Stubborn Hearts

by Hutchinson, Heidi

  Brady ran a hand over his short hair. “You're unbelievable. You do realize that she knows where you live now, don't you?”

  Bo's grin died and he stared out the windshield. “She doesn't know that. I could have been at a friend's house.”

  “Dude, you are such a dick.” Brady closed his eyes and rubbed his temples with his finger tips. “And you know what's really bothering me? I'll never find out where she got those tacos from.”

  Bo checked the rear view mirror, slid sunglasses onto his face. “Damn, those were tasty tacos.”

  ***

  Lo sucked in another breath and finally sat down in the gravel to hold her stomach, she was laughing so hard. Tears leaked out of the corner of her eyes and she wiped them away.

  “And that goes for your mama, too!” Spencer yelled at the cloud of dust that had been Bo and Brady Samson, shaking her fist in the air above her head. The blonde (or mostly blonde) spun around, her hands landing on her hips. “It is not funny, Lo Frederick.”

  “Oh shut up, it's hilarious and you know it!” Lo threw her head back and laughed loud and deep, holding her gut with both hands. “They stole our tacos, Spence! And then, they ran away! I just keep seeing that wet suit flapping around his legs.” She used her arms to demonstrate and lost it again in a fit of giggles.

  Spencer's lips twitched before she rolled her eyes and huffed out a sigh. She sat down beside Lo, folding her hands in her lap. “That boy has been the bane of my existence since I first laid eyes on him in 6th grade.”

  Lo chuckled. “Knowing you even for only this long, I'm guessing you gave as good as you got.”

  Spencer snarled and pushed her hair back with one hand. “I knew moving to Huntington was a mistake. Why couldn't I have stayed in La Jolla?”

  Lo reached over and simultaneously tangled her fingers in Spencer's unfathomably soft hair and rubbed her back. “Because you and Garret broke up and he kicked you out. And you can't afford a place up there on your own.”

  Spencer turned her frowning blue eyes on her. “Gee, thanks.”

  Lo smiled. “It's what I'm here for. Well, that and buying you more tacos.”

  Spencer sagged sideways and rested her head on Lo's shoulder. “I can't believe that jerk stole our tacos.”

  “I can't believe you thought it would be a good idea to chase him down.” Lo shook her head. “Really. What was the plan if they hadn't run away?”

  She felt Spencer shrug. “I don't know.”

  Lo stood up and brushed of the back of her cutoffs. “C'mon. I'm starving.”

  Spencer pouted for a second before she stood up and joined Lo on their short walk back to where they had been robbed of the world's most delicious tacos.

  Lo Fredericks had only known Spencer Clementine for a couple of months. They'd met through a mutual friend, Tessa Layne. Lo knew Tessa from work — they were both pharmaceutical reps. And Spencer was Tessa's best friend since grade school and was now her roommate.

  Lo and Spencer hit it off immediately due to their mutual love of tacos and surfing. It was all Lo thought about all day every day. When she was on her route, when she was making a pitch, when she was filling out paperwork. She thought about the next taco she was going to eat and when she'd be able to get back to the beach.

  Spencer was the same.

  Not exactly the same. Spencer was blonde hair and blue eyes, classic beach babe chic. She had just gotten a job as a fitness coach at a local gym, so her attire didn't have a significant change day to day. Lo was dark hair, green eyes, and required to be in business casual while on the clock. Which was more often these days.

  When she changed out of her work clothes and into her street clothes, the difference was so startling that she often fooled even her friends. It was kind of nice actually. No one from her work ever recognized her, and no one from her personal life ever bothered her if they saw her working.

  It was almost like she lived two lives at once. Not deliberately, but a fortuitous accident.

  Tessa, however, did not surf or eat tacos. Tessa lived in her work clothes and the only reason she wore yoga pants was for drinking wine and watching The Bachelor.

  Lo had been on a mission to save the tall, gorgeous, modelesque brunette from herself for a year. Now that Spencer had arrived, she had a comrade who agreed with her. And someone to surf with.

  And find new places to eat delicious tacos.

  Mmm, tacos.

  “Okay, so we'll head back to where Manny usually parks the taco truck and hope to God he's still there,” Spencer said opening her car door.

  “I have a thing I have to go to tonight, by the way.” Lo slid her selt belt over her shoulder and clicked it into place. She looked up to see Spencer scrunching her nose up.

  “Does Tessa have to go, too?”

  “Nope. She got out of this one. Some big doctor's thing. I'm supposed to go and rub shoulders and try to make friends.”

  Spencer nodded. “That makes sense. Tessa would actually make friends. Not contacts.” She started the beat up Volkswagen bus. It groaned in protest.

  “Exactly,” Lo agreed. She stared wistfully at the turquoise waters swelling and breaking just a few yards away. “I love my life.”

  Spencer held up her closed fist up and Lo tapped her own against it.

  ***

  “You always go all out for these things,” Bo remarked, barely glancing up from his video game marathon on the couch.

  Brady sighed and looked to the floor. “You were invited, too.”

  “Yep.” Bo paused his game and grabbed his beer off the end table beside him. He grinned. “You're purdy.”

  “Suck it,” Brady muttered, turning around and nearly colliding with Steve coming through the front door.

  “Whoa!” Steve exclaimed, holding his hands up defensively. “Careful, DiCaprio. I don't want to wrinkle you.”

  Kip came in the door behind him and lifted his chin. “Oh, yeah. Your cousin's engagement party is tonight. You look good, man.”

  “Thank you.” Brady made a pointed look at Bo who shrugged. “I'll be back later. No parties while I'm gone.” He grabbed his keys off the hook by the door. “I'll only be gone for a couple hours.”

  “Standard photo op with the 'rents and crab cakes to go?” Bo asked, turning his game back on.

  “Yeah.” Brady sighed again. Another awesome night. Why did he have to be the responsible one?

  ***

  “You'll have to come by the office sometime next week.”

  Lo smiled demurely at the nice surgeon while at the same time thinking ca-ching. It was almost too easy. Which is why Tessa wasn't allowed to come to these things anymore. She always fell in love with a doctor, lawyer, butler, or the valet. She was fine while she was in business mode. But throw evening wear on everyone and the girl lost all rationality.

  And Tessa knew that about herself, too. Which is why she'd come over while Lo was getting ready and gave her as much support and encouragement as she could. She also did Lo's makeup, which never failed to impress.

  “Miss Fredericks, I'd like for you to meet my son, Bradach.”

  Lo nearly choked on her champagne.

  ***

  Brady spotted his dad finally and made his way that direction. The sooner he could get this over with, the better. This tux was getting hot. He snagged a glass of champagne off of a nearby tray and took a healthy swallow.

  Crab cakes went by and he almost changed trajectory, but he was on a mission. See Dad, say hello, answer all of the standard questions about his future and then crab cakes. It would be his reward for a job well done.

  His dad glanced over his shoulder and spotted him, smiled and waved him over. Brady was no doubt going to be introduced to yet another wealthy, widowed, middle aged woman who was in need a trophy husband.

  It was weird. Brady's parents were always trying to marry them off to someone financially stable. It was almost as if they didn't think their sons were ever going to grow up. Bo sitting in his underwear
playing video games and drinking beer flashed through his mind. He shook it off.

  “Miss Fredericks, I would like you to meet my son, Bradach.”

  “Brady,” he corrected, already holding his hand out. It was a good thing he had said his name already, because once he had eye contact with Miss Fredericks, he forgot his name entirely.

  Stunning in a dark green dress that fit her athletic build like a glove and pooled around her at the floor, the color made her eyes glow. Her lips parted slightly, a pale shimmer gloss drawing Brady's attention.

  She grasped his hand, color hitting her cheeks. “How do you?” she said softly.

  Brady used his grip on her hand to take a step closer, his eyes scanning her dark hair tied into a loose sideways bun, creamy skin, translucent green eyes. “Do I know you?” he asked roughly, positive that he had seen her somewhere before.

  “Brady,” his father interrupted, pushing a hand gently (but firmly) into his son's chest, making it clear Brady should let go of her hand. Which he did, after squeezing it on reflex. “Miss Fredericks is a pharmaceutical rep who lives up the coast a little ways.” He leaned closer to Brady and turned his head for privacy. “Maybe don't blow this one.” He had stern eye contact with his son before smiled cordially at Miss Fredericks and walking away.

  Brady watched his back, trying to decide if he should be angry or thankful. He was really getting tired of his parent's butting into his life. He knew it was because they cared. But did they have to care in such a creepy way?

  “I think I need some fresh air,” Miss Fredericks said at his elbow. He turned around and saw that she had finished her glass of champagne and was setting it on a passing tray. She smiled at him, a secret a smile. A smile that said more than he understood and it confused him. “It was nice to meet you, Brady.”

  She turned to walk away and Brady thought he was having a heart attack. His chest seized and his breath arrested at the sight of her completely exposed and tan back. Her dress draped elegantly down her shoulder blades and scooped so low on her back, it was almost scandalous.

  Brady swallowed the end of his champagne and grabbed two fresh glasses before following her outside onto the veranda.

  “I can't help but feel like we've crossed paths before,” he said. She turned slowly, a surprised light in her eyes.

  She took the offered glass. “And where would we have crossed paths?”

  He shrugged, lost in her intense beauty. The dark of the veranda made her eyes stand out even more, like stars winking at him. “I don't know,” he murmured, really not knowing.

  “Does your dad try to set you up with strangers often,” she asked.

  Brady sucked in a breath, the mention of his father breaking the temporary spell. “Yes, actually. He has high hopes for his sons to become beautiful husbands to successful and responsible women.” He smiled with deprecation when she laughed softly. “I know how it sounds, but these events really bring out the romantic in him.”

  “That your parents have taken the fight against sexism in a whole new direction?”

  “Right?” he asked, thankful that someone else had finally said it.

  “At least they think you have what it takes to land a wealthy woman,” she quipped behind her glass.

  “What about you? Do your parents have unreasonable expectations?”

  “My parents are hippies and live on a beach in Hawaii. The only expectation they have for me is to be happy.” She grinned, like it was a silly idea. But Brady was lost again.

  “That's truly beautiful.”

  She sobered, swallowing and letting her eyes flit around without focusing on him again. “Well, real life requires a paycheck. Not everyone can be so lucky as to marry well.” She tried to smile at her joke but it didn't reach her eyes.

  “What's your first name, Miss Fredericks?” he asked, waiting to immediately eliminate the formalities and take her for a walk on the beach.

  She licked her lips and hesitated. “Lo. Halo. But my friends call me Lo.”

  “Take a walk with me?” he asked.

  “I'm in high heels.” Her eyes were absolutely luminous.

  “Leave them here,” he said, taking a chance.

  She didn't take her eyes off of his as she stepped out of her shoes on the veranda. He smiled crookedly and took her hand. When she twisted her hand and laced her fingers between his, he actually felt his heart turn over violently.

  This was unexpected.

  She was unexpected.

  And to think, he'd almost not come tonight.

  They walked along the beach, the the moon lighting their path, hand in hand. With every step and every question, Brady didn't feel like letting her go.

  “Do you like your job?” he asked.

  “I'm good at my job,” she said carefully. “It provides me with the money to live where I live and do what I actually like to do. Which is surf.”

  “Get out. You like to surf?”

  She hummed softly. “So much. It's all I think about all the time.”

  “All the time? Even now?” He looked down in time to catch her smiling at the sand in front of them. “Wow. Even right now when you're walking on the beach, in the dark, with a very handsome man.”

  Lo's soft giggle filled Brady's chest with warmth and he smiled too.

  She reached up with her free hand and unclipped something in her hair, letting it fall. “Sorry, she mumbled, letting go of his hand and shaking the rest of it loose. Those things give me a headache after awhile.”

  Brady was staring. He couldn't help it. She was easily the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was arguably the most beautiful woman in the entire world.

  He slid one hand around her waist and pulled her to him. His fingers touched on the softest skin he;d ever felt in his life when he reached her back. His other hand came up to move a dark strand of hair out of her eyes.

  “Do you believe in fate, Halo?” he asked, running a thumb along the apple of her cheek and sliding further into the clear green of her eyes.

  “No,” she whispered.

  “And love at first sight?” he asked, pulling her closer, their bodies barely touching.

  “Total lies.”

  “I agree with you, beauty.”

  He dipped his head, his lips brushing hers. She gasped softly and he took advantage of her parted lips by sliding his tongue across the top of her lower lip. She leaned forward, her hands gripping his sides.

  His hand at her face, traveled into her hair, where it fisted and wrapped the long strands around it twice. The hand at her back flexed and dedicated the slope and softness to memory.

  He hadn't kissed or been kissed like this... ever. Was it the champagne? The starlight? The woman in his arms?

  ***

  They kissed for a long time.

  Slow, deep, tender.

  Passionate.

  Lo would have been content spending the rest of her days right there in that moment. She knew it was probably considered wrong for her to somewhat mislead him. She hadn't outright lied to him, but she hadn't told him why he recognized her. It had started out as curiosity. All she wanted to see is if Brady Samson was as evil and Spencer had made Bo out to be.

  He wasn't.

  He wasn't evil at all.

  He was warm muscles and baby blue eyes that danced with genuine interest in her. Not the kind of interest she was used to garnering at these type of events. It was more innocent than that. He really liked her.

  Or, at least, that's what she told herself.

  But reality came crashing in on her after they'd returned to the veranda to gather her shoes. Brady had given her a kiss on her cheek, told he was going to the rest room and then he was going to take her home.

  It was perfect. Any other night and she would have let it play out to the end. All the way to having his babies and being the one to make sure he put his dentures in before they left the house. Because, in a horrible twist of fate (fate that she didn't believe in), Brady Samson was the e
xact kind of a guy she could see herself falling in love with.

  They would have made beautiful babies, she thought sadly as she watched him disappear in the crowd.

  She contemplated just leaving and hoping he forgave her. But she felt like she needed to as least let him know who she was. Her heart pounded painfully against her ribs as she went over what she was going to say.

  He reappeared and flashed her that grin that she had found enduring immediately. He must have sensed her hesitation, because he sobered and tilted his head to the side. “What's up?”

  Lo cleared her throat, her cheeks burning. “Do you like tacos?”

  “I love tacos,” he answered with a shrug, glancing around the people milling about.

  “Do you like them enough to steal them?”

  His eyes snapped back to hers and his face turned to stone. And just that fast, the romance evaporated from between them.

  Lo offered a conciliatory smile. “For what it's worth, I think you're a fantastic guy.”

  Brady's jaw jumped under the skin. “I should really get going. I have... things...”

  The back of her eyes began to burn and Lo was surprised she would have such a reaction to someone she had only just met. She took a breath and smiled, nodding. “Of course.”

  ***

  Two Days Later

  “I think I’ll have one of those if you don’t mind.”

  Brady slowly rotated his head to where Steve had indicated with a head nod. A dark haired, emerald bikini-clad beauty was pulling her long hair into a ponytail at the back of her head.

  Normally, Brady would be inclined to agree with his less than finesseful friend. But not in this case.

  He jerked his head back around as if he hadn’t seen anything at all. The turquoise waves breaking in the distance became his new focus and he concentrated on the sheer power and majesty of it.

  In no way was he thinking about how her hair was so long he could wrap it around his fist twice. Or how the skin on the slope of her lower back felt like silk under his fingertips. And the taste of her long, slow, tantalizing kisses was the furthest thing from his mind.

  “Hey.” Steve took a step closer to him and lifted his chin while simultaneously crossing his arms over his chest. “She has a friend.” His eyebrows waggled and Brady had to fight running down the beach in the opposite direction,