Page 52 of Branded Hearts

“That sounds like so much fun!” I chime in.

Liv nods eagerly. “I’ve heard the views from the trail are breathtaking.”

“And it’ll be great to get some fresh air and exercise,” Imogen adds.

“I should probably get some exercise in before I become too big to walk,” Isla quips, and Xavier jumps in, teasing.

“Don’t worry, doc, I’ll make sure you get plenty of exercise,” he says with a cheeky wink.

“Oh, shut it, you,” Isla retorts, playfully rolling her eyes at Xavier. Bradley saunters over, his tall frame casting a shadow as he sets down the sizzling foil trays of snags, ribs, and vegetables.

“Dig in,” he announces, his voice carrying the warmth of a friend ready to share a meal.

“Finally!” Isla exclaims, her enthusiasm palpable as she bounces in her seat. “I’m starving!”

As we all start serving ourselves, the atmosphere relaxes, and I’m relieved to be distracted from my buzzing phone and thoughts of Bradley.

“We should make this a tradition,” Harrison declares, breaking the comfortable silence.

“I’m all for it. A yearly getaway sounds perfect,” Liv agrees, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm.

“Cheers to a fun weekend, and to the newest Mitchell member!” Xavier announces, raising his beer before taking a swig.

Now fully satisfied after the meal, we’re still gathered around the wooden table, discussing things we’re too scared to try. I tune back in just in time to hear Isla say, “I’m excited to have this baby,” clutching her stomach, “but giving birth terrifies me.”

Imogen chimes in, “Oh gosh, that’s a good one. I’ll never understand how our bodies can do that.” She shudders at the thought.

Xavier wraps an arm around Isla, reassuring her, “You’ll be fine, babe. You’re so strong.”

Liv turns to me, and I freeze, trying to think of something. Finally, I say, “I’ve always dreamt of moving to the city to be with my sister, maybe owning my own art gallery.”

This sparks up a conversation about my artworks. Imogen asks me, “Ooo, I didn’t know you’re an artist. What kind of artworks do you create?” causing me to blush.

“Not many people do, and well, I paint portraits mostly, and some still life, here and there,” I explain.

Harrison looks intrigued and asks, “What’s still life?”

I smile. “Paintings of inanimate objects, like fruit, flowers, or objects.”

Harrison nods, impressed. “Oh, mad.”

Liv turns to Bradley. “What about you, Bradley? What’ssomething you’d love to do but are too scared to do?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know.”

Xavier nudges him playfully. “Oh, come on, mate. There’s gotta be something.”

Bradley thinks for a moment before saying, “I don’t know. I guess just doing something, or anything, for myself for once. I have to put others before myself a lot of the time, especially with work, so…”

He stops talking, allowing his words to trail off. “Anyway. Enough about me,” he finishes in a dismissive tone.

The group falls silent. Isla makes an aww sound before saying, “Well, I think that’s a really good one. Doing things for yourself can be scary sometimes.”

Everyone voices their agreements, and I find myself nodding a little too enthusiastically because, well, hearing him say those words just sends a dull ache to my heart. His admission hits me right in the feels.

Who knew the strong, stoic Bradley had such deep thoughts?

It’s like discovering there’s a whole new layer to him that I never knew existed. The stoic guy who always seems to have it all together is admitting he doesn’t always put himself first.

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