The Last Boyfriend (Forever Love #1)(20)
Author: J.S. Cooper

“Oh.” I bit my lip and leaned forward. “About that …”

“Oh no, did I do something wrong already?” He sighed and slapped his forehead.

“No, no, no. Not at all.” I was quick to reassure him. I was actually enjoying my time with Braydon. More than I thought I would. “I’m having a good time, but I’m actually leaving Miami tomorrow.”

“Wait what?’ He frowned. “For good? Aren’t you in school?”

“I am in school.” I smiled, slightly embarrassed. “I’m going to withdraw from my classes and I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.”

“Sorry. I’m really confused here.”

“I got a job. It’s related to my major, so I thought it would help me in my career, you know.”

“Are you going to be teaching history to kids in Africa or something?”

“No.” I laughed. “I’m going to be helping with a documentary that will be focusing on the era that I focus on in my studies.”

“Oh wow. A documentary?” He looked intrigued and then the expression on his face changed and he looked somewhat angry. “Please do not tell me that Zane Beaumont is in any way involved with this documentary.”

I bit my lip and stared at Braydon’s handsome face across the table. I didn’t know what to say.

“He is isn’t he? That ass**le.”

“He’s not an ass**le.” I spoke quietly, defending a man I wasn’t sure actually deserved to be defended.

“He did this because of me you know.” Braydon hissed. “He must have heard me telling Evan how nice I thought you were and how I was interested in you.”

“I’m sure he didn’t hire me because of that.” I frowned.

“Trust me.” Braydon frowned. “I didn’t even know he was making a documentary.”

“Well he is.” I looked down at the menu, uncomfortable with where the conversation was going.

“He needs to just get over this bullshit.” Braydon swore and I saw his fists clenching.

“What bullshit?” I asked curiously.

“With Noah.” He frowned and looked out at the bay. “He needs to f**king move on.”

I sat back and wished that I were still at home. Braydon’s mood had changed and I was no longer comfortable in his presence. “What does Noah do?” I asked, hoping to finally get some information about Zane’s brother.

Braydon looked back at me with clouded eyes, and attempted a smile. “Let’s not talk about the Beaumonts right now.”

“Okay.” I tried to hide my disappointment. What was the big secret about Noah?

“So where in LA will you be?”

“I’m not sure.” I shrugged.

“Can I come out and see you?”

“Come out where?”

“To LA, silly.”

“Oh. Sure. Though, I’m not really sure how busy I’ll be.”

“Can I ask you something, Lucky?” Braydon’s voice was serious and I nodded slowly, wondering what he wanted to ask me. “Do you like me?”

“I think you seem like a nice guy, yes.” I answered, truthfully.

“Could you see yourself dating me?”

“I don’t know.” I frowned. “I don’t really know you well enough to answer that.”

“Would you give me the opportunity to get to know you better?” Braydon looked bashful. “I’m not sure that I’ve ever met a girl that Zane and I both seem to like.”

“Sorry, what?” Why had he brought up Zane’s name?

“It’s obvious to me that Zane wants to get into your pants. I don’t know if he was interested in you before he saw us together, but I am pretty sure he wants you now. I don’t—”

“Stop.” I held my hand up. “I like you, Braydon. You seem like a nice guy. Please don’t bring Zane into this. I would like to get to know you better. If you’re in Los Angeles, give me a call and we can talk.”

“I don’t want you to get hurt, Lucky. Zane’s not a nice guy,” Braydon said earnestly.

“And you are?” I laughed, not quite believing that both guys had warned me off of each other.

“I am actually.” He sat back. “I have a good family. My parents are still together. I’m looking for love. Real love. Not Hollywood love.”

“I see.”

“I’m sure plenty of guys say that though, right?”

“Some do.”

“I don’t expect you to trust me just because. I would like to prove myself to you.”

“You don’t even know me.” I looked at him incredulously. “I’m no one. You don’t have to prove anything to me.”

“I’m going to sound crazy right now, but have you ever just met someone and knew?”

“Knew what?”

“Knew that they were the one?”

“I don’t know.” I bit my lip. “I think that’s lust.”

“Lust is immediately knowing that you want to get into bed with someone.” He laughed. “I’ve felt that many times, but that’s not what I felt when I saw you for the first time.”

“Oh?”

“You looked so innocent at the party. You stood out among all the other girls. I saw you cringe when Evan started talking to you. I saw the red creep up your face, and I saw the look of thanks as I came to save you.”

“Thank you for that, I wasn’t sure how I was going to get away from Evan.” I faked a shudder, hoping he would change the subject.

“And as soon as you looked into my eyes, I felt a connection with you.” Braydon chuckled again. “I feel like I’m in a movie right now. This has never happened to me before.”

“It does feel like a movie, doesn’t it?”

“I’m going to be honest, Lucky, I’ve never been the best guy. I’ve done things that I’m not proud of, but I’m serious about wanting to settle down.”

“This isn’t a proposal, is it?” My voice rose with fear. I knew that I sounded crazy, but I had read enough celebrity magazines to know that actors moved fast when they wanted to. Braydon seemed like a nice guy and I wanted a guy who was looking for a serious commitment, but I wasn’t a desperado.

“A proposal?” Braydon looked taken aback and I laughed.

“Okay, no need to have a heart attack. I was just checking. You never know with you guys.”