“You, my sweet friend, sewed upBrooks Dempsey’sarm? Is that what I just heard?”
I shrug, knowing she can’t see me, but not sure what to say.Why did she say his name as if he’s someone special?Weird.
“Okay,” she says, settling in. “That’s great. I mean, it sounds a bit dangerous from a medical standpoint, but it’s a very cool story.”
“I made him promise not to sue me if his arm falls off.”
She laughs freely. “Wow. Okay. So this is the second time you’ve had an encounter with Brooks since you got there. Well, the second that I know of. Is he bothering you? Are you goodwith it? Because I can have Gray threaten him within an inch of his life.”
“No,” I say quickly—far too quickly. “It’s not like that. Both times we’ve seen each other have been random. He’s not searching me out or anything. It’s not a big deal at all.”
I’m talking too much. Too fast. Too … everything. I know it. And by the sound of Astrid’s breathing on the other end of the line, she knows it, too.
“I must admit that I didn’t see this development coming,” she says, a touch of amusement in her voice. “But I kinda like it.”
“What development?” I ask, pretending not to comprehend what she’s implying.
“You and Brooks. Spending time together. It’s an interesting choice, but I’m sure Gianna will approve.”
My eyes fly wide.What is she talking about?“No. What …No. It’s not like that. I mean, he’s been very nice and?—”
“Auddie? Brooks isn’t nice. He doesn’t have a nice bone in his body.” She pauses. “Or maybe he does. You’ll have to let me know.”
“Oh, my gosh,” I say over her giggles. “That’s not what’s happening here. You sound like Gianna. Get a grip.”
“Sounds like you’ll be the one gripping something, if you know what I mean.”
“Astrid!” My face burns at her insinuation. “Again, it’s not like that.”
“Why isn’t it like that? Because you don’t want it to be? If not, absolutely fair. But if it’s not like that because of any other reason, then that’snotfair.”
I spring to my feet. My heart rattles my rib cage with its thunderous beats. I’m hot. I’m antsy, I’m … bamboozled.
Astrid can’t really think that Brooks and I would hook up. Can she?
“Listen, when I said he’s not nice, I didn’t mean it like he isn’t kind,” she says. “He actually has a huge heart buried beneath those thick muscles.”
I bite my lip as I remember just how thick and defined his muscles are.
“I just meant that Brooks is … playful.” Astrid takes a breath, undoubtedly choosing her words carefully. “Of course, he’s interested in you.”
“No, he’s not.”
“Audrey Van,yes, he is. I know him. And I also knowyou. You’re fun, smart, and totally hot. Men find you sexy. You just need to accept that … and accept that it’s okay to be attracted to men who don’t think they’re better than everyone.”
At least she didn’t call me sweet.
I smile sadly. I’ve wasted a lot of time trying to do the right thing and find a snotty, boring guy who would get the sparkling Van seal of approval. But it’s not easy to break years of social conditioning or to heal from being mishandled by unworthy men.
But I’m trying.
“I’m not saying you need to go fuck half of Tennessee as Gianna would suggest, but I am saying that Brooks is a fun guy,” Astrid says. “He’s safe. If you wanted to have fun with him while you’re on your getaway, I think it might do you some good. And there’s no doubt he’d be up for it, if you get what I’m saying.”
Yeah, I get it. I’ve seen just howuphe can get.
Memories of his cock pressed against the towel on the first night we met left little to the imagination.
I sigh, pacing the room.
