CHAPTER 12

KYLE

Renovation chaos spills out of the front door, pooling in a thin stream of icy water on the path. Grumbling, I step over a snow-laden bush and traipse across the frozen grass. When I reach the doorway, I give a quick knock before heading in, navigating past torn-down walls and scattered tools.

Chase is crouched in the bathroom, muttering as he tightens bolts on a leaky toilet. He bangs his wrench against a pipe in frustration just as he notices me.

"Finally. I thought you'd bailed," he grunts, shifting aside to reveal a soaked towel trying-and failing-to contain the leak.

"Yeah, nice to see you, too." I say, raising an eyebrow and taking in the pool of water seeping from a soaked towel. "You didn't mention I'd need a kayak."

"Don't start with me," he grunts, shifting so I can see where he's trying-and failing-to stop the leak. "This thing's got a mind of its own. I've tried everything I can think of, but it's no use."

Kneeling beside him, I steal the wrench and tighten the bolts around the toilet's base. "Let me guess-thought you could just DIY your way through this?"

Chase rolls his eyes. "It was working just fine until I realised, I'd forgotten the sealant."

"Rookie mistake," I say, grinning. I dig through my toolbox that I'd popped home to pick up before heading here and find the parts he's missing. "Alright, let's get this mess under control."

Together, we go through the steps repairing the leak. The water slows before the last drips stop.

When it's done, Chase sits back, leaning against the bathroom wall, and wipes a hand across his brow. "Thanks for coming. I thought I'd have this under control, but you know how these old houses are. Always a surprise around every corner."

"Tell me about it," I reply, handing him a damp towel to wipe the last of the puddle. Sitting next to him, we both survey the bathroom.

Chase tips his head back, closing his eyes before letting out a long sigh, then returns his focus to me. "How's wedding planning going?"

"Julia's got a system. A very thorough one."

Chase chuckles. "And you're just following orders?"

"Something like that," I admit. "It's weird, you know? Doing all this with her. She drives me insane half the time, but she's also... I don't know."

He narrows his gaze. "Also, what?"

I look away, not sure what to say. "It's surprising how invested she is. She's so committed to making this perfect for you and Penny. Even when I'm ready to throw in the towel, she keeps going."

Chase nods. "She's always been that way. Julia doesn't half-ass anything. You know that."

"Yeah. It's... I don't know. Refreshing, maybe."

We clean up the last of the water and stow away the tools, leaving the bathroom ready to tile. But something about the way he keeps looking at me, like he knows something I don't, makes me uneasy.

"Look, Kyle, I don't want to bring up the past, but it'd be remiss of me, not to mention how different you've been since all this wedding stuff started." He hesitates, like he's worried about bringing up the topic with me, then continues. "After everything with Penny - I wondered if maybe you need more time to really move on."

"I'm fine, Chase. Me and Penny are ancient history. I'm over it."

Chase studies me. "Are you sure about that? I mean, don't get me wrong-I do feel guilty that things turned out the way they did. But I want to make sure you're actually okay with all of this. It's not just about you being at peace with me and Penny. It's about being at peace with yourself."

His words strike a nerve. It wasn't that long ago that seeing him with her would have absolutely destroyed me. Right now, Penny is the furthest thing from my mind. I can't get Julia out of my head. The way she looked in that dress, the warmth of her hand in mine, the almost-kiss that could have changed everything.

"I am moving on, Chase. I mean it. I'm interested in someone else." There. I said it. My confession is as foreign and shocking to me as it likely is to Chase. But maybe I just shot myself in the foot, speaking it into reality. My chest tightens just thinking of her reaction if she ever found out how I feel.

Chase tips his head and smiles, intrigued. "Oh? This sounds interesting. Does that someone happen to be a certain wedding planner?"

"It's complicated," I say, scoffing.

He flashes a pensive look. "Isn't it always? So, tell me, what's complicated about it?"

I sigh, rubbing the back of my neck. "It's Julia. She's unpredictable. And she's fiercely independent. Besides, I don't think she's even the relationship type. And honestly, I don't think I'm good enough for her."

My insecurities spew out of my mouth blindly, and my stomach aches with embarrassment. Chase shoots his brotherly frown at me, almost scorning, or telling me off.

"Why would you say that? Kyle, Julia isn't someone who is easily impressed by people. If she's letting you in, even a little bit, it means something."

I let out a deep breath, releasing the anxiety that's been mounting, still struggling to accept the thought. "It's just - with everything I've done, and the way I left things with Penny; I just don't feel like I deserve to be happy, you know?"

Chase shakes his head, but it's not menacing. More like I'm an idiot that he can't make understand simple mathematics. "You can't punish yourself forever, Kyle. You made mistakes. We've all been there before-it's part of being human. You deserve a shot at happiness just as much as anyone else."

For a moment, I let his words settle in, then for the first time in a long time, a sliver of hope sparks. Maybe - just maybe - there's a chance for me to start over.

Chase nudges me. "So, you going to make a move? Or are you just going to keep bickering with her until one of you snaps?"

"Knowing Julia, it's probably safer to just keep bickering."

But even as I say it, I know that's not what I want. Not really. There's something between us that's worth exploring. If only I could muster the courage to reach for it.

Chase watches me, as if reading my mind. "Well, whatever you do, don't let fear keep you from trying. Trust me, Kyle-it's worth the risk." I know what he's saying. He took a risk for Penny, and it paid off, even if it left me wandering this earth without meaning. But we're not so different, he and I. Maybe he's right.

As I head out, Chase's words stick with me. I can't keep pretending, not with Julia, not with myself. Whatever this is between us-it's worth exploring, even if it means taking the biggest risk of my life. She's worth it. And maybe, just maybe, so am I.