“Okay.” He hugged her close. “I love you, Cerise.”
“Aww, buddy, I love you too.” She pressed her lips on top of his head. “Now did you pack your toothbrush?”
“Yes.”
“Clean underwear?”
“Cerise,” he whined. “Yes, I did.”
She laughed and put her arm around his shoulders. “Sorry, Finn, it’s my responsibility to embarrass you. Come on, let’s get your bag and then I’ll take you to Andy’s parents.”
“Okay.” He turned to Brodie and gave him a hug as well. “Bye, Brodie, and thanks for helping us make s’mores.”
“You’re welcome, and I’ll make sure Cerise gets home safely.”
She smiled up at Brodie, and he placed a hand on her shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “I’ll be back soon.”
As she walked away she was aware of Brodie’s eyes following her and her body tingled with prickles of awareness. She had her house to herself tonight, so maybe she could entice Brodie to stay.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Brodie watchedCerise and Finn as they walked away. He had to stop himself from following them.
“You’ve got it bad, haven’t you?”
He glanced over his shoulder and saw Nadia smiling up at him. He plopped down on the wooden log she and Cerise had been sitting on. “Yep.”
He could’ve said something else to put her off, but why bother when it was the truth? He did have it bad for Cerise. Sitting with Finn and helping him make s’mores had been the highlight of his night. At least, so far.
“You need to tread carefully with her. She’s not as confident as she acts.”
“I know.”
“What do you think about her adopting Finn?” Nadia asked, her eyes scanning the area for Mitch.
“He’s over there, talking to his parents.” He pointed to just beyond the fire. “And I’m all for Cerise adopting Finn. I think they’re perfect for each other.”
As if aware of Nadia’s scrutiny, Mitch looked over to where they sat. Brodie saw the way Mitch’s features softened and hewinked at her. Beside him, Nadia sighed. That was what Brodie wanted, and hoped he could have it with Cerise—if she’d let him.
Happy that her fiancé was okay, Nadia redirected her attention to back to him. “And what about you. What do you think of Cerise?”
“I like her—a lot. I’m going to do everything possible to support her through the adoption process. I can picture my future with her. I’ve never felt this way about a woman before.”
The words should’ve scared him, but instead of wanting to run away, he wanted to run toward her.
“I’m sure it will be easier to adopt as a couple. Have you thought of that?”
“Yes.” He didn’t want to say anymore. It wasn’t up to him to tell Cerise’s best friend what she’d decided or wanted to do. Or the fact that they’d gone to Daphne as a united front and it hadn’t turned out quite the way either one of them had wanted to.
Mitch walked up to them and Nadia immediately stood. Mitch wrapped his arms around his fiancé. “Are you giving Brodie a hard time, Boston?”
Nadia patted his hands. “Nope, just asking him about his intentions toward my friend.”
“This isn’t the eighteenth century.”
“I know that, but Cerise is like my sister, and she doesn’t have any family to look out for her.”
“Well, I don’t think you need to worry, Brodie’s not going to do anything to hurt Cerise, are you?” Mitch’s voice may have sounded casual, but his eyes had narrowed in a protective, big brother, don’t mess with my sister kind of way.
