I pinch the bridge of my nose, sighing. "For one thing, she's your best friend. We agreed long ago not to go there."
"We were kids, Jasper!"
"And now we're adults. Shit didn't get less complicated as we got older, baby sister. It got more complicated," I remind her. When we were kids, life was simple. Now, there's real-world shit to consider, like marriage and babies and entire families falling apart if things don't work out.
Sarah and Olive are inseparable. I won't be the reason they lose each other.
"Whatever," she grumbles. "It's a lame excuse, and you know it. What other lame excuses are on your lame excuse list?"
I shoot her a dark look, but she just bats her lashes at me. "I've been gone for most of the time I've known her," I remind her. I've been stationed overseas for most of the last three years.
I know Sarah well enough to know that she wasn't built for a life on base, or one spent worrying about where I'd be sent next. Putting her through that wasn't an option, not when her life is here.
"Fine, I'll give you that one," Olive sniffs. "It's bad enough that you haven't been here. I'd be pissed if you took her away, too."
"That wasn't on the table since she doesn't even like me."
"Says who?" my sister asks like she's scandalized.
"The look on her face every time I walk into the room?" I suggest, shaking my head. "Or maybe the fact that she clams up like she's terrified to speak to me?"
Olive stares at me like she doesn't even know me, and then she smiles, shaking her head. "You are such an idiot."
I scowl at her.
"She looks at you like that because she's basically obsessed with you and is terrified you're going to figure it out. And she probably is terrified to speak to you." My sister glowers at me. "Half the time, you just grunt at her like you're a Neanderthal. You know how shy she is. It's intimidating, Jasper!"
"I'm not intimidating."
"Yes, you are!"
"Goddammit!" I growl, grabbing her hand as soon as her nail makes contact with my ribcage again. "Will you stop poking me?"
"Yes, when you stop giving me reasons to poke you," she says sweetly. "But if you're going to continue to be an idiot and annoy me, I'm going to continue poking you."
"Jesus Christ," I mutter, and then relent with a chuckle. "You could hound the devil out of hell, you know that?"
"Thank you."
"Wasn't a compliment, Olive."
"Sounded like one to me." She shrugs. "Are you going to marry my best friend or not? Because, honestly, Jasper, if you aren't going to step up and be the man who makes her dreams come true, then you should know that Iamgoing to find someone who isn't a big coward and will worship the ground she walks."
I stare at her for a long moment, my heart pounding a staccato rhythm against my ribcage. Images of Sarah with someone else run through my mind in a flood. Every goddamn one pisses me off more than the last. I should be the one on her arm. I should be the one holding her, kissing her, making her smile. I should be her…no. Not going there.
The point is, I'm not any of those things.
For the first time since I met her a few years ago, we're living in the same place. I'll never be shipped out again. If Olive is telling me the truth, every reason I had for not pursuing her gorgeous best friend is gone.
Sarah could be mine.
Or I can stand around with my dick in my hand and a stupid look on my face while she finds happiness with someone else.
Hell no.
If this is my chance, I'm taking it.
"I'll take her to dinner tonight."
