I woke up blissfully content in Brad's arms for the second day in a row. I had never been happier in my entire life than when I was curled up against him.

My hand was hurting much less now, more of a dull ache than acute pain, so I didn't feel a pressing need to move. I listened to his breathing, felt his heart beating, and smelled what had already become his familiar scent. I was captivated by every aspect of who he was. I admired him, respected him, and without meaning to- I loved him.

Which was absolutely and entirely banana balls, but there is was. The L word, and not like I loved my brother or like I loved Steve. Nope. This was the head-over-heels, unstoppable, Romeo-and-Juliet-type of love. I honestly had thought that wasn't a real thing, or that it couldn't happen to me because I was too cynical and damaged, but here I was- completely blindsided in a matter of days.

I laid there quietly for a long while, drinking in happiness and soaking up every thankful second in my own personal paradise.

I did have to go to the bathroom. I shifted slightly and he tightened his arms around me, pulling me closer in his sleep. Oh, how adorable he was!

He was always so calm, too. Even when he was mad. I could feel his calm and it calmed me.  I had never experienced anything like that before, either.

All of this was new, unexpected, wonderful, and scary.

I sneezed.

The hell?!?

Of course that would happen to me...of all the silly, annoying things to happen.

He woke up.

"Morning, beautiful", he whispered, in his calm deep voice, kissing my forehead and causing my belly to flutter.

"I'm sorry. That was ridiculous", I apologized. "I was laying here having a perfect moment and then I sneezed".

"Hmmm. If it was perfect, you should have woken me up to enjoy it, too. Or was it only perfect because I was asleep?"

"Oh". I hadn't thought of it that way. "I don't know. Good point. I was really content and happy, and thankful to be laying here with you...". I trailed off, not ready to share all of my thoughts.

He squeezed me a little. "Same here. I enjoy this so much I don't even want to sleep because I want to continue enjoying it".

I laughed gently.

"Do we have anything to do today?", he asked.

"I have to check in at work and try to figure out when I can start working again, at least in some fashion. I need to unpack and somehow shower". I sighed.

"I can shower you", he joked, poking me in the side so I knew he was teasing. But that did make me think about something. We were definitely interested in each other, and before we got to the point of no return, we should probably have the sex conversation. It was an uncomfortable topic, but my opinion was that if we couldn't discuss it, we shouldn't do it. I hadn't always been that responsible, but it was something I was committed to now. Also, I had made it through the 'I'm reproductively challenged' talk unscathed, so this one should be a breeze.

Now wasn't the time.

"Maybe we can find a way to schedule some more time for this, too?", Brad asked, sounding hopeful.

"Definitely", I promised, tipping my face up and nudging his cheek with my nose. He took the cue and kissed me gently on the mouth.

"Okay, I'm getting up", I said.

"Okay", he smiled back, kissing me another couple times before releasing me.

......................................................................

Andy and Kendra were rushing around and about ready to leave when we came downstairs.

"How's she doing?", Andy asked Brad.

"She slept well, her pain is under control, and she's not mad at me", was Brad's response with a smile.

"Excellent, excellent", Andy said, rubbing his palms together briskly. He was wearing a black pinstripe suit, a deep purple collared shirt with no tie, and the neck open a couple buttons.

"You know I'm standing right here?", I directed the question at both of them.

They looked at each other and smiled. Andy actually laughed a little.

"What the hell?", I asked. "Are you guys like friends now?  You bonded over your bullying session to Steve last night?" 

I was annoyed. "Men are so weird". I sighed and started for the coffee.

"Remember to set the security system if you guys go anywhere", Andy said as he and Kendra started to leave.

"Got it!", both Brad and I replied at the same time.

I snapped my head around to glare at him but he was ducking and turning away.

"I was talking to Brad, dear", Andy called after me. "He's in charge now when I'm not home.  I can't trust you won't let strays in here when I'm gone, just because you feel bad for them. Love you!"

I showed him two middle fingers in response.

Ugh, brothers could be the worst. Good thing for him I loved him immensely or I would possibly have up and left that very minute. I knew he didn't approve of me allowing Steve to have his say, and I knew he was angry that I would have opened the gate had he not put his foot down. Andy was one to be sure that I knew how he felt about things, and he could be one hell of a dick when he wanted to be.

"You want some help?", Brad asked, gently taking the bag of coffee I was trying to open.

"Sure", I sighed.

I hated having to get help. It made me feel weak and well....helpless.

I talked Brad through making breakfast. He clearly was a proficient cook but he didn't know where anything was, of course. As he was doing this, I checked my emails, pecked out some replies, and set up auto forwarding to the HR assistant, Angela, until I knew when I could return.

We ate uneventfully and then I decided to get the shower over with. I had Brad duct tape two plastic bags on my arm to protect the cast and went for it. It was a little tricky, and took longer than usual, but it was not terrible. Washing my hair was the hardest. When I was done drying off, picking the tangles out of my curls, and applying makeup, I was exhausted and felt like I had been in there forever.

I finally emerged in black leggings, a white tank top, and a wide neck light gray sweatshirt, with my hair loose and wet. Brad was waiting patiently, laying on his side on the bed, expectantly watching the bathroom door. My heart about leapt into my throat. He was so perfectly casual, strikingly handsome, so confident and comfortable in his own skin. The contrast of his light blue eyes with his dark hair. The scruffiness of his face and the messy way he wore his hair made him look like a classic bad boy, but he was consistently gentle, understanding, and supportive.

He was wearing light colored jeans and a navy short sleeve V-neck t-shirt. He patted the bed next to him, smiling up at me.

I sat and he pulled me down next to him, wrapping both arms around me. "You smell good", he whispered, kissing me lightly on my neck underneath my ear. Little shivers ran up my arms, leaving goosebumps behind.

We lay like that for a long while. I think I almost fell asleep again, or maybe I even did for a few minutes, but I had never been one to sleep during the day.  It also wasn't in me to lay around when there were tasks to be completed, so I stirred myself and said, "Alright, I need you to contain my hair again so we can get started on these boxes in here".

Brad groaned. "Noooooo, why can't we just lay here? I'm so comfortable!", he protested.

"Because I literally couldn't live with myself seeing these boxes sitting here and not doing something about it", I explained, sitting up and smacking his arm. "Come on, let's go".

.......................................................................

Unpacking my things really didn't take very long. I could only unpack clothing items and the rest had to be moved to the basement with the boxes that were already there.

"Excellent, now for more free time", Brad said, pulling me into his arms.

I laughed. "Actually", I said, looking up at him, "I was thinking since this took practically no time at all, we should go to your place and get some unpacking done there".

He looked down with a concerned expression that worried me.

"What's wrong? You're sticking around, right?", I asked him, suddenly feeling terrified.

"Of course", he replied.

"Don't you want me in your house?", I asked.

Now he smiled. "You helped me find it", he answered.

"Well, why did your face look like that?", I accused him.

"I don't want you pushing yourself and backsliding", he explained. "My stuff can wait. It's no big deal to me if it sits there for another year".

I cringed.

He sighed. "I took out what I needed, same as you did here, and I don't need much else. I don't have much else. I don't do decorations and I'm not even going to be able to fill half of that place".

"I can help you find some things to furnish and decorate with, if you let me", I offered hopefully.

"Sure thing", he agreed, "but not today".

I pouted.

He laughed softly.

"You have the hardest time doing what's best for you, you know that?"  He shook his head in disbelief.

"Come on", he said, taking me by the hand and leading me back upstairs to my room where he laid back down on the bed and motioned for me to do the same.

I hesitated.

"Paige?"  He looked concerned. "If you really don't want to do this, you need to tell me".

I laughed. "No, it's nothing like that. I really do enjoy being close to you. I was just thinking maybe I should go to the bathroom first instead of having to get up again in a few minutes".

He looked relieved. "You would tell me if you didn't want to do something, right?  Because it doesn't make me happy if you do something that makes you unhappy, just because you think it's going to make me happy".

I raised my eyebrows. "I got all that and yes, I believe I can be honest with you".

"Good. Because I never want to be in a position where you're doing things for me and not for yourself". He held my gaze steadily.

I looked into his honest, clear blue eyes, and I believed him. I knew he was thinking about how I was faking happiness for Steve, how he never wanted that to be him, and that stung a little. He wasn't wrong, though, and he might as well bring it up right away to establish the standard.

I nodded. I would try for him and for me.

.............................................................................

Brad had never been happier. It was such an intense positive feeling, he wasn't quite sure it was real. He enjoyed every minute of his time with Paige. It didn't matter what they were doing as long as they were doing it together. He couldn't get enough of touching her, kissing her, and holding her, but he also tried to pay close attention to her signals so she wasn't getting sick of him. He saw firsthand that she would sacrifice her own wants and needs for a man, only to end up resentful and hating him for it. He vowed that wasn't going to happen to him. He could read people well and didn't usually need to try, but he made an active effort to focus on reading her face and her tone, and studying her body language.

They had been laying together off and on all day, talking, laughing, kissing, watching TV, eating lunch.  He was never happier than when he had both arms wrapped around her, but he knew she was mighty claustrophobic and highly independent, so he didn't keep her like that for long.

He didn't exactly know if she felt the same way he did. He was hoping and suspected she might. She had initiated a kiss with him, a few times now. And a couple times he caught a little look in her eyes that seemed to match how he was feeling, but he couldn't be sure. He wanted to tread carefully, not rush things, not ruin something special by smothering her.

Some time in the afternoon, an orthopedic doctor's office called to set up an appointment with her to take xrays and see how things were healing. She was eager to do that so she could get back to work, but as far as Brad was concerned, he couldn't care less if they ever worked again. He could spend every day with her like this and never be bored.

Since the night he had met her and she offered him some fire whiskey, straight, on the rocks, a few lines of a song had periodically been running through his head.  He searched for it now as she was putting away some dishes in the kitchen.  He found it on YouTube and hit play, turning his phone up as loud as it would go.

He jumped to his feet and walked from the open living room area to the space between the island and cabinets where she was working.  He extended his hand and was pleased to see her looking puzzled but smiling. Good, he hated to be predictable.

"What's this now?", she asked, puzzled hazel eyes sparkling emerald green in the natural lighting.  Trustingly, she placed her hand in his. Her grip was firm and confident, stronger than her petite bone structure would imply.  He delicately lifted her hand and guided her through a little spin, then smoothly stepped up close as her pulled her in, immediately moving to sway in a slow, steady rhythm to the soulful song. She threw her head back and laughed delightedly, thrilling him to the very depths of his soul.

He held her close and listened to the lyrics as they danced in the kitchen. He had never been an alcoholic, which is what the song was about, but regardless so many of the lyrics really spoke to him.

But you rescued me from reaching for the bottom
And brought me back from bein' too far gone

You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey
You're as sweet as strawberry wine
You're as warm as a glass of brandy
And, honey, I stay stoned on your love all the time

"I know this song", she said, moving consistently with his lead, "but I don't know it well".

And then he chose to sing it to her.
"You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey.  You're as sweet as strawberry wine. You're as warm as a glass of brandy.  And, honey, I stay stroned on your love all the time".

He knew he couldn't sing as well as she did. He didn't care about that. He did care about sharing with her some of what was going on in his head and his heart.  Then during the interlude, he tipped her backward and kissed her neck. Again, she laughed.

During the last chorus, she sang right along with him, staring directly up into his eyes.  As the song ended, he actually just picked her up and held her at eye level so he didn't need to bend down to kiss her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned right in to the kiss. He had never, ever, been a romantic, and this dancing in the kitchen stuff would have seemed silly to him just last week...but if this was romance, well, he was signed up for as much of it as he could get.

...........................................................................

Steve had applied to two jobs last night. He didn't want to be in that building anymore. The position he had now was how he ended up meeting Paige in the first place. Today marked one week from Brad coming back into his life and two days without Paige. He was no longer mad at either or them or himself. He was simply numb and empty. He needed out from his current reality. A job change, a fresh start, a new prospective.

Marcus had been very supportive and offered to stay with him if he didn't want to be alone. Marcus was mostly single and preferred it that way. He didn't mind dating but he wasn't ready to settle down. So he didn't mind keeping his friend company and keeping his mind off of things.

Steve felt the need to mourn the loss of his relationship and future, and had preferred to cry in private. He couldn't cry forever though, so he was now looking at a future of endless evenings filled with nothing to do except home repairs, and that struck him as a little depressing. He considered seeing if Marcus wanted to get together on Friday night.

Steve locked up and set his security system, heading in to work as normal. Except nothing was normal now. Not a damn thing.

............................................................................

I was antsy.

Day three of not being able to work or do much of anything, but without feeling miserable enough to keep me sitting around. So I felt anxious and irritable.

I decided to exercise. Brad had slept in my room again but wasn't awake yet. This was the way things were now. Andy said nothing about it, Kendra didn't even bat an eye, and I didn't stop to consider him going to his own room anymore.

Brad must have been feeling more comfortable here, too, because I was able to sneak slowly and quietly out of bed without waking him for the first time ever. He hadn't been holding me, only laying next to me, so that was helpful in my success.

I didn't need to change. I was wearing the athletic clothes that I had worn all day and wore to bed, also. I grabbed socks and tennis shoes and headed to the basement exercise room.

I stretched for several minutes then decided to try running on the treadmill. Andy had a legit full gym. Any piece of equipment found in an actual gym, he had it. He used to have a personal trainer come in weekly but he stopped doing that. He said he had learned what he needed from them and was fine on his own.

I got on and tried programming the treadmill. I could never figure these things out. Never. It did turn on but it was really slow, so I kept messing with it and walked. Eventually I hit the right button and it speeded up. I increased my pace to a light jog. Perfect. I turned on the music and settled into a rhythm. It was a little jarring to my hand but tolerable for sure.

A few minutes later, the pace suddenly increased. Like a lot! What the heck had I done now??? I started pushing buttons, then confused and distracted, I tripped. I lost my balance and came down hard...on my broken hand!

"Aaaaaahhhhhh!", I semi-screamed, rolling off the treadmill and cradling my hand against my chest.

"Fuuuuuucccckkkk", I squealed, kicking the machine in frustration.

"Aaahhhhh, whhhyyyyyyy?", I moaned, rolling around on the ground.

"Paige, what the hell?" Brad was suddenly right next to me, squatting on the ground. "What happened?"

"I messed up programming the machine and it started going too fast and I tripped". It hurt a lot but I wasn't crying. I'd been in a lot worse pain before. There was no way I would cry with Brad there, already all anxious about it.

"You landed on your hand?", he asked, brow furrowed.

"Well, of course I did. What else could I have possibly used to catch myself other than a broken hand?", I answered, rolling my eyes at my own stupidity.

"Does it hurt bad?", he asked.

"No", I said. "It'll be ok. I don't think I re-damaged anything".

"Did you get hurt anywhere else?", he asked.

I shook my head. He stood up and turned off the machine then squatted next to me again, his icy blue eyes making an unbreakable intense connection with mine.

"Paige, this needs to stop", he began, seriously.

"What? Exercise?", I asked, half joking but ultimately confused.

"You say you trust me".

He waited.

I nodded.

"If we are going to have any kind of relationship, I need you to communicate honestly and openly with me, and I need you to let me help you", he continued, still staring into my eyes.

I felt my face getting red. I was getting scolded and I instantly felt guilty and defensive.

"Baby, there is literally no reason why you should sneak off and go do this on your own", he continued, his expression softening. "You're injured, I'm right there, with absolutely nothing better to do, and I want to spend time with you. Please, please stop making things difficult for me".

My cheeks were burning. "I'm sorry, I wanted to let you sleep. I didn't think I would do something stupid...again...but I guess I should assume that's what's going to happen from now on".

"I'm not mad", he said, reading my defensive tone. "I'm just a little hurt and confused. If you say you trust me, then trust me to help. Trust me to be there for you". He cupped my chin in his hand. "I'm not going anywhere", he assured me.

"I'm used to taking care of myself", I explained. "No one ever took care of me, even when I was a child, so it's really almost impossible for me to think about asking for help. And I certainly wouldn't ever expect help. From anyone. It's not how my brain is wired and it's going to take a lot of re-wiring to change. I'm sorry but it really has nothing to do with you personally, and I do trust you, and I will try to do better... but this isn't something I can change overnight".

There was a lot I hadn't really thought about until that moment. It was all very true but it hadn't really registered to me before.

"Okay", he simply said. "Are you done exercising now or do you want to try again?"

"I'm done with the treadmill", I said angrily, "but maybe I'll try the elliptical".

"Can I help you get set up?", he asked, smiling.

"Please", I replied, and he easily lifted me to standing by grabbing me under my arms.

He helped me program the elliptical then, "Where's your water?", he asked, looking around.

"I didn't bring any in here", I said.

He looked at me. Like really looked at me. Like trying to figure out what was inherently wrong with me.

"I'm sorry?", I ventured.

He shook his head, scowling, turned, and walked out.

He was mad because I didn't bring in water? I didn't know. I was confused. I understood his lecture about asking for help but I didn't think water would fit in that category...

...........................................................................

Brad was angry. At Paige. This wasn't the first time, and wouldn't be the last, either, but he was dismayed. The problem was that while this incident was small, it was part of a bigger issue which he saw as the root of all her issues.

She didn't take care of herself. She didn't make herself a priority. She didn't allow her feelings to matter.

This reminded him of when she passed out on the trail because she hadn't eaten or drank anything all day and decided to go for a run.

He didn't understand it. She was so smart and such a planner. How could she not plan to bring water in to exercise when she hadn't drank anything since the night before? She clearly just rolled out of bed and started exercising, with a broken hand, and without asking for help or letting him know what she was doing.

He was so mad he had to walk away so he wouldn't say something rude.

Brad was staring out the living room windows when Andy came downstairs.

"Hey, B-Rad", Andy joked. "What did my sister do now?"

Brad leveled with him quietly. "She snuck out of bed to exercise. When I found her she was rolling around on the ground with the treadmill going full speed. She had somehow messed up the program, tripped, and landed on her broken hand. She hadn't even brought a bottle of water in there, either, so she's probably going to pass out next".

Andy must have instantly saw and understood Brad's frustrated expression as concern. His hazel eyes were sympathetic, and for once he wasn't joking or being sarcastic.

"You can't understand how she takes such good care of everything and everyone else, but doesn't take care of herself". It was more of a statement than a question.

"Exactly", Brad nodded.

"She wasn't taken care of as a child. Her mom was an alcoholic who lied to her and said she didn't knew who her dad was, because he could have easily gotten custody, and her mom knew that. So she had to take care of herself and her mother every single day until her mom went to the hospital and eventually died there. Then she went from foster home to foster home until she graduated high school. From what I know, she did learn some things from these families, but self-worth, self-care, and self-love are things that get ingrained early. Her early programming showed her that she didn't matter other than as a caretaker for her mother. She doesn't know how to care about herself".

Brad's heart gave a great pang and he felt a huge wave of guilt wash over him. Andy's eyes were actually wet.

"Even though my dad was lousy at parenting and being a husband, he provided financially so my mother didn't need to work and could be here for me. And she was amazing".

Andy's chin quivered almost imperceptibly. "I wish she could have grown up with us. My mom would have raised her as her own, regardless of the infidelity. I know she would have. That's why I'm always going to go above and beyond for her. I'm trying to show her that she is worthy of love and that I'm always going to be there for her".

Andy put his hand on Brad's shoulder, eyes glistening. "I know you understand her pretty well already. I hope this particular issue doesn't scare you off. I think you two could be really good together, and believe me, she is worth your effort".

"Yeah, I know she is", Brad agreed. "I'm not going anywhere". He shook his head. "I feel bad I got mad now. Thanks for the information".

"Anytime", Andy said, squeezing his shoulder. "You gonna go check on her or should I?"

Brad chuckled. "I'll do it".

...........................................................................

Brad came back into the exercise room as I was finishing up on the elliptical. I felt better overall. Exercise always helped me feel better.  He handed me a cold bottle of water and acted like nothing out of the ordinary had just transpired twenty minutes ago. Maybe it hadn't. Maybe I was just being overly sensitive?

"Can we please go to your house and unpack and clean today?", I begged. "I really, truly cannot sit here doing nothing for another day. Please???"

He laughed out loud. "Fine. But you'll see there's not going to be much to do and then you're going to be as bored there as you are here. Probably worse because I don't have cable".

"I don't really watch TV anyway", I shrugged. "It's kind of a waste of time.  I'd rather be doing something".

"Of course you would", he laughed at me.

"Sooo....is that a yes then, or.....?" I batted my eyelashes at him.

He laughed and caught my chin in his warm hand. "On one condition", he said, leaning down and looking into my eyes. "You take it easy and you don't get mad when I tell you no".

"That's two things", I pointed out, "and what are you telling me no for?"

He leaned in closer. "Deal or no?"

He had no idea I'd agree to just about anything only to have him that close, so I hesitated for good measure, then smiled and said, "Deal".

"Good decision", he said then leaned in the rest of the way to kiss me tenderly on the mouth. Every time he did that my stomach flipped and my heart pounded.  I never wanted him to stop, and I literally couldn't get enough of kissing him. It was really an overwhelming and bizzare experience for me because in every other relationship...yes, literally every one, kissing had kinda turned me off. It grossed me out a bit. I didn't want to do it much. Not so with Brad. I wondered if he thought I was too forward the way I even had instigated it at times.  At this particular moment, I restrained myself from flinging my arms around his neck and shoving my tongue down his throat. It was difficult but I managed to control myself.

"Alright, Ms. Miller, let's get going then", he teased, releasing me, now breathless.

...........................................................................

Brad had his sunglasses on and was using them as an opportunity to check out the beauty beside him as he drove to his new home.  Paige was wearing light colored, strategically ripped, skinny, ankle length jeans, tan canvas slip on tennis shoes with no socks, and a mauve tank top knotted in the front, covered with an open-front, chunky knit, oversized, camel colored sweater. Kendra had french-braided her long, unruly hair, but tiny ringlets had torn free and framed her face. He knew her hair drove her nuts but he liked it the way it was. Imperfect, unruly, wild, soft...just like her personality. She had on rose gold aviators and was humming softly to the radio, tapping her cast to the beat with her first two left fingers.

He smiled to himself, loving how she was so perfectly herself with him. She looked relaxed, and he was so thankful. It gave him so much pleasure to see her smiling and being authentic around him, rather than frustrated and self-conscious as she had appeared with Steve.

"What are you smiling about?", she asked him.

"You", he answered, watching the road.

"What about me?", she pressed.

"Everything", he said, still smiling.

She didn't say anything else but he got the distinct impression she wasn't satisfied with that answer.

"I enjoy watching you be yourself", he elaborated. "I can't tell you how happy it makes me to see you relaxed and happy".

She gave a tiny laugh. "Brad, you make me relaxed and happy. Trust me, that is not my natural state of being". She laughed again. "I swear your strange, creepy, quiet rubs off on me".

He smirked and said nothing.

...........................................................................

* Gosh, what a fella. If you like Brad, give him your vote so other readers can get a chance to meet him! *