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“Is that really why you came back, Brody, to give me the box?”
“Why would that be, Cass, I didn't have the box? I came back here for one last chance with you. But when you found the box, I figured you deserved to have whatever he left for you, Cass. It was important to him, he wanted you to have it, and I figured since I have fucked up so much and let him down enough over the last couple of years, this was my chance at redemption with him.”
“Do you even know what was in the box, Brody?”
“Not a fucking clue, Cass.”
I stepped forward, but Brody refused to look at me. I held out the letter to him.
“Read it.”
He kept his head down, his rough fingers grazing my hand, sending a jolt right to my center as he took the paper from me and opened it.
“In that letter, he has described someone who is very special to me. Someone who I can see myself spending the rest of my life with.”
Brody sat silently, still not meeting my eyes. “No worries, Cass, I'll pack up and be on my way, so you can be with him.”
“Ray is gone, Brody. It's over. Honestly, it has been over since the day you walked into my store. I don't think it was ever meant to happen with him.”
“It's over? So, he’s gone?”
“Yes. You're the one. You make me feel all those things in the letter. You are the one I am supposed to be with, Brody. Truthfully, I think you're the one he wanted me to be with.”
I walked closer to him, taking the letter from his hand and pushed my way in between his legs. I sat the letter on the bed beside him, took hold of both of his hands, wrapping them around my waist. It was only a matter of moments before I felt his hands grip into my ass to pull me closer to him.
“I meant what I said, I couldn't wait for you to come home. This is your home now. I'm in love with you, Brody, I don't think I ever stopped. My anger just sidetracked my feelings for you.”
“I'm in love with you too.” He lifted my shirt and pressed a soft kiss to my stomach.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Cass
Iwas cleaning up thestore and removing the tables and the remainder of books from the book drive after locking up for the night. Brody had gone out of town with a couple of the guys from the fire department and wouldn't be back until later tonight. I had just received my shipment of new releases late in the afternoon and needed to get them out on the shelves for tomorrow, the start of my boxing week and New Years’ sale.
I had just put away the two folding tables that had occupied floor space and packed away the three remaining shelves of donations, loading them into the back of my car to take to the library. Walking back into the store room, I loaded up my little cart with some boxes of my new shipment and headed back out front.
A light tapping on the front window caused me to pause while placing the books on the shelf above my head. I turned to see who it was and was shocked to find Ray standing with his face pressed up to the glass. We hadn't spoken since the night he threw me out.
He signaled to the front door to let him in. I was hesitant. He had never hurt me physically, but as angry as he had been that night, I wasn't sure letting him in while I was alone was the best idea. I pointed to the closed sign and shrugged my shoulders. I watched as he took his phone out of his pocket and typed out something. My phone vibrated in my pocket. Pulling out my phone I looked at the message.
Ray: I just want to talk.
I looked at Ray, not knowing what I should do. Brody had suggested I stay far away from him. My phone vibrated again in my hand.
Ray: Please, just talk, no anger
I sighed, looking at all the work I needed to get done, then back to the window, his sad eyes pleading with me. I walked over to the door and let him in.
“Hey.”
“Hey,” I replied.
“How have you been?”
“I'm fine,” I answered curtly, walking back over to where I was working.
Ray watched me as I emptied another box, moving onto the next one.
