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“Okay, I’ll level with you. I’m disappointed you didn’t feel you could tell me before, but I value your friendship, too. And I want Ro to be happy. All her family does.”

“So do I.”

Coop nodded and tipped back his beer. “So whatever’s going on, whatever has made her miserable, fix it.”

My heartbeat ticked up to a gallop. “Are you sure you’re cool? You’re like a brother.”

“Likewise. I just hope that doesn’t change. And I’ll miss my trips to Denver.”

I chuckled. “I’ll miss my wingman.”

“Listen, you couldn’t do any better than my sister.”

“I know that. And her?”

Coop sucked a breath in through his teeth. “That remains to be seen, but remember, for the foreseeable future, I own your balls. And I’m not the one you should talk to, am I?”

Coop was right. I had to find Ro. Speak toher.Convince her we were a good idea. “Do you know where she is?”

Coop shook his head. “I haven’t seen her. But ask Eve. She’ll know.”

28

RO

The scent of spring flowers weaved around the gravestones at the cemetery, tickling my nose as a single crow watched me from the branches above. The cemetery was one of the most peaceful places in town and this afternoon, in stillness, Mom and I put the world to rights. Found some answers to my Brody-sized questions.

I’d said some awful words to him. Accused him of things he hadn’t done. Of being with women he hadn’t been with. Mom reminded me that I hadn’t sworn myself off men over the years. Not that I’d had a the same opportunities as Brody, but I hadn’t exactly shut myself away in a convent, either. He had just as much right to bring up my past. But he hadn’t. I’d been the only one acting like a child, and now I had to put it right. Let him know how sorry I was for not trusting him.

The thought of losing him again gave me the dullest ache in my chest. I didn’t expect him to welcome me back with open arms, though. I hadn’t gone to find him when I heard about his contract. It was hardly the act of a friend, but even if he couldn’t forgive me, I’d still love him. Always.

I stood and moved over to Mom’s grave, crouching down to run my fingers over the soft petals of the flowers I’d brought. “Bye, Mom. Talk soon.”

With a sigh, I turned and walked up the sloping path that led back to the road. The gravel path crunched beneath my feet, and I passed through the old steel gates, closing them behind me. When I turned back toward town, a flash of white caught my eye under the big oak tree. I squinted into the low, late afternoon sun, and my breath tottered in my chest.

Brody leaned against the old gnarled trunk, his arms folded against his chest, the smallest of smiles on his lips. He looked clean and gorgeous, and everything that had my heart wringing itself inside out yesterday. The cut of his jaw and the lean bulk of him never failed to make my breath skitter.

When he saw me, he straightened, and his blue eyes glowed. Glowed like I was the most wonderful thing he’d ever seen. Like I was a freshly glazed donut when he hadn’t eaten in days. Even from twenty paces, my cheeks heated.

I moved toward him, the faint, purple smudges under his eyes coming into focus. “You’re tired.”

He half grimaced, half smiled. “You could say that.”

I cringed. My words were woefully inadequate. The guy had just lost his career. Of course, he’d be tired and in the pits of depression, no doubt. It wasn’t as if a solid eight hours would solve all his problems.

I’d caught up on the news earlier. Brody’s team had well and truly dropped him, and most likely, his endorsements would disappear, too.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

He gave the tiniest shake of his head. Oh, holy crap, what was wrong with me? Why was I suddenly incapable of using sensible, sophisticated words instead of awkward small talk?

“I’ll be honest. I’m not doing my best.” He cast his eyes down to his feet before bringing them back up to fix on mine. “But I have an idea what would make me feel better.”

Again, his eyes glowed with something I couldn’t quite place, and my heart pounded at their intensity.

Brody stepped toward me and took one of my hands, stroking his thumb over my knuckles.

“What?” I asked, my voice barely a whisper. The corners of his lips curved, tempting me with all the unholy dreams I’d ever had for us.