The Best of Us: A Forced Proximity, Best Friend's Brother Romance (Love in Isolation Book 2)

Chapter One Kendall Day 1 I wheel my two large suitcases down the hallway and place them by the front door. I’m equally nervous and excited about spending today and tomorrow with my best friend’s brother, Ryan. It’s not a romantic getaway in any sense, but rather the complete opposite. Cami and Eli are planning to honeymoon at the cabin, and Ryan and I have been put in charge of getting it ready. He’s on his way to pick me up now. Not that I’ve ever admitted it out loud, but I’ve had a crush on him for as long as I can remember. Even if he’s never been able to hold a conversation with me without pissing me off, there’s always been an underlying attraction. Maybe this weekend will be different or at least that’s what I hope, but Ryan openly despises me. I’ve dealt with him over the years because Cami’s been my ride or die since we were in grade school. Ryan treats me like a spoiled rich princess who has been given everything on a silver platter. While there’s truth in it, there’s more to me than my family’s money or the way I look. I didn’t choose my parents and didn’t ask to receive such a significant inheritance from my grandparents. Regardless, he’s dead set on judging me for things I have zero control over. In a few weeks, Cami will marry Ryan’s best friend, Eli. Because Eli wants to make it a honeymoon to remember, he asked me to help decorate and stock the cabin with all her favorite things before they arrive. Somehow, the two of them convinced Ryan to join me so I wouldn’t have to do it alone. Considering he’s a doctor with a packed schedule, I’m shocked he found time, but I’m also not complaining. While trying to keep busy, I go through my list to make sure I got everything Eli requested—chocolate, extra Christmas decorations, sparkling water, and enough booze to last two weeks. I just hope it all fits in Ryan’s Range Rover because I went overboard, but I’d do anything to make my best friend’s honeymoon magical. Just as I finish double-checking my list, my phone vibrates. I see a text from Ryan, and nervous energy soars through me. Ryan: I’ll be there in fifteen. Got stuck in some traffic. I’m not sure what to think about him joining me. Maybe a night alone will allow me to prove that I’m more than a pretty face with money. Considering he’s a St. James, he understands what it’s like to be raised by an elite family, so he’s not impressed by the glitz and glam. He’s humble and wanted a different life, another reason he went to medical school. Regardless of our differences, we’re going to have to find a happy medium this weekend because he’s the best man, and I’m the maid of honor. Over the next few weeks, we’re going to spend time together, even if he’s the definition of stubborn. I’m almost tempted to drink a glass of wine before he gets here to calm me down but decide against it. Instead, I grab one of my favorite bottles of Merlot and set it next to my suitcases, then text Cami as I wait. Kendall: Your brother’s on his way. Cami: OMG! Hopefully, you two don’t murder each other in the cabin. Kendall: As long as he’s on his best behavior, I think we’ll be perfectly fine. Cami: If he’s a dickhead, let me know, and I’ll threaten his life. I snort-laugh because Cami can be ferocious at times. As we’re texting back and forth, I hear a vehicle outside, then a hard knock on the door. Kendall: He’s here. I’ll let you know when we make it to the cabin. Cami: Perfect! I hope the three-hour drive isn’t too painful. Pee before you leave! Ryan hates stopping. Kendall: Noted. After tucking my phone in my back pocket, I swing the door open. Ryan’s wearing a heavy jacket and slacks. His hair is messy in a way that makes me want to run my fingers through it. “Kendall.” The way he says my name in his gravelly tone has my panties nearly melting off. I have to force myself not to step closer because he smells so damn good. Thankfully, confidence is one of my strengths, so I act as if his presence isn’t a big deal. I smile and meet his honey-colored eyes. “Ryan. Nice to see you again. Oh, come in. I have everything stacked here that needs to go.” I step aside, giving him space to enter. He glances around, and his eyes widen at the pile. When I told Eli I was born to decorate and plan for this honeymoon, I meant it. “You’re not serious.” He turns to me, eyebrows raised. I play stupid, though I know what he’s referring to. “Whatcha mean?” He huffs like I’ve lost my damn mind. “Two oversized suitcases plus all of this? There’s no way it’s going to fit. How many clothes do you need for two days?” I narrow my eyes at him, wondering if he’s done with this conversation because I am. “One suitcase only,” he insists. “Absolutely not. Both are coming with me,” I argue. “This isn’t up for discussion.” “This is ridiculous, Kendall. We’re going up today and will be there tomorrow, and then we’re leaving. We won’t even be leaving the cabin, and I don’t care what you wear.” “Don’t flatter yourself. What I wear is not for you, but for me. I like to have plenty of options.” I give him a s**t-eating grin, trying not to let Ryan get under my skin, but he’s already buried himself there. If he pisses me off before we leave, the drive across New York is going to be painful as hell. “Options?” He rolls his eyes. It takes every bit of patience I have left not to tell him to quit being an asshole. He seems to be in a mood today, but it’s not any different from any other time I’ve been around him. I slip on my peacoat as he mumbles under his breath. Taking my time, I put on my gloves and matching knit hat. The temperatures have steadily dropped all week, and later today, it’s supposed to start snowing again. Impatiently, he taps his foot and watches me. I grab my suitcases and pull out the handles. “Coming?” I ask over my shoulder. “I’ll be shocked if all this s**t fits,” he repeats like I didn’t hear his grumbles the first time. All I can do is laugh. “I guess we’ll see, won’t we? Also, you can stop complaining now. Remember, this s**t isn’t for me. It’s for your sister and best friend so suck it up, buttercup. We’re making it special for them.” Ryan glares at me, then picks up one of the boxes of non-perishable foods and follows me. I made sure to buy enough non-perishables to last for two weeks. I also had fresh meat cut and sealed, then froze it. To make sure it doesn’t defrost while we travel, I put it in an ice chest with dry ice. If he knows what’s best, he’ll make sure nothing’s left behind. When I step outside, the frigid air slaps me across the face. I guess I didn’t realize how chilly it had gotten since earlier today when I finished shopping. Considering I hate being cold, it lights a fire under my ass to load the SUV as fast as possible. Ryan pops the hatch to the Range Rover, and after he sets the box down, he loads my suitcases. “Holy s**t,” he mutters as he lifts them one after another. “I packed my extra heavy dildos.” I laugh, giving him a hard time. He doesn’t say a word. I’ll try my best to go easy on him, but he’s making it difficult with his glares and groans. After a few trips, all the food is loaded. At least three more boxes remain, plus the cooler with frozen meat. While we’ll only be staying a few days, I bought food for us too so we wouldn’t have to dip into Cami and Eli’s stash. I made sure to get all my best friend’s favorite snacks and more pasta choices than she can handle. “You do know the cabin has a pantry full of items like this, right?” Ryan tells me as he stacks the final box on top of the others. “And what’s your point?” I glare at him. He opens the top and pulls out a glass jar of marinara, Alfredo, then sees the vermicelli, angel hair, and spaghetti noodles. “The point is you probably didn’t need to purchase all of this. How much can two people realistically eat in that amount of time?” “And this is why they didn’t ask you to go shopping,” I snap. “Damn. There’s enough alcohol in here to open a bar.” He studies me. “All of it was highly requested. If you keep it up, I might have to open a bottle and drink it on the way there.” I turn and walk back inside, not giving him the opportunity to respond. I grab the strands of lights I want to wrap around the staircase along with the mistletoe for the entryways. Cami had conveniently mentioned a ten-foot Christmas tree and ornaments were stored in the basement, so I didn’t buy one. By the time I’m done decorating the cabin, it will look like a winter wonderland escape. She’s going to be so excited, and the thought makes me smile. When the Range Rover is loaded, I notice a small duffel bag on the floorboard. Knowing that’s all Ryan packed makes me snort. He’s so damn efficient that he probably only brought one change of clothes for tomorrow. Meanwhile, I’ve got enough outfits to last me three weeks. I often allow my mood to decide my clothing choice, and I never know how I’m going to feel. So, options. It could be a legging type of day with running shoes or a pair of expensive slacks with heels. I never know. After I make one last look around to make sure I didn’t forget anything, I grab another bottle of wine because I’m going to need it, set the security alarm, then lock the door. Ryan’s waiting inside the SUV, and once I climb in, I turn on the heated seat. A chill runs through me as he backs out of the driveway. His GPS is already set for Roxbury, and it says we should arrive around three. Once we’re out of my neighborhood, I suck in a deep breath when I realize I didn’t bring any snacks with me. It’s a total fail on my part. I turn to Ryan, wearing a sweet smile. “Do you think we can stop and get some coffee before we leave civilization?” I’m already mentally making my order of a skinny mocha with extra whip cream and a pumpkin loaf just in case I get hungry. My mouth waters thinking about it. “Absolutely not.” Ryan doesn’t even look at me. “Wait, seriously?” My mouth falls open because I can’t be without coffee, especially on a trip this long. Plus, it’s cold as f**k outside, and a hot drink makes it all better. “We’re not stopping, Kendall,” he says flatly without hesitation, and I realize he’s not joking. If I had known he was going to be this much of an asshole, I would’ve just driven myself. I’m so frustrated I bite my tongue before I say something I regret. Trying to calm down, I force myself to stare out the window, but I can’t stop dreaming about mochas and warm bread. This might be the most painful three hours of my life. When he turns on the radio, and I hear a bunch of doctors discussing medical procedures in full detail, I’m convinced I’m living in my own personal hell. At times like this, I wished I carried a corkscrew in my purse, because if I had one, I’d open that wine I packed right now.