Page 57 of A Little Bit Engaged
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.
