I took a deep breath and pulled it from the closet. I searched for one of my few pairs of fancy underwear. It just seemed wrong to have cotton beneath this dress. I hummed to myself as I pulled everything on, not allowing myself to look until I was completely put together. Slipping my feet into my favorite pair of booties, I turned to face the mirror.
For the first time in years, I felt beautiful. And Brody had given me a reason to remember. That I was real. That my body existed. And even though I often tried to hide it away out of fear of prompting questions, it was still there. And it was beautiful. No matter what scars marred my skin.
My hand went to my belly. The worst of the scars there. I traced the raised flesh with my thumb, but instead of letting it remind me that I should be hiding, I let it remind me that I was breathing. And because of that fact, I had a duty to truly live.
I let my hand fall to my side, and with one final look, moved towards the hallway. The heels of my boots clacked against the wood as I walked.
“I thought I was going to have to come throw you over my shoulder,” Brody called from downstairs.
“You try and do that, and you’ll get a nasty surprise.” Brody had no idea that I’d studied martial arts for years after my attack. Once or twice a week, I found time to go through my moves, even if I didn’t have an opponent to spar with.
“I might just have to give it a try to—” His words cut off as I came around the corner. “Holy hell. Never mind. I think we should just stay here. You can give me my own personal concert and—”
I stole the rest of his words with a kiss. “Thank you.”
“I’m sorry, I’m a little dazed. Might’ve taken a hit to the head. What are you thanking me for exactly?”
“Reminding me that I’m real. That I’m breathing. That I’m beautiful.”
Brody pulled me tighter against him, a fire dancing in the dark depths of his eyes that I’d never seen before. “You’re all of those things. And so much more.”
I brushed my lips against his again. This time, I took the kiss a little bit deeper. Sank into the recklessness of it. The wildness. The bone-deep knowledge that I hadn’t died eleven years ago, and it was time for me to live.
When Brody pulled back, he was a little breathless. “You might kill me tonight.”
I patted his cheek. “Well then, just remember, this was your idea…”
My foot tapped an incessant beat as I glanced around the table. All the faces were friendly, but their smiles and welcoming chatter did nothing to calm my nerves. Everything in me screamed to run fast and far.
Brody’s hand came to my knee and squeezed as he leaned in. “You’re going to be great.”
I scowled at him. “I’m probably going to throw up on stage.”
“I’m so excited that I’m finally going to get to hear you play,” Caelyn said from across the table where she was burrowed into her husband, Griffin’s, side. He was the least smiley and the quietest of the group, but he wasn’t rude. And the way he stared at his wife with adoration told me that he might have an ooey-gooey center under that gruff exterior.
“It’s been a really long time. I’m probably rusty—”
“Rusty, my ass,” Hunter said, picking up his beer. “I heard some music when I was heading up to the house to make a call. Thought it was a professional recording of some famous musician, but Brody told me it was you.”
I sent another dirty look in Brody’s direction. “Stop spilling all my secrets.”
He grinned. “I’m just here to give you a nudge in the right direction.”
“You owe me a dozen paintings for this,” I mumbled.
“So, Hunter. What’s next for you after you finish the studio?” Griffin asked. It was the first effort at conversation he’d made all night.
Hunter set his beer down and picked up a French fry, twirling it between his fingers. “We’ve got a few more weeks on the studio, but I’m thinking about taking a look at the old resort on the north end of the island. I wanted someone else to buy it so I could just work on it, but so far, no one’s biting.”
Griffin’s brows rose. “That would be a hell of an undertaking.”
“You’re not wrong there.”
Caelyn straightened in her seat. “You want to buy a resort that’s haunted?”
I almost spit out the sip of wine I’d taken. “Haunted?”
Hunter rolled his eyes. “It’s just old island lore. Really, the place has just been ignored for almost a decade. Half the cabins look as if they’re falling apart. Hopefully, it’s not worse than that. I’ll go check it out in a few weeks to see what’s what.”
A beautiful woman I recognized as the owner of Second Chances appeared at our table, resting a hand on Hunter’s shoulder. “Not creating trouble, are you?”
Hunter gave her a wink. “I wouldn’t dare.”
She snorted and turned her attention to Brody and me. “I don’t think we’ve ever officially met. I’m Bell. My fiancé, Ford, runs The Catch.”
“Shay,” I greeted.
“I’m Brody. Thanks for having us.”
Bell smiled. “I’m just excited to hear you play, Shay. Hunter says you’re amazing.”
I turned my scowl at him, and he held up both hands. “Hey, what did I do?”
Brody chuckled as he ran a hand up and down my thigh. “Just get used to it. She’s not a fan of praise.”
“It’s not the praise I’m worried about. It’s the unrealistic expectations,” I groused.
Bell motioned me towards her. “Well then, let’s get it over with. The band said they’re ready for you.”
I started to stand, but before I was fully upright, Brody gave my hand a tug, pulling me forward so he could brush his lips against mine. “Break a leg.”
“If I do, you’re going to be the one carrying me home.”
“I’ve got it covered.”
Bell led me towards the side of a small stage where the musicians were gathered. I’d had a quick chat with them earlier, and we figured out a few songs we all knew. But it wasn’t as if we’d ever practiced before. This whole thing could end in disaster.
“So,” Bell began, “you and Brody look pretty cute.”
I fought the grimace that wanted to surface. I was supremely rusty at girl talk. Maybe I’d never really learned. I could only talk so easily to E because computer screens separated us. I’d kept my distance from just about everyone except my aunt once I went to live with her. It was simply easier to avoid those kinds of ties than to risk painful conversations or prodding into my past. So, I wasn’t even sure how to respond to a comment that Bell probably thought was innocuous. “He’s nice.”
She laughed. “Nice, huh? More like ruggedly handsome. If Ford didn’t have me already locked down, I’d give you a run for your money there.”
I should’ve laughed, but I couldn’t quite muster it. Because the only thing it reminded me of was the knowledge that Brody could have his pick of women. I swallowed against the burn in my throat. At some point, he would get tired of my bizarre idiosyncrasies and move on.