AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That boy's got good taste,” Maggie stage-whispers to me with a conspiratorial wink. “And who might you be, honey?”
Before I can respond, Jett interjects with a casual ease, “This is Scarlett–Danny's little sister.” There's a hint of teasing affection in the way he says my name that makes me want to bristle.
“Well, aren't you a pretty thing!” Maggie exclaims, giving me an appraising once-over that makes my cheeks flush. “Let's get you two settled.”
We settle into a booth, the vinyl creaking beneath us.
“Can I suggest–” Jett begins, but I cut him off with narrowed eyes.
“I can order for myself, thanks,” I say, reaching for the menu.
Maggie returns with two steaming mugs of coffee and a generous slice of pie each topped with a dollop of freshly whipped cream. “There you are, dear. My signature cherry pie.”
The crust is golden and flaky, the filling a luscious red that practically gleams.
Jett watches me expectantly as I take my first bite, his eyes glinting with anticipation.
The first bite is an explosion of flavor–the perfect balance of sweet and tart, the buttery crumble melting deliciously on my tongue. A soft moan of surprised pleasure escapes my lips before I can stop it.
“Well?” Jett prompts, looking far too smug. “Worth the detour?”
Jett's knowing smirk fuels my irritation. It also kicks off an unexpected fluttering low in my belly which I refuse to acknowledge.
“Not bad, I suppose,” I mumble, taking another bite to hide my smile. Damn him and his infuriating ability to get under my skin.
We linger at the pie shack, trading bites while Jett regales me with stories of his early days on the road, the dive bars, and greasy spoons that were his regular haunts.
Maybe that's what puzzles me most about his friendship with Daniel. They're worlds apart–my big brother, the perpetual boy next door, and his rebellious best friend, an unapologetic heartbreaker.
What cosmic force drew these seeming opposites together and kept them tethered through life's wildly divergent paths?
Although the pie is long gone, our playful back-and-forth continues. The relentless teasing has me in stitches and I find myself relaxing, the tension ebbing from my shoulders.
Jett leans back, eyes drifting to the window, lost in thought. His fingers trace the rim of his coffee mug in slow, deliberate circles.
Part of me relishes this stolen time with Jett. Yet the sensible part, warns me not to venture too close to the flames.
“So, Daniel's tying the knot, huh?”
I glance at him, surprised by the sudden shift in conversation. “Jessica's good for him,” I say, thinking of my soon-to-be sister-in-law. “She balances him out.”
Jett's eyes lock onto mine, their sincerity startling. “I'm proud of him, you know? He's found something most of us spend our whole lives searching for.”
I nod, a lump forming in my throat. My brother, our rock. Jett's respect for Daniel is palpable.
The wedding looms large, a focal point dominating my life for months. But now it's a delicate thread connecting Jett and me, fragile and charged with meaning.
Jett continues, his expression pensive. “Makes me wonder about my choices. “I've always been chasing the next high, the next gig, the next... whatever.”
“Jett,” I start, but the words catch in my throat. What do you say to someone who is questioning everything they’ve built their life around?
“I thought I had it all figured out.” He pauses, his jaw working as he gathers his thoughts. “I know what you're thinking. Shocker, right?”
I lean in, drawn to his vulnerability.
“There was this girl, Heather, another musician. I thought we had something. But she was using me to boost her career,” he admits, his voice low and rough.
“I'm sorry. That's a shitty thing to go through.”
