Brady: I didn’t want to bother you in case you’re resting, but I left some supplies by the door so you don’t have to go out.
He…left me supplies.
Curiosity gets the better of me and I pad over to the door.
I open it to find two overflowing shopping bags and when I crouch down to peer into them, I find everything I could possibly need to ride out my period in comfort. There’s a heating pad, a bottle of Tylenol, a carton of chocolate ice cream, a giant bag of Reese’s, plus a romance novel and a white paper bag that smells a lot like takeout. To my complete and utter shock, there’s even a box of tampons.
Holy shit. Brady bought me tampons.
A variety pack, nonetheless.
I’m absolutely speechless as I gather the bags and bring them inside.
Fuck. How am I supposed to resist the man when he goes and does thoughtful stuff like this?
I drop the bags on the kitchen counter and Jenna’s words come back to haunt me.
If you don’t jump on that man, someone else will.
Jealousy coils low in my gut and I grip the counter for support.
He deserves to be happy.
Of course he does. Brady is an incredible man, and he deserves an incredible partner. Someone who’s as invested in him as he is in them. Someone who will go the extra mile to make him happy and bring out the sexy, dimpled smile he keeps hidden from the world. Someone who’s willing—and able—to commit.
The thought of that person being another woman is too painful to even consider.
For weeks, he’s tried to break through my defenses. Tried to convince me he’s worth the risk while I’ve done everything in my power to keep him at arm’s length. I’ve thrown out one excuse after another to protect my secrets and he hasn’t wavered.
Not once.
The man is determined AF—today’s visit proves it—but it can’t last. If I keep throwing out roadblocks, if I keep pushing him away, he’s going to move on.
And even though I should want it, should want to keep my distance and my secrets, I don’t want him to give up on me.
On us.
The very real possibility of Brady walking away is enough to make me do the one thing I swore I’d never do.
I just hope I don’t regret it.
16
BRADY
I’m aboutto exit Piper’s building when my phone rings, and even though I know it’s futile, hope flares in my chest as I step back into the lobby.
What can I say? I’m an eternal optimist.
That or a hopeless romantic.
I check the screen and I’ll be damned if it’s not Piper’s name I see.
A grin splits my face as I swipe accept. “Hey, darlin’.”
The guys on the team would probably call me a simp, but it’s all good. I’m not ashamed to let my girl know I’m into her. Hell, I want the entire world to know.
“Hey.” She’s quiet for a beat and I imagine her worrying her lower lip on the other end of the line. “Thank you. For everything. It was really sweet.”
