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“You are so in love with me. It’s pretty embarrassing.” I laugh and I stand.
“Damn, that’s pretty huge,” I say to my brother. I know he’s the embarrassed one. None of his playful mean words will deter me from letting him know that.
“I am keeping it on the low for now.”
“Sure,” I say trying to keep my cool but I am bouncing on the couch unable to hide my excitement.
“C’mon, be cool.” He says while he’s laughing at me. I am so glad that he’s trusting me with this information.
“I will be. I just..” It’s always been what he’s wanted. “It’s been what you have always wanted. This is huge.”
“Yes, it is.”
“I won’t tell anyone, I promise.”
“The reason why I am telling you is because I need your help in getting this off the ground.”
“Oh, sure. Although, I am not sure what you want me to do.” It’s a good question. I am an artist and well a bunch of other things since I had a very hard time picking a major in college.
“You are so kind and good with kids so I thought you might be a huge help with visitations and stuff. Also, I am working hand in hand with some organizations who I can’t name right now so I need people to oversee stuff.”
“People? What does that mean?”
“That you and Ryan are going to help me with this thing. I have told Ryan but I haven’t told him he was going to be working with you yet. We haven't gone to iron out the details.”
“Oh,” I say quietly.
“Is there a reason you are looking like you are not comfortable with the arrangement..” My brother looks at me, waiting for me to say something but I don’t.
I scratch my neck.
“There’s nothing. I don’t mind working with Ryan.” I say and I swallow.What the fuck is wrong with Damian? How are we going to work together without me melting into a puddle in front of his pretty dark-eyed friend?
“Are you going to do it or not?” My brother asked and I instantly knew my answer.
Of course, I am going to work with Ryan.
Chapter 2
Ryan
The restaurant is buzzing with life as I nervously wait for Emma. Damian's been raving about this charity project, and I can't deny, the thought of working closely with Emma has my stomach doing somersaults.
When she walks in, I'm taken aback. Short hair in a startling shade of violet frames her face, and her light brown eyes sparkle with a hint of mischief. Emma's curves are generous, and she moves with the grace of an artist. I can't help but notice, and I'm sure my cheeks are betraying my thoughts.
"Hey, Ryan," she greets me with a warm smile, her voice light and friendly. "Sorry, I'm a bit late."
I manage a smile in return, "No worries. I just got here too." The awkwardness hangs in the air, and I'm grappling for words to fill the silence. "So, uh, Damian mentioned this charity thing?"
Emma's eyes light up. "Yeah! He's been talking about it forever. It sounds pretty exciting."
"Yeah, definitely," I agree, grateful for the chance to steer the conversation away from my evident awkwardness. "I mean, helping people and stuff."
As we exchange small talk, I catch glimpses of the vibrant personality Damian often spoke about. Emma's spontaneous laugh is infectious, and she effortlessly steers the conversation toward art and my work. I find myself opening up about my tech projects, and surprisingly, she seems genuinely interested.
Damian strolls in, saving me from my verbal fumbling. "Hey, you two! Sorry, I'm fashionably late as always." He gives Emma a bear hug, and she laughs, looking genuinely happy to see her brother.
Damian gestures for us to sit, and I find myself across from Emma, her violet hair a captivating contrast against the restaurant's subdued ambiance. The waiter hands us menus, but my focus is more on the project and the woman in front of me than the choices.
