Page 58 of A Little Bit Engaged
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.
