Sweet Serendipity

Chapter One

Derek

I’m a good friend. I laugh to myself. I must be—I’ve knocked back tickets to the tennis to check in on Nathan’s little brother.

I guess I should stop thinking of him that way.

Ryan is…what?—twenty-nine now, so close to thirty.

Although that seems young given Nathan and I hit forty-one this year. Jeez, where’s the time gone?

I rap my knuckles against the door of the third floor walkup apartment. There are sounds coming from inside and my stomach tightens at the thought of seeing Ryan again. God knows what he thinks about me stopping around at Nathan’s request, although I’m damn glad Nathan asked me to.

When Ryan opens the door and I see the smile lighting up his face, the tension eases from my shoulders.

“Derek, it’s great to see you.”

“You too.”

He pulls me into a hug, a hug that’s over all too soon. Or maybe the hug was way too long. Either way, it’s for the best that his body is no longer pressed close to mine.

He steps back, smile still on his face. “Come on in.”

I follow him inside, drinking in the sight of him.

He’s always been good looking, but now he radiates a quiet confidence and maturity.

The young guy I once knew has become a man over the last couple of years.

Always lanky, he’s filled out. He’s still slim but his shoulders have broadened.

His blond hair has darkened and his tan brings out the colour of his eyes.

The stubble on his jaw adds to the maturity, roughing the soft edges.

“Beer?” he offers, heading to the kitchen.

“Sure.” I join him, leaning against the counter. “So, how’ve you been?”

Ryan shrugs, handing me a bottle from the fridge. “I picked up a contracting job, so staying busy with work. The usual. Can’t complain.” He avoids my eyes, fidgeting with the label on his beer.

“That’s good. I’m glad you found work so quickly.” There’s more to the story, but I won’t pry. When he’s ready to open up, I’ll be here to listen.

Ryan smiles again, brighter this time. “I don’t want to talk about me. Come sit down and fill me in on what’s new with you. It’s been ages since we caught up properly. Messages and phone calls just don’t cut it. When was it I last saw you? Christmas when I came home to Sydney for a visit?”

“Sounds about right,” I say as I follow him outside, where we settle onto the balcony with our beers.

I launch into an update on my life, keeping things light.

In reality there’s not a lot to tell—my life’s fairly uneventful.

I’ve worked for the same financial planning company for the last eight years.

I’ve got a mortgage and a golf club membership.

I take a trip each year, but I usually split my time between work, my family, and a regular game of golf.

We sip our beers as we chat. The balcony overlooks a park, the expanse of green grass and canopy of trees providing a relaxing view. There’s a light breeze rustling the leaves, but not enough to chill the early evening air.

“Thanks for stopping by,” Ryan says softly. “It means a lot.”

I bump his bottle with mine. “Of course. It’s good to have you back.

And what are friends for?” Friends. That’s all we’re destined to be.

The word lodges in my throat like a stone, but I force a smile.

“Sounds like Nathan’s new job is working out well,” I say, changing the subject to a lighter topic.

“He was ready for a change and it’s awesome he got the promotion. ”

Ryan’s face brightens as we talk about his brother who’s been seconded to his company’s head office across the country.

Nathan and Ryan are like chalk and cheese.

Like me, Nathan works in finance, rapidly rising through the ranks of the bank, while Ryan works with his hands.

The things he can do astound me—he can fix or build anything, while I can’t even assemble IKEA furniture. Not that I’d admit that to Ryan.

Conversation then turns to the past.

“Hey, do you remember that time we went camping during the summer after I completed my apprenticeship and you convinced me there were crocodiles in the river?” Ryan laughs, shaking his head. “I didn’t sleep a wink all night. I was scared shitless.”

“You were gullible.” I chuckle at the memory. “Nathan and I had you going for days with that one. At least you didn’t venture off alone to swim like you threatened to do.”

“Anyone would want to escape the two of you. Arseholes,” Ryan says, but he’s smiling and gazing at me with a warmth that makes my pulse quicken. “You always were looking out for me, even when I didn’t realise it.”

If only he knew the truth—that my desire to protect him ran deeper than brotherly affection. That it came from love, a love I’ve carried secretly ever since that holiday seven years ago when I first saw him as a man, no longer a boy.

Our conversation fades into a comfortable silence. Ryan leans forward, resting his forearms on the table. He takes a sip from his beer, then meets my gaze. “So what about romance?” he asks. “Anything new I should know about?”

I hesitate, picturing the string of meaningless hookups that have become more and more infrequent. “Some. Nothing serious.”

Ryan raises a brow, the flicker in his eyes difficult to read. “Don’t you get lonely?”

“I keep busy with work.” It’s not a lie, but it’s not the whole truth either. The truth is, I’m not really looking, not when I know I can’t give my heart to anyone.

“You work too hard.” Ryan’s voice softens. “I worry about you, you know. It’s part of my job as your self-appointed little brother.”

My heart clenches at both his concern and the brother reference. “I didn’t realise I needed a keeper.”

“Someone has to look out for you.” He nudges my foot under the table. “Even if you don’t always make it easy.”

He has no idea how well he’s succeeded. No one has ever breached my defenses the way he has. I like knowing he has my back.

“I appreciate your concern,” I say. “But I’m doing fine.”

“You’d better be.” Ryan fixes me with a mock glare. “Or I’ll have to take matters into my own hands.”

My pulse leaps at the thought as my mind goes places it shouldn’t, but I swallow the reckless words poised on my tongue. Some things are best left unspoken.

Ryan shifts in his seat and lifts his bottle, drawing my gaze to his throat as he tilts his head back to finish the last of his beer. Mesmerised, I follow the movement of his Adam’s apple as he swallows, heat pooling low in my belly.

Damn. I jerk my eyes away.

Ryan lowers the bottle, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. When his eyes meet mine, they narrow in suspicion. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” I shrug, aiming for nonchalance. “Just enjoying the view.”

For a long moment, Ryan just stares at me. Then a slow smile curves his lips, eyes glinting with amusement and something more—something that makes my breath catch.

“Yeah?” He leans across the table, gaze dropping to my mouth. “How’s the view from there?”

Heat flashes through me as I consider his words. Does he mean…? God, what does he mean? Am I reading too much into things, allowing my own feelings to colour his responses?

“Um.” I push myself up from the table. “Is it okay if I grab another beer?”

He looks at me for a moment, then sits back in his seat. “Sure. Help yourself.”

Soon I’m back with a couple of bottles. We continue chatting over drinks, moving inside to the couch when the light starts to fade and the mosquitoes become bothersome.

He tells me about his contracting job and some work he’s doing for a young family in the building who have little money, and are paying him with meals.

With each story, I relax in his company.

We chat on the phone but it’s different being together in person, being able to see his expressions, and watch his body language.

It’s been so long since I’ve connected with someone like this.

However, it takes me a while to notice the way Ryan looks at me.

Not with his usual brotherly affection, but something warmer.

Every casual touch—a hand on my arm, a playful shove—sparks heat under my skin.

If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was flirting. My heart stumbles over itself. No. I won’t let myself hope, because no good can come of it, anyway. Ryan’s on the rebound, vulnerable after his breakup. He doesn’t know what he really wants. And he’s Nathan’s brother.

By the time we call it a night, my feelings for Ryan have only been reinforced. The way we get along so easily, the way I can be fully myself around him, his kindness and generosity—all remind me why I fell for him in the first place.

As we say our goodbyes, he pulls me into a hug. He lingers there, face tucked into the crook of my neck, and I wonder if I imagine the press of his lips against my throat.

“I’m glad you came over,” he murmurs. “I’ve missed you.”

I close my eyes and swallow heavily. “It’s good to have you home. I’ve missed you too.”

When he draws back, there’s a question in his eyes I don’t dare answer.

I turn back at his doorway, forcing a smile. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

He nods, shoving his hands in his pockets. “You too. And, Derek?” His gaze meets mine, unwavering. “Don’t forget what you promised Nate. About keeping an eye on me.”

“I won’t forget,” I say gruffly. “I’ll call you this weekend.”

Fuck, if only Nathan knew how much my promise was costing me.