If I had to watch Brianna walk in on Scott’s arm, I’d need something to loosen me up. We’d kissed last night, and I hadn’t heard a peep from her since I dropped her off after dinner. After waiting a lifetime to feel her lips on mine, it was everything I knew it would be. Brianna was mine; she’d realize it and choose me. She had to. For my own sanity, I prayed it was sooner rather than later, like before New Year’s. But I’d be patient and wouldn’t bash Scott’s face in for touching my girl tonight.
“Hey everyone! Merry Christmas!” Scott’s voice bellowed in from the front doorway along with the frigid air. His wide grin faded as soon as he laid eyes on me. Brianna fidgeted with the buttons on her coat as she offered me a sheepish smile.
“Hello, Josh. Brianna mentioned her parents invited you over tonight.”
I let a smile stretch wide on my lips as I crossed the living room, snickering to myself at the tic in Scott’s jaw.
“Hi, Scott.” I squeezed his hand as a smirk tugged at the corner of my mouth. He could visit my shop and threaten me all he wanted. I wasn’t going anywhere—and he knew it.
Brianna’s eyes raked over me as she gave me a nervous smile.
“Glad you came, Josh.”
I strutted up to her and enveloped her in my arms. I felt Scott’s eyes burning into me and didn’t give a single shit. My lips found her forehead and left a long, lingering kiss that made her take in a sharp breath.
“Me too, Cupcake,” I whispered into her silky hair before I brushed some off her shoulder. My gaze slid to hers and we both went silent. This was stupid. Anyone within a ten-mile radius could recognize the attraction pulsating between us. Her hands grabbed my biceps as if she didn’t know whether to push me away or pull me closer.C’mon, Bri. Stop fighting me.
“Hey, babe, what can I get you to drink?”Babe. Christmas Eve was shaping up to be nothing more than an all-night pissing contest.
“Glass of wine would be great. Thanks, Scott.” Scott turned to pour a glass of Pinot, but not before giving me a quick scowl.
Brianna crossed her arms over her chest as she went into the living room and sat on the far end of the couch next to her mother. I was crowding her right along with Scott, and I didn’t want that. I resolved to back off, if only for this evening.
“It may snow tonight. I can’t remember the last white Christmas in New York,” Mrs. Morgan blurted out. I guessed the tension in the room didn’t only make the three of us this damn uncomfortable. “Can’t beat that, right?”
“Oh, I think I can.” Scott’s mouth split in a large grin as he stalked to where Brianna sat on the couch. He reached into his back pocket and knelt on one knee before her.Oh. Fuck. No.
“Help me make this the best Christmas we’ve ever had. Marry me, Bri.” Scott opened the box and rubbed Brianna’s knee.
The color drained from her face at the same time bile rose to the back of my throat. She couldn’t say yes. We didn’t get this far for her to get engaged right in fucking front of me on Christmas.
“Scott . . . we never talked about this.” Her eyes darted from the ring to Scott to me, speared in place on her parents’ carpet as I awaited her answer along with Scott.
Scott laughed and shrugged. “What’s there to discuss?”
Brianna gazed over her shoulder at her parents. Her mother’s expression was undefinable, but judging by the tick in Mr. Morgan’s jaw, I assumed he was never asked for his daughter’s hand in marriage.
“C’mon, Bri. Say you’ll marry me.” Scott rubbed her thigh, but instead of relaxing her, Brianna looked like she fell deeper into shock.
“No.” The word tumbled from my lips before I could think about it. It was a firmno way in hellno. Four pairs of eyes turned their widened gazes to me.
“No?” Scott laughed. “I don’t think I asked you.”
“She doesn’t love you.” I turned to Brianna’s frozen stare. “Marrying Scott is a mistake, and you know it, Bri.”
Brianna popped off the couch. “Josh, please—”
Scott stood from the floor and came toward me in a rage. “I told you. Stay the hell away from her.”
“You told him to stay away from me? What?” Brianna’s head whipped around as she glared at Scott. “You had no right to do that. You’re not my parent who chooses who I do or don’t speak to!” she roared at Scott and got an eye roll in return.
“Brianna, look what he’s doing right now. He uses your history together to play on your sympathies.” Scott looked me over with a snicker. “You’re the same lowlife you probably were when you and Brianna were kids. You’re just a lowlife with a job now. Stop kidding yourself that you’ve got some kind of a future with her.”
I trudged up to Scott, snickering when he stepped in front of Brianna.
You can’t keep me away from her, dude. Not you, not anyone.
“I’mkidding myself? No one is buying the show you’re putting on tonight.”
