"Why are you meeting Sierra at the bank?" he asked.
"Because she's going to become the new owner of my mortgage. I'm arranging to pay off my car loan too."
His eyes widened. "Sierra has the money to do that?"
I grinned at him. "She does. She has a trust fund and a job that pays extremely well. She also invested in Crave."
He studied my expression. "I thought about offering to do the same thing for you, but I didn't think you would let me."
"I probably would have said no at first," I admitted. "But as long as you arranged it so I could pay you back, I would have caved eventually." I lifted a hand and cupped his cheek. "We've known each other for a long time, but that doesn't mean we're both still the same people we were as teenagers. I'm still stubborn and prideful, but I'm also reasonable. I've finally learned the art of compromise."
"I made a fucking mess of things, didn't I?" Brody asked.
I patted his cheek and lowered my hand. "That's okay. I'll probably make a mess of things at one point too. But buttering me up is still a safe bet."
Brody grinned. "I'll do that."
I backed away until I reached the door, but he didn't move or follow me. Before I grabbed the knob, I said, "I don't mean this in any sort of bitchy way but please hurry up and handle this stuff with Monica. I miss you."
"I miss you, too."
I wanted so, so badly to run across his office and throw myself in his arms, but I knew I wouldn't leave if I did. And I wouldn't be able to stay away.
Jacks deserved to have Brody in her life on a daily basis. He loved her above everything else and he worked hard to be a good father.
I slipped out of his office and shut the door behind me. Brody was working to protect himself from his ex-wife's machinations.
It was time for me to do the same.
