Had those people arrived together? Or had they naturally grouped up? His mind went to Gabriel and imagined if it were him at the speed dating night instead. Gabriel was a social butterfly, always had been. He was able to strike up a conversation with anyone, at least from what Brodie had seen. Another of the many reasons he admired Gabriel when they were growing up.

  Can I not think about that guy for even a minute?

  Maybe he was a lost cause.

  “Good evening,” someone said from beside him.

  Brodie swallowed hard, gave a short nod as a way of acknowledging the man.

  “You’re here for the event?”

  Brodie figured the man must be one of the organizers. He was dressed in a burgundy suit, the jacket hung open over a navy shirt.

  “Speed dating?” Brodie said. Last thing he needed was to find out he was crashing some company function, a wedding or worse.

  Could it be worse?

  “You’re in the right place. If you’d like to follow me for a moment.” He was guided to one side to a table just inside the entrance. Brodie examined the room as he followed. The space had been arranged for the event, tables and pairs of chairs having been set up down the length of the room. A bar stood along the back wall where other attendees had gathered.

  Reality hit him hard.

  I’m really doing this.

  “I’m Clark by the way.” The man who had greeted him pressed a hand above his breast pocket, a name badge was pinned onto his jacket. “If you have any questions or anything comes up during the night, just come and see me.” He flashed a smile then leaned over the desk. “So, you are…” He lifted the clipboard and scanned his list, pen in hand, raising his head when Brodie didn’t answer. “Your name?”

  “Sorry. It’s Brodie. Brodie Lewis.”

  “Brodie,” Clark repeated. “You can relax, you know.” He met Brodie’s eyes.

  “Sorry,” Brodie said again.

  Clark chuckled. “How was your journey? The weather didn’t cause you any problems?”

  Brodie shook his head. “Traffic was a little slow, but it was fine. Thank you.” He huffed a breath, relaxed his shoulders.

  “You won’t be the only one, so don’t worry.” Clark jotted something down then straightened.

  “The only what?”

  “Person attending one of these kind of events for the first time.”

  “Ah. Is it that obvious?” Brodie scratched behind his ear.

  Clark patted him on the shoulder. “Maybe a little, but you’ll be fine. Promise. Here.” He handed Brodie a badge with the number nineteen on it. “Hold on to that. And these are for you.” He passed him two tokens for free drinks.” If you’d like to head to the bar and get yourself a drink for now. We’ll explain how things work once we’re ready to start. Okay?”

  Brodie nodded, turned the badge and tokens over in his hand. “Thanks.”

  “Enjoy your evening,” Clark said and walked over to greet another attendee who was lingering in the doorway.

  “Not the only one,” Brodie repeated Clark’s words. He glanced over at the bar and nibbled on his lower lip. Unease still hung in his chest, but he was here and, apparently, wasn’t going to be alone stumbling cluelessly into the unknown.

  Why was that kind of comforting?

  He took a moment to pin the badge to his sweater then headed to the bar. He traded one of the tokens for a bottle of beer, then moved to the side of the room. He stood beside the window, narrowing his eyes as he tried to see outside. He couldn’t make out much and instead found himself staring at his own reflection. The pictures he’d seen of the hotel online had been amazing, every shot exuding charm. Maybe there could be a reason to come back here when there were more hours of daylight, and he could appreciate the view. With a sigh, he pulled out his cell phone.

  I’m in, he texted. He stared at the screen and waited. He could only think of one time Gabriel hadn’t replied to him straight away and that was when Gabriel’s father had been rushed into hospital from a suspected heart attack. Thankfully, that hadn’t been the case.

  His phone buzzed and he opened the message.

  Well done. Never doubted your sense of direction even once, Gabriel replied.

  Brodie turned his back on the room. “Liar,” he uttered.

  There were signs and a nice lady on reception, he sent back then added, Five minutes and then I’m ignoring my phone.

  Okay. But here if you need me. Good luck and have fun. A second message quickly followed. But not too much fun.

  Brodie grinned and opened his camera. He took a shot of his beer, then forwarded the photo with, So much fun. Now shh. Ignoring you.

  He tapped his thumb against the side of his phone. Would Gabriel send one more message? He hesitated.

  Dammit. His head was full of Gabriel all over again. Settling himself with a breath, he switched his phone to silent and slipped it into the inside breast pocket of his coat.

  When was this thing going to start?

  Chapter Two

  “Good luck.” Gabriel stared at Brodie’s last message. Leaning his head back, Gabriel tried to relax. “Good luck,” he said again. “Yeah, right.”

  He recalled the innocent, hopeful expression on his friend’s face, the request for support.

  How did I sound when I answered him? Sincere? Supportive?

  He hoped so. After all, he wanted Brodie to be happy. And if happy was going to be a guy waiting inside some hotel in the middle of nowhere, then so be it, and Gabriel was one hundred percent behind that.

  Maybe ninety-nine percent. No matter how much he tried to ignore it, there would always be a tiny part of him that would be selfish where Brodie was concerned. If only it could be possible for them to figure out what happy was together.

  “What am I even thinking?” He shook his head. They were friends, best friends, and that was how things needed to stay. Not for his sake, but for Brodie’s. “I can’t screw up his life.”

  How long had it been since he had fallen in love with Brodie? They were twenty-six now, had become friends when they were eleven, and somewhere along the way what had started as curiosity about the boy from his neighborhood, and then friendship, had turned to something that left his chest aching every time he saw him.

  It had been the same tonight.

  You look good.

  Brodie always did. His outfit for the evening suited him, the dark colors, the figure-hugging jeans, the way his coat was tailored about his waist. Then there were his freshly washed and soft-looking dark bangs. Every time Brodie swept them back from his face Gabriel wanted to run his fingers through them. Also, he smelled damn good.

  “So stupid.” Gabriel focused on his phone, flicking his thumb over the screen as he navigated to the thread of messages from his eldest sister.

  We made it. He sent the simple text. He flinched when his phone suddenly vibrated and started ringing.

  “Jeez.” He grunted as he sat up straight. “Hey,” he answered. “What’s up?”

  “You really took him?” Cassie asked. There was rustling in the background as she made shooing sounds.

  What the hell is she doing?

  “Where are you?” he asked.

  “At Mom’s with the kids.” Cassie was the eldest of Gabriel’s sisters, and of all five Conley siblings, in her mid-thirties, married with two children of her own.

  Someone shouted on her end and Cassie laughed.

  “Sorry, at Mom and Dad’s. Happy now?” She sighed. “Let me go to the kitchen. It’s crazy over here,” she told Gabriel.

  “I didn’t think you were seeing them until Christmas Eve?” He waited as Cassie got settled. Where she had moved to was quiet.

  “We weren’t but Ade wanted some alone time wrapping gifts. Mom offered to make cookies with the boys.”

  “Sounds fun.”

  “Mmm. Anyway, forget about that. So, you seriously took him up there?”

  “Yes.”

  “Wow.”

  “What?”

  “Just, wow.”

  He rolled his eyes, sank a little in his seat. With the engine off, the temperature in the car was dropping. “What else was I supposed to do? A taxi would cost him a small fortune and you know what he’s like with timetables for trains and buses or whatever.”

  “Aww, how sweet of you.”

  “Besides, this way he can come and stay with me for a few days. You know he won’t ask even though it’s pretty obvious, even now, how he doesn’t like being alone.”

  “Isn’t that our fault for spoiling him? You know, smothering him with all our Conley love?” Cassie laughed. “Though having hung around our family all these years, you’d think he’d be desperate for some alone time.”

  “We both know that’ll never happen.”

  “Yeah, for some reason that idiot adores our family.”

  Gabriel chuckled. “And you guys adore him right back.”

  “Well, he is an absolute sweetheart, unlike a certain little brother I know.”

  “Thanks, I love you, too.” Gabriel closed his eyes.

  “Do you remember when you first brought him home. He looked absolutely terrified. Eyes as big as dinner plates. I guess us five kids plus Mom and Dad must have been a little overwhelming for him. I mean it was just him and his dad.”

  What was with the reminiscing all of a sudden?

  “Probably,” Gabriel said on a sigh. Growing up with four sisters had certainly been an experience for him. He scratched the back of his neck. “Did you actually want something?” He was a little confused where the call was heading.

  There was a pause. “Not really. Just wanted to see if you were okay.”

  Gabriel quirked an eyebrow. “Why wouldn’t I be?”

  “Well, are you?”

  “You’re being weird.”

  “No, I’m not.”

  “Yes. You are.” He bit his lip. He’d guessed last year Cassie had noticed his feelings for Brodie. But whether she knew he knew… He hadn’t quite figured that out and wasn’t about to admit to anything. The last thing he needed was the rest of his family becoming, assuming they weren’t already, aware of how he felt about Brodie. Especially his twin sister, Nadine, who couldn’t keep a secret if her life depended on it. “If there’s nothing in particular you want, I really need to save my battery.”

  She fell silent again.

  “Hello, Cass?”

  “Sorry. Sorry. I could hear the boys shouting.” She laughed. “And no, nothing really. Take care on your way back and tell Brodie I want to hear all about it when I see him next.”

  “Sure, I’ll tell him. See you soon.”

  “Yep. Buh-bye.”

  “Bye.” He hung up and stared at his phone until the screen dimmed.

  Now what?

  He folded his arms across his chest and tensed his shoulders. It was snowing lightly again. The small flakes danced beneath the lights in the parking lot.

  It’s cold.

  He sucked on his teeth and scanned the view in front of him.

  And I’m bored.

  There was no point putting off the inevitable and freezing his ass off. Leaning between the seats, he grabbed his backpack. He took a minute to check his belongings, ensuring he had his wallet and cell charger, and pulled out a scarf. Once he was wrapped up, he left the car. There was a slight crunch beneath his feet as he stepped out onto the grassy bank he had parked beside. Snow was one of his favorite things. The pureness. The memories. The feelings of childish innocence and possibilities as he looked across a blanket of perfect white.

  He glanced down, making out the imprint of his boot sole. Nothing remained unchanged, not the snow, not his feelings for Brodie.

  When had it started? Two, almost three years ago? Around the time Brodie had found himself in a position to apply to colleges, and Gabriel’s pride and support for his friend had shifted in an unexpected direction.

  I was both proud and jealous. I was scared I was no longer needed. I didn’t want to be left behind.

  He would never hold Brodie back. He loved Brodie. Always had. It was just his love was no longer the same as it was before.

  Friendship. Brotherhood. They had been together since they were eleven and not once had Gabriel viewed Brodie through a lens of desire or attraction, not until the day Brodie had been offered a place at college. It was as if the real Brodie were suddenly standing in front of him, a man, an adult, not someone Gabriel and his family needed to protect or look after.

  Brodie wasn’t that eleven-year-old boy anymore.

  I couldn’t say anything. I didn’t want things to change between us.

  Brodie was embarking on a new stage in his life and so Gabriel had chosen to cheer him on. Gabriel and his family would continue to be a constant in Brodie’s life, one that would offer him comfort and support for as long as he needed them.

  Gabriel hitched his backpack higher on his shoulder.

  For as long as he needs me.

  He made his way across the parking lot and inside. The reception area was wide and open. A pleasant scent filled the air and brought with it the imagery of coziness, of how he imagined it might be to be holed up during a snowstorm. A wood cabin, a log fire, mugs of cocoa, and lots of blankets. To take shelter with his most important person.

  He couldn’t help but smile at the thought of Brodie in an oversized sweater, warm and comfy, of the two of them nestled together.

  What am I thinking right now?

  “Sorry,” someone said as they bumped his shoulder, snapping him back to reality where there was a significant lack of cocoa and blankets and Brodie.

  “Yeah, sure.” He gave a short nod then approached the front desk. The lady on duty directed him to a lounge area he could wait in. The lounge was easy to find, set up with comfy large sofas and chairs set up around low coffee tables. With a Christmas tree and decorations, a log fire crackling, the room was warm and inviting. After a quick detour to the bar for a soft drink, he settled in one of the corners near a power socket. He sank into the sofa and leaned back, debating what to do for the next couple of hours.

  Would he be able to focus on work?

  Could he ignore the reason Brodie was at the hotel?

  Damn it. He rubbed his hand over his mouth. Should he have said something to Brodie? Objected? I have no right to stop him. Brodie deserved to be loved by someone who could be honest with him and themselves.

  He chewed on his thumbnail. What if he told Brodie how he felt? Would it be so bad?

  Would it? Guilt pressed down on him at just thinking of telling Brodie the truth. And yet, he kept considering it. Of confessing everything. I’m a bad friend.

  He sat forward, unraveled his scarf, and shrugged his jacket from his shoulders. Rather than his work being hindered, maybe it could provide him with a distraction and rein in his straying thoughts.

  He lifted his backpack onto his knee and drew back the zipper. Inside was his tablet and stylus. His father had asked him to be involved in deciding the bakery’s Valentine’s promotion next year but so far, his enthusiasm and inspiration had both been at a big fat zero. Love, romance, big red hearts, not exactly what he wanted to be thinking about, especially now.

  Valentine’s. He squinted as his tablet screen lit up. He held the end of the stylus between his teeth as he considered his task for the promotional line of cakes and pastries. What twist could he add to make them even a little bit unique?

  With a sigh, he stared at the ceiling.

  I’ve got nothing.

  Chapter Three

  “And then she puked all over my three hundred-dollar rug.”

  Brodie didn’t know how to respond to that particular anecdote, neither the part about vomit nor the fact the guy paid three hundred for a rug. He raised his eyebrow, parted his lips as he stared at Eric, his current date, and considered what to say.

  “She is adorable though.” Eric leaned across the table and held up his phone. On the screen was a picture of a huge fluffy gray cat. The cat was wearing the sternest expression Brodie thought he had ever seen.

  “Yeah, very cute.” Pets weren’t his thing. Though that was more down to circumstances rather than any actual dislike. A family pet hadn’t been a priority when Brodie was growing up. There had been enough going on in his and his dad’s life without adding an animal into the mix. “Have you had her long?” he asked.

  “Six years.” Eric looked at the image and smiled. His expression was filled with such warmth and Brodie found himself relaxing for the first time that night.

  He had already rotated through a mixed bag of several dates. The first few were the worst, nothing to do with his partners or even himself. The whole experience was awkward and new, and in the case of some of the men he’d been paired with, the event was also their first step into the world of speed dating. Instead of conversation coming to them organically, they had relied on the ice-breaker prompts found on the tables—short questions, multiple choice, situations meant to stimulate discussion.

  With each ring of the bell and switch of partner, Brodie’s anxiety lessened, words came easier, and finally the barrier of interacting with strangers was overcome.

  Brodie leaned his head, smiling at Eric who lowered his gaze.

  Was he embarrassed?

  Eric placed his cell phone face down on the table. “Sorry.”

  Brodie shook his head. “It’s fine. I think it’s sweet.”

  “Sweet,” Eric repeated. “Is that a good thing?” He tilted his head and pursed his lips as he met Brodie’s eyes. There was nothing in Eric’s expression to imply Brodie had offended him.

  “Well, it’s not a bad thing,” Brodie said. “You looked really happy when you were talking about her. It’s nice. I like it.”

  Eric flashed him a bright smile. “I’m glad.” He leaned forward, folded his arms and rested them against the edge of the table. “From the look on your face, I take it no pets?”

  Brodie nodded. “I’ve never really thought about them, to be honest. My friend, his sisters kept rats when they were growing up.”

  “‘Rats’?”

  “Mmm. All I really remember is their mom having to constantly tell them to look after them. ‘Clean out the cage, feed them, give them fresh water’. Seemed like more of a hassle than I could be bothered with if I’m honest.” He met Eric’s eyes and they laughed together. “Maybe one day I’ll change my mind.”

 

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