Page 25 of I Love You Again
But look at him now, with his own company, living on the coast in LA, and from what he’d told her he seemed to be very successful. He’d changed immensely and she knew that her father would have undoubtedly been happy to see that, and all that he’dachieved.
The look on Brad's face, however, told her he thoughtotherwise.
"I don't know about that," he said in a flat tone, confirming her thoughts. He looked out to the ocean, which was now blackened by night. The steady breath of the waves still caressed the shoreline with the gentle shushing sound itmade.
"He would Brad." She assuredhim.
He looked back to her with an appreciative smile. "I'm glad you think so. I would have liked to have made himproud."
His smile turned up a notch as he lowered to the sand and gazed up at the sky. She moved closer to him and laid down too. They used to stargaze a lot in the field on the farm when they wereyounger.
"Look at the stars." He pointed up at thesky.
She'd noticed that the sky was clearer and brighter here than in Chicago. The stars were brighter in their clusters, and if she wasn’t mistaken she could make out the outlines of a fewconstellations.
"It's so peaceful here," she sighed and turned her head towards him. A little flutter rippled through her stomach when she found that he was already looking ather.
Trina smiled at him and knew even before he opened his hand to take hers that he would dothat.
Her hand automatically foundhis.
That small gesture felt like something healed within her. As if the hole that had been created when he left had started to fill. He squeezed her hand gently, and she moved even closer so that she could rest her head on hisshoulder.
* * *
“Ican’t hear Trina.Should I be asking for proof of life?” Neilcommented.
Brad laughed and pressed the phone to his ear. "She’s taking a shower." He could hear the water running in the bathroom. She'd been in there for at least an hour and the minute she went in she unleashed the fruity, floral fragrance of her shampoo and other creams and potions he'd seen her carry inside. The place smelled like aspa.
Neil laughed. "Hey man, come on. You can't tell me you aren't even a little happy. I can hear it in yourvoice."
Brad was happy alright. A little too happy. This was supposed to be them repairing a broken friendship, which was why he had no business holding her hand like that last night and watching her while she practically slept in his arms. At least he had the good sense to wake her. Even if it was three hours later, his senses still kickedin.
"I'm merry," hejoked.
He couldn't hear the water anymore, and now he heard her soft footsteps as she made her way into herroom.
"Brad, do you want a Spanish omelet for breakfast?" She called out on the other side of hisdoor.
Well, he wouldn't say no to that. That was his favoritebreakfast.
He moved the phone away from his ear so he could answer. "Thanks, but let me come help you." He didn't want her going through all that trouble forhim.
He smiled when he heard her giggle. "It's an omelet, Brad. I'm not performing surgery." Shelaughed.
"Okay, I'll make you French toast." She lovedthat.
"Yay. Thanks. I'd love that." He knew without seeing her that she would have done that little hop thing she used to and land on one leg before saunteringaway.
He returned the phone to his ear when he heard her walk away. Neil waslaughing.
"WhatNeil?"
"Y'all sound mighty fine to me." Neil put on his Texan accent. When he first met Neil that was how he sounded as he'd just not too long moved from Texas. They used to joke about it with their other friends. As the years went by the accent faded some what, but he'd bring it out for funsometimes.
In response, Brad would copy Neil's grandmother who was quite a character with her Dolly Parton accent and the look that complimented it. She even had the big, big white blonde hair even though she was pushingeighty.
"Well sonny son, we do our best for ourfriends."
