Seeing You

“Stop fighting, or I’m going to kiss Ta

Brad is the protective twin, and I’m positive this stunt of mine will end the stupid fight. He’s never refrained from vocalizing his objection to Ta

“Keep fighting, Brad,” Ta

I twine Ta

“I’m going to use tongue.” I keep acting, until I catch Ta

“Punch him again, Brad.” Ta

I’m not sure if Ta

“I’m inching closer.”

Ta

“Give it up, you two.” Brad pushes the guy in front of him, knocking him into the wall. “Stay the fuck away from my girl from this point forward.” He points a finger at the guy.

Taylor runs over. “Your girl?” she questions, practically swooning over his declaration.

“Yeah,” Brad admits with a crooked smile.

Taylor throws herself into his arms.

When he looks our way, he cringes. Then, as though remembering how I manipulated him to stop fighting, he pushes Taylor off of him and stalks over to us. “Put her down, Ta

“What if I don’t want to? Maybe I want a kiss.” Ta

“She’s my sister, Ta

Ta

Brad inhales a deep breath and slowly releases it. “Tan, I really don’t want to fight you.”

“You’d fight me over kissing your sister? Because I hate to tell you this, but I’ve kissed her before.”

I try to wiggle free of his hold because my plan is about to end horribly. Ta

“What? Piper?”

My head rotates his way, and Brad stares in disbelief at me. I’m not quite sure what Ta

“Long time ago,” I counter. I wish I could shut my mouth. I’m divulging way too much truth.

“Not that long ago.” Ta

I swat his shoulder, squirming to get out of his grip. If only I truly wanted him to release his hold, then maybe my body would fight harder.

“High school, Brad,” I admit.

Ta

“Really, it was last week, Brad.” Ta

Brad’s nostrils flare, his face turning redder by the second.

“He’s joking. Don’t listen to him.” I smack Ta

He drops me to the ground. “Or am I?” He shrugs his shoulders to my brother.

Brad tosses a hand in the air between them. “I’m not worried. I know you’d never betray me.” He is confident that Ta

At his declaration, my stomach plummets with the thought that Brad won’t accept a relationship between Ta

Ta

“I can trust you?” Brad steps closer.

Although Ta

“You okay, Piper?” Brad asks me.

I nod. “Yeah. I have to find Bea, and then we’ll be right behind you.” I search to find my best friend, who is more than likely in a bedroom right about now.

“Okay, let’s after-party at our place.” Brad hugs Taylor to him.

Ta

“But, Brad,” Taylor whines. Then, she whispers something in Brad’s ear, making his face light up in mischief.

“All right, babe.” He pats her arm, which seems to appease her.

“By that little exchange, I’m thinking that I’m spending the night at Piper’s.” Ta

Taylor giggles. “Maybe you should.” Her lips pull into a secret smile.

I scrunch my eyebrows to dissipate any beliefs. “You could spend the night. Wendi went back home for the weekend,” I add.

Ta

“Sounds like a plan.” Ta

“Awesome. Let’s go, baby.” Ignorant Brad leaves with Taylor.

Neither Ta

“Let’s find Bea, get her home, and go to your place.” Ta

I can’t help but allow my own happiness to shine as well. I nibble on the inside of my cheek and take a deep breath.

Ta

As he leads me through the crowd in search of Bea, I can’t help but overthink his meaning of what’s about to happen. Does he mean it’s only for one night and I should enjoy it? Or is he telling me my heart is safe within his hands? Regardless, I’m following because I’ve waited too long for him to toe the line my brother has drawn between us.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Danielle Allen, thank you for taking this journey in A Fall in Love series. I know it didn’t turn out as smoothly as we’d hoped, but the books got finished, even with our crazy schedules and personal lives interfering. I couldn’t ask for a better friend, and thank you for believing in me.

Second, Mia Kayla, I’m not sure I’d survive in this book world if it wasn’t for you. You keep me sane, make sure I don’t toss my manuscript in the trash, and push me to dig deeper. Our friendship goes well beyond book stuff even though it consumes most of our conversations. Here’s to Starbucks on Friday nights.

Jovana from Unforeseen Editing has the patience of a saint. Thank you for being understanding and working with me on this. Here’s to never moving again!

Hot Tree Editing for proofing my book and being extremely flexible with me. Thank you.

Thank you to my team who always go above and beyond. Heather Davenport from Book Plug Promotions, Sommer Stein with Perfect Pear Creative Covers, Toski Covey Photography, and Perfectly Publishable Formatting.

To my betas—Kizzy Williams, Sandy Fraedrich, Karrie Puskas, Je

Thank you to all the readers who consistently put trust in me to give you an enjoyable read. I hope you liked Amelia and Todd’s story.

Lastly, to my family, you sacrifice and sacrifice for me, so I can live my dream. Thank you with all my heart!