"That sounds like it came out of someone else's mouth," I pointed out with a frown.
Sierra came out of the bathroom dressed in a baggy t-shirt and a pair of boxer shorts with the towel wrapped around her head.
"Yeah, well, more than one of my ex's have mentioned it before, so I'm pretty sure it's true," she said as she flopped face-first on the bed.
"Hey." When she grunted, I said, "Sierra, look at me."
She lifted her face up and stared at me.
"You are one of the strongest, smartest women I know. There are some men that can't handle that. And that's okay. That means he isn't the right man for you. But please don't discount someone who tries to treat you well. You deserve a man who wants to take care of you, even if you're more than capable of taking care of yourself."
Sierra groaned and let her face fall back to the mattress. "Okay."
"Don't ignore what I'm saying."
"I'm not," she mumbled into the comforter. "I agree with everything you're saying, but it doesn't make the past go away. Let's just say that Ben caught me on a bad day."
I wished she would open up, but I could tell by the expression on her face, she was locked up tight. I knew she would tell me what was going on with her eventually, but it seemed to take her longer to work up the gumption to talk about emotions. My only choice was to be supportive and wait.
"You know you can talk to me about anything, right?"
She lifted her face up and rested her chin on her hand. "Yeah. I know. I'm just...not ready to say it out loud yet," she admitted. "I'll tell you about it. Just not tonight. Tonight I want to drink a glass of wine and go to sleep. Anything but think."
"Okay. Whenever you're ready to talk, I'll listen. Want me to bring you that wine?"
"Nah. I'll get up in a minute and grab it. Go sext your man."
I gaped at her. "Excuse me?"
"Don't pretend you weren't about to climb him like a schoolyard jungle gym. Things were getting really hot in that kitchen. I may not have been in the best mood when I came home, but even I could feel the sexual tension dripping from the walls."
I grimaced at her choice of words. "Dripping?"
"Bet it wasn't the only thing," she teased, nudging me with her elbow.
"You're gross." I gagged a little. "Remind me why we're friends again."
"Because I always tell you the truth, even when you don't necessarily want to hear it."
"And what's the truth?" I asked as I crossed my arms over my chest.
"That you've had feelings for this man for years and years and years. It's clear that he reciprocates, so maybe it's time to take a chance and see where it leads."
"I already knew that," I replied.
"Yeah, but you still need me for moral support. Eventually, one of you is going to screw up and you'll need me to supply ice cream and a shoulder to cry on."
"I can supply my own ice cream," I snarked.
"Quit being such a pain in the ass and admit that you love me."
"Fine," I sighed. "I love you. God knows why."
Sierra's elbow nudged me harder. "I knew it."
"Okay, you go get your wine. I'm going to bed. I have to get up early in the morning." I got to my feet and walked to the door. Before I left, I stopped. "Thanks for taking over the shop so I could have a weekend off. I didn't realize how much I needed it."
Sierra smiled at me. "No problem. I really enjoyed it. I've spent so many years working on my laptop with my ass planted on my couch that I've forgotten what it's like to put in a full day's work and see actual, physical results. Would you mind having me here for a while longer?"
"Of course not. It's nice to have some help. Are you thinking of extending your vacation?"
She paused for so long that I wasn't sure she would answer me. "I'm thinking of looking for a house to rent. Or buy. I haven't decided yet."
I knew my eyes were probably huge as I stared at her. Sierra loved living in the city. Preferably a city further north where there were actual seasons rather than nine months of summer, three weeks of fall, and two months of winter. There was a week or two of springtime in there somewhere as well, but it wasn't the temperate weather that other states saw. More like Satan's furnace warming up.
"What about your job?" I asked. Even though I would love to have her here, her statement worried me. I would love to be able to see her more often, but this wasn't like her.
Sierra appeared thoughtful and maybe a little sad. "I mostly work remotely and it's not like it's a long haul to Dallas from here. Only a couple of hours. If I absolutely have to go to the office, it's doable." Her eyes were shiny when she smiled at me. "I missed you more than I realized. At least until tonight when you wouldn't let me wallow."
I ignored the wetness that wanted to flood my eyes and grinned back at her. "What are friends for?"
"Beats me."
She laughed when I flipped her off as I left the room.
14
Brody said he'd be in touch, but I definitely didn't expect the phone call I got the next day around lunchtime.
My heart fluttered and my cheeks warmed when I saw his name on the cell phone screen.
"Hey," I greeted.
"Hey. I know the shop's closed today. Is there any chance you could have lunch with me?"
I couldn't stop the smile that spread across my face. "Sure. I'd like that. Do you want me to meet you somewhere?"
"How about I pick up something from the cafe? You want a Reuben and curly fries?" he asked.
I sighed. "I would love that, but I'm going to have to go with the grilled chicken plate with a baked sweet potato and broccoli."
"You're eating healthy food? I can't believe it."
"Laugh it up. One of these days, your body's gonna catch up with your age and it'll be my turn to make fun of you. After pizza and tacos yesterday, I have to be good today."
"Oh, my body is already feeling my age. I have to work out more and watch the beer or I'll end up with a gut."
"Poor baby."
"Be nice to me or I'm going to order a Reuben, eat it in front of you, and refuse to share."
I gasped in mock outrage. "You wouldn't dare!"
"Oh, yes I would."
"Fine. I'll be nice. What time will I see you?"
I could hear the smile in his voice. "I'll be by around twelve-thirty."
"Sounds good. See you then."
I couldn't wipe the dopey grin off my face after I disconnected the call and didn't lose it until Brody knocked on the back door a little over an hour later.
After one look at his face, my good mood dissipated immediately.
"What's wrong?" I asked as I opened the door wider so he could come inside.
He didn't answer right away and I could practically see the wheels turning in his head. I also didn't think I'd ever seen him so angry.
Brody put the food on the stainless steel counter in the kitchen and turned toward me, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning his hips back against the island. "If you were any other woman, I probably would have rescheduled lunch. I wouldn't lay this shit on anyone else." He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. "But you're not anyone else. You're Cam and I've known you for over half my life."