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“I needed to stay busy that summer,” Brendan went on. “I had a finance internship, but I started volunteering in the mayor’s office too. And it clicked. When I went back to college, I ended up working on Senator Wilson’s campaign. It was such a high. I got hooked. I plotted out a whole new career path. I busted my ass for the senator, and I’ve stayed with him for five years.”
“Do you think you're attached to this senator the way you were to Ian?”
Brendan blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, you’re used to being part of a unit, but you don't need anyone else to be okay. You're pretty great on your own.”
A surprised smile creased Brendan’s face. “Did I just hear you correctly? Did you just say…I’mgreat?”
Sonia rolled her eyes. “Jesus. Don’t let it go to your head. I just felt like saying it.”
“I know you, Sonia. And you don't 'just say' anything.”
“You know me, huh?”
Brendan was turning on a waterfall of charm, dimples marking his cheeks. “Yeah, I think I do.”
Dropping her gaze, Sonia eased off her high heels, wincing as she wriggled her bare toes. “I borrowed these shoes from my grandma,” she said quickly, changing the subject. “They’re killing me. I don’t know how she walks around in them all day.”
Brendan held out his hand. “Give me your foot.”
“You don’t want my foot. It’s sweaty and it’s covered with calluses from dancing. This is not a sexy situation.”
“Give it.” Brendan’s smile broadened. “You said, anything I want this week. Well, I want to give you a foot rub.”
“Are you serious?”
“You can say yes now, or we can sit here until you do.” When she didn’t move, he winked at her. “I’m in no hurry, sunshine.”
Her face felt hot. “Sometimes you intimidate me.”
“Iintimidateyou?”Brendan looked stunned.
“Look at all this.” Sonia waved her hand in the general vicinity of his face and body. “You’re ridiculously attractive.”
“Are you kidding? Have you seen yourself? You’re…well, you’re…” Brendan broke off.
“I’m what?”
“You’re beautiful.”
“Oh, please. You don’t have to do that.”
“Did I say beautiful? Sorry. I meant heart-stopping. Breathtaking. Slaying me in my tracks.”
Why was her face burning? She lifted her head to gaze at him. “Don’t. Please, just don’t.”
Brendan let out a brief laugh. “Why? It’s all true.”
“Because if you start, I won’t want you to stop. I’ll get addicted to you saying pretty words that mean nothing.”
“They mean something to me.”
“What, exactly?”
Brendan rubbed his hand over his face. Then he gestured toward her bare feet, tucked under her on the blanket.
“Come on, Sonia. We’re both athletes. I know what it’s like to get wrecked. I’ve got no place to judge you.”
