Holy.

Shit.

I purse my lips, trying desperately to hold back the laughter that threatens to pop out.

“What?” Eve says, taking over—thank God—as I try to compose myself. “Walter wanted to date you?”

“No, he was making a mockery out of me. He gave me the tissue box and said it was for all the lonely nights I must have.” Brig clutches his chest. “He catfished me and broke my heart. I thought he was the lady of my dreams.”

I can’t.

I’m sorry.

Don’t judge me, but I laugh.

Brig’s eyes narrow as he stands and adjusts his shirt. “I should have known you were going to be a dick about this. You know, I came here and bared my soul. The least you could do is give me a hug.”

Eve pinches my side, wordlessly telling me to console my brother, the most gullible person I know. Wanting to make her happy, and also feeling a little bad for him, I walk over and pull him into a hug.

“I’m sorry you were catfished by a sixty-year-old Uber driver.”

“Thanks,” he says, burying his face in my neck. “This means a lot to me, Reid.”

I grit my teeth as he snuggles closer. I’m not loving this warm, fuzzy shit, but I know this is what he needs.

“Do you think I’m going to die alone?”

Yes.

“No, not at all. The perfect girl is out there for you. Who knows? She might be right under your nose, and you just never noticed.”

He sighs and pulls away. “I don’t know, I think I’m going to go on a dating hiatus.”

“You know”—Eve steps up and pats Brig on the shoulder—“whenever someone says they’re not dating anymore, that’s when they find the love of their life.”

Brig perks up. “Shit, you’re right. Classic movie meet-cute. Lovemark has done it at least a dozen times. That’s it, I’m going on a dating hiatus,” he announces. “Did you hear that, universe? I’m no longer dating. I’m celibate.”

He’s been celibate for a while . . . not by choice.

“Do you think I’ll meet her tonight?” he whispers.

Eve smirks and shakes her head. “You have to actually go on a dating hiatus for it to work.”

Sighing heavily, he nods. “Okay, sure. Fine. I will go on a dating hiatus.” He walks toward the door but turns back. “Franklin, that motherfucker, took pictures of Walter and me, and I know they’ll be in the newspaper tomorrow. Please, just tell people to be gentle—that’s my heart they’re messing with when they gossip.”

“Sure thing, bro.” I give him a curt wave. “Here’s to the dating hiatus.”

“May it bring me love.” He clasps his hands together and then takes off. The minute the door shuts, both Eve and I bust out in laughter.

“Oh my God. Your brother, I just love him so much.”

“Uh, excuse me?” I lift a brow.

“Not like that.” She pushes my eyebrow down with her finger. “Come on, we have some cuddling to do.”

She takes my hand and leads me back up the stairs, and as I stare at her ass on the way up, I can’t help but think how far I’ve come—how, against all odds, I really have matured as a man. I might not actually know the truth about what happened in New Orleans, if we really were cursed, but I do know that I’m no longer threatened by the thought of broken love—because what Eve and I have will last a lifetime. From a secret crush to growing old together, it’s the perfect love story.