In love with my best friend's younger brother

ALEXA POV He strolled into the house as quietly as a Jaguar. Yet, walked somehow the room seemed to sag under my weak knees as I stared at him. He is youthful, has large innocent eyes with a messy hair that falls towards his face covering a part of his eyes. My best friend younger brother has perfect attractive features and a toned athletic body. “Date anybody but not family” I said to Kinsey eleven years ago on our eighteenth birthday. “What?” You can fall inlove with anybody” she laughed, brushing off my comment. “I’m serious.Have fun with anybody but not family” “ “You are weird, Who cares who i date, I might fall inlove with your cousin.” She raised an eyebrow, teasing glint in her eyes. “We don’t fall inlove, Kinsey. We only have fun”. My throat felt tight like i was choking on my words. “I might fall inlove one day,who knows who that might be?”. She met my gaze. “Kinsey,No family” I said coldly not wanting to continue the conversation. She shrugged. We made a friend pact and promised each other and we have kept this promise for years now. But how could I tell her the truth now? That everytime her younger brother walks into the room, my world tilted a little? That I’d memorized the sound of his laugh before i even knew i was falling? “Hey sis Alexa” he said walking towards me. “Sis” is the name he called Kinsey and I since he was fifteen years old. “Sis” as in sister. “Hi my king Daniel” i reply him forcing a smile, but inside? I was already lost for him. “I didn’t know you would be coming”he said. His piercing eyes holding my gaze,making me feel exposed and safe simultaneously. “Yes,I’m here” I replied smiling not sure what i should say. “You look so beautiful as always” he said with a hug. “Hey, see you around sis” he said after we had a little chat. That was all i saw of the handsome young man for Christmas for the two days i was in their house last year before i left for my family dinner. And here he is again looking more handsome. “Oh this boy is gonna be the death of me” I whisper to myself as i sip my wine bracing myself up for the next five days been in this house with him. “Hi Daniel” Kinsey walked to him opening her hands for a warm embrace smiling. “Sis Kinsey,how have you been” he said with a hug. “Oh! You are so big, killing all the girls,right?” Kinsey said smiling and gently hitting him. Yes, definitely killing me. I thought to myself and inhale. His laughter lights up the room like a magnetic pull. Definitely pulling me in. “Oh there she comes” Kinsey beamed looking towards the door waiting for a hug. I wondered who the intruder was, I wasn’t aware we would be having another guest join us for Christmas celebration. A stunning blonde girl with slender features that radiates elegance walked in. She was full with smiles and cheerfulness. “Oh she was glowing”.? “Vanessa is here”? “You are gorgeous” Kinsey chimed.They had a chat for while.She had a radiant smile. I have known they were on and off for years, but i never knew Daniel would bring her over. Well, that shouldn’t concern me. I watched them with a cold fist tightening around my chest. I know i shouldn’t feel this way—-he is happy, and she is right there,his smile all for her. But my heart doesn’t listen.Every laugh he shares with her cuts like glass, but i can’t stop watching and wanting him. But I’m not supposed to want him. I can’t want him. “Alexa, Vanessa is here” Kinsey said jotting me from my thoughts. My head spilled melting away. I stood up from where i sat and strolled towards them hoping that this would be brief. “Hi sis Alexa” she said smiling. Oh how i wish she doesn’t smile at me like that”. “Hi, how are you?” I replied trying to not sound upset as much as i could. “I’m fine,Daniel told me all about you” she said excitedly. “Did he?” smiling at Daniel. His eyes! Oh! His eyes. His stares is like a flame—-sharp,relentless,and searing through the space between us.His gaze holds me,heavy and possessive,as if he is marking me with something that goes deeper than just a glance. Or maybe i think too much about this. “It’s nice to have you here, Vanessa.“ she chuckles nervously. ” i said stretching my hand for a friendly handshake but she went in for a hug instead. “Oh, how cool she is.” At dinner, the room hums with laughter,the clicking of glasses and the rich scent of roasted meat and cinnamon. But beneath all this,there’s a quiet tension that tuggs at me. I catch his glance from across the room,just for a second but it’s enough for me to catch my breath. But his focus is on Vanessa who is chatting away with his parents and Kinsey. “Alexa” his mom called. “You are awefully quiet” “I’m enjoying my food,that’s why!.I said smiling at her. “I have a lot on my plate”. I sighed. “When are you ever quiet” Kinsey asked. “I guess today i will be” I said not wanting to continue the conversation,also not to worry them. Yes,I’m never quiet,I’m very chatty and fun but since i saw how Daniel adores Vanessa,I’ve been disoriented. I can’t even concentrate. I smiled and turned to look at him. He wiped food off wiping Vanessa’s mouth. I turn my attention back to his parents and Kinsey forcing a smile as his dad cracks a joke. My purse is racing.My fingers feel too warm, too electric as i reach for my glass.My heart pounds in the space between my ribs like it’s trying to leap out of my chest.