Chapter's song: Thinking of you by Katy Perry

"Mark's an idiot."

My best friend looks up with a small smile on her face. She's holding Marianne, whose latest entertainment is to throw stuff on the floor and making you pick it up. She's been at it for the last half an hour. "He's not, Kate. He's a complete softie, you only need to—" Placing both hands on my hips, I glare at her, raising an eyebrow.

Emily smiles.

Her date must have gone well because she's like a completely different person. She's all smiles and extremely patient with her daughter, and she's not dressed in sports pants anymore. She has a red top with washed jeans. Her long, dark hair is pulled up in one of those messy buns she likes to wear all the time. She looks great.

She picks up Marianne's toy from the ground, faking a cough. I know she's holding her laughter, her lips tremble as my annoyance increases. "I'm sorry, we must be talking about two different people," she doesn't look at me as she grabs Marianne's little lion.

I narrow my eyes, my lips pressed in a tight slash. Seriously?

"Okay," she clears her throat, not even pretending not to show me she is utterly amused. "He's a complete douchebag, the most idiotic person that has ever stepped foot in this planet and he has no taste at all, to make it worse."

Rolling my eyes, I pick up the ball Marianne just tossed to the floor. "Okay, okay, he seems to have his moments," I murmur begrudgingly.

Emily's green eyes glint mischievously, while my stomach churns uneasily. What the hell is she thinking? "The funny part is that Scott said that you would make a cute couple but you clearly hate the guy."

I swallow hard.

I don't hate him.

I keep it to myself because I'm too proud to admit, and I really don't want to keep talking about him.

Change of subject.

"So, did you ever find out why Marianne had a fever?" The little girl turns to me at the mention of her name, and I totally swoon. You really have no choice, she's just too cute. Emily has dressed her in a light pink dress and her golden-brown hair is held on the side by a white pin with a small bow. Her lips curve up and she blabbers while glancing at me. I melt at her, meeting her gaze with a smile of my own.

Emily sighs. "The pediatrician said that it could be due to the molars sprouting. He did a whole check-up and there was nothing wrong." Her green eyes turn to me. "I'm really sorry that you had to deal with that."

"Pfft, no worries," I grin at her. "We handled it." More like we freaked out, but that was something that she didn't need to know.

She stares at me with knowing eyes. "Yes, you did. Thank you."

I think she knows. I'm sticking to the whole we handled it. 

"So, you don't mind that we drank your most expensive bottle?" I taunt my brother, hoping to get a reaction out of him.

It doesn't work.

He's too busy typing away on his computer. He's such a fucking geek. I step around his office, pressing my lips together. His desktop is topped with office supplies, next to an inbox with a stack of papers, a frame with Emily and Marianne's picture, and electrical cords dangling off the edge of the desk. It's a bloody mess, but he seems to be quite organized. Tired of walking around, I take a seat in front of his desk and reach out for my coffee mug. It's been three days since we babysat Marianne and I've been trying not to ask him more about Kate, but damn, I'm curious.

What happened with her ex-boyfriend?

I don't recall seeing her with anyone else afterward. It's been almost six years. The girl couldn't have been single all that time, could she?

"Stop it," Scott glares at me.

"What?" He looks at my hand. I hadn't noticed that I was drumming my fingers against his desk.

Finally, Scott leans back, the chair creaking slightly as it gives. He crosses his arms, staring at me. "What's on your mind?"

Play it cool, play it cool.

I shrug. "Not much. The usual, girls, booze, parties."

My brother's dark eyes narrow. "Cut the crap, Mark. What's really going on in that thick head of yours?"

Pressing a hand on my chest, I act up. "I do not have a thick head." Scott rolls his eyes. "I've actually been told that I have a really nice head, thank you very much. There's something about my golden hair and blue eyes that appeal—"

"Mark."

I smile. Finally, he's annoyed.

"Do you know what's the deal with Kate?" So much for playing it cool.

Scott's lips tug up as he uncrosses his arms and leans on the desk. "What do you mean with that?"

Now, he's messing up with me.

"Forget it," I place the mug back on the table, after finishing the rest of my coffee in one go. "I better go, I've got a few things to do." Like sulk all the way back to my house.

He chuckles. He fucking chuckles.

I'm the one who laughs at him all the time.

"What gives Mark? Why are you suddenly into her?"

"I'm not," I scoff, looking around. Everywhere but at him.

"She's Emily's best friend."

My eyes cut to him, my neck stiff. "I know."

"She's not one of those bimbo's you're used to hanging out with." I know. My jaw clenches. "She's a special girl," Scott adds.

I lean forward with blazing eyes. "Am I such a fuck-up for her?"

Scott's nostrils flare. He looks surprised. Damn it. I am surprised. Why the fuck do I care?

He shakes his head, uncrossing his arms. "You're not. You're my brother. Any girl would be lucky to have you." He tilts his head, studying me. "But you need to stop playing around Mark. Kate is one of those girls that you can't play with. She's been through a lot."

My shoulders sag as I lean back. "That's the thing. I don't know much about her. Only that she's a prude," I smile at that. I can see her sending daggers my way, swallowing her pride and looking fucking gorgeous.

My brother makes a fist and brings it to his lips thoughtful. "It's not my story to tell, bro."

Bloody hell.

He's right. I'm not admitting that, though.

If I want to know more about her, it has to come straight from the source.

Especially since Scott's protective attitude comes from his wife. Emily is sweet, but she can be fierce and she always does what she wants. In this case, I'm pretty sure that she doesn't think that I'm worthy of her friend.

Darn it.

I can't win Kate's confidence without winning Emily's first.

Is Kate worth it?

Something tells me that she is.

I'm not sure I like it. I've never had to beg for someone's attention. Girls usually come to me.

Then again, did I want to be a bachelor for the rest of my life?

Deep down inside me, I know I want to settle down.

Crap.

Settle down. Those two words always make me shiver. And not in a good way. In a freaking scary way. 

I must be delusional, right?

Who the fuck wants to settle down with one girl?

I exhale slowly, gazing at my brother's family portrait over the desk.

Kate is different.

And I want her. 

Fuck. 

Sooooo??

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