Page 73 of The Magic of Sea Glass
For an instant, she didn’t know what to say, her feelings for Brody welling up and nearly overwhelming her. She’d never had anyone take this kind of time for her. There was so much more to Brody than she’d ever imagined. “It’s so beautiful, Brody, thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
* * *
Lauren and Brody arrived at the Tide and Swallow later that evening and met Mary finishing things up at the front desk. The film crew was noticeably absent. “Where’s Dave?” Lauren asked.
“He told me that he went to film Mitchell at work for a few clips to use when he introduces them.”
Happy to have a little time to herself, Lauren and Brody walked Mary to her suite and filled her in on how Joe was doing.
“I’ll have to make him a casserole, so he’ll have something to eat,” Mary said, her warmth for the man evident.
“Well, he’s eaten lunch,” Lauren told her, “and Brody’s stopping by his house later, so you can rest easily.”
“Thank you, you two.” Mary reached up and gave each of them a hug.
After they said their goodbyes, Brody walked back down the hall with Lauren. “Mind if I come in for a minute so I can see the sea glass in its new home?” he asked, as she slipped her key in the lock and opened the door.
“Sure,” she replied. She was tired and wanted to sink into a bathtub full of bubbles, wrap herself in her fluffy robe, and curl up in bed. Also, the intimacy of having him in her personal space made her nervous. But she’d focus on the work she still had to do before Stephanie and Mitchell’s big day. She offered Brody a spot on the sofa and went into the bedroom, scooping up the sea glass, along with the ring she’d bought with Stephanie.
When she returned, Brody opened the box and she gently placed the sea glass inside. “Look at how perfectly the colors match,” she said. “They’re almost camouflaged against the painting.”
With a satisfied look, he closed the lid and handed it to her, their fingers brushing as the box changed hands. Lauren set the small chest on the coffee table, trying not to look into those sapphire eyes of his. There was an air of electricity between them that they were both trying to navigate. Lauren was the first to break the spell, turning away to put the box back on her dresser.
“Think Joe will still be able to walk Stephanie down the aisle tomorrow?” Brody asked, plopping down on the sofa.
“I’ll have a chair for him at the front, so the minute he’s finished walking her, he doesn’t have to stand,” Lauren replied, lowering herself down beside him. Even sitting next to Brody was difficult. She wasn’t sure how to act, or what she was feeling exactly. It would feel so normal to drape her legs over his and lean her head against his shoulder as if the two of them had been together for years. But there was nothing telling her that it was okay to take that step and she wasn’t even sure if she should.
Brody rubbed the scruff on his chin and changed the subject. “Speaking of Stephanie, think she’s gonna freak about the shirt and no jacket?”
“You know better than I do.” After what she’d put Stephanie through, something like this should be a piece of cake.
“Yeah, it’s hard to say…” He turned toward her, his eyes full of interest. “So with my clothes taken care of, what do you have left to do for the wedding?”
“I still have to map out seating arrangements for the dinner. And I need to get the final place cards organized. Then, early tomorrow morning, I’ll set them out and make sure everyone who’s decorating and preparing the space shows up.” She rubbed her shoulder, a pinch forming. She prayed she could do this.
“You’re putting together the seating thing tonight?” He looked at his watch. “It’s getting kind of late.”
“I know. But I’ve had worse schedules, believe me.” She rubbed her shoulder again.
“Turn around,” he said gently.
“Why?”
“Because you’ve rubbed your shoulder twice.” He put his strong hand on the base of her neck and guided her to face away from him. Moving her hair, he placed his thumbs right on the two spots that had been giving her trouble and began to knead the pain away.
Lauren closed her eyes, unable to remember the last time someone had done something like that for her. She let out an exhale of relief.
“Feeling any better?” he asked, his voice soft.
“Getting there,” she said.
A little huff of a chuckle escaped his lips.
“What?”
“I won’t talk,” he replied.
