I’m In Love With My Brother’s Best Friend?! – Episode 52
Parents Weekend arrived with bright autumn weather and a countdown neither Kaitlyn nor Cole could ignore. Her parents would reach the apartment within minutes.
They rehearsed the explanation one final time. Cole would begin with honesty rather than excuses.
He planned to say he was deeply in love with their daughter. He would protect her, but more importantly, support her choices and ambitions.
Kaitlyn would tell them she loved her older brother’s best friend and that he was the only man she had ever truly wanted. The phrasing sounded dramatic because the truth was dramatic.
They prepared answers about age. Kaitlyn was an adult, and Cole had repeatedly slowed the relationship rather than exploiting inexperience.
They prepared answers about the university. Professor Calloway knew, safeguards existed, and Kaitlyn’s grades remained independently evaluated.
They prepared answers about Ryan. He had been furious, but he ultimately recognized their love and retained faith in both.
No prepared sentence addressed the emotional heart of the matter: the Sinclairs had raised Cole as family, and he now loved their daughter.
Cole feared they would view that history as betrayal. Kaitlyn saw it differently. The same history explained why she trusted him more than anyone.
She reminded him of the first kiss on the swing. Even then, his instinct had been to heal rather than take. Adulthood had not changed that quality.
Cole admitted that Kaitlyn had changed him. She forced him to understand that protection without listening became control and love hidden by fear became pain.
Kaitlyn said he changed her too. Brent taught her what possession looked like; Cole taught her that desire and respect could coexist.
The doorbell had not yet rung, but every passing car made them look toward the window. Nervous laughter kept panic from taking hold.
Kaitlyn asked whether he truly had a plan beyond the speech. Cole touched the small box concealed in his pocket.
He said there was one unmistakable way to show how seriously he viewed their future. Kaitlyn’s pulse quickened.
Cole did not want to propose merely to impress her parents. The commitment had formed long before Parents Weekend became a deadline.
He imagined building a life in their hometown while Kaitlyn completed school, then following whatever ambitions her internship opened. Marriage would not confine her future.
Kaitlyn asked him to stop speaking as though she had already answered a question he had not asked. Tears gathered despite her attempt to tease.
Cole reached for her hand. The nervous law student disappeared behind the boy who once believed he would never possess a safe family.
As footsteps approached outside, he lowered himself to one knee. Her parents had not yet entered, but Cole was ready to make his promise to Kaitlyn before asking anyone else to accept it.