Page 5

Eve: What then?

I tapped out a quick reply and took a breath, letting it out through pursed lips. My thumb hovered over the send button. Was I ready for the third degree from my best friend? She’d be very thorough, and I wasn’t sure I’d have all the answers.

I crossed to the bathroom door, text unsent and phone still in my hand. The latch gave a satisfying click as it opened. With three older brothers in the house growing up, Gran gave me the only room with an en-suite. I’d never waited in line for the shower.

I turned on the light, propped my phone on the counter, and stripped off my sticky top. The lurid pink stain on its front offended my eyes, and a strong smell of raspberry syrup hung in the air. Unhooking my bra, I threw it into the laundry hamper with my shirt. I narrowed my eyes and examined myself in the mirror, twisting and turning to study my body. If Brody had changed. Turned into a proper man. What about me? Had I suddenly become all womanly?

Eve would know. She’d be honest. Tell me whether I’d blossomed into a small-town version of Taylor Swift or if I remained the awkward girl next door. I picked up my phone and pressed send.

Ro: Brody Flockhart is back in town. Staying at my house.

My phone buzzed against the tiles, and with my breath in my throat, I read Eve’s predictably rapid reply.

Eve: What the hell? Are you serious? Be still my beating heart!

Then, almost immediately:

Eve: How does he look?

My chuckle bounced off the walls as I put the phone back down. I’d wait to reply. I was still busy examining my curves, or lack thereof. Besides, Eve wasn’t going anywhere. I almost expected to hear her throwing stones at my window, demanding information.

I pulled my shorts off, kicked them in the corner, and studied myself again. I looked the same. Only my hair was longer. Maybe my breasts were a little bigger, but if I was Brody, and I was seeing me for the first time in years, there was nothing new and impressive. He was probably used to the cream of the crop. He’d have the best-looking girls with banging bodies lining up to date him.

I ignored the buzz of my phone. Instead, I placed my palms on either side of the sink, pulling close to the mirror to examine my face. To Brody, I must still look like the naïve eighteen-year-old who practically threw herself at him the night of her senior prom.

The same naïve eighteen-year-old stood dressed and ready to head out the door with Tommy Dovehill. The same girl Brody found on the porch, waiting for Tommy to arrive. Whose hand he’d taken, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. The girl he asked to be careful. Not to drink too much or get too crazy. And the one he’d raked his eyes over with a look of hunger that drew her in and sealed her fate.

Buzz.

With a sigh, I swallowed away a bitter taste. At that moment, all those years ago in the dark, I swore Brody had wanted to say something.Dosomething more. So I’d been captain of my own destiny and I’d gone on tiptoes and pressed my lips to his.

Buzz.

And he’d kissed me back. Melted my insides. Gave me sparks that fizzed on my skin, swirled in my brain, and stole my burgeoning heart. No other kiss ever lived up to Brody’s. It would be impossible.

I shook my head and picked up my phone to check Eve’s messages.

Eve: Details, please.

Eve: Please.

Eve: Rowena!

I let out a breath and tapped out a response. Eve was still crazy about Brody. Of course, she was. She hadn’t been the one to make the biggest fool of herself in front of him.

Ro: Sorry. Just jumping in the shower. Will fill you in tomorrow. Breakfast? Usual time?

Three balls bounced in the text box before Eve’s reply arrived.

Eve: Okay–but I want it noted you’re sending me to bed completely dissatisfied. I can’t find anything online about Brody being here. Only some pictures of him out with a model. They could be old, though. Will show you in the morning.

I’d rather she didn’t, but I sent her a thumbs up and turned on the faucet, running my toothbrush under its torrent of water. As the water gurgled in the drain, my thoughts raced back to Brody and my prom night humiliation.

About ten seconds into our kiss, he tensed, let go of me, and pulled away. The next moment, Coop stepped onto the deck with Tommy dressed in his tux. I never even heard him arrive.

I’d posed for the obligatory photos, cheeks ablaze and my body a squirming mess of need. I waited for Brody to catch my eye. To say something. Ask me not to go to the dance. To stay with him. Instead, he only stared at his feet.

When I stepped inside that limo, it was the last time I saw him in the flesh.