Page 1 of Bragg's Match

Chapter 1

Soleil – a woman who’s too dang tired to deal with the shenanigans of a man-child

Iyawn as I shuffle to the kitchen. What a long freaking day. My back aches from sitting behind my pottery wheel for ten straight hours. I stop in front of the refrigerator and raise my hands in the air to stretch out my muscles before I open the door.

“AAAAH!”

I scream at all of the tiny creatures in the fridge staring back at me before I slam the door closed and lean against it to trap whatever’s in there.

The front door of the house flies open and Brody freaking Bragg sprints inside. Brody is a new resident in my hometown of Winter Falls. He moved here a few months ago with his brothers.

Since three of his brothers have found love with three of my friends, Brody and I have been hanging out together as the two unattached friends. I thought it was better than being a third-wheel, but now I’m not too sure.

“What’s going on?” He doesn’t even bother to attempt to hide his smirk.

My body switches from scared out of my mind to irritated in a flash. Brody may be a friend but he’s also a prankster who can’t be trusted. “What did you do?”

He bats his eyelashes. “What are you talking about?”

I clench my jaw and wave my hand toward the fridge. At least I know there aren’t any creatures in there. Just another Brody prank. “You know exactly what I mean.”

He smiles. “It’s my welcoming gift to you.”

“Welcoming gift? Why would you give me a welcoming gift? What are you talking about?”

“I’m your new roomie.” He takes a bow.

I cross my arms over my chest. “Roomie? You aren’t my roommate.”

“Sure, I am.” He motions toward the suitcases and boxes near the front door.

“What the hell?” I stomp toward the stuff. “What makes you think you can move in here without discussing it with me first?”

“Crap,” he mutters as he runs a hand through his lush hair.

No, not lush hair. Nothing about Brody is lush or beautiful or sexy. Not his sparkling blue eyes I want to drown in. Not his perfect smile with the barest hint of a dimple on his left cheek. Not his broad shoulders that appear strong enough to carry the weight of the world on them.

Okay, fine. He’s hot. He’s also a man-child. And I’m way too old to be interested in him. No matter what my body thinks. My mind knows better. I don’t need another person to look after. I’ve got enough on my plate as it is.

“Explain.” I motion toward the suitcases.

“I think I’ve been pranked,” he mutters.

I slap my hand over my mouth before my laughter can escape. Brody – the prankster to end all pranksters – got pranked? This is precious.

“What happened?” I ask once I manage to get my humor under control.

“My brother, Elder, kicked me out of his house. He said you have room for me.”

I can’t blame Elder for kicking him out of his house since his wife, Harmony, and her baby niece just moved in with him. Those two deserve their happily ever after considering all the heartbreak my friend Harmony has suffered in her life.

I wish I could find my happily ever after but I’ve resigned myself to be the best aunt this world has ever seen of the children my friends have.

“Elder didn’t discuss you staying here with me.” And I will be having words with him.

“I’m not any happier about this than you are. I don’t understand why I couldn’t stay at Elder’s. I sleep on the sofa. I’m not using up any space they need.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You want to live with your brother and his family?”

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