"Oh, you had to pull out that card," Arabella said, and swiped at a damned tear that had managed to squeeze through her eyelids.
"Desperate times call for desperate measures," Grady said with just a hint of a grin. He never really did smile much, being the bad boy and all that, oh but when he did . . . she was a goner. He put his hands on her shoulders, and she wanted to lean in for a warm hug and words of reassurance. She could smell the spicy scent of his aftershave and feel the warmth radiating from his chest. His grip on her shoulders remained firm but gentle, and God, she wanted to dissolve into a puddle of tears while he patted her head and maybe added a gentle kiss. She wanted to lean against his hard body and tell him about her failing business, the crazy corn-silk-tea-drinking Maxine, her plan to save her grandmother's house, her lack of a social life . . . everything. Well, nearly everything.
"Okay," she said softly. "I'll stay."
"Thank you," Grady said, and then, to her surprise, he pulled her into his arms.
Arabella hugged him back, her body reacting so strongly that she nearly clung to him, and she felt a slight shudder at the sheer comfort of being held. When was the last time she'd been in the arms of a man? She couldn't remember, but it wouldn't have mattered anyway, because it wasn't him.
Grady's embrace filled her with resolve and strength. And although there wasn't anything suggestive or sexual in his hug, Arabella longed to melt against him, run her fingers through his hair. She wanted to know if his kiss would still send a thrill through her even though she already knew the answer: Uh, hell yeah.
But a moment later Grady broke contact and backed away. He picked up her gear and tilted his head toward the backyard. "Let's do this thing."
Arabella nodded and then followed Grady down the sidewalk. She felt a bit embarrassed that she'd considered bolting like a great big coward, but having Grady reassure her, give her a hug, was the olive branch she needed. She also reminded herself that this job, the money, the publicity, remained instrumental in saving her fitness studios. So she walked behind Grady, trying not to admire his very fine butt beneath his silky shorts. The man must do a lot of squats to achieve that amount of firmness. What would it feel like?
No, stop it!
With her gear hanging from his wide shoulder, Grady opened the door and then stood back for her to enter. With a thumping heart, she entered, but she wasn't prepared for the wave of emotion when she saw Jimmy, Jesse, and Oliver standing there. She loved these guys, missed them dearly. She dug deep in order to stand there and appear professional and put together, but when they rushed over for hugs, she nearly lost her composure.
Arabella had to laugh when the brothers all started talking at once. She noted that they'd all turned into handsome men, but she could still see their personalities shining through. Jimmy, the shy one, stood back a bit. Jesse cracked a few jokes, and Arabella knew his intention was to break the ice, which he succeeded in doing. Oliver appeared fidgety, as if he wanted to get down to business, and a glance at Grady showed him watching with interest. Arabella had no way of knowing how the brothers felt now about the night she'd left thirteen years ago, but if they held it against her, they were being careful not to show it. They seemed relieved and happy that she was there, easing her stomach enough that she just might be able to tolerate a cup of her favorite beverage.
"Do I smell coffee?" Arabella asked.
Jesse chuckled. "Do you think we don't remember that coffee is a food group for you?" He walked over to a table at the side of the room and poured her a huge mug of the steaming brew. "Strong, two sugars, light on the cream, and a dash of cinnamon."
Arabella cradled the warm mug in her hands. "You remembered all that?"
"No." Jesse nodded toward Grady. "But he did. Took me forever to find the cinnamon in the kitchen."
Arabella glanced at Grady in surprise, but he pointed at Jesse.
"I can't help it that the kitchen is a mystery to you," Grady said. "If it wasn't for the microwave, you would starve."
Jesse raised his hands in surrender. "Guilty. I couldn't live without Hot Pockets."
"Yuck," Arabella said, and then remembered that they'd always had them on hand for Jesse.
///
"So," Oliver said briskly, "let's all grab some coffee and let Arabella tell us what she has planned for the choreography."
As the group sat around the table, Arabella fell back into the easy camaraderie she'd always had with Jesse, Jimmy, and Oliver. She took notes while they chatted, adding ideas to her routines. Grady remained relatively reserved, sitting back in his chair, mostly listening. But Arabella couldn't help but notice when his gaze fell upon her, and she felt drawn to him even though she tried not to look his way.