Page 78 of When You Blush

“Brooks, I have to tell you something.”

“If it’s about someone with a J name, no, you don’t.” He glares at me, and I shuffle my feet.

“Yeah, I do because I feel fucking guilty. Harper loves her restaurant and wanted to eat there yesterday, so I took her.”

He blinks at me. “And?”

“And that’s it.”

“You feel guilty because you ate dinner at a restaurant?”

Bridger grins, and I scowl.

“That J name you won’t talk about owns the fucking place, brother. And she was there, and I had to say hi, and yeah. I feel fucking guilty.”

Brooks shakes his head. “It’s a small town, Blake. Eat wherever the fuck you want. I don’t care.”

But I see the hurt in his eyes, and I hate it.

“Have you seen her since she’s been back?”

The smile leaves Bridger’s face.

“No.”

“Maybe you should rip the bandage off.”

Brooks shakes his head and walks to a leg machine, wearing a scowl on his face.

“You’re going to run into her,” I tell him. “Like you said, it’s a small town. You’re bound to see her at the grocery or the post office. Maybe her car will break down and need your shop?—”

“I’m not having this goddamn conversation with you.”

“Fine.” I hold my hands up in surrender. “I just love you, man. And this sucks.”

Bridger blows out a breath. “Did Connor call you guys about staying up at the new lodge for a few days this week?”

I frown and pull out my phone. There’s no call, but I do have a text that I missed over the past couple of days when I was with Harper.

Connor: The first phase of rebuilding the resort is almost finished, and I’d like to have the entire family up to stay for a few days to use the restaurant, the spa, everything. Bring your girl. I’ve also invited the Wild family, hoping to fill most of the rooms to give my staff a trial run before reservations start. It’ll be fun.

He lists the dates, and I see that Harper and I will both be off work those days.

“This sounds like a good time,” I say, shoving my phone back in my pocket.

“We’re taking the kids up,” Bridger says. “Birdie’s excited about the pool. Dani not so much.”

“Hell,I’mexcited about the pool. I’ll swim with Birdie,” I reply. “You in, Brooks?”

“I’ll go up for a bit,” he confirms. “The guys at the shop claim they can handle things without me.”

“They can. You’re just a control freak.”

A grin breaks out on my brother’s face, making me blink.

Brooks never smiles like that.

“You have no idea.”