”

  I pick up my wine glass and finish off what’s left in the glass.

  “All right. Can we talk about my brother’s surprise party now? I’m going to need your help getting everything in place.”

  I nod—not too enthusiastically, I hope.

  “What can we do?” Jemma asks.

  “I’m going out to dinner with him and my parents next Saturday night since his boss gave him the night off. When we get back, I want everyone at the apartment waiting to surprise him. That’s where you come in.” She turns to me.

  “Oh?”

  “I need you to let everyone in and keep them fed and happy until we get there. Jemma, if you can be there too to help, that’d be great.”

  “Count me in,” Jemma says.

  “Awesome. Most of the people from the restaurant work until later, so they’ll show up once the party is already in full swing, but a few of them aren’t scheduled for that night and they’ll be there for the surprise. I’ve already reached out to some of his college buddies. I know he doesn’t see them too much anymore because he works weekends and they’re all married and starting families, but they’re going to come. And then of course Ollie and Nick will be there.” She motions to Jemma. “Those three are becoming the Three Musketeers.”

  She’s not wrong. Since Keane moved in with us, he’s been out more than a few times to grab a beer with them on his nights off.

  “Am I forgetting anyone?” Marlowe asks.

  “Your family?” I offer.

  “Right. I’ve invited everyone local from our family, and of course our parents will be in town.”

  “Are all these people going to fit in the apartment?” I give her a skeptical look.

  She waves me off. “Definitely. And I’ve already told Mrs. Davenport about it so she can tell anyone who complains to take a hike.”

  “What about food and drinks?” Jemma asks.

  “I could use a hand the morning of to grab everything. Maybe we could use your van, Fi?” A pained look crosses her face when she suggests it.

  “Ah, now you see the value in my van,” I tease. “Sure, I’m happy to help you. We can just leave everything in the back, and as soon as you guys leave for dinner, Jemma and I will bring everything up and start set up.”

  “Awesome. I’m already hiding some decorations and I’ll have the cold items in a cooler in my closet, so I think that’s it.” Marlowe smiles. I know how much she loves her brother, and it’s clear she’s excited to be throwing him this party to celebrate his thirtieth.

  “Don’t worry. It’ll all go off without a hitch,” Jemma says.

  I cross my fingers under the table. Since I can’t tell Keane about his surprise birthday, I can’t tell him to prepare to hide whatever this is between us in front of all of our friends. Something is bound to go wrong.

  Twenty

  Keane

  My lips explore the nape of her neck as I grind into Fiona’s center. We’re practically experts at dry humping, probably setting the Guinness Book of Records over the past two weeks.

  I want inside her so badly it’s a dull throbbing ache in my balls that never goes away at this point. But we’ve yet to define what this is between us, and it’s easy to see she doesn’t want to move further until we’ve solidified our relationship.

  Truth is, I don’t either. I’m not just out to get laid with her. I don’t want to screw over my roommate and one of my little sister’s best friends, so I need to be extra cautious that we’re on the same page.

  I pull back and look at her underneath me. Her shoulder-length blonde hair is splayed around her face and her lips are swollen.

  “What?”
She looks up with a groove between her eyebrows so deep it’s like a canyon. “Why’d you stop?”

  “I think we need to figure out what this is. We’re sort of running in the same spot over and over and not getting anywhere. I don’t know about you, but I’m anxious to move forward.”

  She must understand my double entendre because her eyes widen. “What do you want?”

  Is that hesitation I hear in her voice?

  “I like you, Fiona. A lot. The more time I spend with you, the more time I want to spend with you.” I could try to play it cool like I couldn’t care less either way, but knowing Fiona, she’d take an easy out even if that’s not what she wants. She doesn’t strike me as someone who’s comfortable being vulnerable.

  “I like you too, and I want to see where this goes. But we can’t move forward… physically, until we tell Marlowe. It wouldn’t feel right.”

  A slow smile spreads across my face. Holy shit. Fiona wants me like I want her. I remember back when we were younger and I’d eye her across the dinner table without her knowing. Or tease her just to get her attention. Now, things are changing and she’s reciprocating those feelings I had and never could make sense over.

  “So we’re dating then?”

  She bites her bottom lip, and it takes all the self-control I can muster not to pluck it out of her teeth with my mouth.

  I lean down to kiss her again. “Let’s wait until after my birthday dinner tomorrow night. I need Marlowe on my side when I present my idea to my parents, and I don’t want her being difficult just to spite me.”

  “Do you think she’s going to be mad at us?” Fiona’s forehead wrinkles. She’s genuinely worried about that possibility.

  I shake my head. “I don’t think so. All she’s ever wanted is for us to get along. And look how great we get along now.” I kiss her, our tongues tangling for a minute before I draw back again. “Do you want to do something with me before I leave for dinner with my parents tomorrow?”

  A small frown tilts her lips. “I would, but I promised a friend I’d help them with something. I’m sorry.”

  Disappointment lashes me like a whip. “Oh, sure. No problem.”

  I guess I’ll settle for spending my birthday without the company of my girl. Referring to her as mine feels weird but great.

  “I’m sorry. I’d like to see you on your birthday, but I’ll probably be busy all day.” She runs her fingertips down my cheek.

  “You have to remember to put yourself first sometimes. You’re always doing so much for everyone else.”

  She raises an eyebrow. “If I canceled on my friend, wouldn’t that be me putting you first?”

  I chuckle, letting my head drop so my face rests in her neck, where I place a chaste kiss on her warm skin. “You caught me. What can I say, I’m a greedy man.”

  Her hand runs through my hair at the side of my head. “I’m sorry. If I could cancel, I would.”

  I pull my head back up and look at her. “I’ll see you after dinner though?”

  Her arms wind around my neck and her nails play with the back of my hairline. “Absolutely. You can tell me how you wowed your parents and had them begging to co-sign that loan.”

  I love the confidence she has in me and I wish I could let some of her enthusiasm rub off on me. The truth is, I’m nervous as hell to talk to my parents tomorrow night. I couldn’t care less about turning thirty. As far as I’m concerned, it’s just some number. But my parents, especially my mom, have always had a way of cutting me to the quick, and this means so much to me that I’m not sure how I’ll feel if they don’t believe enough in me to co-sign.

  “I guess it will have to do.” I take her lips once more.

  I still can’t get over the fact that I can kiss her whenever I want. Though I try not to let my mind wander to all the other things I can’t wait to do with her once we’re open to Marlowe, it’s nearly impossible when I feel Fiona’s soft curves beneath me.

  When we come up for air, I glance at the clock and groan. “I have to get ready for work.”

  Her lips turn down into a pout. “If you must.”

  “What are you going to do tonight?” I ask, carefully pushing off her so I don’t crush her with my weight.

  She sits up. “Not sure. Marlowe has a date tonight, and I don’t know what Jemma’s up to. I’ll probably just chill here. Maybe send some emails to follow-up on donations and invites to the gala next month.”

  I nod. She’s mentioned the gala before. It’s a big deal for her because she gets this strained look on her face every time she mentions it.

  “I guess I’ll see you in the morning then?” I raise an eyebrow.

  “If I’m not awake when you get home from the restaurant.”

  “I’ll keep my fingers crossed.” I place a quick kiss on her lips before standing from the couch. If I don’t make my escape now, I’ll never get out of here. She’s just too damn tempting.

  Twenty-One

  Keane

  “Wow. You clean up well. Didn’t think you had it in you.”

  I look up from buttoning the last button of my dress shirt as I walk out from the hall to find Fiona sitting on the chair in the living room. Her turquoise eyes glitter and it’s clear she likes what she sees. Fuck, I wish I could cross the room and ravish her, but I hear my sister in the kitchen. Only a few hours and it won’t matter anymore.

  “Thanks, Squirt.” I wink so Fiona knows me using her hated nickname is all part of the ruse.

  She rolls her eyes and doesn’t give me a snappy retort. “What time are your parents supposed to be here?”

  Marlowe walks out of the kitchen with a glass of wine in her hand. “Any minute now.”

  I could use a drink myself. The manila envelope on the dining room table feels like a beacon, and inside it is a bomb ticking away. Fiona and I decided that it would be better to print off the presentation in color and have it professionally assembled at the printers.

  “Where are you guys going to eat?” Fiona asks Marlowe.

  “That steak house on Princess Street. It’s my mom’s favorite,” Marlowe says and sips her wine.

  Fiona’s gaze drifts to mine. She’s probably wondering why we’re going to my mom’s favorite restaurant on my thirtieth birthday. I shrug. If having my mom eat at her favorite restaurant puts her in a better frame of mind to consider my proposal, I’m game.

  It isn’t until I look at Fiona now that I realize she’s curled her hair and is wearing makeup—something she doesn’t do often. At least not much beyond mascara and lip gloss. Tonight she has on eyeshadow and blush and her eyes resemble a cat’s, like all those girls who wear a lot of makeup.

  I tilt my head. “What are you up to tonight? You’re all dolled up.”

  The words are out of my mouth before I consider what my sister might think. I glance at Marlowe for her reaction.

  My sister’s lips tilt down. “Since when do you notice girl’s makeup?”

  Shit. I’m not sure how to answer that question. I could come up with some quick insult to hurl Fiona’s way, but I’m not going to do that now. Thankfully, Fiona takes the lead.

  “Probably because he’s always saying how much I could use makeup so I’m not such a plain Jane.” She says it in a snippy voice, so Marlowe buys it.

  A knock on the door saves me from having to add anything. I shoot Fiona an apologetic look while Marlowe makes her way across the living room. She swings the door open and my stomach clenches when I see my parents. Their faces light up for Marlowe. They give her big hugs, fawning over how wonderful she looks in her navy-blue dress. Then they spot me over her shoulder.

  My mom walks over. “Happy birthday, sweetheart. Thirty already. I can’t believe it.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  She gives me a hug. My hug doesn’t last nearly as long as Marlowe’s did and her smile isn’t nearly as bright, but why should that surprise me? Marlowe is the golden child and I’m the one they’re surprised can support himself.

&n
bsp; My dad finishes giving Marlowe a bear hug, then he comes over to me and shakes my hand enthusiastically while patting my shoulder. “Happy birthday, son. It feels like yesterday you were hiding all those garden snakes in a bin under your bed. You just about gave your mom a heart attack when she cleaned your room.”

  He chuckles and I join in, not at all surprised our reunion is starting with a story about me that refers to one of my screwups.

  “Fiona, you look wonderful dear. How are you?” my mom says.

  Fiona rises off the couch and gives my mom a hug. “I’m good, Mrs. Travis. How was your flight?”

  “Smooth skies all the way here,” my mom says.

  “And check-in at the hotel was a breeze. It’s starting off to be the perfect visit. If we can breeze through security on the flight home, we’ll be laughing,” my dad says.

  My mom glances around the apartment. I forgot that this is her first time here since Marlowe moved in with her friends.

  “So this is the place you love?” It’s clear from her tone that she has no idea what Marlowe finds so charming about the apartment. “The building is kind of… old?”

  I’m sure the real word she wants to use is decrepit, even though that’s not the case. But my mom has high standards.

  “It’s charming,” Marlowe says, plastering on a fake smile. My mom is already getting under her skin.

  “Why don’t you show mom the rest of the place?” I suggest.

  My dad looks at his watch. “We really should be going if we’re going to make our reservations.”

  “Don’t worry, Frank. It shouldn’t take more than a minute, judging by the size of this room,” my mom says.

  Fiona’s eyes grow wide when the three of them walk into the kitchen. Marlowe’s pointing out all the good things, always so eager to please our parents. They rejoin us in the living/dining room combination and head down the hall to the bedrooms.

  “Don’t worry, you got this,” Fiona whispers.

  “Thanks,” I whisper back, hoping she’s right. My entire future depends on tonight.