Page 71 of Capturing You

He loved his grandmother, but she wasn’t exactly maternal. She’d have told him to buck up and get over it. Since bucking up and keeping quiet about things was his way, he’d seen no need for the pep talk.

And yet, here he’d gone and spilled the second-worst most shameful secret of his life. Somehow, between the darkness and the fire and Brooklynn’s beautiful, mesmerizing eyes, he’d lost his ever-loving mind.

He was going to have to face her eventually. He needed to change the subject. Was there a natural segue fromI got my best friend beat up?

Not surprisingly, nothing came to mind.

“I once referred to my photos as art.”

At Brooklynn’s softly spoken words, Forbes turned to face her. He said nothing, just waited.

“Lenny laughed at me.”

Anger, hot and sharp, filled his mouth. He clamped his lips closed to keep it from spilling onto the amazing woman who didn’t deserve it.

“He told me any idiot could take a picture. ‘Including my four-year-old nephew.’” She’d affected a male voice, then smiled like it was all some big joke.

“It’s not funny. Any idiot can carry a gun, too, but it takes skill to know how to use one.”

Her smile faded. “That’s true. I wish I’d thought to say it.”

“You shouldn’t havehadto say it. You shouldn’t have been with a man who put you in the position to have to defend yourself.”

She looked down. “You’re right. It was stupid.”

“Don’t do that.” Forbes settled beside her again. “Don’t make his insecurities about you.”

She lifted her gaze and nodded. “You’re right.”

“You’re too agreeable. Maybe I’m not right. If I’m not, you should tell me. Don’t just agree with everything.”

“Okay.” She cleared her throat. “But youareright, in this case. I shouldn’t have let him treat me that way.”

“What else did he say?”

“You don’t want to talk about him.”

“I’m not a guy who makes conversation for no reason. I asked because I want to know.”

She bit her lip and looked at the fire. “It’s been years since we dated. I shouldn’t still let his words affect me. I don’t know why I can’t let it go.”

Forbes knew why. “Wounds leave scars, and deep scars never fully fade. You trusted him. You loved him, I guess.” He paused, hoping she’d deny it, but she just shrugged.

It did something to Forbes to know this woman had loved that pile of excrement—a man who’d trampled on her love.

What was the penalty for punching a cop? Would it matter if the guy was off-duty?

Forbes might just risk prison for the satisfaction.

“What else did he say?” He tried to make his voice gentle, thoughgentlewasn’t exactly his modus operandi.

“He said I should get into portrait photography. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it’s not…”

“Art?” he supplied.

“It’s not what I love,” she said. “He implied that only very talented photographers could make a living at landscapes.”

“The guy’s a moron.”