The Closer You Come (The Original Heartbreakers, #1)(89)

As he looked her up and down, she recognized him as the tourist who’d entered her shop only to leave without saying a word. “Your poor knees. They’re bleeding.”

“They’ll be fine.” Up close like this, she could tell he was roughly her age. He had sandy-colored hair and eyes as dark as slate, but he appeared sickly. His skin had a yellow tint, and there were bags under his bloodshot eyes. His button-up and slacks were ill-fitting, with several stains.

“Well,” he said, staring at her so intensely she shifted uncomfortably. “I should be going.” He turned on his heel and rushed off.

O-kay, then. Weird.

Brook Lynn continued on to Brad’s shop. When she stood at the door, she withdrew the sandwich she’d made for him from her purse and drew in a deep breath. I can do this. Maybe.

Cool air enveloped her as she entered the lobby. She bypassed reception and slipped into the garage. Brad was a few cars down, twisting something under the hood of a car. He wore his work coveralls, and his hands were stained with grease.

What am I going to say to him?

Her mind drifted back to the breakfast she’d shared with Jessie Kay while Jase showered. As they’d munched on a fruit platter she’d bought to sample for Tessa’s party, she’d explained her dilemma to her sister, asking, “How can I let Brad down easy?”

“Tell him you’ll give him another chance if he’ll consider a penile-enlargement surgery, and boom, he’ll be done with you.”

Not going there.

Just before leaving the house, Brook Lynn had texted Kenna, but her friend’s reply had been every bit as ridiculous.

Say this: Is it hot in here or is this relationship suffocating me? No? Then say this: I now pronounce you dumped and single, you may kiss my butt.

Brook Lynn thought about what her mom might have said to her, if she’d still been alive.

He’s a person with feelings. Treat him the way you’d want to be treated. Be polite. Gentle.

“Brook Lynn.” Brad’s voice jerked her into reality.

She blinked into focus, her nervousness returning in a flash. “Hey.”

He grinned as he cleaned his hands on a rag. “What a nice surprise. I’m glad you’re here.”

“Um, can we talk in private, maybe?”

He caught her unease and lost his grin. “Sure.” He led her to an office in back.

Along the way a big burly guy she’d seen around a few times stepped into their path.

“Hey. You selling those?” he asked, motioning to the sandwich.

“No,” she replied.

“Who does? Where can I get one?”

“No one. Nowhere. I made it.” As usual, she’d baked the bread from scratch, and this time she’d even called to have her favorite cheese from the tasting delivered right to her door.

Interest lit the mechanic’s eyes. “How much do you charge?”

“Yeah,” another guy said as he walked over. “How much?”

Several others wandered over, too, listening intently.

“Smells like a slice of heaven,” someone said.

That was surprising, considering it was her consolation prize for Brad, and guilt was the main ingredient.

“Thank you,” she said, “but it isn’t for sale.”

As groans of disappointment sounded behind her, thrilling her, she continued on to the office. Inside, she leaned against the closed door and offered the sandwich to Brad. “This is for you.”

“That was sweet of you.” He accepted with a mix of dread and hope gleaming in his eyes. “It does smell wonderful.”

Her nerves kicked up again, obliterating her excitement. Sweat moistened her hands. Use your lady balls and speak! “Brad, well, I’m so sorry to do this, but I can’t go out with you again.” Once she started, she couldn’t stop, the words pouring from her. “You are such a great man, and I wanted you to ask me out for a long, long time, but you didn’t, and then Jase showed up, and I wanted him, though I thought I couldn’t have him, but I also thought I needed to have some fun anyway, so I asked you out, and that wasn’t fair to you and, well...I’m...I’m sorry. I led you on, and that was wrong of me. I’ll understand if you hate me forever, but I’m with Jase now, officially, and we’re exclusive.”

Brad placed the sandwich on the overcrowded desk and scrubbed a hand over his face. He mulled over her long-winded speech before sighing. “I’ve wanted to ask you out for a long time, too.”

“So why didn’t you?” If she had been with him, she would never have allowed herself to notice Jase.

Not notice him? Impossible. But she wouldn’t have acted on it.

“Thought you’d say no,” Brad said. “You never seemed to notice I was a man when I was inside Edna’s store.”

So...he’d let the mere thought of failure stop him from pursuing her, which meant the fear of rejection had meant more to him than she had. He’d been unwilling to fight for her.

The clarity of that caused her guilt to drain. The man she ended up with had to be willing to fight for her—her love, her life. Her happiness. The way she would fight for him and his. Otherwise, the relationship would lack a solid foundation to stand on, and they would be doomed.

Would Jase be willing to fight for her?