Page 79 of A Little Bit Engaged
Footsteps sounded outside on the staircase. “Wait.”
Recognizing Brody’s voice, she froze.
Ryland stood in front of her as if trying to protect her.
Brody entered the jet, filling the space with his larger-than-life presence.
Her heart slammed against her rib cage. She took a step back.
What was he doing here?
Loki cried from his cat carrier, meowing as if caught in a trap and desperate to escape.
“Cara.” Brody sounded breathless. His face was flushed. He came closer until Ryland stopped him. “Thank goodness I found you.”
“Why?” She had to force the question from her dry throat. “You’re marrying Caitlin.”
He took a step forward, but Ryland blocked his way. “Give us a minute, please.”
“It’s up to Cara.” Standing his ground, Ryland glanced over his shoulder. “Do you want to talk to this guy?”
She might have met Ryland only a few minutes ago, but even injured and not knowing what was happening, he wanted to protect her. Brett had a good friend. Not trusting her voice, she nodded.
“I’ll wait on the tarmac.” Ryland eyed Brody suspiciously. “Yell if you need me, Cara.”
Another nod.
Ryland exited the plane.
“Where are you going?” Brody’s voice was deep, rich, and washed over her like melted chocolate, but she saw a hint of fear in his gaze.
No, she had to be mistaken. He had nothing to be afraid of.
She raised her chin. “Away.”
Cara had made her decision. The best one for her peace of mind and the safety of her heart. Getting far, far away from him had worked once. It would again.
“We need to talk.”
“You have Caitlin for that. You two are the perfect couple and will make wonderful blockbuster movies together.” Cara sounded shrill. She needed to lower her voice. “What more could you want?”
“I don’t want Caitlin or any of that stuff.” The jet was nice, but not that large. He cut the distance between them with a couple of steps. “I want you. I want to be with you. I want to have babies with you. I want to grow old with you.”
Cara’s breath stilled. That wasn’t what she expected to hear. “I saw you hesitate at the Bay View House. You were trying to decide between Caitlin and me. Making the decision wasn’t automatic. You had to think about it.”
He didn’t answer, but his sheepish expression told her everything she needed to know.
Nothing had changed between them. Nothing would ever change. “You need to leave. I have things to do and—”
“Cara.”
“What?”
“I hesitated because Caitlin showing up was the last thing I expected to happen. I was confused, frustrated, you name it.”
“Why?”
“Because she was ruining our time together.” He reached out and held Cara’s hand. “Your sister did exactly what you said she would do—put herself first—but she won’t be pulling that with us again.”
