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The trunk of my car was loaded down with goodies. Cupcakes, tarts, and, of course, croissants. Suzy was looking cute in a new butter-yellow Bee Sweet V-neck T-shirt, her short hair framing her cute face. This was her first event outside of the bakery, and she was excited to be out and helping to cater the opening of Cal and TJ’s shop.
We pulled up to a full parking lot and my eyes teared up a bit at the site. Shelly had catered the savory portion of the opening, and Suzy and I were coming at the end of the event to set up the pastries. I unfolded the cart and, as we were loading up, I noticed a large group of people coming to the front of the shop. Brock was standing up on a ladder, with TJ, Cal, Scott, Shelly, and Sasha all standing below, the large crowd gathered around them. I couldn’t hear what Brock said, but I watched as he lifted the tarp to reveal the large sign underneath. The sign said C.T. Custom Body Shop in bold letters. It looked like the sign had been hammered into a large piece of scrap metal, almost like the hood of a car. It was beautiful.
As we walked closer, I saw Cal and TJ smiling broadly as they each threw their arms around Brock in one big man hug. By the time Shelly saw us and walked over, I almost had control of my sniffling.
“Isn’t that amazing?” Shelly asked when she got close enough, motioning up to the sign.
“It’s beautiful,” I agreed. “Brock surprised them?”
“Yeah, had it custom made.” I noticed Shelly’s eyes were misty too, and we both laughed as we embraced each other. “Where do you want us?”
Suzy and I followed Shelly into the open bay of the garage, where she had a table set up for us on the other side of the now empty food station.
While we were setting up our display, I heard a throat clearing next to me and looked up, surprised and a little nervous to see Brady standing in front of me.
“Hey, Brady,” I said in greeting. “How’s it going?”
“Really good,” Brady replied, shuffling on his feet as if he was nervous. “TJ’s made awesome progress on my Malibu.” He looked outside of the doors and followed his gaze to where the car was on display outside.
“It looks beautiful,” I replied. “TJ’s very talented.”
“Yeah … Um, I didn’t come over here to talk to you about the car.” Brady took a breath and lifted his brooding eyes to me. “I wanted to apologize. About that day in the office. I was protecting my brother, but I shouldn’t have jumped all over you like that.”
I gave him a small smile and replied, “You don’t have to apologize. I understand.”
When he stood there another few minutes, as if unsure of what to do next, I offered, “Want a cupcake?”
The smile he gave me was gorgeous, his white teeth contrasting against his tanned skin, and, as he took the cupcake, I knew everything was all right between us. I smiled as he walked away and was startled when Suzy squeaked behind me, “Who. Was. That?”
I chuckled as I watched her watch Brady walk over to his car. I had to admit he was a very good-looking man.
“That’s one of Brock’s brothers, Brady.”
“Ho-ly shit!” Suzy exclaimed, slapping herself on the forehead dramatically. “One of his brothers? What does the other one look like? Were their parents Greek gods?”
I laughed out loud and shook my head as I finished putting out the pastries.
“I’m going to go out to my car to get the last box of croissants, can you hold down the table until I get back?”
“Sure thing, Gaby,” Suzy said with an impish grin. “I’ll just stand here and check out all the man candy out there…” She moved her arm in a sweeping gesture. I looked around the crowd. “You’re right, it is a good-looking group.”
“Wha … Who is that?” Suzy squealed again, her voice up a million decibels. I followed her pointed finger to the bay door entrance and saw Mr. Brandt walking in. I pushed her arm back down to her side and answered, “Scott’s boss,” before walking quickly out of the garage toward my car.
I was walking back with the pastry box when I saw Brock walking over to me.
“Hi,” I said with a genuine smile. “That sign looks amazing.”
Brock looked back over his shoulder and up at the sign.
“I thought it would fit what they were trying to do here. I’m happy they like it.”
“I’m sure they love it,” I replied.
“Look, Gaby, I know you have to get to work, but I just wanted to let you know that we’re good.” He gestured his hand between the two of us, and I felt a tension that I hadn’t realized I’d been carrying, ease.
“Thank you,” I said simply. Honestly. As I walked to pass him, I paused in front of him, then lifted up on my tiptoes. Understanding what I was trying to do, he bent his head so I could kiss him briefly on the cheek. I left him standing there and went back to where Suzy was waiting.
“Everything okay?” Scott was standing by the table talking to Suzy when I walked up. He nodded in the direction that I’d come, and I knew he’d seen me talking to Brock.
