She knew me too well, sometimes better than I knew myself. My stomach was full of tiny, little knots, each one representing something different that could go wrong over the next thirty-six hours. “I know, Mom. Thanks … for everything.”
Cupping my cheek lovingly with her hand, she said, “For you, anything. Now hurry, before traffic gets too bad.” She grabbed the plastic dress bag from the front hall closet and handed it to me. “Don’t forget this.”
Due to my complete lack of fashion sense, Lauren had stopped by that morning with a dozen dresses for me to try on for the dinner with Brody. She and my mom squealed and giggled louder with each dress I tried on, discussing how the ice blue one made my butt look perfect and the salmon colored one complimented my skin tone. I just stared at them like a deer in headlights and turned when they told me to.
Obviously, I picked the ice blue one.
I tossed my duffel bag in the back of my jeep and hung the dress on a hook. Butterflies slammed against my rib cage as I pulled out of the driveway, waving at the two little smiling faces on the porch. Not quite ready, I pulled back up the driveway, threw my jeep in park and dashed to the porch for one last kiss.
God, I’m going to miss them.
My phone beeped as I turned onto the main road. I looked down and saw it was a text from Brody. Rather than text back, I dialed his number.
“Hey!” He enthusiastically answered the phone.
“Hey you.”
“I was just checking to see where you are. Have you left yet?”
“Nope, bad news. I have the flu, I’m not gonna be able to make it.”
A heavy silence hung on the other end of the line, followed by a sigh. “Really? That totally sucks.” His deflated tone filled me with guilt … almost.
“No, not really.” I giggled. “I’m in my jeep, just left.”
“Oh, you think you’re funny, don’t ya?” His voice relaxed again. “You’re gonna pay for that one … I promise.”
Two hours later, I finally pulled into the underground parking lot at Brody’s building. I typed the code he gave me on the digital security screen and the metal gates swung open. I pulled my jeep in the open spot next to his truck where he’d instructed me to and went to the back to grab my bag.
“Nice back end.”
Spinning around, my eyes rested on Brody leaning up against a concrete pillar, his arms folded across his chest with a suggestive smirk on his face. I looked him up and down, head to toe, taking in every sexy inch. He had on a Wild t-shirt that hugged his biceps tight and made his eyes look extra intense. Loose curls peeked out from under the baseball cap he was wearing backwards, as usual. I almost forgot how ridiculously handsome he was, and he was smiling at me.
“Hey,” I replied shyly, not quite used to his compliments yet.
Not wasting any time, he walked over and wrapped his arms around me tight, picking me up off the ground. My whole body tingled as I squeezed him back just as hard.
“I could get used to this,” I said into his t-shirt, inhaling the scent of his cologne.
He put me down and hooked a finger under my chin, pulling it up to him as he put his lips on mine. It was a sweet, gentle kiss that melted my reserves away and instantly put me at ease.
“Good,” he replied as he pulled back. “Let me get your stuff.”
He snatched my duffel bag out of the backseat with his left hand and reached for mine with his right. He pulled it up to his lips and kissed my fingers.
“I’m glad you’re here.”
My heart swelled as I smiled up at him. “Me too.”
As we got to his condo door, he stopped and turned to me. “I have to warn you … my friend Viper is here. He had a fight with his girlfriend yesterday so he crashed here last night, but he’s leaving. He was supposed to be gone already, but he slept late.”
“I can’t wait to meet him,” I said, ignoring the twists and turns happening in my stomach again.
He turned the knob and grimaced at me. “You might regret saying that.”
All week long, I had been picturing Brody’s condo in my head. Lawn chairs in the living room, the garbage can overflowing with empty beer cans and take out containers covering every surface.
I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Not only was it spotless, it was warm and cozy. Decorated with leather furniture, funky artwork, and of course a TV bigger than I’d ever seen in my entire life.
Jumping up from the couch, Viper bounded over to us, throwing his arms around me. A little overwhelmed, I politely returned his hug. He pulled back and looked at me. “So, you’re the girl that tamed the beast, huh?” He looked over at Brody and nodded. “Nice choice, man. I approve.”
Brody narrowed his eyes at Viper, issuing a simple warning. “Easy.”
“I’m just giving her a compliment. Here, I’ll start over.” He took my hand in his, kissing the top of it as he bowed in front of me. “I’m Viper, very nice to meet you.”