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She’s obviously done talking about her aunt. I say, “Maybe one day your mom will come around.”
With a colossal grin on her face, she plucks a photo from the box. “Found it.”
Looking down at the photo, I laugh so hard my stomach hurts. The picture of little-boy Tug in his tighty-whiteys is priceless. His hands are turned into fists resting on his hips, and a bright red cape is tied around his neck, exactly as I remember. Even back then, Liv would give him shit and tease him that Spiderman didn’t wear a cape. He’s smiling through crooked teeth like he just saved the world. He looks the same, except his teeth are now straightened from braces. The best part of the photo by far is that he’s paired his super-hero outfit with black cowboy boots.
“He’s such a dork,” Liv teases at the same time I say,
“Aw, he’s so cute.”
Brady
She’s sitting all alone on the couch, watching television, when I stroll into the living room, exhausted from a long day in the sun. The tiny shorts and tight T-shirt she’s wearing hug every curve of her perfect figure. Her feet
rest on the coffee table, foam hearts sticking out of the tops of her toes.
“Hey, Tor.”
As she looks up at me, a soft smile lifts her lips, and my heart skips a beat. She’s fucking beautiful. “Hey, Brady.” The warmth of her voice fills me with emotions.
Pointing at her toes, I tease her. “New fashion trend?”
She points to her feet. “Toe separators.”
Okay, that makes more sense…not. “Where is everyone?”
“Liv ditched me for a guy. And your parents are out for the evening at some fundraiser. Where’s Tug?”
“He stayed at the beach with some of his buddies. Guess you’re stuck with me.” I grin playfully and point to the kitchen. “I’m going to grab a beer. You want one?”
“Sure, I’ll take one.”
While in the kitchen, I remember how she smiled when I handed her that tissue in the garage earlier today. I decide to do it again. Grabbing a tissue from the box on the island, I write a quick note on it to take back with me. After folding it into a square, I carefully slip it in my pocket. It’s corny as hell, but I can’t help it. I’d do anything to see her smile like that again.
With two beers in one hand and a container of dip in the other, I use my teeth to carry a bag of potato chips and return to the living room. I open my mouth and the bag lands perfectly on the coffee table. Tori chuckles, and I bend my head to smile at her. I set the dip down first, and then transfer one of the beers to my other hand and offer her one before sitting down on the edge of the couch next to her. She sips her beer and then sets it on the side table.
“How was the skiing?” she asks, leaning over to remove the hearts from her toes.
I’m a goddamn pig. I say this because I’m blatantly staring down her shirt to catch a peek at her breasts. Fuck! She’s braless, and my eyes lock on the lightly tanned mounds. Then my pervert mind trails off, wondering how the tan reaches her nipples. Shaking away the thought before my dick reacts, I remember she’s asked me a question.
“Uh…the skiing…it was sweet. You guys should have come out. It was a great day for it.”
“I’ll bet.” She rolls her bottom lip between her teeth slowly just as I pull on my beer. I cough and nearly spit beer all over her. “Sorry I missed it.”
She bites down on her lip again. Is she doing that on purpose? For a passing second I consider kissing her. I think about wrapping her hair around my fingers and pulling her mouth to mine. Sucking on that lip and making her come with my fingers. But it’s only a passing thought during a blip in time. It’s not right.
“I’ve got something for you.”
Her brow scrunches in confusion, as I retrieve the tissue square from my pocket. She rewards me with the smile I hoped for as she unfolds it. It says, What time do you work tomorrow?
“I have to be there at eight in the morning.” She holds the tissue up. “You could have just asked.”
“And miss the chance to rag on you about your nearly lethal assault?” I take another swig of my beer. She wrinkles her nose and shrugs. I’m sure she wants to punch me. “So…what time do you get off?”
She tilts her head, looking at me like she’s trying to figure me out. I should tell her to get in line. “When Liv gets there at three.”
I prop my beer on my knee, silently questioning what I’m about to do. “I’d like to take you somewhere tomorrow. Would you be okay with that, or am I pushing the friendship line?”
She looks at me without talking, her eyes blinking rapidly. It’s an uncomfortable moment, but it doesn’t last long. “I’d be fine with it. Friends do hang out together, Brady,” she says with a reassuring smile.
