Page 38 of The Inquirer

Still…

Liking each other isn’t always enough.

Her reply was quick, and I could almost see her rolling her eyes.

Duh. I know that. You have to work at it.

Fuck again.

I shook my head. I wished I could say that this was the first time Rose had put me in my place, but I couldn’t. She had a way of seeing and saying things that no one else could or would. She was the best person I knew, and Kaimi agreed with me. Rose was better than either of us had ever been or ever would be.

And I couldn’t disappoint her.

I’ll talk to him.

I didn’t have to explain to her what was going on. Those words would be enough for her to know that I’d heard her and that I wouldn’t give up.

Good. I’ll send you pictures of the costumes when we decide.

I didn’t let myself look at the time or try to keep a conversation with Rose going. It would’ve just been me trying to put it off because I was still terrified of what would happen if I followed through.

But I’d be damned if I let Rose down.

With that in my mind, I got up, put on my shoes, and headed for Bradyn’s cabin. My stomach was tied in knots, but Rose was the best motivation I could have. I wanted to try this with Bradyn, but fear might’ve kept me away, anyway. Not now, though.

I just hoped I wasn’t too late.

I knocked on the door and put my hands in my pockets to hide that they were shaking. My chest was tight, my face flushed. I almost felt like I might pass out.

Then the door opened, and Bradyn was standing right in front of me.

Seventeen

Bradyn

I was in the middle of a Say Yes to the Dress binge when someone knocked on my door. I briefly considered putting on a shirt but decided if someone had decided to come by without calling or texting first, they’d get what they got. Besides, it wasn’t like there was anyone at the ranch who hadn’t seen me without my shirt at one point or another.

Nyx was the last person I expected to see on my porch, but there she was. Faded jeans and a fitted black tank top told me she hadn’t been out on a date, but that didn’t tell me why she was here. That hopeful little voice in my head wanted to believe that she was here because she’d decided that she wanted to see what this thing between us could be.

I reminded myself that making assumptions had gotten me into enough trouble and that I needed to stop reading into things. I needed her to actually say the words.

“Can I come in?”

The uncertain look on her face made my stomach twist. The urge to protect her was almost too strong for me to resist…but I did resist it because common sense told me that holding Nyx right now wouldn’t be the best idea.

“Please.” I stepped out of the way and wished I’d grabbed a shirt. I didn’t want her to think I was trying to seduce her or something, but it was too late now because if I went out of my way to get a shirt, she’d think that I didn’t want her to see me without my shirt…

Dammit!

“So, um, I was just talking to Rose – or texting her, actually – and she was telling me about going to a Halloween dance…” She waved a hand and blew out a very long breath. “That’s not important. What is important is that she said she liked you.”

I blinked, confused. “Why don’t you sit down? I’ll get you something to drink, and we can talk.”

She shook her head. “I’m not thirsty, and I don’t want to sit down.”

“All right,” I said. I still had no idea what she was doing.

She reminded me of a skittish horse or a wild animal, the sort that couldn’t be rushed. I had to stay calm, let her speak at her own speed. Let her take the lead. Have control. This hadn’t been easy for her, and what I was asking her to do wasn’t going to be easy either.

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