Page 16 of Brodie

“Oh.”

“Do you have a boyfriend?” He places his menu on the table,giving me his undivided attention. I shake my head. “When was your lastrelationship?”

Damn, I should have thought about how my question might beturned around on me. “A few months before I moved here,” I say, thankful that Idon’t need to say more because the waitress shows up to take our orders.

“Okay,” he starts when she wanders off a minute later. Allhope of getting out of this conversation crashes and burns when he asks, “Whathappened with your ex?”

“You go first.”

He leans back in his chair, studying me with an odd look. “Ilet my ego take up space in our relationship.” I frown at him, not sure whatthat means. “She told me she wasn’t comfortable with the amount of femaleattention I get, and I ignored her.”

“Did you cheat on her?” I can’t help the anger that seepsinto my tone. And if he says yes, I will get up and walk away from this tablewithout letting him explain.

“Fuck no. I would never have hurt her like that.” He scrubshis fingers through his hair. “I was just a shitty boyfriend. I see it now, butat the time, I thought she was just insecure. And she was, but not for thereason I assumed. I didn’t give her the attention she needed to let her knowshe was a priority. I didn’t make her feel safe. I didn’t tell women no whenthey wanted a picture or avoid the flirting that sometimes goes along withthat. I didn’t think it was a big deal. I knew it wasn’t going anywhere andthought it was innocent.” He shakes his head. “Like I said, my ego took up alot of room in our relationship.”

I chew the inside of my cheek now, understanding why hiswhole demeanor changed when women approached him.

“Now, you tell me what happened with your ex.”

“I found out that he was sleeping with my soon-to-bestepsister.”

His eyes widen. “He what?”

“It’s not a big deal.”

“Yeah, Ree, it is a big fucking deal. What the fuck?”

“Okay, you’re right, it is a big deal.” I let out a breath.“He was my best friend, and I don’t mean that in the way some people talk abouttheir partners. I mean, we were best friends since we were little, and only gottogether a couple of months before he slept with her, and I moved. I…” I shakemy head. “It’s funny.”

“What is?”

“I knew before we even got together that a relationshipbetween us wouldn’t work. I knew from watching him date that I was nothing likethe other women he had been with. But he was so adamant that he wanted to be ina relationship with me that I got scared and gave in because I didn’t want tolose him.” I shake my head. “Then I lost him anyway.”

“How were you different than the other women he dated?”

“They were all beautiful and peppy cheerleaders or sororitygirls. That just isn’t me.”

“You’re gorgeous, Ree.” I give him a doubt-filled look, andnot because I’m vying for a compliment. I don’t think I’m ugly, but gorgeousis not a word anyone has ever used to describe me. I’ve been cute since I waslittle. “The first time I saw you, I thought you were beautiful. And in a worldfilled with sorority girls, you stand out because you’re just you with yournerdy books and ability to be brutally honest and funny as fuck.”

“Thank you.” It seems like a stupid reply, but the wordsslip off the tip of my tongue while my heart flutters behind my rib cage.

Darn. When his gaze softens like it did just now, it’s hardto remember why I shouldn’t want more than just his friendship.

“I have a question.”

“Okay.” I pick up my water and take a sip.

“Do you work next weekend, or can you take off?”

“I don’t work Saturday or Sunday. It’s my one weekend offthis month.”

“Perfect. Do you want to go with me to New York?”

“New York?” My brows drag together.

“I have a fundraiser I need to attend Saturday night, and Ineed a date.”

“And you want me to go with you? As your date?”

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