Page 59 of A Little Bit Engaged
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.
