They would be in for one hell of a surprise, because I would fistfight a mountain lion for that dog. She’s been the only woman in my life since Brooke left, and I’m not sure I would’ve survived this long without her.
As Copper is finishing up, a set of headlights cut across the night as someone pulls into my driveway.
Not surprised Titus has come to try to apologize for accidentally forgetting to tell me he hired the woman I’ve been hopelessly in love with for the better part of a decade. He better have brought caramel cake, because I’m not feeling particularly forgiving right now.
I could have royally fucked everything up today—probably almost did considering I grabbed Brooke and kissed her within two minutes of walking into her office. Advance notice might have changed that.
Maybe.
After taking Copper back inside and giving her one of the homemade dog treats filling a lidded jar on the kitchen counter, I head for the front door, swinging it open before my brother can even?—
Brooke jumps a little, gasping as she yanks back the hand preparing to press my doorbell.
Shit. This is not good. Not good at all.
“Hi.” She shifts on her feet, looking uncertain.
It’s better than the way she looked when I found her in my parents’ house, so I’ll take it. Seeing her like that almost pushed me over an edge I didn’t know was coming.
She looked so sad. So broken.
So alone.
I have a few guesses about why that is, but I’m not going to start asking her questions. She’ll tell me what happened in California when she’s ready.
Until then, I’m going to do everything in my power to make it clear she’s not alone. That I’ve got her. That I’ll take care of her. That I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure she never feels that way again.
Starting with making her life as easy as possible.
I point at the vehicle in my driveway. “Is that a rental?” The question is rhetorical. It’s clearly a rental. If the base model sedan’s plates didn’t give it away, the sticker stuck to the window would have.
Brooke turns and looks at the car like she doesn’t quiteremember how she got here. Facing me again, she gives me a tight smile. “It is.” She doesn’t offer any more explanation.
Which is fine. I will get it at some point, that point’s just not now.
“I’ve got a spare car.” Or five. “You can drive it instead. It’s nicer, more comfortable, and will save you money.” I lay out all the reasons she should let me take care of her.
Most of the reasons.
“I—” She’s going to argue, so I decide to distract her.
Stepping back, I jerk my chin toward the inside of my house. “Come inside. It’s chilly out here.”
Spring is headed our way, but the nights are still cool. Cool enough Brooke is rubbing her arms through the fabric of the cheap sweatshirt she’s wearing. She takes a deep breath before crossing the threshold into my home. Putting her squarely where she belongs for the first time.
“Are you hungry?” I close the door behind her. “I was just getting ready to make myself some dinner.”
“Actually, that’s why I came.” She trails behind me as I walk toward my kitchen. I peek over my shoulder and watch as her dark eyes take in the space. “I wanted to thank you for ordering me lunch today.”
“You don’t need to thank me.” I brush it off like it’s no big deal. “I was ordering food for myself and figured you’d had a busy day. Probably hadn’t even thought about lunch.”
I know Brooke has changed since I last knew her. I know she’s different because so am I. But certain parts of people—who they are at their core—that doesn’t change.
And gorgeous, perfect Brooke is a bit of a workaholic. She also tends to get a bad case of tunnel vision when she’s focused on what she’s doing.
“Well, I appreciate it anyway.”
Her expression brightens as Copper makes a beeline for her, butt wiggling because she still prefers her mama.
