On His Face: A Brother's Best Friend Romantic Comedy

by Tabatha Kiss

  “It’s my birthday,” I sing to myself as I shimmy a little.

  Drew enters the driver’s seat. “Now, before we go,” he says as he reaches into his jacket pocket, “I’m need you to put this on.”

  I stare at the black blindfold in his hand. “Really?”

  He nods. “Yeah.”

  “Why?”

  “Because I asked you to,” he says. “And you trust me and I love you and—”

  “Okay, okay.” I twist in my seat. “You tie it for me, though, I don’t want to mess up my hair.”

  He chuckles, happy to oblige. As he ties it off behind my head, all light disappears. “Okay,” he says, quickly adjusting it. “Buckle up.”

  I settle into place, easily strapping myself into the familiar car. The engine purrs to life and Drew backs us out of the driveway.

  A right turn here, a left turn there and, just like that, I lose all track of where we are and what direction we’re headed in. Oh, well. Like he said, I love him and I trust him. I’ll go wherever he leads, without question.

  I feel along my armrest and press the button to crack the window. The sounds of Chicago fill my ears, but the concrete jungle doesn’t last. Seagulls get louder. Honking horns fade among the wind and waves...

  The marina.

  But why?

  Drew brings the car to a stop.

  “What are we doing here?” I ask in the dark.

  “Do you know where here is?” he asks, his voice playful as always.

  “Yes,” I answer as I sniff the air. “I thought we were going to dinner.”

  “We are,” he says. “There’s still plenty of time.”

  I squint, doubtful. “There is?”

  “Yeah, I’ve got something to show you first.”

  “What?”

  He steps out. I wait on pins and needles for him to circle the car and let me out, too.

  “Watch your head,” he says as he takes my hand and gently leads me.

  I take a few cautionary steps forward with Drew’s hand on my hip. He weaves us through the parked cars on the lot, purposefully bouncing me around. I laugh, used to his playfulness.

  The concrete becomes wood and Drew holds me back.

  “Step down,” he warns, taking it slow.

  I laugh as I follow his instruction. “Is the blindfold really necessary?” I ask. “I know where we are...”

  “No,” he says, “it’s just fun.”

  “In these shoes? I beg to differ...”

  Drew scoops me up off the dock, easily cradling me in his arms as if I weighed nothing at all. I screech in surprise and wrap my arms around his neck as my stomach churns from the sudden shift.

  “Better?” he asks as he walks us further.

  I latch on tighter. “Don’t drop me!”

  “I’m not going to drop you.”

  “You have before!”

  “Oh, that was on purpose.”

  “Ha!” I say as he laughs. “I knew it!”

  Drew stops and carefully sets me down. I find my balance and stand on my own, but he keeps a cautionary hand on my side. “Okay, we’re here,” he says, stepping behind me.

  He removes the blindfold. I blink quickly to adjust to the change in lighting as I look up at the boat. The Golden Rose looks the same as it always does. Long and white. Glistening with strings of lights tied up along the railing.

  I smile. “Well, this looks familiar.”

  Drew wraps his arms around my waist from behind and kisses my neck. “All aboard,” he whispers in my ear.

  My heart pounds as light shivers take over my spine. “What about dinner?” I ask again.

  He doesn’t answer. He takes my hand and walks me onto the yacht. We walk upward onto the deck; the floor covered with a layer of rose petals. I admire it as Drew releases my hand and leaves me standing among the petals and lights as he detaches us from the dock and takes the helm.

  I squint, suspicious, but... okay with it. “Are you sure we have time for this?” I ask him one last time.

  Drew just smiles as he starts the boat.

  I take a seat and enjoy the view as he drives us out of the marina and onto the lake. My mind floods with memories of the last few years. How many of the best nights of my young life have started just like this one? How many times has Drew spirited me away, either by boat or plane or train? By boat is, by far, my favorite.

  Happy Birthday to me.

  Drew stops the boat and heads up front to set the anchor. I lean against the railing on the starboard side, filling my lungs with fresh air. It’s a chilly night, but my adrenaline does its job and keeps me nice and warm as I stare back at the bright city across the water.

  After a few minutes, Drew joins me. He pushes my hair over my right shoulder to give the other soft, tempting kisses above my butterfly tattoo. Each peck sends a flurry of heat across my skin. His arm wraps loosely around my waist, firmly pulling my body flush with his as his kisses climb to my neck. I twist my head back and we meet in an even deeper kiss that I feel throughout my entire body.

  “I could ravage you right here,” he whispers, his playful touch climbing to my breasts.

  “What’s stopping you?” I ask, so full of heat already.

  Honestly, we’ve fucked so many times on this boat, I get wet just boarding it.

  Drew smiles, his lips gliding softly down my neck. “Remember the first time I brought you out here?”

  I hum. “How could I forget?”

  He turns me around to face him and walks us back away from the rail. I stay close, always at home in his embrace. We sway to the music of absolutely nothing; a dance as unforgettable as the first time we danced here together. He guides me with a single hand, giving me a slow spin, and I fall right back in his arms. I laugh, not caring about the time anymore. I’m right where I’m supposed to be.

  Drew kisses me once. “Remember the second time I brought you out here?” he asks with a smirk.

  I laugh even harder. “That coast guardsman was so confused.”

  Drew chuckles as he gives me another slow spin around. I fit right back into his arms and we enjoy another few minutes of silent sway.

  “Come with me,” he whispers.

  We walk together hand-in-hand back to the shelter of the helm. Drew lets go of me to look beneath the console and pulls out a medium-sized rectangular box wrapped in white paper and fitted with a golden ribbon.

  “Is that for me?” I ask, biting my lip.

  “Wouldn’t be your birthday without a gift,” he says, holding it out.

  I reach for it. He jerks it out of reach with a teasing smirk before finally letting me have it. I chuckle as I bring it to my ear and give it a light shake, but I hear little beyond the light shuffle of tissue paper inside. I slide the ribbon free, gaze at Drew to extend the moment even longer, then peel the lid off the box.

  A small letter-sized canvas sits inside. It’s decorated with paint and pictures ripped from magazines. The Chicago skyline. A golden watch. A couple in love.

  “Five Goals for a Perfect Year,” I read the line of text at the top.

  There are five bullet points beneath it, each one obscured by a piece of colorful washi tape.

  “What’s this?” I ask Drew.

  “That is my vision board,” he answers.

  “You made a vision board?” I gasp as I look it over again. “How cute!”

  He nods. “I’ve been thinking a lot about next year. There’s a lot I want to accomplish, but I narrowed it down to five goals. And one sub goal.”

  “How very organized of you. I’m so proud.”

  “I learned from the best.” He bobs his head. “Go ahead.”

  I pinch the first piece of tape and slowly peel it back. “Learn a new life skill!” I read with a laugh.

  “It’s a classic for a reason.”

  “Number two...” I pull the second piece back. “Buy a home.” I blink in surprise. “Really?”

  “Remember how my dad was telling us about
those condos he was trying to unload?” he asks.

  I squint. “Vaguely...”

  “I’m thinking I might buy one.”

  “Wow,” I say. “You think you’re ready?”

  “I think so,” he answers with a nod. “I love Chicago. I grew up here. I don’t really see myself leaving. And you seem pretty set up here, too, right?”

  I nod. “Yeah, pretty much.”

  “Just seems like the thing to do.”

  “Have you told Seth yet that he needs to find a new roommate?”

  “No.”

  I wince. “Well, good luck with that.”

  He chuckles as I yank the third piece of tape off the canvas.

  “Open the bar,” I read with a nod. “Oh, that’s an obvious one.”

  “Seth and I are more than ready,” he says. “We have a plan. We have the support. We just have to do it.”

  “Have you talked to Nora about it yet?”

  “Yes,” he says. “She knows it’s coming. Her only request is that we wait to pull the trigger until she’s back from leave and that I fully train a new executive assistant before I go.”

  “That’s a lot of risk.”

  “That’s a lot of risk worth taking.”

  “But what if you fail?”

  “Ah, but what if we succeed?” he counters, smiling.

  I perk up. “Good answer! I like the positivity.”

  “But, in all seriousness, if we fail, we try again. No big deal.”

  “The perks of being filthy rich,” I joke.

  Drew shrugs, proudly guilty.

  I yank off the fourth piece... and arch a brow. “Take my best friend to Las Vegas for his birthday?”

  He points at the canvas. “Sub goal.”

  I peel it off and laugh. “Convince Heidi to let me take Seth to Vegas. Ha-ha.”

  “I feel like that one will take me some time,” he says. “But I’m confident.”

  I pivot away. “Yeah, I guess we’ll see about that...” I pinch the final piece of tape and rip it off. “Ask my real best friend to... marry me.”

  I turn to face him again.

  Drew takes a knee in front of me.

  I gasp. “No way...”

  He holds up a small, black velvet box. This one isn’t a small rectangle like the boxes from my last three birthdays. This one is square-shaped.

  And square-shaped means...

  He opens it. A diamond ring sits inside. A bright rock on a band of gold cradled by two small pieces of orange topaz.

  “I thought these were goals for next year,” I say, still in shock.

  “Why wait?” Drew smiles. “Heidi, will you marry me?”

  I swallow hard as I look at his vision board again. New skills. New home. New job. A perfect year to create a perfect life... with me. His real best friend.

  “Yes,” I answer, unable to say anything else.

  Drew rises and kisses me, sealing the moment. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he lifts me until my toes dangle above the deck.

  “Yes,” I say again, our lips grazing. “Yes, yes, yes.”

  Drew grins, refusing to let me down. “In case you didn’t realize,” he whispers, “the home in my number two is for us.”

  I squeal with excitement. “Really?”

  He nods. “Mm-hmm.”

  “Can I have an art studio?” I ask.

  “You can have anything you want.”

  “Can we have one of those giant bathtubs with the jets and stuff?”

  “Of course.”

  “Can we—”

  “Yes!” he interrupts. “Yes, to all of it.”

  I squeal as I kiss him again. He releases me down to the boat and takes the ring out of the box. I give him my hand, my pulse pounding, as he slides the ring onto my finger. A perfect fit in a perfect matching set.

  “Wow,” I whisper, still so shocked, though I’m not sure why I am.

  I knew Drew would ask me to marry him someday. It’s always been Drew, even since the moment he walked into Professor Wilson’s classroom my freshman year.

  “Is this what your vision was about?” I ask. “Marrying me?”

  Drew smiles. “Yes,” he answers.

  He places his hand on my cheek. His thumb glides along my bottom lip, a classic move that’s always meant one thing. I part my lips to accept his kiss again. His wicked tongue caresses mine. Each kiss becomes deeper than the last, sparking desire that’s always waiting just beneath the surface of us. I push his jacket back over his shoulders. He pinches the zipper of my dress. I slide his belt free as we stumble toward the master stateroom below deck.

  Drew chuckles on the stairs. “You know, we do still have a dinner to get to,” he says.

  “If we’re late, we’re late,” I say.

  I reach into his pants and I give him a good squeeze.

  It’s a classic for a reason.

  Chapter 55

  Heidi

  “Happy Birthday, Heidi!”

  I gasp at the crowd gathered in the restaurant of the Botsford Plaza Hotel. Somehow, I assumed it would be just the two of us, but Drew clearly had bigger plans in mind.

  There’s at least thirty people gathered in our half of the restaurant, including friends, colleagues, and family from both sides. His parents, Glenn and Francie. His big sister, Melanie, and her ex-husband but not really, Robbie. My parents. My brother. Several friends of mine from the art department, along with some co-workers from the museum. Jenna, of course, looking absolutely fabulous in her red and black cocktail dress. Let’s not forget the core friend group of the bad boys of Delta Xi: Corey, Devin, and Harvey.

  It’s almost too much. I dab away the happy tears in my eyes as Drew gives me another big hug. As I look over his shoulder, I spot a small stage set up in the corner. A band prepares for their set. Several guitars. Two keyboards. A cello.

  I nearly jolt out of my shoes. “Is that...” I gasp yet again. “Is that Criminal Records?”

  Drew glances in that direction and nods. “I believe it is,” he says.

  “Criminal Records is playing my birthday party?!”

  “I like to think they’re playing our engagement party, but yes.” He grins. “They are.”

  I gaze at him. My new fiancé. “What did I do to deserve a fella like you?” I ask.

  “You sneezed on my face.”

  I laugh as I give him a quick kiss.

  “Heidi!” Jenna says as she rushes toward me. Or, more specifically, toward my left hand. “Show me, show me, show me!”

  I thrust my hand forward. She snatches it and yanks me closer to get a good look at the ring.

  “Oh, it’s so much shinier in person!” she says with a wink at Drew. “Good job, Mr. Rose.”

  Drew bows as he shares a handshake with Seth. “Thank you kindly, Ms. Abrams,” he says.

  “You knew about this?” I ask her.

  “Oh, please. You think Drew could pull off a party like this by himself? He’s great, but he ain’t that great.” She waves a hand at him. “No offense.”

  “None taken,” he says.

  I blink, genuinely impressed. “I’m surprised you kept this a secret. I had no idea.”

  “Honey, I live for secrets,” she teases.

  Seth steps toward me with open arms. “Congratulations, little sister,” he says.

  “Thank you,” I say as I hug him.

  He shifts back and regards the two of us with soft, golden-brown eyes. “I’ll just say one thing,” he says as he raises his glass, “I’m glad I was wrong about you guys. You two are perfect for each other. Always have been.”

  Drew smiles as he rests a strong hand on my back. “Thanks, man.”

  “Oh!” I hop once, excited. “Where’s the mystery girl?”

  “Yes!” Drew says. “You brought her, right?”

  Seth nods. “Yes, I did.”

  Drew and I glance around for a new face in the crowd, but I already recognize everyone here.

  “Where is she?” I a
sk.

  Seth takes a slow step backward and sidles a little closer to Jenna. They look at each other with nervous eyes as he wraps an arm around her back.

  “Here she is,” he says.

  Jenna releases the breath I didn’t notice she was holding and smiles. “Surprise,” she says.

  I laugh. Drew cracks up, too. “No, seriously,” I say. “Where is she?”

  Seth’s throat clears. “This is her,” he says. “It’s Jenna.”

  I fall quiet. Drew furrows his brow in confusion.

  The late-night booty calls. The early morning sneak outs. The long weekends. All the secret dates and texts and notes and...

  Seth and Jenna.

  My brother and... my best friend?!

  “Wait.” Drew looks as shocked as I am. “What?”

  “You...” I point from Seth to Jenna, “and you?”

  “Yes,” Seth says with a nod. “Me and her.”

  I realize my jaw is open as far as it goes. No. This isn’t possible. Jenna hates Seth. Seth despises Jenna. They can’t even stand to be in the same room together, let alone be in an entire secret relationship with each other.

  “You...” I say again, “and—”

  “Me,” Jenna says. “Him and me. Yes.”

  No fucking way.

  “How did this happen?!” I ask, the only words on my tongue right now.

  Jenna looks at Seth and smiles. “It’s a long story,” she says.

  My best friend’s big brother.

  He was my first crush.

  My worst enemy.

  And now, I will bring him to his knees.

  ON HIS KNEES is coming soon!

  For a glimpse into Drew and Heidi’s future, read their extended epilogue here!

  While you wait for Jenna and Seth’s epic story, meet Drew’s boss, Nora Payne in her own steamy office romantic comedy, PRETTY LITTLE THING, the first book in my Chicago Nights series (also starring Drew’s big sister, Melanie)!

  Turn the page to read the first chapter!

  Excerpt: Pretty Little Thing

  Nora

  “Watch where you’re going, asshole!”

  The truck zooms by, swerving around my sedan to make it through the intersection before the light changes. It doesn’t, obviously, and he nearly slams into another car as he flies through the very red light. No cops to catch it. Typical.