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73.0
HARPER

The answer to her question is... Fuck. I stand still and shut my eyes.

Because that's the problem, isn't it?

I don't know.

And somehow that makes everything worse. Wait, somehow? It makes everything way worse. I can't deal with this now. The trip was meant for us to relax and not for any of this to happen.

"I don't..." I stop myself, lowering my voice when a couple walks past us. "I don't even think about them like that."

Skye gives me the flattest look imaginable. "Harper."

"What?" I whisper defensively. "I'm serious."

"No you're not."

I open my mouth to argue, then close it again because honestly? Maybe she's right. She sighs dramatically and leans against the window beside me. "Okay. Fine. Let's break this down."

"Oh God."

"Damien." She holds up one finger. "With what I've seen so far, he's the flirty one, he's funny and he's obsessed with you in ways he knows how to show."

I stare down at Nyla.

"Xavier on the other hand...," she continues. "I know he's quiet. Intense. I'm not sure what went on between you both but trust me, everybody has been feeling the weird energy between you both."

I groan softly. "Can you not say things like that?"

"But am I wrong?"

Unfortunately... no. And that is exactly the issue.

They are both caring and understanding. I used to think Damien was a dick but he's a good person and so is his brother. They both help me with Nyla. They adore my daughter. They send me looks that make me flutter. And they...

"I can't do this," I mutter finally.

Skye snorts. "You say that like they're asking for marriage."

"They're brothers, Skye."

That wipes the amusement off her face immediately.

Yeah.

Exactly.

Neither of us says anything for a second.

The airport announcements echo overhead while people rush past us dragging luggage behind them.

Finally, Skye speaks quieter. "Do you think they know about each other?"

I blink. "What?"

"The feelings."

"I don't know," I whisper.

They definitely know. I mean, I saw that look back there. That wasn't subtle jealousy. I hate that I've gotten caught in the middle of it.

"Harper."

I turn at the sound of Clara's voice.

She's waving us over near the security gates while Xavier stands beside her holding boarding passes. Damien is a few feet away checking something on his phone.

Skye leans closer to me as we start walking back. "You know what's crazy?"

"What now?"

"They don't even look at other girls."

I nearly trip over my own shoe.

"Skye!"

"I'm serious!" she whisper-yells. "Damien flirts with everybody but never actually cares. And Xavier barely notices girls exist."

"Please stop talking."

She grins unapologetically.

When we reach them, Clara immediately points at me. "You two disappeared."

"Sorry," I mumble.

Damien stares me down. "Running away already?"

"I'm not running away."

"Mhmm."

I ignore him and turn towards Clara instead.

"Okay people," she says, clapping once. "Let's move before we miss this flight."

The walk to the gate is awkwardly silent. Well... awkward for me. Damien keeps walking beside me while Xavier stays slightly behind us. And I can physically feel both of them at the same time.

This cannot be healthy.

Nyla starts fussing softly again just as we reach the boarding line.

"Aww," Clara coos. "Somebody's hungry."

I mentally curse.

Bottle.

I forgot the bottle.

"It's in the side pocket," Skye whispers helpfully.

I try reaching for it while balancing Nyla at the same time and almost drop my phone in the process.

Before I can struggle longer, two hands reach for the diaper bag simultaneously.

Again.

Again?!

Xavier grabs one strap.

Damien grabs the other.

Nobody says anything. But they're definitely watching. Skye and Clara.

"Oh my God," Skye whispers beside me.

I want the floor to swallow me whole.

Xavier slowly looks up at his brother. "I got it."

Damien's jaw tightens slightly. "Clearly."

"Okayyyy," Clara frowns a little. "Why don't we all relax before the airport security thinks we're starting a fight club."

Neither brother lets go immediately.

Are they insane?

People are literally staring.

Finally, Xavier releases the bag first.

Damien pulls the bot
tle out and hands it to me casually like he wasn't just seconds away from squaring up against his own brother in public.

"Thanks," I say weakly.