I got my first lesson in romance that day. I fell in love with the idea of the little glass figures and wanted to know the story behind each one of them. My father sat and told me about the day they met, making me fall even more in love with love.

Bennie: Shiiiiiiit. That’s good. I’m screwed.

Bennie: ...

I laugh, pushing my phone into my back pocket. I toss my keys on the kitchen counter, and head into my bedroom to grab my canvas shopping bag. Maybe I’ll buy a few bottles of wine to take to Sondra’s. And maybe some mini bottles of booze to line my purse with.

I love my friends, they’re my family. But now, every time I look at Sondra and Preston, especially Preston, I see Aleck. I see the resort. I see a dumb plan to give the most addicting man I’ve ever known my heart temporarily. I see heartache.

It doesn’t help that Sondra and Preston are so mind-numbingly happy. And I’m happy for them, truly. They’re both deserving of all the love. It’s just a little hard to be around it at the moment.

I walk back into the kitchen with my canvas bag and grab my keys and wallet when a knock at my front door changes my direction. I amble to it and peek through the peephole, then laugh when I see Bennie.

Opening the door with a grin, his pouty bottom lip stares back at me.

Bringing his hands together as if he’s praying, he whines, “Please…”

I shake my head, holding my door open wide, letting him in. “You’re helpless.”

“I’m adorable,” he says, striding into my apartment. He hops over the back of my couch, landing on his back, then crosses his legs and stretches his arms, bending them behind his head.

I close my door and head toward my couch to join him. “You’re impossible.”

“I’m both possible and your favorite brother.”

“Make yourself at home, please,” I joke.

“Done. So, dad’s present… What are you going to get him from me?”

“I’m not, Bennie. Why don’t you at least try this year? You know dad just as much as I do.”

Bennie chokes on a laugh. “You’re joking. You’re his precious Winnie Bear. You two are closer than me and Cal, and we shared a womb.”

“Where is Cal, by the way?”

Bennie shrugs. “I don’t know. We’re not attached to the hip.”

“Now who’s lying?” I arch an eyebrow.

He sits up, expelling a breath. “Fine. He went to have lunch and beers with Tristan Becker and didn’t even invite me.”

I can’t help but to laugh. “You’re right, you are adorable.”

“Well, what the hell?” He swipes his hand through his light brown curls, making them even more of a messy mop on top of his head. “I’m friends with Tristan too... We played ball together.” He slumps back into my couch cushion, dragging my pillow into his lap. “Why couldn't I go?”