Page 79 of Lucky in Love
“Faith’s right. It doesn’t fit,” Juliet agreed. “He’s super into you. Anyone can see that.”
“What if she’s holding him hostage?” Tess said. “Or stole his phone? Or is blackmailing him? We might have to do some sleuthing.”
“Settle down, Nancy Drew,” Faith said.
“Yeah,” Juliet said. “The last time Alex ‘sleuthed,’ Nick showed up on Brody’s doorstep ready to arrest a fugitive.”
They laughed at the memory.
“Even if he does have some explanation,” Alex said. “There’s no point in prolonging the inevitable. Brody’s not the kind of man who would move to Green Valley Falls. Plus, he’s got too much going on already, trying to start a new career and all that. He needs to be flexible to travel or relocate. It’s better this happens now, before I fall in love.”
They’d been friends for over twenty years. No one had to say out loud what was written-on-the-wall obvious—Alex was already in love with Brody.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Brody was racing home after dropping his mom at the airport when she texted to ask why he’d been so cruel in the Wanderlust article. He pulled over to read it, not understanding what she meant. His heart sank even as his blood boiled. And he spent the rest of the drive calling around to find out what the hell had happened and how he could fix it. But it was Sunday, the last day of a four-day weekend, and he got nowhere.
The only person he actually spoke to was his coworker Devin, who explained what little he knew—that management thought it would be more edgy to play up the bad stuff rather than use the same old this-place-is-great fluff. When he asked who had made the decision, Devin said he didn’t know and suggested he ask Chloe—fat chance of that.
Brody didn’t want to talk to Chloe, but he had no problem calling and leaving a scathing voicemail for Nathaniel. It wouldn’t solve anything, but it was mildly satisfying.
He’d driven straight to Alex’s to explain, but that hadn’t gone well. She was mad, and he didn’t blame her one bit. He’d give her a little time to cool off and then try again.
About an hour later, there was a knock at the door. Thinking it must be Alex, he took two long strides to the door and threw it open, desperate for another chance to explain and hopefully make up.
But standing on the porch was not the woman he wanted.
“Chloe? What are you doing here?”
“I had to come. You wouldn’t answer my emails.” She pushed her lips into some pouty nonsense that instantly irritated Brody. “I’m ready to pick up where we left off.”
“We ‘left off’ with you about to fall into bed with my boss.”
“You can’t hold that against me forever.” She huffed as if he were complaining about a dirty towel abandoned on the floor. “It was a mistake. Look, it’s freezing out here. Can I come in?”
“We have nothing to talk about.” He made no move to let her in. “Sucks you made the trip, but you might as well turn around and go home.”
He was just about to ask her whether she had anything to do with the unauthorized review changes when his phone buzzed in his hand. He turned his back on Chloe to answer it, hoping it was Alex.
“Brody Collins?” a male voice asked.
“Yeah.” While he talked, Chloe let herself in, setting her phone on the counter and helping herself to a kitchen chair.
“I’m an attending at Hartford General. Do you know Violet Collins?”
“She’s my mother,” Brody said, instantly on edge. “What’s happened?”
“We’ve admitted her for injuries sustained in a car accident—broken leg and multiple facial lacerations. We’re running tests to rule out internal trauma. She gave us your name as her emergency contact.”
“Yes. How is she? Can I talk to her?”
“She’s resting now, but she’ll need help once she gets released. Do you live close?”
“I’m a few hours away.” Brody was annoyed to find Chloe rummaging through his cupboards. “But I’ll leave immediately.Tell her I’m on my way. Thank you.” He disconnected and set his phone on the counter.
“Who was that?” Chloe asked.
Brody ignored her, raced to his room, and shoved the bare essentials into an overnight bag. When he came out, she was leaning provocatively against the kitchen island. He rolled his eyes.
