“You just met me!” I laughed.
He shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “I have a way of knowing these things.”
I smiled, having no reason to doubt that was true. “How did you end up meeting my brother, anyway? He usually does security overseas.”
He chuckled. “He took pity on me. I got totally mobbed at a signing I was doing about a year ago. The security I’d hired was completely outnumbered. By some divine providence your brother was there and waded in.”
I could picture Trav doing something like that.
“After he got me safely tucked away, he reamed my security and all but fired them on sight.”
I could even more easily picture Travis doingthat.
“Anyway, after that, we kept in touch. He helped me hire a new team and has checked in every now and then.” He turned to me. “Your brother is a good man.”
“I know,” I agreed with a smile.
“And hot as hell,” Brad added, fanning himself theatrically.
I rolled my eyes. “No comment.”
We stayed up far too late talking, but time and cocktails got away from us.
“Night, honey.” He smiled as I headed for my room and he climbed the stairs.
“Night.” I smiled, feeling lighter than I had in days.
****
I woke up to the feeling of being watched. I opened my eyes blearily and just barely held back a shriek as two large black eyes stared back at me, inches from my face.
“You are freakishly small. How’d you even get up here?” I mumbled, but lifted the covers, allowing Trixie to burrow closer.
I knew Brad had had an early flight; no doubt Trixie had sought out the next warm body to snuggle with.
I drifted back to sleep, shocked that a dog/rat could be such a good snuggle partner.
When I woke for good, Trixie was still nestled against my belly. I got out of bed and headed for the kitchen in search of coffee. She followed, making little noises that I assumed were supposed to sound like barks. “Nuh-uh.” I shook my head. “We’re going to practice this thing calledwalkingwhile Brad’s out of town,” I told her sternly.
I sat at the bar picking at my breakfast, feeling overwhelmed and alone. Brad’s place felt so cavernous and foreign. That juxtaposed with everything that had happened in the last week had me grappling for a lifeline.
I picked my phone up, dialing before I changed my mind.
“Samantha, is that you?” my mother’s startled voice greeted me. She was surprised to hear from me, which wasn’t a shock since we rarely talked—despite my efforts to the contrary.
Just the sound of her voice had the back of my eyes pricking with unshed tears. She’d offered me so little comfort in my life, and yet my body still reacted to her voice as though she could soothe even the deepest wounds. “It’s me. How are you?”
“We’re fabulous!” she crowed. “We just arrived at the Grand Canyon. It’s so gorgeous here. Your father has already taken about a zillion pictures.” She laughed before continuing to prattle me with the details of their latest adventures.
I fought to get a word in edgewise. “Sounds fun,” I managed when she paused to take a breath. The desire to share anything of consequence with her was rapidly waning.
“How are you and your brother?” she asked breezily.
“We’re okay. Had a bit of an incident,” I hedged.
“An incident?” she asked distractedly. “Paul, just a minute, sweetheart. I’m talking to Sam,” I heard her tell my father. “Yes, Sam,” she emphasized, as though she needed to clarify her daughter’s name.
I rolled my eyes, pushing the cereal around in my bowl.
