Tempting Brooke (Big Sky 2.5)

“She’s seeing a guy she hasn’t seen in a long time.”

“Like, on a date?”

“No.” I turn, my hands on my hips, and pin them both with a glare. “It’s not a date. It’s a business meeting. Because I’m a business woman.”

“Adults are weird,” he mumbles as he carries an armload of roses into the cooler, just when the bell on the front door dings, and there he is in the flesh.

Brody Chabot.

“Brooke?” A slow grin spreads over that sexy mouth, and I have to take a minute to just soak him in. He’s grown a couple more inches, making him ridiculously tall. His dark hair is cut short around his ears, and a little longer on top, stylishly messy.

He’s in cargo shorts and a polo shirt, due to it being the hottest day of the year so far out there.

“Hi, Brody,” I reply and swallow hard. “Thanks for meeting with me.”

“Hi, Brody,” Maisey says with a smile. “Welcome back.”

He blinks and nods, then tosses her a friendly smile. “Thanks. Good to see you.” He turns back to me as he tucks his sunglasses in his pocket. “I thought, since the space next door is empty, we could walk over there.”

I nod and tuck a piece of my hair behind my ear. “That works. Maisey, do you and Micah have this?”

“Of course. Take your time.”

I send her a look that says thanks, but if I’m not back in an hour, come get me.

Brody leads the way and unlocks the glass door, then holds it open for me and waits for me to go ahead of him. He locks the door back up and follows me in.

The room is empty, aside from a glass countertop that used to display knick knacks. Brody walks behind it and leans on it casually, crosses his arms over his chest, and takes a moment to look me up and down, from my toes to my head.

“You still look sixteen,” he says quietly. Just like that, his voice does things to me. It’s deeper now, and his brown eyes aren’t the eyes of a boy anymore. He’s 100% pure sexy man, and I’m suddenly wishing I’d asked Maisey to attend this meeting with me.

“I don’t feel sixteen,” I reply with a small laugh and rest my hands on the countertop across from him. I’m only five-feet-two, so I have to look way up to meet his gaze. His eyes are guarded, but happy. I look at his left hand, and notice that he isn’t wearing a ring.

“You’re not wearing one either,” he says quietly.

“No.”

He nods once. “I’m assuming you wanted to meet about the letter.”

“I do, yes. Brody, I need you to reconsider.”

His eyebrows climb in surprise. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me. I’d like you to reconsider selling the building. If you sell, and I have to relocate, I could very well go out of business, and this business is important, Brody.”

“To you.”

“To this community.”

He sneers, and I feel a bit of resentment bubble up in my gut. “I know you don’t think very highly of Cunningham Falls, but it’s a great place, and my flower shop is important here.”

He purses his lips, not replying for a moment. “I don’t want to sound condescending, Brooke. You’re a smart woman, and I can see that your shop is nice. But it’s flowers. It’s not a doctor’s office. Not to mention, I’m not asking you to close your business. You can relocate.”

I want to bristle and toss back something rude, but this is Brody, and I know he doesn’t mean to hurt my feelings.

“That’s just it, I can’t relocate. Location is everything, Brody. I’ve built a reputation in this place, and my customers already know where to find me. Also, commercial rental space is impossible to find in downtown. Businesses stay, and they don’t close down because they do well.

“Brody, if you sell this building, someone will tear it down and build expensive condos here in its place. This can’t happen.”

“I think you’re being melodramatic,” he replies. “I’m sure the new owner, whomever it may be, will continue to rent to you.”

“I know you don’t understand,” I say softly. “Let’s table this discussion for just a minute. Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.” He narrows his eyes and seems to steel himself, getting ready.

“Where did you go? When you left?”

He sighs. “San Francisco.”

“Oh.” I pace away and then turn to look at him. “I missed you. I’ve thought of you often over the past ten years.”

“I know I should have said goodbye, but—”

“Yes. You should have.” I nod and wander back to him. “I worried for a while because I didn’t see you, even around town. And then I heard someone say that you’d moved away.”

“I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”

“You did that long before you left,” I reply and watch as he frowns and looks down at the counter. “But that’s not what this is about. I was just curious as to where you went. I know that you couldn’t get out of here fast enough, and I don’t know why. But I can tell you that this community isn’t as bad as you think it is.”