Page 57 of Sticking Around

He nods and glances at the window. “But it’s still early. Let’s go out and grab a bite to eat.” As he eyes me, I wipe a sheen of moisture from my forehead. Am I feverish? “Are you okay?” His eyes narrow. “Headache back?”

“No, not at all.” If the man wants to go out and eat, then I’m not going to let anything stand in the way. “I’m hungry too.” At least, I think the gurgling in my stomach is from hunger. I didn’t eat much at the pub.

“What do you feel like?” he climbs to his feet and holds a hand out to me. I take it and he pulls me up beside him.

“A shower.”

He chuckles. “Good idea.” Hand in hand, we walk to the bathroom, and we take a luxuriously hot shower together. Once we’re done, we head back to the bedroom and I pull on a pair of clean yoga pants, a T-shirt and a loose-knit sweater. He dresses in jeans and a polo shirt.

Ten minutes later, I’m sitting beside him in his car, and he’s driving back toward the city. I have no idea where he wants to eat, and I don’t much care. I’m just happy we’re together.

“Oh hey, when I was doing a little research on Newfoundland.” He arches a brow. “I told you I was curious about your strange traditions.” I grin and add, “Anyway, I read that the government is going to be expanding and upgrading the fishing plant. Lots of new employment opportunities will be available.”

His head rears back, confusion on his face, and something tells me no one in his family mentioned that to him. “Really?”

“Yeah, and isn’t that fantastic? That will bring a lot to the communities.” He nods and goes quiet, and I change the subject. “Thanks for keeping my end of the semester celebration low key,” I tell him as he drives. “It’s what I wanted.” Honestly, I’m surprised my pants aren’t on fire. Jeez, I really have no right to feel sorry for myself, especially after that amazing, intimate sex.

It’s true, I told Brady I didn’t want anything big, or anything at all. Yet, deep inside me, I kind of hoped he’d do something special. God, haven’t past lessons taught me not to set myself up for disappointment? But that’s exactly what I did and I have no one to blame but myself for the way I’m currently feeling. A groan catches in my throat and I quickly disguise it with a cough.

“Dry throat,” I explain.

“I can stop and get you something to drink.”

“No, I can wait.”

See, right there. His thoughtfulness. How could I not fall for a man like Brady? Yeah, this is definitely all his fault.

He takes my hand and squeezes it and I lay my head back and let my lids drift shut as he drives. A short while later, he pulls into a parking spot in the downtown core and I sit up and glance around.

“Where are we?”

“You’ll see.”

He jumps from the car, circles it and opens my door. I take his hand and join him on the sidewalk, glancing up and down the block in search of restaurants. We walk down the sidewalk and he stops outside what looks like a small house, but the bottom level is a business. I glance up and read the sign. The Nook.

“The Nook.” I’m pleasantly surprised as I question him. “This is the café that Gina owns? The woman we met on the beach, and I made a virgin daiquiri for her daughter?” He nods and I ask. “This is where you want to eat?”

“Yes, but it’s also where I wanted to have your celebration.”

He pulls open the door and tears fill my eyes when I see Brighton, Noah, Tania, Trevor and a bunch of the guys on his team, along with their wives and girlfriends.

“Don’t be mad,” he says quickly.

Mad, how could I be mad? This once again proves he’s a man who keeps his word and I can’t believe he went through all this trouble. Why would he do that?

Why am I even asking myself that? This is Coddy, and he doesn’t ask for things in return. “I’m not mad, but… Brady, I…I…” I shut my mouth. I don’t want to lie to him and tell him I didn’t want this. It seems like he can see right through me anyway. My gaze goes to Gina as she comes towards me, a huge smile on her face and a beautiful cake in her hands.

Brady leans in and whispers. “She jumped at the chance and went out of her way to help me organize all of this. No catch, Lanie. I think you two are going to be great friends.”

Friends…

I warm to that idea as Gina shows me the cake. God, I don’t know what is wrong with me. I’m not usually this emotional. But today has just been…so amazing.

“It’s beautiful, thank you.”

Gina’s smile widens. “I’m so happy you like it.”

I turn and cup Brady’s face. “Thank you.”

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