Lahat ng Kabanata ng In Love With Her Brother's Best Friend: Kabanata 11 - Kabanata 15

“Oh,” she said in a small voice.“Honey,” he murmured, “you’re worth all that and so much more to me. You were right. I don’t deserve you, Mia, but I do care, very much. I do, Mia. And I am so sorry I made you feel like I didn’t. I just… I want to do right by you. I want to...”She lifted her head and whispered.“Tanner.”“Yes ma’am?”“Please stop talking and kiss me.”“Yes, ma’am.”He dipped his head down, and as he softly grazed her lips with his, he tasted the salt of her fresh tears.“Mia. I’m so sorry. Please don’t cry, honey.”“It’s all right, Tanner. These are happy ones,” she murmured, and kissed him back before sighing and laying her head against his chest again. “Can we talk more in the morning? I’m exhausted.”“As much as you want. ‘Night, Mia.”“’Night,” she whispered.He ran his hand lazily up and down her back as he listened to her breathing become deep and even, and he smiled as he too faded back into sleep.***The storm was still raging outside when Tanner woke up and

Tanner was surprised to realize that not only was Blake now on board with the idea of Tanner and Mia being together, he'd damn near appointed himself Tanner's official wingman for the cause.The two of them stayed up late into the night after the others had gone to bed, talking and catching up on a decade's worth of life stories, and eventually the conversation turned to Mia."Dad mentioned earlier that he saw you two holding hands on the drive back," Blake pointed out as he poured two tumblers of whiskey and handed one to Tanner."And?" Tanner replied, a little nervous. Phil Jones' approval was just as important to him as Blake's."He said, and I quote, 'it's about damn time'," Blake revealed with a grin. "I had no clue until he mentioned it, but evidently, he and Mom – especially Mom - have been rooting for you two to get together for the last couple of years now."Tanner was stunned. "Really?""Really.""But how... I mean... Don't get me wrong, I am very glad to have their blessing

Tuesday night found the trio in the backyard, sitting around the fire pit, talking and making smores as they had so many times over the years. Only now, instead of Tanner teasing or ignoring Mia as he had before, they sat snuggled side-by-side.They laughed and talked well past sundown, until Mia finally yawned and said, “I’m heading to bed. We’ve got an early day tomorrow.”She stood, kissed Tanner on the mouth and Blake on the cheek, then headed up the back porch stairs and out of view.“You’re good together,” Blake said solemnly once she’d gone inside.“I think so, too,” Tanner replied with a grin as he speared another marshmallow to hold over the open flame. “Whiskey time?”“Whiskey time,” Blake confirmed, and opened the bottle he’d brought outside with him. He poured three fingers’ worth each into two tumblers and handed Tanner one.“You know, seeing you and Mia together, it’s got me thinking,” Blake murmured.“About what?” Tanner asked, and watched a very, very rare event unfold