Call You Mine (The Baker’s Creek Billionaire Brothers #4) - Claudia Burgoa Page 0,32

everything.

She gives me a sad smile. “I”—she sighs—“I’ll let it go for now.”

“So…” I wiggle my eyebrows. “When do we start this dating crash course?”

“Don’t try to flirt with me. That doesn’t work!”

I toss my hands up in the air. “Right there is your problem. You overthink everything. Go with the flow. Let things happen…flirt back.”

She blinks twice. “But this is you.”

I sigh. “You haven’t thought this through, have you?”

“I have a list.”

“Of course, there’s a list.” I groan, exasperated.

She’s never going to finish one of those lists, not because she doesn’t work on them, but because she keeps adding to them.

I tilt my head toward the main entrance. “Let’s go to my place. Where are the guys?”

“They went to the diner,” she answers. “I’ll text them that we’re on our way to your place.”

“Did you have to bring them?”

She shrugs. “Your brothers made it sound like you needed an intervention.”

“I needed time.”

“Why?”

“No matter how many times you ask, I won’t answer.”

“You’re impossible, Aldridge,” she states as I pull her into my arms and say, “You forgot to give me a good luck hug for the New Year.”

She hugs me back, and the scent of her floral shampoo calms me. Let’s hope that list includes staying with Beacon for the next eternity to learn how to date. Wouldn’t that be amazing?

Chapter Thirteen

Grace

During the walk toward Beacon’s studio, I focus on what I’m going to tell him and ignore the cold air cutting through my bare cheeks. This might be a bad idea. A lot can happen between us. One kiss might lead to another; and what if I end up falling in love?

The pros are that he knows me better than anyone. After all, we’re best friends.

Maybe it’s because of our friendship that I shouldn’t do this. What if things end up weird between us?

Of course, it’s right when I’m about to ask for his help when I realize the plan has an infinite number of holes.

That’s what happens when you base your future on romantic comedy films and ask for your cat’s advice.

I won’t complain about my night. I loved receiving the New Year while eating popcorn in pajamas and fuzzy socks. I was on my second movie, Holiday. Please don’t confuse it with The Holiday, the cute movie with Jude Law, Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, and Jack Black. Nope. This one is totally different.

I’m talking about the old movie with Cary Grant and Katherine Hepburn. He’s playing Johnny and dating a character named Julia.

It’s evident that they aren’t meant for each other. It’s Linda, the character played by Katherine Hepburn, who is his perfect match. She’s not only fun and outspoken but also has a lot in common with Johnny.

By the end of the movie, it was established that I need someone with whom I can share everything and can understand my personality. I’m not hard to get along with, but sometimes I can get lost in my music room for hours at a time. Whoever I’m with has to understand it. Then there’s Beacon. No matter what, we will always be friends. They have to accept our friendship.

Of course, I followed Holiday with An Affair to Remember.

The kiss Cary Grant shares with Deborah Kerr on New Year’s Eve is one of the most epic, in my opinion, though the entire plot made me think about my life. What if I already shared that perfect kiss with someone, and I missed my chance?

My brain went into a rabbit hole, searching for answers from the past. Remembering every guy I’ve kissed, dated, or slept with. I’ve kissed many toads, dated not as many because, apparently, I’m undatable.

Sleeping with them?

Just a few—fine, two guys—not counting Beacon.

Yes, an unbelievable number when I’m single, twenty-eight, and actively dating. It’s not about being a prude or having intimacy issues. It’s about believing in love. Have I fallen in love with every guy I had sex with?

I side glance at Beacon. He might be the closest to being in love than any other guy I’ve gone out with. Was I in love with him?

Maybe I’m in denial. It’s by choice though. I rather say that I just did it because it’s best to get your first experiences over with the one person who understands you the most. Your best friend.

When he said we should cool it off, I agreed because…well, it was for the best.

We’re better as friends, right?

Bridget Jones’s Diary made me decide to take charge of my life and figure out where