Page 37 of Tethered Hearts

“To see if I’m okay being called your arm candy?”

“You read that, huh?”

“Yeah.”

His heart soared hearing the smile in her voice. The media never held back from their observations or judgements, but Brie seemed to have taken it in her stride. She had so many reasons to be frightened away, or to be annoyed with him and shun him forever, and yet here they were, sharing a laugh and talking with ease.

Winston pushed through the doggy door and padded over to sit at his feet. Matt inhaled the tang of salty air mixed with the damp earthen scent from the earlier rain. “So, are you?” he asked, rubbing a hand over Winston’s belly.

“Am I what?”

“Are you okay with being my permanent arm candy?” He grinned, trying to imagine the look on her face at his brazenness.

A splutter of laughter filled his ear. “I can’t believe you just asked me that,” Brie said, gulping for air. “As long as you don’t mind autographing one of my magazine clippings of you.”

“What? You seriously have magazine clippings of me?”

“Well, not anymore. I got rid of those the first day you walked into the clinic. And just so you know, I never stuck pictures of you on my wall.”

“That’s disappointing.”

“I was more interested in the articles, and the analytical aspects of your running style.”

“So, using your career as an excuse to drool over my body.”

“Matt! I’m trying really hard not to sound like a goose here.” Brie’s sigh of exasperation filled his ear.

“You make it so easy.” He chuckled, wishing he were with her now so he could see the spark in her eyes, the smile on her lips. “But, back to my original question.”

“Arm candy?”

“Yes. But dating sounds less crass and more official, don’t you think?” His gaze landed on a lone kite surfer skimming across the waves. Would he ever get a chance to do that in the future? To stand up on his own without any aid and be carried by the wind and waves? He could only hope. And the woman he was talking to had shown him that there was still hope for him. He only wished she’d hurry up and answer.

As though reading his mind, Brie finally spoke. “Matt, it would be my honour. Although, I can’t guarantee that being arm candy will come naturally to me, or that I will look like a runway model every time you see me. At the moment, I look like something from a horror movie with the bruises all over me. And I really don’t think an evening dress with high heels is suitable attire for the dog park. Sorry to disappoint.”

The grin in her voice was almost tangible and Matt’s sombre mood from earlier dissipated. Tears of laughter spilled down his cheeks. Oh, his heart. This woman. What an incredible gift. She was joy personified, and he couldn’t wait to wrap her in his arms and show her just how much she meant to him.

---