"Thanks," Brandi said, sliding into the chair.
"Can I get you something? Coffee? Something to eat?"
Brandi shook her head. "No, I’m fine."
Echo leaned back, taking a slow sip of her coffee. "All right, how can I help you?"
Brandi hesitated, her gaze flicking toward the handwritten chalkboard menu before finally saying, "I wanted to see if you and the other ladies would be interested in a weekend getaway."
"A weekend getaway?" Echo lifted a brow, interest sparking in her gaze. She set her cup down, leaning forward. "That actually sounds amazing. Where are we going?"
Brandi exhaled a short laugh. "No clue. I was just gonna pack a bag and wing it. We could rent a cabin in Six Rivers, or head to Vegas. Drinks by the pool and room service sound pretty damn good right now. Hell, even a spa day would be a treat."
Echo shook her head, laughing. "That issoyou." But as she studied Brandi, her amusement softened. Beneath the easy smile, she caught the edges of something else—restlessness. Maybe even heartache. If she had to bet, she’d put money on Tool being the reason.
"If you want, I can call around and see who else wants to go," Echo offered.
"That would be awesome." Brandi let out a breath, some of the tension in her shoulders loosening. "It’s time we had some downtime away from the club."
Echo could definitely agree with that. Lately, all she heard was bitching from Tabor. She'd finally told him that if he didn’t have anything better to talk about, he could move into the clubhouse and leave her in peace. Since then, her house had been blissfully quiet—except for the occasional grumbled complaints she flat-out ignored.
"I'll make the calls," Echo promised. "Should have a headcount by this afternoon."
"Sounds good." Brandi stood, stretching her arms overhead. "I gotta get back to the shop."
"Check in with me after work."
"Will do."
Echo watched as Brandi headed down the sidewalk towardThe Coffee Bean.The warm glow spilling fromThe Bread Bowlstretched across the concrete, casting soft, golden shadows. The scent of fresh bread lingered in the crisp morning air, wrapping around her like a blanket.
She sipped her coffee, flipping her magazine back open—but her eyes followed Brandi for a beat longer, her smile slipping into something more thoughtful.
Lilly and Crow offering Brandi a job and the second-floor apartment had made a world of difference for the pretty redhead. It didn’t hurt that she’d made amends with Wick either—thanks in no small part to Sloan stepping in and setting the record straight the minute she got the full story.
Still, Echo worried.
She worried about that soft look Brandi still got sometimes when Tool’s name came up. About the way she tried to shrug it off like it didn’t matter anymore. Echo had been around long enough to know better.
She hoped—really hoped—that after Christmas, Tool would get his head out of his ass and make Brandi part of his life. She’d hoped he’d either finally do right by her or leave her the hell alone. Because Brandi deserved better than to keep bleeding for someone who didn’t know how to love her right.
Echo sipped her coffee, flipping her magazine open again, but her mind wasn’t on the glossy pages. She picked up her phone, thumbed over to the group chat she had with Sloan and Lilly, and fired off a quick message.
Echo:Hey. Brandi’s talking about getting away for a weekend. Just needs a break. Thought you’d want to know.
The first reply came almost instantly.
Sloan:Everything alright? She seemed a little off earlier but wouldn’t talk about it.
A few seconds later, Lilly chimed in.
Lilly:She mentioned wanting to get out of town a few days ago. Didn’t want to push her but... it feels like she’s got something on her mind.
Echo leaned back in her chair, tapping the edge of her coffee cup thoughtfully before replying.
Echo:Yeah. She’s not saying much, but it’s written all over her. I’m pulling together a girls' trip. You in?
Sloan:100%. Just say when.
