Free Happily Ever After by E. L. Todd Page B

feel better to hurt you, but it didn’t. I felt worse.”
    “I know.”
    “I envy you. You have everything. It just reminds me how empty and pathetic my life is.”
    “I don’t have everything, Mike. And if I do, you can have it too. Take the company with me. I feel a lot more confident if I had you by my side.”
    “You don’t even realize what you have.”
    I sighed, not wanting to broach this subject. “You’re in love with Scarlet.”
    He said nothing, staring at the floor.
    “I know exactly what I have, Mike. Don’t tell me otherwise. I treasure her the way she should be treasured. I love her, only her, and I’ll only love her until the day I die. She’s everything to me. So yes, I do have everything.”
    My brother still didn’t meet my gaze.
    “When did this happen?”
    He shrugged. “When I was protecting her. After I spent time with her, I realized how amazing she was. It just happened. I’m sorry.”
    I was angry but I didn’t know what to say. I also felt very uncomfortable. “That’s why you don’t want to work with me. You don’t want to see her every day.”
    “You aren’t as dumb as you look.”
    “Why does everyone fall in love with my girl?”
    “Why does she choose you?”
    “I have no idea. I ask myself that every night while I watch her sleep.”
    “Sean, I would never make a move toward Scarlet or confess my feelings for her. I feel like a shitty brother for feeling this way. I’ve already done so many things to you, and now I’ve crossed the biggest line. You have my word. I won’t do anything.”
    “I already knew that Mike. If you were going to, you would have done it already.”
    “I’m glad you realize that. I really am happy for you. It’s when my misery floods my body that I start to hate you. You have the life I want. Every day I wish we could trade places.”
    “Scarlet isn’t the only fish in the sea.”
    “You act like I’ve never gone fishing.”
    “You need to look a little harder.”
    He sighed. “Believe me, I don’t want to feel this way.”
    “I knew you never saw her as a sister.”
    “Can you blame me? Have you seen her legs?” he asked with a laugh.
    I glared at him.
    “Okay. Too soon.”
    “I think you should work with me. Don’t let your feelings get in the way of that.”
    “When I’m with you, I’m constantly reminded that I’m alone and depressed. I don’t have the love of a woman. I barely have the love of a friend.”
    “It won’t always be this way.”
    “I’m surprised you don’t hate me.”
    “I could never hate you.”
    “Or want to tear my throat out.”
    “I didn’t say that.”
    Mike chuckled. “I’m sorry about everything. I really am.”
    “I know you are.”
    “I’ll never do anything to Scarlet. You have my word.”
    “I trust you, Brother.”
    He finally looked at me. “You do?”
    “Yeah. And I trust Scarlet. There’s nothing to worry about.”
    He breathed a sigh of relief. “Good. I didn’t want to lose you again.”
    I patted him on the back. “We’re family. You never could.”
    “Could you do me a favor?”
    “It depends. You have to do a favor for me.”
    “Okay. Can you keep this information to yourself?”
    “I will if you become my partner.”
    Mike extended his hand and shook mine. “We’ve struck a deal.”

9
    Scarlet
    Sean carried my bags into the bedroom down the hall. He looked depressed as he set them down in front of the bed. “Well, this is it.”
    I placed my hands on his chest and caressed him gently. “It’s only one night.”
    “The measurement of time is subjective.”
    “The next time we sleep together, I’ll be your wife.”
    He moaned. “I can’t wait for that.”
    “So you can’t play with yourself.”
    “My orgasms work around the clock. I’ll have a woody all night.”
    “It’ll feel that much better when we’re on our honeymoon.”
    He rubbed his nose against mine. “I can’t wait to be your husband. I want everyone to call you Mrs. Preston