“So, what’s it like being captain?” Mariana asks.
Before I even open my mouth—
“Oh, he’s still an asshole,” Brody smirks, ducking a swing.
“It takes one to know one,” I slap his arm, grinning.
He pauses mid-spar, leans into me, his voice lower now. “Seriously, bro. You know we’re all proud of you, right?”
I glance at him. Nod once. “Yeah.”
Behind us, Mariana turns to Cassy. “How are you settling into the new job?”
Cassy lets out a small laugh. “Well, I’ve certainly hit the ground running.”
Mariana raises a brow. “Yeah. It is a bit chaotic around here, isn't it?”
Cassy doesn’t answer that, just gives her this tiny smile.
“Oh,” Mariana adds, turning to me. “Mom’s cooking tomorrow night.”
I groan. Right on cue, Brody bites down on his lip, clearly trying not to laugh.
“She asked me to tell you to be there at seven.”
“Perfect,” I mutter, because what else am I supposed to say?
We step outside. The parking lot is dark except for the pale glow of the security lights. The air’s cooled off and quiet.
Brody and Mariana head toward his bike
“Okay, I’ll see you there tomorrow,” I call out. Then I point at Brody. “And I’ll see you in the morning.”
Brody gives me a mock salute. “Aye-aye, Captain.” He smirks, then adds with a tilt of his head, “Don’t screw it up.”
I pull my keys out of my jacket as we approach my truck.
Then the engine of Brody’s bike fires up like a damn jet, roaring through the lot.
That’s when I hear it, Cassy's heel snapping.
She stumbles.
My reflexes kick in before my brain does. I reach out and catch her, her body colliding into mine.
Her hands end up flat on my chest, and her bag slips off her shoulder, landing with a soft thud on the ground.
She freezes.
I don’t let go.
Neither does she.
Her breath is shallow. Her lips parted and her eyes wide as they stare into mine like she’s not entirely sure if this is an accident or something else.
And neither am I.
Her hands curl just a little in the fabric of my shirt.
