“Wow,” I breathed.
“You like? Good. I’m so glad you’re able to stay.” He beamed with excitement. “Your hunk of a brother already came by today to make sure the security is up to snuff. Protective, that one,” he noted.
“You could say that,” I muttered. Travis had already texted me to let me know since Brad had security on-site his team would be posting up starting tomorrow. “Thank you for letting me stay. I sincerely hope it’s not a bother.”
“Oh, honey.” He waved a hand, still carrying Trixie around in his arms as we walked through his house. “Your brother has saved my behind more times than I can count. I’m relieved to be able to do something to return the favor. Plus, you’re the one helping me. I always feel so guilty leaving Trixie alone when I have to travel.”
I nodded, my eyes scanning the expansive space.
He showed me to the guest room, a beautiful large room on the ground level with an en-suite bathroom.
Geez, he might never get rid of me.
“So does the dog walk?” I teased after I’d settled in and met Brad in the kitchen for drinks.
“You’re a pistol.” He pointed at me with a smile. “She does, but she’s a people dog. She doesn’t do well being alone, which is why I’m so glad you’ll be here.”
“Ah.” I nodded, taking the drink he offered. “This is a big place for one person,” I noted, looking around the massive gourmet kitchen. He got a sad look on his face and I instantly regretted bringing it up. “Sore subject?” I hedged with a wince.
He waved a hand dismissively. “Water under the bridge now. We designed the place together but Tom and I, well… it didn’t work out.” He shrugged and I could tell he still wasn’t over it.
“I’m sorry,” I offered sincerely.
We carried our drinks out to the beautiful backyard, complete with a hot tub and swimming pool. “Don’t ever let her out here alone. Coyotes,” he explained, gesturing toward the hills.
Trixie would probably serve as no more than an appetizer for a coyote. “I won’t.” I shook my head.
We sat in companionable silence for a few minutes. “So what’s your story, Ms. Hot Stuff? I know you have one.”
I laughed. “What makes you think that?”
“It’s always in the eyes,” he answered sagely. “Despite the bruising, I can tell that yours are so gorgeous, but you have a tale to tell and I’d love to hear it.”
I found myself wanting to talk to Brad, which was unusual for me.
“It’s not very exciting or original. I’m originally from just north of here. I moved to the city to go to school.”
“What’d you go to school for?” he wanted to know.
“Music theory,” I replied. “I met one of my best friends, Piper, in one of my classes. She lives in Nevada now. Anyway, I met my friend Caden at a party. He was looking for a few roommates. We hit it off, so Piper and I moved in. Sid, his older brother, moved in about a year later. We were like a big dysfunctional family for a while.” I smiled wistfully. “Piper moved to Nevada to take care of her dad, and then it was Caden, Sid, and me for awhile.”
“And which one did you fall for?” he prompted with a wink.
The man was good.
“Sid,” I admitted. “I didn’t even realize it was happening until I was just… done for. Then a few months back we crossed a line. He freaked out.” I shrugged ruefully. “It was time for me to move out, anyway. He went overseas for a job and I didn’t speak to him for six months, until a few nights ago. Then some assholes broke in and roughed me up. That’s what brought me to Travis’s house,” I explained in a rush.
“Travis told me a little bit about that. I’m so sorry,” he replied, eyeing me with sympathy.
“I miss him,” I admitted softly. “Sid, I mean. We used to spend so much time together, I sort of feel like I’m walking around with a missing limb.”
“I bet he does too.”
“Maybe.” I shrugged skeptically.
“Give it some time, honey. You never know. A girl like you? You’re gorgeous and smart—fun to be with. A man would be crazy not to want to work for it.”
“You just met me!” I laughed.
He shrugged, taking a sip of his drink. “I have a way of knowing these things.”
I smiled, having no reason to doubt that was true. “How did you end up meeting my brother, anyway? He usually does security overseas.”
He chuckled. “He took pity on me. I got totally mobbed at a signing I was doing about a year ago. The security I’d hired was completely outnumbered. By some divine providence your brother was there and waded in.”