Page 65 of Whisper Of Attraction (Whisper Lake 3)

CHAPTER 19

Brynn had only been talking to her mother for two minutes and she was ready to throw her phone out her office window. She closed her eyes and inhaled slowly in an effort to maintain the last shred of patience that she could muster as she leaned back in the desk chair that had seen better days. It squeaked loudly in protest as her mom droned on about how many news outlets her father had appeared on that morning.

She was only half-listening in an attempt to salvage whatever shred of sanity she had left. She opened her eyes and gazed outside. Her timing couldn’t have been any more perfect. Axel was exiting the theater wearing a white T-shirt, faded blue jeans, work boots, and a hat that was turned backwards. His signature tool belt was hanging on his hips, thus completing the mom-porn fantasy.

If someone had asked Brynn what were the qualities in her perfect mate B.A. (before Axel) her list would’ve included honesty, a sense of humor, empathy, intelligence, great smile, good laugh, and a good hugger. It would not have included being able to fix things, build things, or refurbish things. But A.A. (after Axel) she wasn’t sure she could settle for anything less.

Watching Axel fix, build, and restore things around her house and at the school had ignited an entirely new appreciation for a man that was good with his hands…and Axel was definitely good with his hands.

Flashes of how gently, and how roughly, he’d touched her sprang to her mind. Other men she’d been with had to be told where to touch her, which had never bothered her. It’s not like she expected anyone to be a mind reader. And it was her body, she took full responsibility for the pleasure that she did and didn’t receive. But somehow, Axel had instinctively known exactly where and how to touch her. It was as if her body was an orchestra and he was a master conductor, playing her into a pleasure crescendo.

Her mouth watered at the memories of their night together and she absentmindedly reached up and touched the corner of her mouth to make sure that no drool had collected there.

“Brynn?” Her mom’s voice worked like a rubber band and snapped her brain back to the conversation. “Are you there?”

“Yeah, sorry.”

“So? Do you?”

She’d completely zoned out. “Do I what?”

“Know how to make it so your phone tells you whenever your dad is mentioned in a news story?”

“Yes, I know how to set a Google alert.” She didn’t say that she’d be doing it.

“Oh good, because there’s more news coming out all the time about your father.”

Hoping to dissuade any delusions her mom might be operating in, she restated calmly, “Mom, I’ve told you before that man is nothing to me. I have no interest in his life.”

“Don’t worry about setting your phone. I know you’re busy. I’ll keep you posted.”

Please don’t.

For being so “in tune” with people’s energy, Shea Daniels was clueless when it came to her only daughter. It had always seemed like her mom had tried to use the power of positive thinking to will Brynn into being the daughter that she wanted her to be. But she never actually cared about the person that Brynn was.

“How is that handsome grandson of mine?”

Brynn grinned at the mention of Ryder. What Shea lacked in parenting she more than made up for in grandparenting. She’d always supported Ryder’s interests, listened to him when he spoke, and respected his wishes. The sun rose and set on that boy in her mom’s eyes. He could do no wrong. If she had to choose between Shea being a good mom or a good grandmother, she’d go grandma every time. The more people that loved Ryder unconditionally in this world, the better.

“He’s good.”

“And the play? How is the play going?”

“It’s coming along.” They were still two months away from opening night, and all the kids were basically off-book, including the understudies, thanks in no small part to Izzy.

That girl was truly impressive. In the one week she’d been in town she’d made herself invaluable to Brynn. As it stood now, she could honestly say that she wasn’t sure who she’d miss more when Axel was done with the project: him or his little sister.

Izzy was at rehearsals after school because Axel didn’t want her going home to an empty house. He was extremely protective of his little sister, and just like everything else Axel did, it was all kinds of sexy.

The first day, Izzy sat in the back of the theater and watched. She was quiet. Observant. Brynn had wondered if she was just shy or if she was irritated about being stuck there. But she was wrong on both points. The following day, Izzy showed up and told Brynn that she would be her assistant. It had taken Brynn completely by surprise, but that was nothing compared to how shocked she was at all the ways Izzy had made her life easier.

Izzy created a timeline for all departments: set design, costume design, talent, sound, and lights. Brynn truly hadn’t realized what an undertaking a high school production was and though she’d been doing her best, it seemed her best still required her to put out fires every day. It was a very reactive style of directing. But Izzy was proactive. She addressed problems before they arose.

“And what about Fiona? Is young love still in the air?”

“Yep.”

Ryder and Fiona were officially together. KJ and Presley were still going strong, and she was pretty sure Ricky and Izzy were going to be the next couple in Whisper Lake. The two of them were huddled together talking and laughing every chance they got.

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