6. Brody
SIX
I’ve never taken dating seriously. Sure, I’ve been on plenty of dates over the years, but none of them meant anything more than me having a good time. Aside from my family and Hayden, nobody has meant anything to me. When I was fourteen, my dad met Savy, and I felt real love for the first time. I saw the way someone acted when they put you first and considered your heart in the equation. My mom loves me, but her love has always been misplaced. She puts money and status and whatever guy she’s dating first. Hell, even now, she’s living in Florida with husband number four. I haven’t seen her in years, and she’s okay with that.
But Savannah Cartwright—now Fields—was different. She was the first woman to show me what love looks like. She was the first woman I gave my heart to, and she kept it safe, always putting me first. I watched her unconditionally and selflessly love my dad and me—and later, my brother and sister. I told myself I would never settle for a love that’s less than what Savy gave us—still gives us.
So yeah, I’ve dated, but I’ve never taken it seriously because not one woman I’ve met has given me an inclination that she could love me the way Savy loves my dad and my siblings and me. Until now.
I dropped her off at her front door, promising to call her tomorrow. That was two days ago, and I can’t get her off my mind. Our date was perfect, the conversation flowed, the kiss was mind-blowing, and the chemistry was off the charts. Unfortunately, I don’t think she felt the same. Because when I called and then texted, she never answered or responded.
“Still haven’t heard back from her yet?” Hayden asks, sitting at the table across from me, dressed in his suit with his espresso in hand.
“Nope.” I drop the phone onto the table like it offends me. “I really thought there was something there.” I shrug, playing it off. “Oh well, another one bites the dust.”
“I’m going to see her later,” he says, leaning back. “I’ve put together a better offer for her, as well as a list of available storefronts she could lease and move her bakery to.”
“She won’t go for it. That bakery means everything to her. She told me all about the assholes trying to rip it out from under her.” I glare at him even though I know it’s only business, and it’s clear Bree doesn’t want anything to do with me. She might not have felt the connection, but I did, and even though there’s obviously no future for us, after listening to her, I hate what Shea’s trying to do to her.
“Hey, man.” He lifts his hands. “It’s just business.”
“You really think when you get there, you’ll be able to separate shit and go through with it, ask her to give up the only thing she has left of her grandparents, the business that provides for her and her children?”
“She has kids?” His brow furrows together.
“Yeah, eight-year-old twins. A boy and a girl.”
“Huh,” he says, looking lost in thought.
“What?”
“I just thought learning that would be a turn-off, but for some reason, I can totally see it, and it only makes her hotter.”
I want to talk shit, but he did find her first, and I know exactly what he means. I never thought I’d be attracted to a single mom who owns a coffeehouse, but I am… big time.
“All right, I gotta go,” he says. “I’m stopping by there on my way into the office. If all goes as planned, the papers will be signed by the time I leave, and she’ll have some money in her pocket. Then I’ll be on my way to being appointed the new CEO of Shea Real Estate Investments. My dad will finally retire and leave me the hell alone.”