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Except for my ex. That first moment when we’d locked eyes from across a crowded room.
“I’m glad you’re back, Mandy.”
The declaration surprised me, and even more amazing were the emotions that he evoked in me as he watched me through those magnificent green eyes that were framed by long, dark lashes.
I couldn’t get over that this was Brax Mitchell. Little Brax Mitchell! The boy who had bent the frame of my brand new bicycle when he’d jumped it over the Rittenburgh’s hedge just minutes after I’d received it as a birthday present.
“Hey, buddy, did you even recognize my big sister?” Toby asked as he came down the hallway, instantly pulling my attention away from my churning thoughts.
Brax’s gaze shifted over me in a way that made the hair on my arms stand on end. His lips curved and his brow lifted. “I still see the girl in the woman.” His tone was silky soft.
Oh Brax…the things I could do to you. What the hell was I thinking? I had only been single for three months. The last thing I wanted, or needed, was a man in my life. Plus, I was gun-shy about getting into another relationship. I had been one hundred percent faithful to Ross our entire relationship. One man is all I’d had my entire life. I’d been so focused on getting out of this town that I hadn’t gotten tied up with anyone and had left Maple Creek with my virginity.
Thank God for that. Most girls my age couldn’t count their lovers on one hand.
“Well, are you going to leave him standing on the front porch all day?” Toby asked, giving me a sideways glance before stepping aside so Brax could come in. “It’s not a bad little place, is it? Needs a bit of elbow grease, but I figure between the two of us, it will be as good as new before long.”
Brax’s brows furrowed as he crossed the threshold. “The two of us, huh? Don’t you have school coming up?”
“Yes, but from time to time I can pitch in…if the price is right.” He gave me a hopeful look.
“I can pay minimum wage,” I replied, knowing I needed to watch every penny.
“Perfect,” he said, wiping his hands on his jeans before he looked at Brax. “So…I’m having some issues with this toilet though. In fact, care to take a look? Damn thing is giving me a headache.”
“Dude, if you’re having troubles fixing a toilet, then what good are you going to be when it comes to a complete renovation?” Brax must have seen my expression because he put a reassuring hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “Don’t worry, Mandy, you’re in good hands.”
CHAPTER 3
Brax
My heart was racing like a runaway train. I had thought my crush on Mandy was a thing of the past, but one look in those gorgeous blue eyes and I realized I still had it bad for my best friend’s big sister.
And now she was home to stay—living just blocks away from me, and I was renovating her house, which meant weeks and weeks of being under the same roof.
For as long as I could recall, I’d had a thing for Amanda Hathaway. Though I’d only been eight years old the first time I saw her, I still remembered how I felt at that moment. I’d come home on the bus with Toby¸ and we had been sitting at the kitchen table eating a snack when she walked through the door. There had been a heart-stopping moment when our gazes locked. I’d never forget that stare or the way her lips curved into a soft smile as she said hi.
Then the magic ended when her gaze shifted to the empty wrapper sitting on the table in front of me. Her smile quickly turned to a scowl when she asked if I’d just eaten the last cupcake.
Back then, we had never spoken more than a few words to each other.
That was a long time ago, back when we were still kids. Now she was a woman—a fact I was reminded of when I saw her in those yoga pants that molded to her curves.
I pulled my thoughts away from my best friend’s sexy sister long enough to fix the toilet. Toby had forgotten to put a gasket on where the tank met the bowl. It was a simple thing to fix, and soon we were back in the living room with Mandy.
A small chunk of hair had escaped her ponytail, and it was all I could do not to reach out and touch the strands that were dark blonde with highlights that brought out the blue in her eyes. She was a little taller than I recalled, standing well beneath my six-feet-two inches. She kept her shoulders straight, and I remember Toby talking about how she’d changed in the years she’d been away. Though she seemed friendly, I sensed she was being a bit guarded, which was understandable with what she’d gone through.
