Total pages in book: 127
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 121460 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 607(@200wpm)___ 486(@250wpm)___ 405(@300wpm)
“They know, and they’re good with it. Eredine is good with it. She just wants me to be happy, and being your friend makes me happy.”
Roe groaned. “You are a silver-tongued devil, Brodan Adair.”
I grinned. “Oh, there’s—”
“Do not make an innuendo about your tongue.”
Laughter shook through me. Because damn, she knew me so well.
26
Monroe
There was only one week of rehearsals left before the kids put on their Christmas musical for friends and family. That meant that soon there would be no real excuse to see Brodan twice weekly.
I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel myself softening toward him. That I didn’t enjoy that familiar feeling of camaraderie and affection between us. When we’d taken the baked treats, hot chocolate, and mulled wine to Thane and Regan’s, the Adairs swept me up in their easiness and good humor, despite two sets of parents’ exhaustion. They were grateful we’d brought the fair to them.
Thane lit the firepit in the back garden, and we all bundled out there with the sea as our view, this spectacular home filled with an extraordinary amount of love. I was happy that Brodan had this and felt a bit melancholy for myself that I didn’t. But I enjoyed being welcomed by the Adair family. Arran swept me up in a massive hug, seeming genuinely delighted to see me. Lewis was watchful at first, trying to make sense of my relationship with his uncle, I think. Soon, he relaxed and enjoyed a game of football with his uncles, sister, and stepmum while I chatted with Arro, Robyn, and Eredine.
Eredine, whom had been stiff and unwelcoming in the past, was like an entirely different person. She was reserved but kind and seemed truly interested in my job. I also got to hold Arro’s and Robyn’s baby daughters for a while and tried very hard to hide my abject longing.
Looking up at one point, however, I caught Brodan watching me with a thoughtful expression on his face. Did he sense what it felt like for me to hold a baby, believing I’d probably never have a child of my own? My kids at school would have to fulfill that emptiness.
Despite the sadness I kept to myself, it was a lovely afternoon that turned into a fun evening. We ordered takeout, and I got tipsy on the mulled wine. Brodan drove me home, teasing me the whole time, and then the opportunistic bastard carried me into the cottage and upstairs to bed. He’d taken off my jacket, hat, and scarf, then my boots, and tucked me into bed. I remembered his kiss on my forehead before I passed out.
So, yes.
The idea of letting myself fully give in to a friendship with Brodan definitely intrigued me. However, the vibe between us was plagued by a sexual tension much more potent than what it was when we were hormonal teens. Just when things started to feel comfortable between us, Brodan would look at me like he wanted to eat me alive, and I knew I was teetering on the edge of control.
Despite my tumultuous emotions around him, the dominating one was disappointment in knowing that next week would be our last rehearsal. Which was why, when he approached at the end of our penultimate week of rehearsal, a mixture of relief and fear swirled within me when he asked me out on a date.
“I thought I told you, if I can give you anything, it will just be friendship, Brodan,” I’d said, my voice shaking.
He’d given me this arrogant, cocksure look and replied, “We both know that’s bullshit. It will always be more than friendship between us. Let’s finally stop lying about that.”
And since he was annoyingly bloody right, I’d sighed and told him honestly, “I don’t think I’m ready.”
“You’ll never be ready unless you give me a chance.” He’d taken another step toward me. “I’m not asking for promises. I’m asking you to go on one date with me. We’ll see what happens from there.”
Memories of what had happened the morning before our lovely afternoon at Regan and Thane’s remained with me, and I’d whispered apologetically, “I’m not sure I can handle the fame thing.”
Brodan nodded in understanding. “I’ll promise not to hold it against you if it becomes too much.”
“Brodan—”
“Monroe, give me a chance. Let’s not waste another eighteen years.”
That was why I was currently a mess of nerves, even unable to eat breakfast, as I waited for Brodan to pick me up. For our first-ever date.
“How did I get here?” I murmured to myself as my knee bounced rapidly. How had I gone from vowing to guard myself against this man to promising a date?
It’s just a date, I told myself. No promises. Just a date. Don’t kiss him. That will definitely complicate things and fluster you and seduce you into forgetting all the reasons you don’t quite trust him yet.