He had the sense of something big on the horizon, though he couldn’t understand what it would be.
A feeling of impending surrounded him. A certainty…though of what, he had no clue.
Chalking it up as another sign of his inability to sit still, Harry called Ian to see if they needed any help.
“Hey ho, little bro!”
Harry chuckled. “You sound like you’re in a good mood.”
“I am. Perpetually. You should try it sometime.”
“I’m always in a good mood.” How could he not be when he grew up in the perfect family, lived in a brand new house on the beach, and loved the business he’d built from the ground up?
Ian scoffed. “There’s a difference between fine and happy.”
The statement caught Harry off-guard. Of all his brothers, he was the one whose life had fallen into place the easiest. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Honestly? I don’t know. Guess I’m feeling a little existential lately.”
“You say existential, I say sappy. I mean, just look at the way you treat that dog. No self-respecting man should love an animal that weighs under forty pounds.”
“Chopper has the attitude of a full-sized wolf.” Ian chuckled as he used the nickname he’d given Lulu. “That counts.”
Chilled by the fall breeze coming off the water, Harry wandered back into the house, then stood there with his hand on his hip. “Thought I’d call and see if you guys needed any help getting ready.”
“Afraid you’ll have to eat less-than-perfect food?”
“Not at all. Juliet knows her way around the kitchen. It is her in the kitchen, right Ian?” His brother was a disaster when it came to cooking. The man could fly a fighter jet without blinking an eye, but keeping a steak from burning was asking too much.
“I’m not even in the house, my friend.” Ian laughed and another wave of expectation washed over Harry. “But,” his brother continued, “Julz is working through a bottle of wine with her maid of honor. I hate to break it to you, but your dinner might be in the hands of a tipsy and distracted cook.”
“You say that like I care. Just because I know my way around a kitchen doesn’t make me a food snob.”
“I say that like I care.” Ian chuckled. “I adore my fiancé, but that woman can’t hold her wine. I’m begging you, little brother. Rescue dinner. My taste buds are already thanking you, and, after you see who’s keeping Juliet company, you’ll be returning the gratitude.”
Harry snorted. “And there it is. Ulterior motive.”
“Think of Willow less as an ulterior motive, and more of a bonus. My main priority is dinner. Always.”
After some good-natured ribbing, they said their goodbyes and Harry shook his head at the mention of Juliet’s maid of honor. Ever since both his older brothers found love, they’d been pointing out eligible bachelorettes like he was next in line. Their sister Lilah had gone so far as to bring him a list of women, with their pros and cons jotted in columns marching down the page. What they didn’t realize was that Harry was completely content in his life.
Running his restaurant kept him busy and perfecting his abilities as a chef kept him fulfilled. What more did a man need?
“Someone to talk to would be nice,” he muttered as he swiped his keys off the counter and headed outside.
Maybe I will get a dog, he thought, even though he knew that was ridiculous. Pets needed time and attention…commodities he really didn’t have in spades.
As he slipped into his car, Harry realized he had a gigantic grin smeared across his face. Excitement had his fingers tapping and his head bobbing, but he still couldn’t understand why. Family dinners were nice, but as the quietest of four siblings, he typically found himself fading into the background. Which was fine with him, especially considering he never craved the spotlight.
Even still, he found himself checking the time again, extra eager to be on his way.
Get a hold of yourself, Moore.
He brought the engine to life with a self-deprecating laugh.
If heading over to rescue his slightly tipsy, soon-to-be-sister-in-law had him that wound up, maybe his life wasn’t as full as he thought it was.
Chapter Three
Willow
As Willow contemplated her non-existent love life, Juliet watched her thoughtfully. “Do you think ACB will cast you as Juliet?”
Willow’s heart surged with excitement and anxiety. She wanted—no, she needed—to get the part. Romeo and Juliet was her absolute favorite ballet ever.
Of all time.
Period.
The end.
The second she recognized the melody, she would freeze, chills blooming across her skin. Her eyes would close of their own accord while she breathed in the music, wondering how anyone could not appreciate the masterpiece that brought her to tears. And the movement? The choreography was sublime.
Sure, the story itself was ridiculous.
Did anyone actually believe it was possible to fall head over heels in love with someone in less than a week?
Willow shrugged, playing it cool as she answered the question. “I hope so.”
Juliet’s jaw hit the floor. “You hope so? Come on, Willie. When we met, you told me we were destined to be friends because of my name. You actually believed that me having the same name as the main character in your favorite ballet was the biggest sign ever. You declared me your instant best friend based on that information alone.”
Willow giggled. “I wasn’t wrong, was I? Look at us now.” She snapped an end off a green bean and threw it at Julz. “Signs are everywhere. You just have to be open and pay attention to see them.”
“So you keep trying to convince me.” Juliet rolled her eyes and folded her arms on the counter. “Anyway, let’s try my question again. This time, you can skip all the bullshit.” She arched an eyebrow. “Do you think you’ll be cast as Juliet?”
“Oh, Julz, I really fucking hope so,” she said, letting out a long breath. “I’ve
