Page 2 of A Little Bit Engaged
Until the two kissed at the movie’s premiere.
No one could fake that kind of passion, that kind of…love.
True love.
Forever love.
What Cara had wanted with Brody.
But the fantasies had blown up in her face. Right there on the red carpet. Her dreams hadn’t come true. They’d been crushed and pummeled into grains of sand.
Unlike her sister, Cara wasn’t a good actress, but hiding her crush had been easy enough. Keeping her broken heart a secret from the two people who knew her best, however, had proven impossible when they acted so lovey-dovey around her. Not their fault, but she couldn’t handle being the third wheel and witnessing their constant PDA.
To distance herself, she’d moved from Los Angeles after she found a better librarian job in San Francisco. Caitlin purchased this condo for Cara to rent after she’d mentioned her trouble finding an affordable place that allowed pets, and she appreciated her sister’s generosity. Caitlin’s crazy schedule kept the two from talking much these days, and Cara missed their phone calls. Even though Caitlin defined diva, they were still twins who shared a bond few understood.
Time had flown by since Cara moved nearly three years ago. Too bad she didn’t still have the job that had brought her to San Francisco. Ten months ago, she’d been laid off.
Three long knocks sounded, followed by two short ones. It was the secret code they’d used at the tree house behind Brody’s childhood home where his parents still lived.
“Cara.” He sounded impatient.
Inhaling deeply, she opened the door.
Sunglasses covered Brody’s killer baby blues, but they did nothing to mask his classically handsome features. A multicolored, striped beanie hid his thick brown hair. An oversized navy hoodie disguised his to-die-for body. With his six-foot-plus height and athletic build, he could easily be mistaken for a professional athlete.
Definitely swoon-worthy.
She clutched the door handle.
It was a good thing she’d developed immunity to his attractiveness and charm. No more weak knees. Forget the drawn-out sighs. She’d left those behind with her crush. For her sake and her sister’s.
“Hey.” Brody stepped inside, closed the door behind him, dropped his backpack onto the floor, and enveloped her in a bear hug. His trademark since he was fourteen and no longer embarrassed to touch girls.
Although, she wasn’t sure if he viewed her as a female or ever had. She’d been parked in the friend zone for so long her windshield was plastered with tickets. Yet, that hadn’t stopped her from trying to get him to notice her in high school. She’d been so hopeful then.
Now she could enjoy taking a glimpse or two, but that was as far as it would go.
His scent—a mix of his shampoo and him—surrounded Cara. She wanted to inhale deeply to soak up the smell, but she didn’t.
“It’s good to see you.” Brody let go of her. Off came his sunglasses, hat, and sweatshirt. He placed them on top of the small wooden bookcase where she kept her purse and keys. “Sorry I didn’t call first. Nice pjs.”
Cara struck a silly tiger pose. “A birthday present to myself.”
“Not a book?”
“I gave myself one of those, too.”
Brody laughed. “Were you asleep?”
“Yes, and Loki’s not pleased. He doesn’t like to be disturbed.”
“Sorry, dude,” Brody said to the cat.
Turning, Loki presented a perfect view of his backside.
Typical cat. “I thought you were filming.”
“Finished.” Glancing around, Brody shifted his weight from foot to foot. “You alone?”
