Page 77 of A Little Bit Engaged
Caitlin’s mouth gaped. “But—”
“I have to find Cara.”
Brody took a step toward the front door.
Caitlin grabbed hold of his arm. “Why do you care where Cara is?”
He jerked out of Caitlin’s grasp as if her hand were poison. “Because I love her.”
The reason was as simple as that. He just hadn’t realized it because he hadn’t known what love was until Cara. What he and Caitlin shared hadn’t ever been romantic love. Friendship, infatuation, strong like, but never love. But he and Cara…
He had to find her. Maybe Jackson knew where she was.
Caitlin laughed. “You don’t love my sister.”
“Yes, I do.”
Her gaze narrowed, and he saw a glimpse of the girl he used to know. “Really?”
“Cara means everything to me.” Brody loved her with his whole heart. A part of him always had growing up, but he’d been too young to understand how he felt or to see how wonderful Cara was. He’d been too blinded by ambition, stardom, and…Caitlin. “Your sister is the smartest, kindest, most beautiful woman in the world. I’ve never known anyone like her. If I let her get away, I don’t know how I’ll live with myself.”
He only hoped it wasn’t too late.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Cara rode to the Business Jet Center in Oakland with Lex and Rizzo. Loki whined from his cat carrier on the floor. Traffic was lighter than she’d expected on the Bay Bridge. “It won’t be long, Your Highness.”
The words made her cat cry louder, but that gave her something else to focus on other than her broken heart and bare ring finger. She’d packed her things from the apartment quickly, leaving only Loki’s scratching post and litter box. Those, along with cat food, she could purchase in Portland after Laurel Matthews, Brett’s wife, picked up Cara at the airport.
Thanks to pawning the engagement ring, she had a nice nest egg. She patted her purse, full of cash and a deposit slip from her checking account where she’d put the rest of the money. Now, she could start over. Well, once she figured out how and where to do that.
Lex parked. He carried her luggage.
Rizzo held onto the cat carrier. “Are you sure you want to leave town?”
“I have nowhere else to go.” Admitting that brought a rush of hurt. “But a customer of mine is an investment advisor and author who lives in Portland. His best friend, Henry, has a guest house where Loki and I can stay while I search for a job. One of Brett’s clients happens to be on his way home to Portland in his family’s company jet so I’m flying with him.”
Lex laughed. “Sounds like some good friends to have.”
Cara straightened, because she might be down to only a few people she could call friends, but they were going out of their way to help her and Loki. “Yes.”
Rizzo exhaled loudly. “If you need us…”
“There won’t be more threats.” Caitlin’s fans would be too busy pouring over wedding photos and videos. “Besides, no one will know where I am.”
“Still. Call. Anytime.” Rizzo handed her a business card. “Someone monitors that number twenty-four hours a day. They’ll put you through to one of us.”
“Thanks.” She tucked the card into her purse. “I hope I never find myself in this situation, but if I do, I know the team to call.”
Both men beamed, their steps taking on more of a swagger.
That brought a much-needed smile to her face.
A quick stop at an information desk, and they were out on the tarmac heading toward a shiny jet with Guyer Gear painted on the side. The sounds of planes taking off filled the air. Soon, that would be her.
She tried not to think about leaving San Francisco. Putting the memories of the past two weeks, and the last three years, behind her was for the best. Someday she might be able to look back without being torn apart, but she doubted that would be anytime soon.
A man in his mid-to-late twenties came down the jet’s short staircase. He seemed to be favoring his right leg. “Cara, right?”
