Page 85 of Lucky in Love
“You didn’t have to do that, Brody. I wasn’t holding it against you.”
“Maybe not, but I wanted to. I want to do anything to make your life easier. To make you happy.”
When Alex looked around again, the room had cleared. She had no doubt they were all huddled just outside the door though. Picturing it made her smile.
“Did you really think you could get rid of me so easily?”
“I never said ‘get rid’ of you,” she claimed.
“I heard a rumor about digging a hole for my body in someone’s backyard?”
“Oh, that.” She bit back a laugh. “Technically, that was Tess’s idea.”
“Hear me out.” He pulled her down to sit next to him on the couch. “I know you’re scared, or leery, or whatever you are, but I’m certain of this. Certain enough for both of us until you catch up. I love you, Alexandra Gray. I’m moving to Green Valley Falls. So, whether you give me another chance or not, I’ll be around.”
“It’s not that I don’twantto give you a chance.” She sighed. “I’ve just come to always expect the worst. It’s also very hard to believe that of all the women in the world, you would likemeso much.”
“Love you,” he corrected. “And why the heck wouldn’t I? You’re funny, beautiful, stubborn, and smart. I’ll admit, I doubted myself a little at first. Not you. Just whether I knew what love was. I mean, hell, I came this close to proposing to a selfish shrew that would have made my life miserable.”
“What makes you so surethisis real love then?” What she really wanted to ask was, how didanyoneknow whenanylove was real?
“I hate being away from you. I hate that I hurt your business with that stupid review. I especially hate that you thought, even for one second, that Chloe and I would ever get back together. I love your laugh and how tenacious you are. And I love that you’re confident enough to drain threes in a stadium full of people, but tender enough to adopt an injured duck.”
The corners of her mouth curled into a smile. “Wow. You’re really selling it.”
“But most of all,” he continued. “I can’t picture the future without you in it.”
“You do make a lot of good points,” she said, and he laughed.
His laugh, along with his words, warmed her heart. And if he could bare his soul, then so could she.
“Brody,” she started. “I love you too. I love that you’re kind and generous and strong and funny. That you’re patient and gorgeous. And I know it’s love because I can be around you for days at a time and not be annoyed.”
His cocky grin fueled her fire, and she held up a hand so he would let her finish.
“I’m sorry I said we should break up. I was afraid of my feelings. Afraid to let you in. Scared to trust someone. To avoid getting hurt, I built a wall around my heart, but you broke in andmelted it anyway. I’m not really into mushy, squishy feelings—this is probably the most you’ll ever get—but I love you, Brody.”
He smiled and flipped his baseball hat around backward to kiss her. A move that was her kryptonite.
“Ah, man,” she muttered, launching herself at him. After sealing the deal with a long kiss, she pulled back. “My friends knew about this?”
“Yes.” He nodded. “And that reminds me, I got you an early Christmas present, but it’s at your place.”
“Ooh. What is it?”
“A treadmill,” he said. “I realize it’s a risky gift, fraught with possible sexist overtones, but don’t think it’s any condemnation or comment about your weight. Your friends said it’s what you wanted.”
She laughed. “You’re a brave man, Brody Collins.”
“I also got you two tickets to Italy. I’m hoping you’ll take me, but you don’t have to.”
“What? That’s amazing,” she exclaimed, hugging him. “Thank you. Of course I’ll take you.”
“Whew.” He kissed her again. “So, does this mean I can get a better rate on my cabin?”
“Are you kidding me? After your commercial, we’re gonna be booked to the gills. You’re gonna have to move out so I can rent that thing for top dollar.”
“Cursed by my own good deed,” he said. “But I hope that’s the case.”
