I’m In Love With My Brother’s Best Friend?! – Episode 41
Outside Professor Calloway’s office, Kaitlyn released a breath she felt she had held since Maddy accused her. She had kept the internship, and Cole had kept his position. Honesty had cost less than secrecy promised.
Cole looked at her with open admiration. The way she applied business ethics to their relationship had impressed him more than any flirtation. Kaitlyn teased that his public declaration had been even more attractive.
He reminded her that Professor Calloway required professionalism. Kaitlyn asked whether the rule applied in an empty hallway after class. Cole’s answer was a kiss.
Relief turned playful. They repeated the language of ethics—mutual desire, complete transparency, and an outcome satisfying both parties. Each principle became an excuse to move closer.
Kaitlyn suggested that removing unnecessary barriers created the ultimate win-win situation. Cole agreed and drew her toward a private corner, laughing at how quickly theory became temptation.
The moment remained consensual and light, proof that exposure had not destroyed them. For once, fear did not dominate their closeness.
Afterward, Kaitlyn asked whether he had called her his girlfriend merely to escape trouble. The question sounded teasing, but uncertainty remained beneath it.
Cole looked offended by the possibility. He would have surrendered his teaching position for her without hesitation. Saving himself had never motivated the declaration.
Kaitlyn asked directly whether she truly was his girlfriend. They had crossed every intimate boundary without formally defining the relationship.
Cole answered that she was, if she wanted to be. He refused to claim a label she did not choose.
Kaitlyn said she would love that. The simplicity of the agreement contrasted with every complicated path that brought them there.
Cole repeated her full name as though making a promise. Kaitlyn Sinclair was no longer his best friend’s little sister, a secret roommate, or a student he protected. She was the woman he chose.
She said she would love being his girlfriend too. Their smiles felt almost foolishly happy after so many disasters.
Then Ryan’s voice interrupted. He demanded to know what they were doing alone and why both looked so pleased.
Cole and Kaitlyn stepped apart. The courage that survived Professor Calloway vanished before Ryan’s trusting expression.
Kaitlyn wished Cole would confess. She also remembered his childhood and how deeply he feared losing the Sinclair family. His happiness seemed worth protecting a little longer.
She announced that they were celebrating. Professor Calloway had offered her the spring internship.
Ryan’s suspicion disappeared beneath pride. He congratulated his sister and insisted the achievement deserved a real celebration.
He revealed that he and Cole planned to attend a large upperclassman party that evening. Ryan had intended to exclude a freshman, but now Kaitlyn had to join them.
Cole met Kaitlyn’s eyes over Ryan’s shoulder. Their relationship had survived academic exposure, but the evening would force them to stand together while pretending before the person whose approval mattered most.