I’m sure she’s telling the truth. My mother has always loved Tobias’s ex, Brooke. They have a lot in common. Both women are driven. Motivated. Hard working. Dedicated. Smarter than just about everyone around them.
I have to assume that particular characteristic is what led to Brooke leaving my dumbass of a brother behind.
“I haven’t heard anything about Brooke being in town.” I know her family is still here, so it’s possible, but Tobias hasn’t been in a shit mood, so I doubt there’s any truth in the rumor.
Again my mother shrugs, and again it seems almost performative rather than the gesture of a woman genuinely unbothered. “It’s fine. I just thought it would be nice to see her.” She gives me a small smile. “I bet she and Mariah would get along well.”
I snort just imagining the two of them together. “I think she and Mariah would raise hell together.”
And I don’t think it would be the worst thing that ever happened. Maybe the next time Brooke really is in town, I’ll try to set something up for them to meet. Have a spa day or something. See if Brooke can give Mariah some pointers about existing in the Bradshaw world without losing her mind five hundred times a day.
That’s another reason I’ve hesitated to disclose the relationship she and I are building. The second my family—my mother especially—knows what’s going on, the attention will be smothering. No one I’m related to does anything halfway, and finding out there’s about to be a grandchild for my parents, and a niece or nephew for my brothers, to dote on, everything’s going to change.
I think for the better, but it’s still going to be an adjustmentfor Mariah. And she’s already so overwhelmed by the pregnancy and the sickness that’s come with it. Now I’m adding a house renovation and weekly trips to the office.
“I think it would be good for Mariah to make some friends here in town.” My mother smirks. “You can’t have her all to yourself all the time. I’d love for her to feel at home here in Willow Bend. That won’t happen if she doesn’t get to experience it.”
My mother has a point. On all counts.
I want this to be Mariah’s new home. I want her to love it here. I’m working hard to make sure she loves this house. But I kind of forgot there was more to the world than this place.
For me, there wasn’t until very recently. And Mariah’s the reason for the expansion I’ve made to my world.
I want to help expand hers.
And I think I know exactly how to accomplish it.
31
Mariah
I’ve started looking forward to our weekly trips to the office. It’s fun to get out of the house, and I love getting to explore the company Titus and his brothers have built. The building alone is freaking gorgeous, and now that Titus is a little more comfortable here, I feel okay sneaking out of his team meetings to scope the place out.
Normally I wander around on my own, taking in the striking architecture and counting the brightly colored fish in the gigantic saltwater tank outside Trevor’s fancy office. But today I’ve noticed a few people tracking my movements. Titus assured me I could go anywhere I wanted, but maybe he’s not familiar enough with the place to know there are areas my presence is unwanted.
When I notice a pretty brunette eyeing me, I flash her a bright smile, trying to appear nice. Friendly. Palatable. “Hi.” I wave. “I’m Mariah.”
She looks from side-to-side, like she’s making sure it’s really her I’m talking to. Even after confirming there’s no one around, she still approaches me cautiously. Like she’s not sure if she really wants to talk to me.
It shouldn’t sting,but it does.
The woman finally manages a wobbly smile. “Is everything okay? Can I get you something?”
“Umm…” Now it’s my turn to be uncertain. “No. I’m fine.” I smile again, taming it down a little since she didn’t exactly seem put at ease by my usual expression. “I just wanted to introduce myself.”
“I know who you are.” She glances around again, stepping closer and lowering her voice. “You’re the woman who got Titus Bradshaw to come out of his house.” She doesn’t give me time to respond, just plows forward, like now that she’s talking, she can’t stop. “Is it true he carried you out of here the first time you came in?” Again, she doesn’t give me time to respond. “I’ve heard he looks at you like you are the best thing he’s ever seen in his life.” She sighs, expression dreamy. “It sounds like he is so freaking in love with you.”
“It’s not like that.” Why do I sound so squeaky and defensive? Titus only carried me out of here because I gave him an out when he was starting to panic, and it was the fastest way to reach the doors. “I’m his personal chef, so he just loves the way I cook.”
My brain tries to tell me there’s more. That Titus's feelings for me go deeper than I’m acknowledging. But that chick has a habit of being a dumb ass, so I ignore her.
The brunette’s brows pinch together so tightly they nearly touch as she frowns at me. “That’s not what I heard at all.”
I snort, reminded of how pissed Trevor was at Titus over all the rumors flying around here. “Yeah. Trevor said something about all the gossiping going on.”
At the mention of Trevor’s name, the brunette’s frown turns into a scowl. “Ugh. Trevor is such a prick.” Her eyes widen, skin paling. “That came out wrong. I just mean?—”
“Pretty sure it didn’t come out wrong.” I grin. “I’ve heard more than enough to know you probably hit the nail on the head.” It doesn’t seem like Titus’s brother does himself any favors here in the office. And based on the majority of the stories Titus has told me, Trevor is in fact an asshole at work.
