In This Moment Read online

  My stomach flips as his eyes roam over me, turning my confusion into anger. Partially toward myself for taking the extra time to fix my hair and makeup. The way he’s looking at me isn’t what I’m upset about. I’m furious with the way my entire body is responding to this stranger’s stare.

  “I didn’t think it would be this easy, but I’ll take it.” He scratches at the beard on his jaw, relaxing into the booth as if we’re old friends catching up.

  Our eyes lock, and I find myself getting lost in his for a moment. The beautiful gray coloring makes them appear as if they are shimmering, reminding me of the sun peeking through on a cloudy day.

  “You won’t be getting anything from me. I can guarantee you that, buddy,” I huff, straightening my back and crossing my arms. “If you’re looking for easy, you’ve come to the wrong table.”

  My eyes narrow as I wait for him to retreat. He surprises me again by laughing. My forehead creases as I study him. Before I know it, his genuine laugh has my lips curving into a smile.

  “Hey, I was following your lead. You’re the one who asked me to take you home. I came over here for some conversation.” His voice is smooth as silk as he leans into the table, resting his elbows on it. “I’m Brenden.”

  He smirks, waiting for my response. But I offer none.

  “And you are?” he tries, chuckling.

  “Not interested.” I point to the wedding band on my ring finger. “Now, why don’t you go bother someone else? I’m sure there are plenty of single women in here who would love to have your attention.”

  “Wait…was that a compliment?” He gives me the same playful smile from a moment ago, and I bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from smiling back this time. “Are you trying to say you find me attractive?”

  “Please,” I scoff, looking away to hide my real thoughts on the subject.

  Attractive isn’t the word. The man is gorgeous. His tan skin, dark hair, and muscular frame should come with a warning.

  I run my clammy hands down the material of my jeans, regaining my composure. “What part of not interested did you not understand?”

  Our gazes meet, and his eyes twinkle with delight, the corners of his mouth turning up in a way that makes my heart flutter.

  I need him to leave. Like, right now. All his inappropriate flirting has my heart working overtime and my stomach doing somersaults.

  “Move on.” My voice is almost pleading, my hands finding their way to my flushed cheeks.

  “I didn’t hear you deny being attracted to me.”

  “Oh. My. God!” I shout, throwing my hands up.

  “Lizzy,” Cat says as they approach the table, “who’s your friend?”

  A groan of irritation escapes as I plant my forehead into the palm of my hand. I didn’t want them to witness this, and I certainly didn’t want him to have my name.

  With a sigh, I lift my head to look at him. A triumphant smile lights his face as he sits back against the booth again.

  I blow out a huff, trying to hide the giddiness his smile makes me feel. “He was just leaving,” I grit, not offering them his name.

  Brenden chuckles, rubbing the back of his neck. My gaze is drawn to the muscular forearm peeking out of his rolled-up sleeve, a fire ignited in my belly by the time I focus my stare back on his face.

  Brenden’s lips are still quirked up into a smile, but there’s an intensity in his eyes that wasn’t there a moment ago.

  Cat clears her throat, reminding us of their presence, and Brenden turns his attention to them. “I’m afraid she’s right. I should get back to my family. I just wanted to introduce myself to Lizzy.”

  He turns his attention back to me long enough to wink before scooting to the end of the booth and standing. Cat and Lori tilt their heads up to keep their gazes on his face. “You see, I haven’t been able to get her off my mind since I saw her the other day at the library, and I told myself if I ever saw her again, I would at least get her name.”

  My heart stops as his words sink into my jumbled thoughts. I’m certain my jaw hits the table as I flounder for something to say. He looks different in a shirt and tie than he had in his leather jacket, but now that I know it’s him, I see it. He has the same broad, intimidating frame.

  Did he say he hasn’t been able to get me off his mind? What the hell does that even mean? My face flames from the thought, likely turning twenty different shades of red by the time Lori and Cat look down at me.

  “I’m Brenden, by the way,” he tells them, extending his hand to Lori first.

  “Lori. It’s very nice to meet you, Brenden.” She turns a little red, but her voice is husky and smooth, like a groupie meeting a rock star for the first time. It’s ridiculous. I’m sure I’ll never hear the end of this.

  Brenden laughs before extending his hand to Cat. “And you are?”

  “Catelyn, but you can call me Cat,” she answers, fumbling over her words as she takes his hand.

  “Well, it was nice meeting you ladies,” Brenden says to them before looking down at me. “Lizzy. I hope to see you around.” A smile spreads wide across his face, those gray eyes raking over me.

  I shift uncomfortably in my seat, biting my lip as he gives me a quick nod before leaving the table.

  Cat and Lori turn their heads to watch him walk away, and I can’t help but join them.

  What the hell was that?

  Brenden

  “Dude, you totally got shot down,” Jon says out the corner of his mouth as I take my seat back at the table. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a girl reject you like that.”

  I wasn’t sure it was her when she first walked in. She looked different with her hair down and makeup on. Not necessarily better, just different. Like she was trying to be something she wasn’t. My eyes and thoughts remained on her throughout dinner, and I found myself unable to focus on anything else.

  I watched her fidget, flipping between playing with the small gems in her ears and twisting her wedding ring with her thumb. Her eyes darted around the restaurant without ever taking any of it in. Even after downing her drinks in record time, her smiles were forced, her laugh flat and halfhearted.

  It made my chest tighten, and there was nothing I wanted more than to make her genuinely smile. Which is exactly what I’d set out to do when I walked over to her table.

  I’ve never felt drawn to a woman the way I do Lizzy, and it’s throwing me for a loop. When I realized she was here tonight, I knew I had to talk to her. If only to figure out this gravitational pull.

  “No, I didn’t,” I grit, elbowing him. “I wasn’t hitting on her.”

  At least, that wasn’t my intention, but she’s so damn beautiful. Her pale skin is the perfect contrast to her dark hair and emerald eyes, and the tight sweater she’s wearing highlights her curves in the most exquisite way. I couldn’t stop devouring her with my eyes the entire time we were talking.

  “Dude, you’re so full of shit.” One side of his mouth tilts into a condescending smirk. “You don’t think I noticed you staring at her all damn night? Come on, man, I saw you over there trying to work her. Looks like your charm doesn’t work on everyone.”

  “Fuck off.” I don’t want to admit it, even to myself, but he’s right. Like an asshole, I was hitting on her—wedding ring and all. Which isn’t something I normally do.

  The interest in her eyes as they roamed over me only heightened my own. Each time her cheeks flushed and her breathing became heavier, I felt like the damn king of the world.

  “What are you boys talking about over there?” Jon’s mother asks, pressing her lips together.

  “Nothing,” we answer in unison.

  “I know what that means,” Jon Sr. chimes in with his thick Southern accent. “They must’ve been talking about girls.”

  Jon and I exchange a look and shake our heads. We’re thirty-three years old for Pete’s sake. It’s been a very long time since we sat around talking about girls.

  “Well, whatever you were talk
ing about,” his mother continues, wagging her finger at us, “it’s rude to have a private conversation at the dinner table.”

  “Sorry,” we reply, once again in unison.

  Don’t get me wrong, I love Jon’s parents—they were quite literally lifesavers for me—but it’s odd being parented as a grown man when I was never parented as a child.

  “Are you all right, Brenden?” Jon’s mom asks, her forehead creasing as she leans in. “You’ve been so quiet all evening.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ve been so wrapped up in work lately,” I explain, rubbing my temple. “I recently found out they need me to take on another school because their current counselor is going on leave. I’ve been reviewing some of the case files they sent me, and I’m a little nervous about a few of them.”

  “Oh, sweetie, I’m sure you’ll be able to handle whatever comes your way. You always have. I think it’s so wonderful you chose to go into counseling. I’m so dang proud of you,” she gushes, her smile causing her blue eyes to shine. “You’ve become such an exceptional young man.”

  “Thank you, Patricia. That means a lot coming from you.” I return her smile but avert my eyes.

  Patricia means a lot to me, as does the fact that she treats me like her own son. I can’t even imagine how different my life might’ve been if I had a mother like her instead of an absent alcoholic, but sometimes we must go through the bad to get to the good. Our scars—the physical and emotional ones—can be a road map leading us to our destiny.

  If my life was easier growing up, I might not have chosen a career helping kids, and I love what I do.

  Patricia reaches across the table for my hand, squeezing it and pulling my stare back to her. She regards me with a tilt of her head, her eyes softening.

  Emotion bubbles up inside me, and I’m thankful she knows me well enough to know it’s time to move on; because she quickly releases my hand before turning her attention to Jon.

  “Now, Jon,” she starts, placing her elbow on the table, her chin resting on her hand. “Let’s talk about when you’re going to settle down and give me some grandbabies. You two can’t live like bachelors forever.”

  Jon moans and looks to me for help, but I just laugh as she continues.

  He could tell her the truth. His mother would be thrilled to know he’s in love with Allison. His parents adore her. Patricia already considers her family.

  As I watch Jon squirm from his mother’s interrogation, a strange feeling falls over me. Looking up, I find the source: a pair of green orbs, glued on me.

  My lips curve into a smile, my gaze locking on hers.

  Lizzy’s eyes widen at the realization she’s been caught, her cheeks turning a bright red as she bites down on her bottom lip. Her gaze falls to the floor before she rushes to the exit, leaving me fighting the same pull I felt as she walked away the day before.

  5

  Elizabeth

  I make my way out to the patio with my caramel macchiato, eager to enjoy the lovely day. Fall weather in the South can be so unpredictable. It was still suffocatingly warm two days ago. Today the air is crisp, the vibrantly colored leaves setting a charming scene as they dance in the wind.

  Cat showed up unannounced this morning, insisting on taking the kids for the day. She said it was her birthday gift to me, that she wanted me to get out of the house and pamper myself. My first instinct was to refuse. She’s been so good to me through all of this. Much better than I deserve. But I could really use a day to myself.

  I snag a seat at one of the empty tables and take my book out of my bag, sipping on my coffee. The caramel goodness slides down my throat as I begin reading, humming with contentment. I’m lost in the pages when the screeching sound of a chair moving across the patio catches my attention. I look up through my lashes, and the same cocky smile from last night greets me.

  “You have got to be kidding me,” I mumble, slamming my book closed.

  He’s back in his bad boy attire. Leather jacket, white T-shirt, jeans that fit like they were made for him, and boots. It’s such a contrast to the buttoned-up guy from the restaurant.

  “It’s nice to see you too, Lizzy.” Brenden appears unfazed by my outburst, making himself comfortable in the chair across from me.

  I sit back and cross my arms, trying my damnedest to hide any evidence of my increased heart rate. But a flutter takes flight in my stomach, the traitorous flush on my neck crawling up to my cheeks.

  His laughter fills the space between us as he eyes my demeanor, and damn if it doesn’t make me want to laugh right along with him. I bite down hard on my lip to keep my composure. This guy seriously needs to back the fuck off. His charm is alarming, and I’m disturbed by how well it seems to work on me.

  “What the hell do you want from me?” I ask, cutting my eyes to him.

  “I just wanna take your time.”

  There’s a slight melody in his tone as he answers, and it reminds me of a game I used to play with Xander. Emotions threaten to take over, but I take a deep breath and push them away.

  “Sam Hunt fan, are we?” I scoff.

  “Nah, he stole that line from me.”

  The conviction behind his words causes a smile to spread across my face before I can stop it.

  “Look at that,” he muses, his eyes glowing with excitement. “She does know how to smile. And damn it’s beautiful.”

  I purse my lips in attempt to hide my smile, averting my eyes as my lips spread wide again.

  It’s unsettling how easily he seems to break through my walls; completely insane that I feel more like myself right now than I have in years.

  Maybe I’ve officially gone crazy. I don’t even know this guy, and he keeps showing up everywhere I go. Instead of running away screaming, I’m sitting here thinking about how oddly comfortable I feel around him. Laughter comes bubbling out of me, solidifying my thoughts.

  Brenden freezes for a moment, brow lifting in surprise before his lips curve into a lazy smile. “Wow, and she has an amazing laugh to match that beautiful smile.” He shifts his body forward a bit.

  “Do you always hit on married women?” I snap, hoping my harsh tone will mask the heaviness in my breath.

  “No.” He lets out a nervous chuckle, rubbing the back of his neck as his face falls, his eyes darkening as he looks off into the distance. By the time he brings them back to focus on me, his cool demeanor is back in place. “Just calling ‘em like I see ‘em. I’ve been wondering about that smile since the first time I laid eyes on you. It exceeded all my expectations.”

  I stay quiet, unsure what to say at this point. Brenden’s eyes never leave me as silence falls between us, and I shift uncomfortably under his gaze. The softness emanating from his stare tugs at something in my heart, stirring things inside me that’ve been dormant for a long time.

  Feeling overwhelmed, I try to bolt. But the tightness in my chest makes it hard to breathe, my spinning head keeping me seated. I don’t realize what’s happening until everything begins to go black.

  “You know the party’s inside,” an unfamiliar male voice says, taking a seat next to me on the front porch of the frat house.

  I ignore the guy in hopes he’ll go away, but he only tries again.

  “I, uh…I think we have bio together. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with Professor Pratt at 10:30.”

  Not allowing my eyes to land on him, I turn, raising an eyebrow as I frown. If ignoring him won’t work, maybe being a bitch will. Sighing, I wish for the hundredth time I hadn’t come to this damn party in the first place and return my attention back to the banister.

  “You’re not going to make this easy for me, are you?” he asks, humor in his voice.

  Too bad I’m not amused. After being ditched by my roommate and having a drink spilled on me, all I want is to be left alone.

  “Perhaps you need to learn how to take a hint.” I sit straighter, positioning myself further away from him.

  “Perhaps,” he chuckles again, “but I tend to go afte
r what I want. And I’ve been dying to talk to you for weeks. There’s no way I’m walking away without giving it my all, so you might as well give me a chance.”

  I can’t help but laugh at his audacity as I whip my head around, wanting to get a better look at the guy who’s so sure of himself.

  Bad idea.

  He’s beautiful—breath-catching, heart-fluttering, mush-mouth beautiful. From his finger-roaming shaggy hair to his deep brown eyes and full plump lips.

  Without a word, I rotate away from him, wanting to hide the blush on my face as it spreads through my body.

  “I’m Xander.” He leans into my line of sight.

  “Xander?” I sneer, allowing myself to look at him again. “What kind of name is that?”

  “Okay, you got me. It’s actually Alexander, but I’ve been going by Xander since I was like twelve,” he admits. His lips curve into a sheepish grin as he shrugs his shoulders, making him appear even more attractive—a feat I thought impossible.

  “Let me guess…you were a big Buffy the Vampire Slayer fan.”

  “Maybe.” He laughs at himself, shaking his head. “We can’t all have beautiful names like Elizabeth to go along with our beautiful face.”

  “How the hell do you know my name?” Butterflies flutter in my belly as his compliment continues to bounce around in my head.

  “I told you…we have class together. Three times a week,” he answers, with a lopsided grin.

  Crossing my arms, I scowl at him. “So, we’ve gone from you thinking we have class together to you knowing my name?”

  “Okay, you got me again.” He holds his hands up. “I may’ve done a little digging to get some information on you. And I may’ve used what I learned to ask around about you, hoping to find a way to run into you outside of class. Which may’ve been the reason I showed up to this party.”

  I’m both floored and flattered by his confession. I can’t for the life of me figure out why anyone would go to such great lengths to meet me.