Grandma eyes my wet clothes when I walk in the door, but I shake my head and tell her not to ask. In the upstairs bathroom, I undress and step under the hot spray of the shower.
Tonight, I need good sleep. Yes, my life is in turmoil.
But I’m a damn good baker, and tomorrow is my chance to prove it.
28
Brady
“Brady Sterling, you’re a fool.”
Lennon sits cross-legged on the couch in her and Finn’s hotel room.
“Is this one of those super-emotional pregnancy outbursts?” The door swings shut behind me with a loud thud and I step cautiously into the room. “I already apologized for forgetting your Chinese food last night.”
Lennon frowns. “That’s not what this is about. And don’t worry, because that place delivers.” She scoots over and pats the space beside her. “Come on. It’s time we had a heart to heart.”
I look around. “Where’s Finn?”
“He went downstairs to the gym.”
I should’ve done the same. Instead, I responded to Lennon’s message to come to their room, and Finn is suspiciously missing.
I sink down onto the couch, leaning forward and resting my elbows on my knees. Dust motes dance in an arc of sunlight shining through the window. Last night’s rain has given way to today’s clear skies.
“What’s up?” I ask Lennon, the reluctance plain in my voice. “I hear I’m a fool?”
“I talked to Addison last night.”
My head turns sharply to meet Lennon’s gaze.
“How?”
“I was in the lobby, looking forsomeonewho was late with my dinner, and saw Addison out front getting her car. There was an opportunity and I took it.”
Great. Just great. “And?”
“This is how I know you’re a fool.” Lennon blinks, waiting, but I don’t say anything. She continues. “Addison loves you, Brady.”
I breathe out a short, angry stream of air from my nose. “Right. And she also loves Warren. Therein lies the problem.”
Lennon rolls her eyes.
Was she always this willing to display her true emotions? I don’t remember a lot of eye-rolling and being called a fool before. But that was back when she was managing my feelings. She no longer has to worry about that. This turned corner in our friendship is interesting, but not necessarily bad.
“You’re being an ass, Brady.” She crosses her arms.
I can’t help my smirk. “So now I’m a fool and an ass?”
“Yes. You’re a foolish ass. She’s not in love with Warren. You didn’t let her finish yesterday when she went after you in the rain.”
My mouth drops open. “She told you everything?”
Lennon nods. “She needed someone to hear her out. Which is how I know that she loves him in a perfectly normal way. The way you love someone who loved you once upon a time.” Lennon takes my hand. “She loves Warren the same way I love you now, Brady. I love what we almost were, because it’s a part of our story and a part of my story as an individual. It’s an experience I’ll treasure, because of what it taught me. You’re a part of me, but I’m not in love with you. Warren is a part of Addison, but she’s not in love with him.”
My stomach sinks to somewhere around my kneecaps. “Oh, shit.”
Lennon grins. “That’s what Addison said last night when I jumped in the passenger seat of her car and introduced myself.”
