Page 51 of Trusting Skulls

“I get that.”

“You do?”

He sits up. “Now I do. I mean, did you see Daisy? Like what the hell does someone like her see in me?”

My head snaps back. “You’re not serious, are you?”

Brody stares at me, remaining silent.

I hold up my hand, ticking off his attributes finger by finger. “You’re hot, sweet, protective, loyal, hot.”

“You said that already.”

It makes me laugh. “I’m just saying you have plenty of qualities I’m sure Daisy enjoys.”

“Same for you,” he says, pretending to punch me in the arm.

“Whatever.” We both know that’s not true. Brody has seen me at my very lowest. “Did you tell him?”

“About?”

“You know,” I say quietly, looking away.

“You mean did I tell him I found you walking on the side of the road half-dazed, bloody, and bruised?”

I nod, not wanting to admit out loud that it really happened.

“Yeah, I did. Funny thing is Jackson told him a similar story. Makes me wonder how that happens not once but twice.”

“You know I drink too much, and I have a horrible sense of direction. And I’m clumsy,” I add quickly.

“Come on the food is getting cold,” he grumbles.

He’s not even going to try to argue with me. Brody knows he’ll get nowhere. He grabs my arm, not giving me a chance to procrastinate any longer.

We find Daisy and Ash filling their plates in the kitchen. “It smells good,” Daisy praises. “Handsome and you can cook?” She fans herself.

I raise my eyebrow when Brody glances at me.See, I told you.

Everyone sits down, and we all eat until we’re miserable.

“Why did you make so much food?” Ash groans, holding his stomach.

“Hey, you’ll thank me tomorrow night when you’re heating up leftovers.” Brody nudges Daisy. “How about we go for a walk?”

I stand up quickly, nervous that they’re about to leave me alone with Ash. “Thank you for cooking tonight,” I tell Brody as I gather dishes.

My heart thunders against my ribcage as my two buffers head out the door. I come up with zero ways to keep them by my side.

Ash ushers them out. “Stay on the path. There are some pretty steep drop-offs out there, and keep your eye on the weather.”

“Will do.” Brody salutes him.

The door closes, and Ash comes to stand beside me. “It’s getting dark out there,” he says, leaning over the counter to straighten the curtains. “I was thinking. Would you like to go ona hike in the morning? We could get off the beaten path and do some exploring.”

I beg my heart to please slow down. Why is Ash affecting me like this? I’m not nervous around men. Why is this one so different?

“That sounds wonderful, but I don’t know if I have proper footwear for that.”

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