Chapter 283
**Tom**
I shifted in my chair, avoiding Leo's knowing look. "Sara? Yeah, we're just hanging out. Nothing serious."
"Nothing serious?" Leo's eyebrows shot up. "That's not what it looked like when Kate and I stopped by. You two seemed pretty cozy."
"It's casual dating, Leo. We're both adults who enjoy each other's company."
"Really? Because that's not what I saw. The way she looks at you, the way you practically orbit around her..."
"Don't start playing matchmaker." I loosened my tie, suddenly feeling the weight of two Blackwoods trying to run my love life. "We aren't into anything serious yet."
"Yet?" Leo pounced on the word like a cat with a mouse. "So you're thinking about it?"
I rolled my eyes. "Can we not do this right now?"
"Or is this about Josephine?"
The name hit like a punch to the gut. "That's ancient history, Leo."
"Two years isn't ancient history."
"It feels like a lifetime ago." I stood up, pacing to his window. The city sprawled below, a maze of glass and steel that suddenly felt suffocating.
"Look," Leo's voice softened, dropping the teasing tone. "I get it. You got burned. But Sara seems different. Kate won't shut up about how perfect you two are together."
"Kate needs a hobby."
"And you need to stop overthinking everything." He leaned back in his chair. "You've still got what, eight months before Dad's deadline? That's plenty of time to figure things out with Sara. If she's not the one, there are literally thousands of eligible women in this city alone."
"Wow, thanks for the pep talk, Dr. Phil."
"I'm serious." Leo stood up, walking over to join me at the window. "You've got options. Either see where things go with Sara - who, by the way, already seems crazy about you - or start dating around. But sitting here brooding isn't going to help."
"I don't brood."
"You're literally staring dramatically out a window right now."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Shut up."
"Just introduce Sara to the family soon. Test the waters. If it doesn't work out, you've still got time to find someone else before Dad starts parading his hand-picked candidates through the office."
"God, can you imagine?" I shuddered. "He'd probably set up a scoring system. Rate them on their country club memberships and charity board positions."
"Don't forget family net worth and Instagram follower count." Leo nudged my shoulder. "But seriously, bro. Give Sara a chance. Stop hiding behind this 'casual dating' bullshit."
"When did you get so wise?"
"Probably around the time you started getting so stupid about relationships."
I shoved him playfully. "And there's the little brother I know and tolerate."
"No, but seriously. What's the deal with Sara? Because if you're just stringing her along-"
"I'm not." The words came out sharper than intended. "It's not like that."
"Then what's it like? Because from where I'm standing, you two act like a couple who's been together for years, but you keep calling it 'casual dating' like you met on Tinder last week."
I ran a hand through my hair, messing up whatever styling remained after Dad's interrogation. "We haven't really put a label on it."
"Ah." Leo's face lit up with understanding. "So you're both playing the 'we're not defining this' game while secretly wanting more?"
"It's not a game." I dropped back into the chair. "We just haven't had that conversation yet."
"Why not?"
I sank deeper into the chair, studying the pattern on Leo's ridiculously expensive carpet. "Because it's complicated."
"Everything's complicated with you." Leo perched on the edge of his desk. "You overcomplicate ordering coffee."
"I do not-"
"The other day, you spent ten minutes explaining to the barista the exact temperature you wanted your latte."
"That was different. They kept burning the milk."
"My point exactly." Leo crossed his arms. "You're doing the same thing with Sara. Overanalyzing every little detail instead of just going for it."
"I'm not overanalyzing. I just feel like you're pushing me to get married fast, like there's some rush-"
"I'm telling you this for your own happiness, you idiot."
I snorted. "Yeah, right. Come on, what's the real reason? Since when did my little brother become so invested in my love life?"
Leo shifted, suddenly finding his custom Italian loafers fascinating.
"Spill it," I demanded. "What's the true answer?"
"Fine." He threw his hands up. "I want to marry Kate, okay? But I can't do it before you get married. It's tradition."
I burst out laughing. "That's what this is about? You're worried about your own marriage?"
"It's not funny!"
"Oh, it absolutely is." I wiped tears from my eyes. "Don't worry, baby brother. I'll help you out. I'll try my best to break you two up. That way, you'll spend months trying to win her back, and meanwhile, I can sort out my marriage situation."
Leo smacked my arm. "You're such a psycho. Who threatens to break up cute couples?"
"Cute? Please. You two are sickeningly adorable. I get cavities just watching you together."
"At least we admit we're in a relationship," Leo shot back. "Unlike someone who keeps playing the 'we're just hanging out' card."
I stretched my legs out, grinning. "Look, if you want to marry Kate so badly, just keep quiet for a while. Let me figure out my life without the entire Blackwood clan breathing down my neck."
"Figure out your life?" Leo snorted. "You've been 'figuring out your life' since college. At this rate, I'll be collecting social security before you settle down."
"I'm working on it."
"Yeah? Well, here's some motivation for you." Leo leaned forward with a devious smile. "If I don't see any progress soon, I'm telling Father about Sara."
I sat up straight. "You wouldn't dare."
"Try me. One word to Dad about the mystery woman who's been staying at your place, and you'll have the entire family demanding to meet her."
"That's playing dirty, little brother."
"All's fair in love and Blackwood family drama." He smirked. "Besides, what are you gonna do about it?"
"Like I said, I'll just have to break you and Kate up." I shrugged, keeping my face neutral. "Maybe send her some fake photos of you with other women. Or hire someone to flirt with you at events."
Leo's jaw dropped. "You wouldn't."
"Watch me, " I said, pulling out my phone. "I know this great actress who specializes in creating dramatic scenes at fancy restaurants. She's very convincing."
Leo's face paled. "You're bluffing."
"Am I?" I scrolled through my contacts. "Let's see... ah yes, here she is. Specializes in wine-throwing and mascara-streaked accusations. Very passionate performer."
"Tom, I swear to God-"
"She does a fantastic 'other woman' routine. Really sells the heartbreak." I held up the phone. "Should I book her for Friday?"
Leo lunged for my phone. I yanked it away, laughing as he nearly face-planted into the chair.
"Alright, alright!" He straightened up, adjusting his tie. "I'll back off. No need to go nuclear."
"Smart choice." I pocketed my phone with a smirk.
Leo collapsed into his chair. "I'll stay quiet about Sara. But I swear if I don't see some progress soon..."
"You'll what? Tell Dad?" I raised an eyebrow. "Remember, I've got that actress on speed dial."
"Just..." He ran a hand through his hair. "Don't mess this up, okay? Sara seems good for you. Different from the usual society princesses Dad throws at us."
I leaned back in my chair, letting out a long breath. "We'll see how it goes."
"We'll see? That's all you've got?" Leo's face scrunched up like he'd bitten into a lemon. "You sound like Dad reviewing quarterly reports."
"What do you want me to say? That I'm planning our wedding? Picking out china patterns?"
"How about admitting you actually like her?" He kicked his feet up on his desk. "I mean, the way you two were all over each other at your place-"
"We were not all over each other."
"Please. Kate and I felt like we were interrupting something straight out of a romance novel."
I threw a pen at him. "You're delusional."
"And you're in denial." He caught the pen without looking. Show-off. "But fine, keep playing it cool. Just remember - eight months."
"Thanks for the reminder. I almost forgot in the last five minutes since Dad mentioned it."
Leo grinned. "What are little brothers for?"
"Being annoying, apparently." I stood up, straightening my jacket. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have actual work to do."
"You mean you're running away from this conversation."
"I mean I have a class to teach in..." I checked my watch. "Forty minutes."
"All the best, big brother." Leo's voice turned serious. "Really, though, don't screw this up. Sara's good people."
"Yeah, yeah." I waved him off, heading for the door. "Save the relationship advice for your wedding speech. You know, the one you'll give after I get married first."
His groan followed me into the hallway. "That's low, even for you!"
"Love you too, little bro!" I called back, grinning as I heard him muttering curses under his breath.