“It’s a long story.” I glanced over my shoulder at Brody. He had gotten to his feet with far less pain than when we’d arrived. His long, sleek hair was still tucked neatly into the braid I’d done even after our cuddle fest, and there was a crease in the side of his face from my pillow. I could’ve eaten him up, honestly. Seeing the prickly man melt under my touch had been almost too much. And then I thought he wanted to kiss me.
Fuck. I should’ve just gone for it.
“Earth to Rachel, are you still there?”
I forced myself to turn away and walk into the living room. “Yeah, I’m here. Brody is too.”
“Oh, girl, you work fast. How was it? Amazing? When’s thewedding? Can I be the maid of honor?”
I laughed. “Slow down there, romance-novel junkie. He hurt his back and took a nap.”
“Hurt his back? What kind of kinky—”
“His back was hurt before I met him, Joy. Calm down.”
“Fine, so you cared for him and…”
“And I guess I liked having him here, okay? Happy?” It was the first time I had fully admitted it even to myself.
“I will be once you make your move.”
“I—I needed to focus on the project right now,” I said lamely, my stupid analytical brain trying to poke holes in the way my heart was beating too fast in my chest.
“Girl, lighten up. Getting laid is not going to derail your research. It doesn’t even have to take that long. You can’t have your knees up by your ears for hours once you’re in your forties. Trust me.”
I rubbed my temples. “Oh my God, Joy.”
She giggled. “What? I’m telling the truth. Your man already has a bad back. You need some like orthopedic sex positions. It can still be amazing, you just have to, you know, stretch it out first. Incorporate a lounge chair of some kind.”
I felt myself blushing all the way to the top of my head, even though Joy’s words weren’t exactly sexy, there was a reason her fiancé was the writer, not her. “We’re not ninety, Joy, but thank you for that insight.”
“No problem. Just remember, the right partner only makes life better, you know? Aiden is a grumpy pants, and I’m—well, you know me. The whole opposites-attract thing is real. Besides, the grumpy ones always have a soft spot for the right person.”
I looked over my shoulder when I heard a footstep in the halland watched Brody walk carefully toward me. He was all denim and plaid, solid and strong. I wanted to believe Joy was right. I just wasn’t sure I was as brave or as certain as she’d been about her man.
“I have to go. Talk to you later.”
I clicked off the call to the sound of Joy singing what sounded suspiciously like the soundtrack to a porno.
“Guess I should take you to get your car,” he said, scratching the back of his neck and stretching his shirt distractingly over his pecs.
I nodded. “Unless you want to stay.”
“Stay?”
“For dinner, I mean,” I added quickly.
He studied me for a second before his face carefully settled back into neutral. “I really shouldn’t. Thanks, though.”
My heart sunk into my stomach, and any appetite for dinner dried up.
The ride back to the library was quiet. He pulled his truck up front and watched as I got into my car and started the engine. Then he was gone, and I was left wondering if this wholeshould Ithing was a pointless debate. There was no reason to decide if I was the only one feeling the connection.
******
The project really had two parts. We had to decide what information to include and compile it, but we also had to create a visual display. I texted Brody the day after our impromptu nap, and we decided to divide and conquer the rest of the research, then come together the night before the heritage event to put everything together visually.
It was better this way. Easier to focus.
