Page 97 of Beach Cottage Kisses

He hadn’t mentioned love.

Wouldn’t have mattered if he had, but the lack still held her attention.

“Understanding each other is no reason to get married.”

“Wanting kids is.”

“Sure, but not to each other.”

“We’re great in bed.”

“Again, no reason to marry.” She stood her ground without faltering. Could go on all night with the debate.

“We’re best friends.”

“And we want to stay that way.”

His hands reached up to her face, brushing her hair back on both sides, threading his fingers through some strands as he held her, gazing into her eyes.

His touch was light. She could break away. But didn’t. He had to understand how calmly serious she was, to help him see how ludicrous he was being.

He was letting Sage and Gray get to him. Feeling his sister’s response to them as a couple—were she to figure them out.Every time the four of them were together, the possibility loomed. Tonight’s emotional announcement of a new little girl arriving, coupled with the baby’s moves being detectable for the first time…he was on overload.

He had to be.

He cupped her cheek with his hand, and she leaned into the familiar touch. Savoring it. They both had their moments. What made them good together was how they hung in there for each other until clarity returned.

“I love you, Iris.”

She stepped back. A foot out of reach. Stood there staring at him. Saw him come closer and stepped back again.

“I’m in love with you,” Scott said then, standing firm, tall, his arms at his sides. Emoting the confidence that had drawn her to him in the beginning.

She shook her head. Against the words. Him saying them. What he was doing to them.

“And the thing is, I’m fairly certain that you love me, too.”

The words brought a flash from moments before. Her silent remuneration about loving him for being there for her.

Nausea threatened, her muscles felt weak and Iris took another step back. Shaking her head.

And had to go. Get out.

“I’ve tripped your panic button.” She glanced up at the words. Saw the way he was watching her so intently. Backed up another step.

“I love you, Iris. I know you can feel it. Let me help.”

He wasn’t helping. He was ruining everything.

“If you can’t bring yourself to love me, at least believe that I love you.”

Those last words, the tone, the pained look in his eyes,darted inside the wall of ice encasing her. The barriers that protected her so that she could live a good life.

And she found her voice. “How do you believe in something you don’t believe in? You’re asking the impossible of me.”

The night of Sage’s wedding, he’d stated his truth.

He believed in love.