And I feel ready to face him.
I’m going to tell him what happened to me twelve years ago. Instinctively, I know it’s partially why I’ve had such issues in the bedroom, and maybe by sharing my story, it will help us to figure out a solution.
As we head across the parking lot for Brayden’s truck, I say, “Your cousins are really nice. And Jasalie and Bella too. Jasalie even invited me to her wedding renewal.”
Brayden slows up, nearly coming to a stop. “She what?”
“It surprised me too.” I let out a quick laugh. “She’s really welcoming.”
“She can be.” His lip twitches. “If she doesn’t like you, look out. She’s very loyal, and she keeps a small circle of people around her.”
“Nothing wrong with that.”
“Not at all. I love her. She and Dylan are really perfect for each other. We were all worried he’d never find someone who didn’t give a shit about his fame or his money, and then he met Jasalie.”
“It sounds like a fairytale romance.”
“It was in a way.” Brayden’s gaze turns serious as he looks at me. “If you want to go to her and Dylan’s wedding, you’re absolutely welcome. Don’t feel awkward because of me. I didn’t mean to make it feel weird.”
“I know. But I hardly know her.” Plus, I’m pretty sure Jasalie was trying to play hopeful matchmaker between Brayden and me.
He starts walking faster again, and when we reach his truck, he unlocks it and holds the door while I climb in. Our eyes catch and hold as I’m fixing my dress so I don’t flash him, and a spark of current zips between us.
Brayden freezes with his hand on the door, and time stops as we stare at each other in the silent, otherwise-empty parking lot.
This is a moment I would have killed for were I single. This is one of those first “I think I really do like you as much as I hoped I would and actually much more” moments, and yet I can’t go home and dance around my room about it.
Brayden and I are so different. But he looks perfect to me. And he makes me feel like I could be perfect for him too.
I reach for my seat belt, and the moment snaps. Brayden backs up and shuts my door and then walks around to the driver’s side.
He starts the truck and pulls out of the lot before he speaks again.
“I didn’t tell them you were engaged because I didn’t tell them about you at all,” he says to me.
Ouch.“That’s okay. I understand.”
“That sounded shitty.” He runs his hand through his hair, looking agitated. “What I meant was I’m typically a very private person. To be honest, you’re the first woman in my life that any of them have met. Well, since high school when I was around Dyl and Colt every day.”
My lips part. “Wow.”
A quick nod is his only response.
“I’m sorry if running into me tonight made things awkward then,” I say. “It seemed like you kind of wanted to rush me out of there at the end.”
“I did.” His jaw tightens. “I heard you talking to Bella and Jasalie about your fiancé, and I knew they’d never let up on the gas. And once my cousins overheard? Those two are unstoppable when it comes to digging for any clues. They would have wanted to know everything, and I didn’t want to put you through that. Our history of how we met—yours and mine—is…unusual, and it’s none of their business.”
“I get it.” This conversation has taken a completely awkward turn, and the chemistry between us is simmering at a level far beyond simple attraction. Brayden’s gaze is hot as he glances over at me while he’s driving, and I have to squeeze my thighs together to maintain any sort of composure.
We reach my house, and I step out quickly and wave goodbye. As Phillip lets me inside the house, I look back once. Brayden’s truck is just disappearing around the corner.
Chapter Fourteen
“Lei!” Phillip kisses my cheek as I step inside the foyer. “How was your night?”
“It was okay,” I look up into his eyes. “Listen, I need to talk to you.”
“Hi, Leleila.”
