We’re standing close.
Too close.
I can see that her face is now porcelain smooth and her eyes are two, crystal clear pools of sparkling chocolate.
This isn’t fair.
I don’t want to notice how pretty she is but how can I not? Unless I pluck out my eyes. Or pluck out hers.
Don’t go all serial killer, Nathan.
Riley’s breathing changes and a slight pink stain rises in her cheeks.
The air between us hums with something it definitely shouldn’t.
“Hey-o, boss!”
I release the broom and Riley does the same, jumping away as if it scalded her. The stick of the broom lands on the floor with a loudtwatand the other end see-saws upward, making a beeline for my future children.
Thank the good Lord for athlete’s instincts.
I pounce high and back before the broom can mess with my family tree. It barely brushes my jeans before slamming back down to the ground.
“Jimmy!” Riley shrieks.
“Oh! We got a customer!”
I turn around.
An old man who looks frailer than the broom on the floor makes a dramatic gasp. “Nathan Campbell?” Jimmy covers his mouth, eyes growing bigger by the second. “Man, I’ve been seeing you around town, but I wasn’t sure if you wanted to talk or not. I’m a big fan.”
“Hey, man.”
Jimmy shuffles forward. “How you doing? How’s your leg?”
“Fine, thanks,” I say awkwardly. It’s the number one question people ask me when they recognize me and I’ve started to wonder if I should wear a shirt that says ‘before you ask, my leg is fine’.
“Good, good.” Jimmy glances through the large doors to the parking lot. “Where’s your car? Need me to drive it in for yah?”
“I’m not here for car repair,” I tell him, picking up the fallen broom.
His gaze darts between me and Riley. “Are you two?—”
“No!” Riley yells.
Jimmy scratches his head. “Then why are you here so early just to see the boss?”
“Because I’m her brother.” The words feel right and I smile.
Moving forward, I’m going to remove all untoward thoughts about my best friend’s little sister. I’ll be as good of a brother to Riley as that boy at the fair who gave his crying sibling the stuffed bear.
Unfortunately, Riley doesn’t seem thrilled. She shoots me a knife-like stare that has me ducking for cover.
“Really?” Jimmy tilts his head. “But your last name is Campbell and hers is Carter.”
“Not siblings by blood, but we grew up together. Her brother and I are best friends and?—”
I stumble forward when the broom I was grabbing is abruptly wrenched from my fingers.
