Page 18 of Climb Me Maybe
"So," he says, taking a sip of his beer."Your interview with the spa’s coming up soon, right?"
“Uh-huh.”I take a drink.
Something flickers across his face."How are you feeling about it?"
"Confident.But still nervous.”
“Why?You’re a shoe-in.You know your stuff, have excellent skills, and are great with people.”
I smile.“Well, thank you for that, Brady.”I sigh, looking out at the fire.“I’d love to stick around here, put down some roots.”I glance at him sideways.“This place is growing on me.”
"The camp?"
"The camp.The people."I pause meaningfully."The scenery."
His cheeks flush, and he looks down at his beer."Montana's beautiful."
"It is."I'm not just talking about Montana, and I hope he knows that.
The evening progresses with more music, more drinks, more stolen glances.Brady’s quiet laugh becomes more frequent, his smiles lasting longer.When Sky drags Graham up to dance to Rourke's guitar playing, Brady shakes his head in amusement.
"Never seen him dance this much before," he says.
“Before when?”
“Before Sky.”
"They're cute together."I watch the couple swaying to the music, completely absorbed in each other."How long have they been married?"
"About a year.Ewan and Hazel have only been married a few months.They’re both in that honeymoon phase.It’s kinda annoying."
I laugh."Cynical much?"
"Realistic."But his expression softens."But Teagan, Sky, and Hazel, have been good for the guys.They’re a nice balance to each of them."
"Is that what you think makes a good relationship?Balance?"
He considers this, rolling his beer bottle between his palms."Maybe.Or maybe it's finding someone who sees your broken pieces and stays anyway."
The words hang between us.I turn to study his profile, the way the firelight plays across his features.
"You're not broken, Brady."
He meets my eyes, and something stirs in them."I’m heading that direction.”
"Oh comeon," My voice comes out on a groan."You’re in excellent shape for your age.Outstandingshape.Better than any man I’ve ever worked on.Strong, inside and out.”
His jaw tics."Imogen, you really don’t know me."
“Hmm, well, from what I’ve seen so far…you’re kind, thoughtful.You care about your work, your friends, and preserving your family’s legacy.”
He rubs the back of his neck, and I press on.
“You make these sexy little sounds when I work the knots out of your muscles that make me think incredibly dirty thoughts.”
His face flames red."Christ."
"And I know that despite what you think, you're not too old, or too set in your ways, or tooanythingto deserve good things."
