Wendy
“Are you absolutely sure you’re going to be okay? I really don’t want to leave you.” Beth leaned over the back of the couch and looked at me.
“I’ll be fine, I promise. I’m going to stay on the couch, order a pizza for lunch, and enjoy having a couple of days off work. Doctor’s orders, you know.” I looked up at her smiled.
“Okay. My dad said he was going to stop by and check on you this afternoon.” She reached down and took my hand. “Please call me if you need anything. I’ll turn my car around, no matter how far I get.”
“I know. I really appreciate it.” I nodded and reached for the remote as she walked towards the door.
I felt like such an idiot as I replayed what happened in my head. The situation had gotten out of control so fast that I didn’t know what to do. I was operating on pure panic. The fire was bad enough, but the sprinklers had done damage as well. I sent several text messages to Jillian and apologized profusely. I was glad she wasn’t angry with me, but I felt like she should have been. She had insurance to cover the damage and she urged me to file a claim with her insurance company so my hospital bills would be
covered. I wasn’t sure I deserved to have them covered, but I made a mental note of it just in case. They were definitely going to be expensive, and I wasn’t going to be able to handle them myself with the money I made from working at the bakery.
I lounged on the couch and relaxed until around noon when my pizza arrived. It wasn’t my favorite thing to eat, but it was quick and easy. My head still hurt when I tried to sit up, but I wasn’t dizzy once I was on my feet. Things could have certainly turned out worse, and I considered myself lucky. I found a movie that I had seen a few times and put it on, mostly for background noise. I had to keep the volume low because the music hurt when it beat in my ears, but after the pizza settled in my stomach, I was ready for a nap. I dozed off and I wasn’t sure how long I slept, but I woke up to the sound of a knock on my front door. I sat up and blinked until my vision was clear as I remembered that Beth’s father was supposed to be stopping by to check on me.
“Hey.” I opened the door and smiled. “Come on in.”
“You’re up and walking around. That’s a good sign.” Brody removed his jacket when he stepped into my house.
“Yeah, I’m okay except for the headache.” I put my hand to my head and grimaced. “Would you like some pizza? I have some leftover from lunch.”
“I might have a slice.” He nodded and tossed his jacket on the back of the chair.
“Let me get you something to drink.” I turned towards the kitchen, but Brody held up his hand.
“I’ll get it. Want anything?” He pointed towards the couch and walked into the kitchen.
“I’ll take a glass of water, if you don’t mind.” I nodded and sat down on the edge of the couch.
Brody fixed two glasses of water and returned to the living room. I still couldn’t believe, of all the firefighters in the world, it was Brody and Micah that showed up at the bakery. I also couldn’t believe that he still made my heart flutter, despite knowing what I did about how he preferred to enjoy his women. The years had only made him even more attractive. His hair was a little longer, his muscles were even bigger, and he had those same gorgeous eyes that made me want to melt. It was impossible to look at him and not remember what I saw the day my perspective of him changed so much. I wished I had never went to his house that day. I would have been fine living with my teenage fantasies that could never come true, without having them shattered. Those fantasies got replaced by something else—something that haunted my dreams and made me blush whenever I thought about it.
“I forgot how much I missed a greasy slice of pizza.” Brody finished his second slice and tossed the crust on the plate.
“What do you mean? I remember pizza being on the menu at least two times a week when I was staying at your place.” I tilted my head to the side.
“It used to be, but after Beth went away to college, I started trying to eat healthier—hit the gym a little more.” He shrugged and leaned back in the chair.
As if you needed it…
“I guess things got boring once we both left.” I nodded and smirked.
“It was an adjustment, that’s for sure. I spent the first year just expecting her to open the door and walk in at any time.” He chuckled and shook his head. “Truthfully, it’s been a little lonely.”
“Surely you haven’t been alone this whole time. You’re not dating anyone?” I raised my eyebrows inquisitively.
Oh god, why did I ask that? It’s none of my business.
“No.” He looked down and sighed. “I’ve been on a few dates, but none of them have turned into anything serious.”
“I know how that goes…” I exhaled sharply and reached for my water.
“Well, unlike me, you’ve got plenty of time.” He lifted his head and nodded.
“You’re not that old.” I scoffed and sipped my water.
“You do realize that I’ll be a grandpa once Beth has kids.” He chuckled and picked up his water.
The world’s sexiest grandpa, that’s for damn sure.