The Flirt Alert: A Enemies to Lovers, Forced Proximity, Billionaire, Brother's Best Friend, Workplace Romance. (Spicy Standalones) by Kaylene Winter

Author:Kaylene Winter [Winter, Kaylene]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: anonymous
Published: 2023-11-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter twenty-one

Austin

One Hour Later

The air is heavy with tension as Shay fumbles with her keys before managing to unlock the door.

We walk inside, me following Shay. The familiar, sprawling living room is dimly lit. Annika and Goran, Shay’s parents, sit on the couch watching Deadliest Catch. Annika’s feet are curled up under her. She’s scrolling through her tablet, barely paying attention to the show while Goran is transfixed.

I try not to think about what Shay and I did on that couch back in high school, but every time I’m over here the memories flood back. It’s still freaks me out a bit that she has no recollection and doesn’t seem bothered by it, but I’ve chosen to take her at her word.

“Hey, I hate to interrupt your show, but we need to talk.” Shay’s voice shakes slightly.

Annika, who looks exactly like an older version of Shay, tilts her head. “Oh God, you’re not pregnant are you?”

I nearly choke. I’m certain my expression is one of abject horror.

Goran’s gaze sharpens, a protective edge evident when he looks at me. “Austin? What happened?”

Shay takes a deep breath and looks to me for support. I take her hand and squeeze it in reassurance. “Miles saw Austin and me…together.” She kicks the carpet with her toe. “He wasn’t happy.”

Annika raises a knowing eyebrow but remains silent.

Goran doesn’t mask his surprise. “Together? As in…?”

“Dating,” I interject. “Shay and I are dating.”

Goran leans back, assessing me with a scrutinous gaze, while Annika’s lips curl into a slight smile. “Well, we suspected she was seeing someone. So, now we know it’s you.”

“We didn’t want to keep it from you.” Shay pulls her hand from mine. Her voice is laced with anxiety. “The plan was to let everyone know after Thanksgiving. After Miles’s, uh, negative reaction. I didn’t want you finding out from him.”

Annika and Goran exchange glances, and for a moment, there’s an uncomfortable silence. Then, to my surprise, Goran shrugs. “Well, it’s your life, Shay. As long as you’re happy, we’re happy for you.”

My heart swells with gratitude. “Thank you, sir. I promise I have nothing but the best intentions for Shay.”

Annika’s voice is less supportive. “Austin. You’ve been half in love with my daughter for years. Not that long ago, she got out of a long relationship. Now’s perhaps not the time—“

“Annika.“ Goran cuts her off with a glare.

“What?” She squints at him. “I’m saying the truth.”

Their opposing reactions are disconcerting to me but Shay forges ahead. “We’ve been broken up for months, Mama. I’m over Devon. Austin and I are special…” Her voice trails off, and I can sense the uncertainty. Which hurts.

“Austin, I hope you understand Shay’s condition requires patience. Understanding.” Annika directs her attention on me. Goran does too.

I nod, swallowing the unease that’s settled in my stomach. “Shay’s been thoroughly candid about her epilepsy and I’ve been reading up on it. I’ll support her in every way I can.”

Goran strokes his beard. “She has good days and bad days. There’ll be times she might not remember things, even important ones.

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