A Brother's Love

Fake Friends

The clothes Easton’s employee bought me were actually right up my alley. I wore a white lace top tucked into a flowy pastel blue skirt which reached a little over my knees. I put half my hair up in a bug and kept my makeup light and neutral. I felt really confident about myself today. I tossed my phone and other essentials in my bag and ran down the stairs, this time making sure no woman or man was in the way. I reached the front door and was greeted by Jake.

“Good morning.” He greeted.

Jake was definitely warming up to me. I was glad we were getting along.

"Morning." I greeted back, "We're running late." I told him, rushing to the car without waiting for the driver himself. I climbed into the back seat and put on my seatbelt.

Jake approached the car, his eyes gleaming with amusement as he got behind the wheel.

“You’re eager to get to work.”

“I love my shop.”

He started the car and drove us to the flower shop. The mood between us today was good and since I was feeling pretty happy today I even hummed along with the songs which were playing on the radio.

“Jake, do Alex and Easton have a little sibling rivalry going on?”

Jake laughed, “Alex always did whatever Easton asked of him. Everyone always gives in to that man. Things might have changed though. The little brother might finally stand up against his brother. But then again Easton does pay for Alex’ lifestyle. So I don’t think he’ll go that far.”

“Easton pays for Alex’ things?”

“You didn’t know?” Jake asked.

I didn’t know. Alex had a steady job, it wasn’t anything special but he worked at an office from nine to five. There was nothing wrong with that. Then again working at the office wouldn’t pay for the expensive clothing he liked or the car he drove. I was oblivious from the start. That was the thing about being head over heels for someone. It made you blind.

“Anyway, there is no in for Alex anymore so he might as well give up now.” I then settled in my seat and glanced out the window, noticing we were nearing the flower shop, “Easton mentioned you’re supposed to stay by my side.” I glanced at the back of his head, “But you’ll stick out like a sore thumb.”

“You just need to deal with it.”

I raised an eyebrow at him, “I’ll deal with it alright.” I told him, “You’re definitely going to help out in the shop. Don’t kid yourself thinking you’ll just stay in the background, watching the door. Even you can make yourself useful in the flower shop.”

He didn’t look happy about it, but tough luck. It was like having a shop assistant helping me without having to pay them. Easton would take care of that. This was awesome. It sure made my day better.

***

It was a little over two in the afternoon when Serena made her way into the shop. She looked fabulous in a short red dress with an oversized black blazer thrown on top of it. She wore amazingly high heels, her hair straight and her makeup neutral. Though the eyeliner made me jealous. She was always fabulous and knew men like Easton loved being around her. It made my mood drop.

“Oh, you hired someone to help out.” Serena’s eyes trailed to Jake who was reorganizing the potted plants by the window, “Is he wearing a suit?” She asked confused.

I glanced at Jake who refused to take off his jacket. I had a feeling he wanted to hide something from the rest of the world so that jacket needed to stay on. Serena wouldn’t believe me so I merely shrugged my shoulders.

“You know, he feels comfortable in his suits so who am I to judge?”

Serena smiled, “Well, he’s cute so who cares it doesn’t go with the aesthetics of the shop.”

I realized that every compliment Serena gave was laced with an insult. She wasn’t nice nor was she able to give someone besides herself a compliment and really meaning it. I had it all wrong. Easton would never go for this woman. At least I’d like to think so.

“He’s also good at his job.” I threw in, wanting to push that his looks had nothing to do why he was at the shop in first place.

Serena smiled, her eyes trailing back to me, “You’re looking better.”

“I’m feeling better.”

“Has things settled between Alex and you?”

I was confused, I didn’t understand why she brought Alex up. We broke up, I’ve told her that.

“We broke up, remember?” I asked her.

“Well, yeah, but I figured things would settle between you two again.”

I frowned, “We’re not getting back together if that’s what you mean.”

She frowned in return which didn’t make any sense to me. What also confused me was Serena taking the time to pay me a visit when she clearly was at work today. Her look was fabulous but still professional. She worked at a salon, the lead makeup artist who I had to admit did a great job at making people beautiful. She probably didn’t have a client right now.

“Weren’t you meeting with Easton Dehn to talk about your relationship with Alex?”

I never told her that. I just let her know that I was having dinner with Easton. She just assumed things, this woman probably thought Easton would never meet with someone like me. She was definitely not a friend. She made that clear as daylight right now.

“Oh yes, we were meeting up to discuss my failed relationship with Alex. But then I decided that I liked Easton more so I got so drunk that I had to stay in his mansion. Then things happened and you know, now we’re pretty close.” I whispered the last part harshly, trying to get my point across with this awful woman.

When Serena was about to respond to my ridiculous lie Jake stepped to us, standing beside me as he subtly nodded to the potted plants, “I need your help, if you don’t mind. Miss Miller.”

I smiled at Serena, “It’s actually a busy day at the shop today. So I don’t have time to catch up with you.” I told her. I followed Jake to the plants and sighed in relief when I heard Serena’s heels clicking away. When the door closed I met Jake’s gaze.

“She’s a bitch.” He told me straight out.

“I don’t understand how we ever became friends. She’s awful.”

Jake glanced over his shoulder, he always kept his eyes on the door and the windows. It made me realize just how good he was at his job. He deserved my respect. I didn’t doubt for a second that Easton paid this man a hefty salary.

“I’m waiting for Alex to stroll in now.”

I laughed, “Don’t worry, he works a nine to five job.”

Jake shook his head at me. We rearranged the plants together, occasionally I had to help a customer with their order. When we neared six PM we got ready to close shop. I didn’t know what to do for dinner. Did I just assume that Easton’s staff prepared me dinner? I was pondering what to do about my night when the man himself strolled in.

“Good evening, Miss Miller.”

I tilted my head to the side, “I thought we established that we’re way past being so formal with each other.”

“If you haven’t figured out what I’m trying to do you’re honestly the most oblivious woman I have ever met.” The smile which followed only made things worse.

I gaped at him, not sure how to respond to that. Either he was making fun of me or he was flirting with me. Honestly, I had no idea how to react to any of that.

“What are you doing here?” I asked quietly.

He shoved his hands in the pockets of his nice slacks, looking handsome and so put together. This man could be a cover model. It was so weird that Alex was his little brother. The two of them were absolutely nothing alike.

“I’m taking you out for dinner.”

“Oh, you’re so confident about me agreeing that you’re not even asking anymore?”

He smiled charmingly down at me, “How does sushi sound?”

"So good," I whispered.

“Good, then let’s get ready to leave.”

I could understand why Serena was jealous, this man was gorgeous and we were spending a lot of time together now. Occasionally we shared a kiss but Easton never lets it get further than that. If he was doing all of this just to pass time and not get bored of me, I didn't mind. I could eat amazing food and get treated to nice clothes while this man's army kept me safe. Life was good despite some criminal keeping his eyes on us to plan his attack.