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Get on with finding a mate. As if the old man sending that letter earlier in the year hadn’t changed everything. The ultimatum had been hanging over his and his brothers’ heads since March.
James headed straight for the shower in the hopes that some screaming hot water might wash away the bugs currently rampaging through his system.
His secondary goal was to cool down his temper because while he loved Grandpa Giles, the old man knew exactly which buttons to push.
It was true—James did need a date for the gala event. He also knew exactly who he wanted beside him.
Again, partly Grandpa Giles’s fault.
When James had first read the blackmail letter, he’d panicked. It was only after a week or so of mentally bitching about the pact he’d made with Alex and Cooper that he’d realized it wasn’t the end of the world.
He’d been friends with Kaylee since second grade. He’d had rising sexual interest in her since they were teens, but their friendship had been too valuable to mess with becoming temporary boyfriend/girlfriend.
But if he had to spend his life with one woman? He’d pick her, every time. Smart, beautiful, willing to call him on his bullshit. She was everything he needed. Also, they were already good, good friends—which meant once they mated, they’d get to keep being friends forever.
She was perfect.
Grudgingly, he had to admit Grandpa’s letter had helped him realize that.
Only, ever since deciding he was going to take charge of fate and pick his mate, he’d been shut down every damn time. Over the past three months he’d been making advances, in a casual “why don’t we take this to the next stage?” kind of way.
He’d tried flirting. She’d laughed and rolled her eyes.
He’d tried stroking her arm casually while they watched a movie. Kaylee had picked up a cushion and started a pillow fight.
It seemed no matter what he attempted to move their relationship to a new stage—without getting creepy about it—she still refused to see him as anything other than a buddy.
He wasn’t about to give up, but damn…this lack of forward momentum was hard on a guy’s ego.
James sighed heavily. Truth was if she truly didn’t want him as more than a friend, he wasn’t going to bash her over the head and force her.
Bashing gently is okay, his bear offered.
No. No bashing at all, he snapped back.
Stupid bear.
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