Chapter 13

As soon as Brody heard the shower shut off in Cara’s bathroom, he went into the kitchen to get the cup of tea steeping on the counter. A good thing this was herbal, or it would be too strong. She’d taken a longer shower than he expected. Though he didn’t blame her after being covered in smoothie.

He tossed the tea bag into the garbage can under the sink.

Thinking about the devastated expression on Cara’s face made him shudder. He hadn’t spoken to her other than an “I’m sorry” and a “What can I do?” He’d wanted to, except she’d bolted into her bedroom and locked the door A justified reaction.

But he wanted to help her. Not stare at a closed door and do nothing.

That was where the tea came in. Or so he hoped.

Jackson had pushed Kai, Rizzo, and Lex out of the apartment with a grim expression that would have terrified most men. The team leader wasn’t happy about what had happened, and his men would pay the price for letting a crazy woman get that close to Cara on their watch.

Rightly so.

That was why Brody had hired them. They should have been standing closer to Cara, not giving her the space she’d requested.

Stupid.

Okay, he got that they were trying to help and make a bad situation better for her. A smoothie wasn’t a knife or a gun, but Cara should have never been attacked that way. A video taken at the bookstore with the horrible words being spouted was making the rounds on social media. The woman, the self-proclaimed biggest fan and leader of “Braits” worldwide, had been taken away by the police, but nothing could undo the damage that had been done to Cara.

He checked his phone again. No message from Caitlin, who hadn’t condemned what had happened in the bookstore. Nor had she supported it. But the neutrality portrayed was unforgiveable.

Hitting the call button, he tried Caitlin again. It rang straight to voice mail as it had the other times he’d tried to reach her.

“Call me.”

This had to be the tenth message he’d left. He sent a text to Ainsley telling her to keep calling until Caitlin answered. Then he picked up the tea and returned to Cara’s bedroom. His knock went unanswered.

That didn’t surprise him. He tried again.

Nothing.

If she thought he would give up, she was mistaken.

“Let me in, Cara.” Continued silence greeted him. “Please.”

A minute passed. Maybe two. At this rate, the tea would be lukewarm.

The door opened slightly, but he couldn’t see her, only the sleeve of the thick, white robe identical to the one hanging in his bathroom.

She cleared her throat. “I need time alone.”

The rawness of her voice knifed his heart. He wanted to help her, even if he wasn’t sure how.

“I made you tea.” Saying that had sounded better in his head. Now, he felt stupid. He forced himself not to slip into the Maxwell voice she loved so much. Brody wanted to distance himself from the industry that was wreaking havoc in her life. “It’s chamomile. Your favorite.”

She peered through the crack. “Thanks.”

Her red, swollen eyes punched him in the gut. Every muscle tensed. His heart hurt. He didn’t want to push, but no way could he let her handle this alone. “Step back.”

She did.

Entering her room, he curbed every instinct shouting at him to sweep her up into his arms and hold her until the pain disappeared. But he couldn’t with the cup of tea in his hand.

Brody placed it on the nightstand before facing her. His gaze met Cara’s.

Her breath hitched.

The quick intake of air brought a flash of memories. The night he’d called to ask if she thought Caitlin would go to a dance with him. When Cara had told him her long-distance boyfriend had broken up with her. After saying she had taken a new job in San Francisco.

Each time, the quick intake of air had been the only outward sign of anything being wrong.

Today, however, she couldn’t hide from him.

She was having a difficult time controlling her emotions. That had to have been what that little hitch was. An outward sign of her shutting herself down.

No more.

Cara had been there for him more times than he could count—after breakups, before auditions, when he felt down.

She deserved the same support she’d always given him. Something he should have been doing years ago.

Arms open, he walked toward her. “Come here.”

Cara hesitated, but then in a flash, she threw herself against him, trembling.

He wrapped his arms around her. “Let go. I’m here.”

“I can’t.” Her voice broke. She stared at the carpet.

“You can.”

Opening her mouth as if to speak, she closed it before shaking her head.

“You don’t always have to hold everything back. Be the strong one.” He picked her up the way he had at the Bay View House, carried her to the bed, and sat with her on his lap. “You’re not alone. I’m here, Cara. I’m not going anywhere.”

He kept his arms tightly around her. Holding her felt natural. She fit against him as if she’d been made for this.

For him.

Her body remained tight, her muscles bunched, and her limbs stiff.

“You’ve been there for me more times than I can count.” He pulled her closer against his chest. “Let me do the same for you.”

She sniffled once. Twice.

As if a spillway had burst open, she did as he’d told her. Sobs racked her shoulders. Her body.

Nothing Brody said would make a difference. It wasn’t going to get better today. Most likely not tomorrow, either. But eventually it would. That, however, wouldn’t help her right now.

Rubbing circles on her back, he brushed his lips through her damp hair. A sense of purpose, of rightness, drove his actions. He couldn’t have stopped if he wanted to. Taking care of Cara was second nature. He’d found his calling. He’d found…a better part of himself.

Falling tears dampened his shirt. Each cry—some muffled, others louder—seemed to loosen the tension in her body until she rested limply against him.

Brody had no idea how long they’d been sitting there. Nor did he care. Seeing her so upset tore him apart, but he was thankful she’d finally stopped holding in her emotions. That wasn’t healthy. But opening up and expressing her feelings made him want to know more about the woman she was today, not the one who’d been his friend growing up.

As her breathing calmed, he didn’t let go of her. Both for her sake and for his.

He wanted to comfort Cara, but he also couldn’t deny how much he enjoyed having her on his lap and in his arms. She was so incredible. He’d known that for years, but now he saw her in a new light, a way he hadn’t before. Spending this week with her showed him how strong she really was. Her kiss had sparked his curiosity, but her actions had shown him her strength and compassion.

“Thank you,” she mumbled, keeping her face down. “I don’t really want to be alone.”

“I don’t want you to be alone, either.”

Like the slap of a director’s clapboard cutting through the noise on a set, a sharp realization pierced his heart. What he was feeling went beyond friendship.

He was falling for Cara.

Despite the pretending, the gossip, and the threats, something had changed between them. The kiss had been his first clue. His overwhelming need to protect her his second. Wanting to keep her with him once their engagement ended was his third.

But what did that mean?

Would she even want something with him?

His heart pounded. He wasn’t ready to ask the question.

Or know the answer.

But they would have to wait.

She’d been through a traumatic experience today and needed time. He could be patient if he tried. For Cara, he could do anything.

And would.

To help her.

To support her.

To show her that maybe the line between make-believe and reality wasn’t that far apart.

But only when she was ready. He just had no idea when that would be.

♥ ♥ ♥

The next day, Cara couldn’t believe she’d cried her heart out in front of Brody. She’d never cried in front of Caitlin or her parents. But letting go for once had helped. Oh, the tears hadn’t changed what Cara had been through at the bookstore, at the wedding venue, or with her family, but not having to hold herself back and her emotions in had freed her, opened her up, in a way she’d never imagined.

And she had Brody to thank for that.

Being in his arms had felt oh so right. She wished she were there now, but he hadn’t touched her since yesterday. She’d caught him glancing her way. Staring sometimes, too. But she had no idea what that meant because he also seemed to be distancing himself at the same time.

Why?

The weekend passed slowly. Surprisingly, Caitlin’s film exceeded box office expectations much to the shock of film critics who had panned the movie. At least one thing had worked out as planned, but Cara felt no relief. Especially when her sister wouldn’t return any texts or calls.

On Monday, Cara sat at the dining room table in their jail cell. Okay, apartment, but being stuck inside made the place feel like a prison. Except their guards delivered tasty takeout and whatever else they requested. Yesterday afternoon, they’d dropped off the slushies that Brody requested.

Stuck inside, Cara had been applying for jobs. She had no idea if any library, private or public, would hire her, but she had to do something. She submitted her fourth employment application for the day before closing her laptop.

Stretching her arms overhead, she glanced outside. The sun was shining on this lovely spring day, but she could only enjoy the pleasant weather from inside.

Cabin fever was getting the best of her. Maybe if the weather turned gray and cold, not unusual for San Francisco, she could handle it better, but Mother Nature was conspiring against them.

Truth was, being stuck in the apartment wasn’t the only issue. No amount of filling out online employment applications, reading, watching movies, doing puzzles, or playing board games could take her mind off Brody. He was always nearby. Her only break came when she went into her bedroom or he into his. He hadn’t kissed her again as he said he would. She understood why he hadn’t after the smoothie incident, but that had been three days ago.

Maybe she should kiss him and see what he did. Did she dare? The alternative of not doing anything didn’t appeal to her.

What did she have to lose?

Don’t answer that.

She stood and stepped away from the table.

Brody placed his game controller on the coffee table. “Finished?”

“Yes.” As she walked toward him, she noticed Loki lying next to him. “Four more applications are on their way.”

To four more jobs she didn’t want, but she couldn’t be picky. Each day brought either a rejection or no response to her applications. Not unusual when searching for a new position, especially when submitting on a weekend, but not being asked for an interview stung. One interview request was all she wanted. Something to give her hope that a librarian position was on the horizon, even if Cassie had assured Cara her position at the bookstore was safe.

Halfway to the couch, she froze. What if Brody didn’t want another kiss?

That would be a huge rejection. Cara crossed her arms over her chest. Maybe she should wait to kiss him.

He wiped his hands on his jeans. “Still planning to stay in the Bay Area?”

“I thought I would, but now…” Cara didn’t think she’d feel comfortable living in Caitlin’s condo after this was over, but where would she and Loki go? Thinking of her limited options made her head spin.

Stop.

Cara needed to focus on what was happening now. She hadn’t been to the condo or anywhere else except for a quick trip to the Bay View House on Sunday morning to be measured for a wedding gown and a brief discussion of styles.

White.

Not strapless.

Vintage or something used was perfectly fine.

She hoped that criteria wouldn’t make Hannah’s job too difficult. The dress designer was planning to hit thrift shops and consignments stores to search for something old she could upcycle into something new.

Except Cara tried not to think about the wedding gown. Or the flower arrangements that Jessica Riley, the florist, wanted to create. Or the talented harpist hired to play at the ceremony.

Brody watching her made Cara self-conscious. She bounced from foot to foot.

“What?” she asked.

“You might find better job opportunities if you moved somewhere else.”

Los Angeles?

Anticipation surged. Did he want her to move closer? Cara’s pulse shot into the stratosphere. Her family issues would need to be addressed. Unless Brody was talking in more general terms like applying to another state and not the city where he lived.

She waited for him to say more and clarify what he meant.

He didn’t.

Cara chewed on the inside of her cheek. She was getting used to being disappointed. That realization almost made her laugh. “I’ll think about it.”

That would be better than thinking about him.

Brody’s phone played a catchy dance tune. Tapping the screen, he placed the phone at his ear. “Hey, Ains. What’s up?”

His assistant called once or twice a day to check in with him.

Cara realized she was standing in the same spot. Her courage to kiss him had evaporated. One more rejection, especially from Brody, might push her over the edge. She sat in the chair across from him.

“When?” His tone was stressed and matched his expression. The smile on his face disappeared, replaced by a tight mouth.

This wasn’t good. Only one person affected Brody this way—Caitlin.

Cara bit her lip.

“I’ll be there.” Brody’s jaw jutted forward in a mannerism she knew well. He’d been the high school’s starting quarterback in the fall, star of the annual drama production in the winter, and dominant baseball pitcher in the spring. Once he got that look—watch out. Brody’s determination outweighed any odds, superior athletic ability, or acting talent. “I’ll have to figure out the logistics. But no media. Got it?”

Cara wondered what he was talking about. No credible threats against her had been verified, but Jackson’s team was the definition of cautious. She couldn’t imagine them allowing Brody to go anywhere.

Unless he planned to sneak out.

Which would be bad.

And possibly dangerous.

If he wanted to do that, she would stop him. No matter if he was taller and weighed more. Not knowing what was going on made her nervous.

Tapping her toe, she waited for him to disconnect from the call.

“What?” she asked when he had.

“There’s this kid. A big fan. He’s twelve and at the children’s hospital. I need to visit him.”

Not Caitlin. But Cara felt no relief. “Okay, when?”

“Tomorrow.” He glanced at the front door. “His name is Slayter. He’s sick. This can’t wait. I have to go.”

The compassion in Brody’s voice warmed Cara’s heart. She held his hand. “Of course, you do.”

Brody dragged his other hand through his hair. “The entire Vesper crew has been requested.”

Vesper was the name of the spaceship in his and Caitlin’s movie franchise. “Did someone ask Caitlin?”

“Ainsley called her first since she’s so hard to reach, but Caitlin said no given the circumstances with you and me. Added the excuse that since her movie didn’t tank opening weekend she was too busy giving interviews to come to San Francisco for a few hours. No matter what the reason.”

Cara shook her head. She still hadn’t spoken to her sister. That was due to Caitlin not calling or answering her phone. “None of that should matter when a sick kid is involved.”

“It does to Caitlin.” Brody sighed. “But I have bigger issues. I don’t have a costume to wear or stuff to give Slayter. We don’t have much time.”

“We’ll figure something out. You can find anything you need in San Francisco. If not today, then tomorrow on the way to the hospital. Trust me.”

“I do trust you.”

Cara’s heart full-on melted. Had he said that to her before? She didn’t think so.

“Except Jackson is going to say no,” Brody added.

“Probably, but he’ll just have to come up with a way to make this work.” The hospital visit was too important to Brody. The serious expression on his face told her that. Fighting the urge to lean against him, she squeezed his hand. “I’m not Ainsley, but I know the city. What do you need so you can pull this off?”