Then Rob opens his mouth and says the last thing I would have ever expected him to say.
Chapter Ten
Chloe
Ihate the way Austin and I leave things when he goes home at the end of the weekend. But I try to convince myself that maybe Austin was meant to come into my life for a short period of time. Maybe he was simply the man I was meant to lose my virginity to, and that’s all he’ll ever be.
Still. Itsucks. My chest constantly hurts in the days that follow. Finally, on Tuesday morning, I can’t take it anymore.
I call my brother.
“Hey, Chloe,” Rob says when he picks up. “What’s up?”
“I need to talk to you. Is this a bad time?”
“Nope,” he says. “I have to run into a meeting in about fifteen minutes, but I have until then.”
I think about Rob at work. I try to remember how far Austin’s desk is away from Rob’s, but my memory is fuzzy. I’ve visited the place only once, and mostly I was just impressed that my brother had started a real business.
“Okay. I have a question for you,” I say. “If I were to date someone you didn’t want me to date…how bad would you take it?”
Rob laughs. “What are we talking about here? Mild asshole or total douchebag?”
“I’m serious, Rob.”
“Why wouldn’t I want you to date him?”
“Just…because.” I wince. “Just answer the question.”
“You can date Austin, Chloe.”
My eyes shoot wide. “Um, what?”
“In fact,” my brother says, sounding amused, “Denise and I werehopingyou two would get together.”
“Wait.What?Rob, what are you talking about?” I’m so confused right now.
“It wasn’t random when we brought Austin along with us for Thanksgiving, Chloe. We thought you two might hit it off.”
“You and Denise were setting us up? Wait…was Austin in on this?”
“No. He had no clue. Look, Chloe…don’t freak out. It wasn’t some big elaborate scheme or anything. A few weeks ago, Denise and I were talking about how Austin never dates, and she made some joke about how she bet the two ofyouwould hit it off. I didn’t agree with her at first…and then I remembered how you always ogled him when he would come over after school.”
“I did not,” I protest.
“Yes, you did,” Rob says. “Anyway, the point is, I changed my mind. I thought, hey, maybe you twowouldhit it off after all. And then Denise suggested we invite Austin to a family gathering, and…well, there you have it.”
“I’m…” I struggle to find the words. “You aren’t pissed?”
“Pissed? Why would I be pissed?”
“He’s your best friend. I’m your little sister.”
“You’re an adult, Chloe. You’re not a kid.”
I blink. “Why didn’t you justtellme you thought he and I should date, then?”
“Uh…have youeverdone anything I’ve suggested?” says Rob. “Fat chance you’d listen to me if I told you to date my best friend.”
