Countdown to You by Tina Martin

Author:Tina Martin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: women's fiction, holiday, plus size
Publisher: Tina Martin
Published: 2022-12-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 4

Kingston

I have to say it was difficult for me to stand here and listen to her cry, but I knew the moment I saw her leave the kitchen and come back here that she was upset. I tell her, “I saw you come back here, so I came to check on you.”

“Check on me?” She laughs. “I appreciate it, but I’m fine, Kingston.”

I hear what she’s saying, but why would I believe it? She was just in tears. In fact, I can still see the sadness in the depths of her eyes.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I’m positive.” Her voice goes up an octave, a sign to me that she’s lying, but I knew that already. She works up a giggle and says, “Is that why you were staring at me earlier?”

“No. I was staring at you because I think you’re beautiful, and I don’t think you give yourself enough credit, nor do you give yourself a chance to find love.”

Tears well up in her eyes. “How can you make that statement? You don’t know me or my struggle. You don’t know what I go through every day.”

“I think I do. I’ve watched you closely this year, Brielle. And why do you think I’m here now? Hunh?”

“I don’t know,” she shrugs. “Because you didn’t have anything better to do?”

“No. I’m here because you’re here. I’m here because I like you, but every time I try to compliment you, or talk to you, you don’t give me the time of day. Why is that?”

“Because, first of all, you’re my best friend’s brother,” she says with a tear rolling down her face.

“What’s second of all?” I ask, using my thumb to rub the tear away from her face.

She sniffles. “Second, I don’t need you to feel pity for the fat girl. I’m good. You don’t need to pretend you like me or that you actually notice me. Nobody notices me.”

“Do you think that’s what I’m doing? You think I’m pretending? It’s an insult that you’d think that about me, Brielle. And why do you call yourself fat? You’re not fat, and you shouldn’t talk about yourself in that manner.”

“Whatever. It doesn’t matter, anyway.”

“It does matter. You’re selling yourself short. Why not look in the mirror and see yourself for the beautiful woman that you are—the same way I see you.”

She moves to step around me, but I step in front of her, blocking her quick escape.

“Why are you running, Brielle?”

“I’m not.”

“Then look at me.”

She rolls her eyes and glances up at me like she has an attitude. I’ll take that. At least she’s looking at me. Attitude and all, she’s the woman my heart desires. I brush another tear away and confess, “I think you’re beautiful, and I want to get to know you on a deeper level. Don’t look at me and see your best friend’s brother. Look at me and see me—a man. A man who wants you.”

I lower my mouth to hers, kissing those juicy lips that’s been teasing me all year.

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