Friendship Blooms in Honey Grove

by Anne-Marie Meyer

  His eyebrows went up and a hopeful look crossed his face. “Really?”

  Tiffany’s gaze grew hazy as she studied him. “Yes.” Then she pushed up onto her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his. Tingles erupted across her skin and spread down to her toes.

  None of the relationships she’d been in had ever felt so completely real as her relationship with Jonathan. He was everything she’d ever wanted in a best friend and in a person to love.

  He was perfect for her. They were two puzzle pieces that were meant to fit together.

  Jonathan pulled back with a questioning look on his face. “Tiffany, I don’t—”

  Tiffany reached up and pressed her finger against his lips. “I’m not scared.” Then she shook her head. “That’s not true. I’m terrified. But I’d rather be terrified with you than be with anyone else.” She pressed her hand against his heart. “You are mine. And I’m yours. It’s as simple as that. And no matter how much I fight it, I’ll still come back to this conclusion.”

  Jonathan’s gaze met hers, and suddenly, he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her up to him. He pressed his lips to hers. She could feel everything he wanted to say in that kiss.

  Then he pulled back. She giggled as he spun her around on the dance floor. A few disgruntled people murmured under their breath as they had to jump to the side to avoid getting kicked.

  Jonathan set her down, apologized, and then grabbed her hand and pulled her off the dance floor.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Jonathan’s heart was pounding so hard he was sure that everyone could hear it as he grabbed Tiffany’s hand and pulled her from the dance floor. The sound of her laughter caused his heart to soar.

  It was hard to believe that he was so lucky as to fall in love with his best friend and to have her love him back.

  Once they got outside, he turned and pulled her close to him. He reached up and cradled her cheek in his hand. Her laughter died down as she held his gaze.

  Jonathan ran his thumb over her lips as he allowed his feelings to crash over him. He’d been looking for this exact girl all his life just to find out she’d been next to him the whole time. He just hadn’t known it.

  “I love you,” he whispered, his voice giving way to his emotions.

  Tiffany’s eyes glistened as she stared at him. “I love you, too.”

  Her words filled every broken crevice in his soul. They were the words he’d been dying to hear, and now that they were spoken, it seemed too good to be true.

  He furrowed his brow as he leaned in and pressed his forehead to hers. “Really?” he asked. He silently cursed himself for asking. He should just accept that she’d said it.

  Tiffany pulled back and smiled. “I love you. Do you want to know how to know that it’s true?”

  He grabbed onto her hand and brought it up to press against his lips. “How?” he asked as he glanced up at her over her fingers.

  She leaned in. “Because I didn’t just jump in when I felt like it.“ She smiled at him as he straightened and pulled her closer.

  He wrapped his arms around her again and pressed her against him. “Then I’m glad.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. Then he pulled back. “Can I ask you a question?” His heart pounded in his chest as the question felt as if it were going to explode from his body.

  Tiffany nodded. “Sure.”

  He studied her, and then, in one swift moment, he was down on one knee. Tiffany gasped as she stared at him.

  “What are you doing?” Her cheeks flushed as her voice dropped to a whisper.

  “Making sure you never go anywhere.” He held up her hand. “Tiffany. Will you marry me?”

  When she didn’t answer right away, Jonathan glanced up, worried he’d done the wrong thing. But when he saw the tears in her eyes, his heart swelled.

  “Really?” she asked.

  Jonathan wanted to shout his love for her from the rooftops. He wanted to tell everyone just how perfect she was for him. “Yes. Of course. You are my soulmate. My everything.” He gently kissed her hand. “Please be Mrs. Jonathan Braxton.”

  Tiffany studied him, and slowly she began to nod. “Of course.”

  His heart galloped in his chest. He raised his eyebrows. “Is that a yes?”

  Tiffany reached out and tugged on his arm. Jonathan stood. Tiffany pushed up onto her tiptoes and wrapped both arms around his neck.

  Jonathan grabbed her waist and pulled her up, crushing his lips against hers.

  They stood there, kissing for what felt like an eternity. The world around him faded away as he allowed himself to get lost in her touch. She was everything he was ever going to need.

  She was perfect.

  He groaned when she pulled back. Her lips were puffy and her expression hazy. She smiled at him as she nodded.

  “That’s a yes.”

  Jonathan spun her around, reveling in the sound of her laughter and the curves of her neck as she threw her head back.

  She was his. For now and forever. And he’d live his whole life to show her how much he loved her.

  Once her laughter died down, Jonathan helped her back down onto the ground, but he kept his arms around her. Realization dawned on him as he started to chuckle.

  “You do know what this means, don’t you?”

  Tiffany snuggled into his chest. “What?”

  “We have to tell my mom.”

  The next day, Jonathan pulled open the back door and stepped into the Braxton kitchen. He and Tiffany had just returned from the wedding. No one knew about their engagement, but that was about to change.

  “Who’s home?” Sondra’s voice carried from the dining room, followed shortly by Jonathan’s mom.

  “Hey, sweetie, you’re back early,” she said as she folded her arms and smiled up at him.

  “Yeah. We decided to head out as soon as the bride and groom left.”

  The door slammed behind him and Jonathan turned to see Tiffany behind him. He fought the urge to reach out and thread his fingers through hers.

  Thankfully, Sondra didn’t seem to notice. Instead, she walked over to the kettle and began to fill it up. “I’ll make you two some tea.”

  “Thanks, Mrs. Braxton,” Tiffany said as she walked past him, winking as she went.

  Jonathan shot her a look and then glanced over at his mom, who didn’t seem to notice their interaction.

  “How was the wedding?” Sondra asked, glancing over at Tiffany.

  A soft smile spread across Tiffany’s lips. “It was…beautiful. Life changing, really.”

  Sondra studied her and then sighed, directing it mainly to Jonathan. “I wish I could have been there. It’s been so long since there’s been a wedding in our family.” She eyed Jonathan. “Maybe you can help me get one of my boys married,” she said as she smiled at Tiffany.

  Tiffany giggled just as Jonathan said, “Ma.”

  Sondra shrugged. “I’m ready. I’m not sure what you’re waiting for.”

  Jonathan shook his head. And then he walked over and wrapped his arms around Sondra’s shoulders. He dipped down to her ear and whispered, “Tiffany is already helping me.”

  Sondra stiffened and there was a long pause before she whipped around, screeching as she went.

  “What?” Then she stuck her finger into Jonathan’s chest. “Don’t be playing with me, child. I brought you into this world, and I can take you out.”

  Jonathan held up his hands just as his dad walked into the kitchen.

  “What are you screaming about?”

  Sondra wiped her hands on her apron. “Your son here is mean. He’s playing with my poor heart.”

  “I’m—”

  “Why are you teasing your mom?” Jimmy asked as he grabbed a cookie and leaned against the counter.

  “Hey, now. I’m not teasing her.” Jonathan walked over to Tiffany and held out his hand. Tiffany took it and entwined her fingers with his as she stood up. “We’re engaged.”

  Jimmy must have inh
aled cookie crumbs because he began coughing. Sondra had tears streaming down her cheeks as she reached out and began whacking Jimmy on the back. They were definitely a sight to see.

  The back door opened and Josh stepped in. He looked around the room, incredibly confused.

  Jonathan pointed at Tiffany. “We’re engaged.”

  “Makes sense.” Then he crossed the kitchen and reached out his hand. “Congrats you two.”

  Tiffany wrapped her arms around Jonathan’s stomach and smiled. “Thanks.”

  Thankfully, his parents regained their composure and were soon over to the two of them, wrapping them in a huge hug. Sondra was crying and listing off everyone she needed to call. Jimmy was just clearing his throat and welcoming Tiffany to the clan o’ Braxton.

  Suddenly, a phone was shoved into Jonathan’s hand. His mom was staring up at him with an eager look. “Call your brothers. Maybe you’ll inspire them.”

  Jonathan groaned, but his mom gave him her no-nonsense look. Sighing he took it. “I’ll do it, Mom, but I doubt it will have the effect you think it will.”

  Sondra shrugged. “At this point, I’ll do just about anything.”

  Taking a moment to kiss Tiffany, Jonathan leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. She giggled as she patted his chest. “Go. I doubt your mom will leave you alone until you do.”

  Groaning, Jonathan tipped his forehead down to touch hers. “Love you.”

  She nodded. “Love you.”

  Epilogue

  James

  The low hum of chatter dulled James’s senses as he sat in the far booth at Piston’s Bar. The dark light and secluded table helped him feel safe—something that was a constant struggle for him now, after…

  Clearing his throat, James reached out and grabbed the glass of whisky. He muscled down his memories as if that was the answer to dealing with his past.

  He could almost hear his therapist, Dr. Georgina, as she repeated the words she said during every one of his sessions.

  “You need to face your past. Running from it will only ensure that it stays with you.”

  James closed his eyes as his frustration at what had happened in his past threatened to bubble over. Dr. Georgina didn’t understand. How could she? She hadn’t been there. She had no idea what it felt like to be that alone.

  “Hey, man.”

  James opened his eyes to see Juan, his best friend, drop into the seat across from him. His dark hair was swept to the side, and he looked as if he’d run all the way here.

  “You okay?”

  Juan shrugged. “Yeah. Just family issues.”

  The waitress stopped by and Juan ordered a pint. Once she was gone, James straightened in his seat, grateful for the distraction his friend’s problems were sure to give him.

  “Layla?” James asked. Layla was Juan’s younger sister, who always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.

  Juan shrugged. “Something like that.”

  James furrowed his brow as he stared at his friend. What did that mean?

  Juan waved away James’s questioning gaze as the waitress dropped off his beer. After a long drink, Juan glanced at James. “It’s okay. We’ll be fine.”

  James’s phone rang. He studied his friend, but from the look in his eye, he really wasn’t going to share anything more. So he shifted and grabbed his phone from his pocket.

  It was Jonathan.

  “It’s my brother,” he said, holding his phone up. Juan nodded as James brought the receiver to his ear.

  “Hey,” he said.

  “James?”

  “Yeah.”

  “It’s Jonathan.”

  “I know.”

  “Tell him.” James could hear his mother’s pushy voice on the other end of the call.

  “Hey, Ma,” he said as he fought the urge to smile. His mom was nosy, but she loved her kids.

  “Hey, James,” Sondra called, the sound of her voice growing louder as she got closer to the phone.

  “Can I talk to him now?” Jonathan asked.

  Sondra muttered something as her voice grew fainter.

  “Sorry. You know Mom,” Jonathan said.

  James nodded. “She doesn’t change.” He cleared his throat. “What’s up?”

  Jonathan paused. “I’m getting married.”

  James furrowed his brow. “You’re what?”

  “I’m getting married!”

  “To who?”

  “What do you mean, to who? To Tiffany.”

  James sat back, leaning against the booth. “Congrats, man. That’s amazing.”

  “And I want you to be my best man.”

  James reached out and drummed his fingers on the tabletop. “Sure. Of course. I’d be honored.”

  He could hear Jonathan blow out a breath on the other side. “Perfect. We’re planning it now. You’re coming here, right?”

  It wasn’t like he had much else to do, so James said, “I’ll pencil you in.”

  “Perfect. I’ll call you later with more details.”

  “Yep.” James couldn’t help the smile that formed on his lips. “Hey, Jonathan?”

  “Yeah?”

  “Congrats. I’m really happy for you.”

  “Thanks. Talk to you later?”

  “Yep.”

  They said their goodbyes and James hung up. He slipped his phone back into his pocket and glanced up at Juan, who was studying him.

  “Which brother was that?”

  “Jonathan. He’s getting married.”

  Juan nodded. “Wow. That’s exciting.”

  “Yeah.”

  The table grew quiet as they sat there. James cleared his throat and shoved his hands through his hair. “I’m happy for him, you know? He deserves to find that one girl to spend his life with.” When he met Juan’s gaze, he couldn’t help but feel as if his best friend was studying him.

  James sighed. “What?”

  Juan shook his head. “Nothing.” Then he leaned forward. “Maybe it’ll inspire some people.”

  James snorted as he shook his head. He knew what Juan was getting at. “Yeah. Not all of us are blessed with finding the perfect girl.” He nodded toward the ring on Juan’s left hand.

  Juan leaned back in the booth and shrugged. “She’s out there for you, man. You just need to be more open to letting it in.”

  James swallowed as he emptied his drink. He wanted to say that Juan was right. That he still believed in fate, but the truth was he didn’t.

  Happiness just wasn’t in the cards for him, and he needed to accept that. Besides, no woman wanted a broken man. And he was pretty sure he couldn’t be pieced back together.

  Not by Dr. Georgina, and definitely not by some woman.

  James Braxton was meant to live alone. Forever.

  ***

  Want MORE Braxton Brothers Romance?

  Read James and Layla’s Story

  Escaping to Honey Grove

  HERE

  Missed the first Braxton Brothers Romance?

  Josh and Beth’s story

  Coming Home to Honey Grove

  HERE

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  She's an IRS auditor desperate to prove herself.

  He's a cowboy trying to hold onto his ranch.

  Love was not on the agenda.

  Other Books by Anne-Marie Meyer

  Clean Adult Romances

  Forgetting the Billionaire

  Book 1 of the Clean Billionaire Romance series

  Second Chance Mistletoe Kisses

  Book 1 of Love Tries Again series

  Second Chance at Christmas Inn

  Book 3 of Love Tries Again Series

  Coming Home to Honey Grove

  Book 1 of A Braxton Family Romance series

  Friendship Blooms in Hone
y Grove

  Book 2 of A Braxton Family Romance series

  Escaping to Honey Grove

  Book 3 of A Braxton Family Romance series

  Forgiveness Found in Honey Grove

  Book 4 of A Braxton Family Romance series

  Christmas in Honey Grove

  Book 5 of A Braxton Family Romance series

  Her Second Chance

  Book 0 of the Braxton Brothers series

  Fighting Love for the Cowboy

  Book 1 of A Moose Falls Romance

  About the Author

  Anne-Marie Meyer lives in MN with her husband, four boys, and baby girl. She loves romantic movies and believes that there is a FRIENDS quote for just about every aspect of life.

  Connect with Anne-Marie on these platforms!

  anne-mariemeyer.com