Chapter 14:
Two weeks later. The Java Café.
"This is ridiculous," Chloe muttered, taking a sip of Orange Pekoe tea. "Are you sure Brady's not gay?"
Belle roared with hysterical laughter before catching her breath, long enough to answer her best friend's question. "Brady is most definitely not gay."
"Well then why won't he notice me?" Chloe whined and let her forehead fall to the table.
"Chloe, pull yourself together. You sound like whiny teenager."
"Gee. Thanks Belle," Chloe muttered, still not lifting her head.
"I'm only saying Chloe that you have [i]got[/i] to get things in perspective. What is Brady [i]supposed[/i] to think? You keep receiving all of these gifts from Philip and he's calling you at all times of the day and night. You think that doesn't bother Brady?"
She looked up at Belle and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Well, you wouldn't know it with the way he's been practically trying to push Philip and I together."
"He is?" Belle was honestly surprised.
"Well not really but it sure feels that way. I mean he hasn't said a word against Philip in weeks. He seems to enjoy Philip's lame attempts at wooage."
"Wooage?"
"Oh you know: courting me and such."
"Chloe, honey, maybe he's just trying to be a good friend. Didn't I tell you before that Brady makes a super friend once you really get to know him?"
"Yes you did, but." she covered her face in her hands.
"But what?"
"But I don't want to be [i]just[/i] his friend," she whined. "I just don't know what else I can do to get him to realize that."
"You're playing mind games with my brother Chloe, not that I don't think he's doing the same thing with you. You're both very annoying people. I figured this so-called marriage you two insist upon having would end up biting you both in the butt."
Chloe only groaned.
"Now don't get all discouraged, Chloe. This whole, crazy charade comes down to one thing: Brady still thinks you love Philip." She paused for dramatic effect. "Do you?"
Without hesitation that surprised both Belle and herself, Chloe replied soundly. "No, I don't love Philip. Not anymore, not that way. I truly am ready for that part of my life to be over."
"Well do you love Brady?"
"Do I love Brady?" Chloe repeated thoughtfully and an expectant, smiling Belle nodded. "Do I love Brady..." Did Chloe love Brady? It didn't sound like a hard question but it was. Brady was like no one Chloe had ever known. He was wonderful. There was no question about that. The most fun Chloe had was with Brady. They'd gone water skiing only last weekend and had a blast. Tuesday nights were now reserved for bowling with Belle and Shawn. Sometimes Brady would stop by 'The Sweet Bar' to take Chloe out to lunch. Some nights they simply stayed in, made dinner together and just talked until all hours of the night. Chloe was attracted to him: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She wanted Brady. And there were times, from the look in Brady's eyes alone, that she knew without a doubt that he wanted her just as much. But did Brady [i]love[/i] her? Those reservations single-handedly made Chloe want to fight falling in love with him, fight kicking and screaming until she had no other choice but to admit she did in fact love him. Until then she was not going to admit it, not even to herself. She finally sighed, covering her face in her hands. "Ugh, okay I admit it: I think I'm falling in love Brady." She was such a sap.
A hand flew to Belle's mouth. She was almost speechless for the first time in her life. Almost. "Oh my G-d Chloe. Do you know what you just said? You're falling in love with Brady. My brother and my best friend. That's just so great," Belle cooed.
"It's awful." Chloe ran her hands through her hair and felt her eyes begin to tear up.
"Awful? Chloe, how can you falling in love be awful?"
"Because it's too soon," she murmured. "Because I'm not ready for this." But Belle only stared at her friend, knowing those weren't the real reasons, although they were valid ones. Chloe sighed feeling the first unwanted tears course down her cheeks. "Because it isn't a two way street."
Belle's heart broke for her friend. "Oh, Chloe.how will you know that unless you tell Brady how you feel?"
"What am I supposed to say Belle? 'Hey Brady, I know I've only known you for two months but I think I'm in love with you...I [i]am[/i] in love with you.and I want to be with you. How do you feel about me?'"
"Why not say [i]that[/i]?"
Chloe rolled her eyes. "I'll be the first to admit, I'm definitely a woman of the twenty-first century but I will not put my feelings out there like that.not just yet.not until he gives me some sign, any sign, that he's interested." She sighed. "I think I'm going to go crazy if something doesn't happen between us soon. You have no idea how exhausting it is to be in such close proximity to a hottie like him."
"Ix nay on any details please."
"Oh well then I guess you don't want to hear what happened this morning, then." Chloe took a sip of tea and pretended to organize the sugar packets in the center of the table.
"You tease," Belle smiled, all the while shaking her head.
"So anyway, this morning I go to have a shower. I knew Brady was out on his morning jog before work so...."
FLASHBACK.
Chloe stood in her shower, letting the cascade of water wash off any remaining soap. It had been two days since the super had come and fixed the air conditioner. So things had considerably cooled in the house [b]and[/b] between Brady and Chloe. Chloe's "knee" was feeling much better and Brady was glad for that, though he'd secretly liked carrying her around.
Chloe shut the water off and shivered. She had the distinct feeling that the water heater was going on the fritz. This was supposed to be a nice, hot shower she was taking but instead Chloe found herself shivering in the tub, her teeth chattering as she reached for her towel, which, of course, was not there. Brady must have done laundry last night. It was great of him to do so but he had the habit of leaving all of the towels in the hall closet. "Dammit, Brady, it's like you do this on purpose." Chloe cursed as she made her way out of the tub, determined to make a mad dash for the hall closet before Brady got back from his jog.
Meanwhile, Brady entered the house still high from his morning jog. With his headphones on, blaring the sounds of Gun N' Roses' 'Welcome to the Jungle' in his ears, he whipped off his sweat-soaked shirt and headed straight for the hall closet. Doing a little air guitar type move, he looked for a hand towel to wipe the sweat drenching his torso.
Chloe made her way to the closet and stopped in her tracks, though nude and still dripping wet with water. She watched in slow motion as Brady ran a towel over his body and nodded his head to the beat of the music shattering from his headphones. Chloe knew she should just turn around, turn around and walk back to the bathroom, just ask Brady to bring her a towel. But her feet refused to move.
Sensing someone watching him, Brady suddenly turned around. His eyes widened in complete shock as he quickly pulled the headphones from his ears. "Chloe, what are you doing," he couldn't help but give her a once over.
Suddenly feeling very self-conscious, Chloe attempted to cover herself up with her arms. She was unsuccessful. "Towel. I need a towel."
"Here," he offered her his hand towel, his eyes still wide, his voice cracking slightly.
"Umm.that's a little too small. And you.it's used. You used it to." she pointed to her hair.
Snapping out of whatever trance he was in, Brady nodded and shook his head, suddenly feeling like a thousand marbles entered his mouth. "Right, you're right. So stupid of me," he smiled and blushed slightly as he looked down at the towel in his hands, as if it were the most intriguing thing he'd ever seen. He turned back to the closet and turned back to face her with a larger towel in hand.
Chloe watched as he held the towel out to her and avoided any and all contact with her by staring at some nonexistent mark on the wall. "Thanks," she wrapped the towel around her body and stood looking at him, her feet still refusing to move.
"Well okay then," he walked passed her without another word or glance in her direction.
END OF FLASHBACK
The Brady Pub.
Brady frowned at his cousin. "I mean, can you say awkward? Don't laugh Shawn. It's not funny."
But Shawn couldn't help but laugh. Brady and Chloe had been dancing around each other for so long now. "Brady, Brady, Brady." he shook his head in disbelief. Brady was not shy around women. He'd bedded plenty after breaking it off with Patricia; that much Shawn was sure of. So to see Brady so timid when they broached the subject of one woman in particular, Shawn was quite amused.
"What? I couldn't sit there and gawk at her. I won't embarrass her that way and I won't make a fool of myself. I am not going to freak Chloe out by telling her I have the hots for her. I just won't."
"So it's just physical attraction?" Brady was silent, causing Shawn to probe further. "So it's more than just physical then. Belle was right. You're falling in love with Chloe, your wife."
"No comment."
**************************
"So Brady saw you in the buff, so what?" Belle took a bite of her blueberry muffin.
"So that was incredibly embarrassing, that's what."
"No offense but it's not like he's never seen you naked. It's just this time he's sober enough to remember, that's all." Belle laughed as Chloe groaned.
"He couldn't even look at me. What's that about?"
"Chloe you're overanalyzing this. You are a beautiful woman, absolutely gorgeous. You've got a great body and this awesome hair that I would kill for. Any red blooded American male is going to [i]notice[/i] you to say the least."
Chloe scoffed and sighed in concession. "So then how come Brady doesn't? He's supposed to be this Casanova but so far he hasn't even attempted to make a move on me. I just don't think he's attracted to me that way. Maybe I'm not his type, maybe that's why he won't acknowledge me in that way."
"He's a guy. Trust me Chloe: He's noticed. He's just confused. I'm sure you know how badly Patricia hurt him." Chloe nodded. "Well, it's made him insecure when it comes to saying how he really feels, especially when it comes to love. Believe it or not, the guy is terrified of rejection."
"I don't know how I could make it any clearer that's he's got nothing to be afraid of. I faked an injury for this guy, play the part of the damsel in distress when I can't reach something off of the top of one of the kitchen cabinets and I have him open any and all jars for me just to stroke his ego. He won't even flirt with me anymore."
"You're doing it all wrong." Belle sighed. "First of all, if you want to play mind games, do it right. Men are. for lack of a better word: stupid. You [i]have[/i] to spell it out for them or they don't get it. In other words, it's time to play hard ball, Chloe."
"Belle, what are you talking about?"
"I mean you've got to pull out all the stops, take no prisoners."
"Huh?"
"Don't hold back. Don't play coy. Go out and get what you want. Seduce my brother. Be forward. Let him know that not only are you not afraid of your feelings but that, in fact, you're very proud of them."
"Seduce him?" Chloe chuckled. "You're crazy." Belle was crazy. Seduce Brady? What? Coax him into making love to her tonight on the couch? Make him admit he wants her and has wanted her for just as long as she has him? "You think it'd work?"
"Oh I know it will."
Thinking it over, Chloe nodded her head in agreement. Belle was a good friend. She was Chloe's best friend. So Chloe ignored the meddling voice at the back of her mind telling her to handle this herself, that this wasn't a game, and that Belle's advice, though well meaning, might do more harm than good.
Two weeks later. The Java Café.
"This is ridiculous," Chloe muttered, taking a sip of Orange Pekoe tea. "Are you sure Brady's not gay?"
Belle roared with hysterical laughter before catching her breath, long enough to answer her best friend's question. "Brady is most definitely not gay."
"Well then why won't he notice me?" Chloe whined and let her forehead fall to the table.
"Chloe, pull yourself together. You sound like whiny teenager."
"Gee. Thanks Belle," Chloe muttered, still not lifting her head.
"I'm only saying Chloe that you have [i]got[/i] to get things in perspective. What is Brady [i]supposed[/i] to think? You keep receiving all of these gifts from Philip and he's calling you at all times of the day and night. You think that doesn't bother Brady?"
She looked up at Belle and tucked her hair behind her ear. "Well, you wouldn't know it with the way he's been practically trying to push Philip and I together."
"He is?" Belle was honestly surprised.
"Well not really but it sure feels that way. I mean he hasn't said a word against Philip in weeks. He seems to enjoy Philip's lame attempts at wooage."
"Wooage?"
"Oh you know: courting me and such."
"Chloe, honey, maybe he's just trying to be a good friend. Didn't I tell you before that Brady makes a super friend once you really get to know him?"
"Yes you did, but." she covered her face in her hands.
"But what?"
"But I don't want to be [i]just[/i] his friend," she whined. "I just don't know what else I can do to get him to realize that."
"You're playing mind games with my brother Chloe, not that I don't think he's doing the same thing with you. You're both very annoying people. I figured this so-called marriage you two insist upon having would end up biting you both in the butt."
Chloe only groaned.
"Now don't get all discouraged, Chloe. This whole, crazy charade comes down to one thing: Brady still thinks you love Philip." She paused for dramatic effect. "Do you?"
Without hesitation that surprised both Belle and herself, Chloe replied soundly. "No, I don't love Philip. Not anymore, not that way. I truly am ready for that part of my life to be over."
"Well do you love Brady?"
"Do I love Brady?" Chloe repeated thoughtfully and an expectant, smiling Belle nodded. "Do I love Brady..." Did Chloe love Brady? It didn't sound like a hard question but it was. Brady was like no one Chloe had ever known. He was wonderful. There was no question about that. The most fun Chloe had was with Brady. They'd gone water skiing only last weekend and had a blast. Tuesday nights were now reserved for bowling with Belle and Shawn. Sometimes Brady would stop by 'The Sweet Bar' to take Chloe out to lunch. Some nights they simply stayed in, made dinner together and just talked until all hours of the night. Chloe was attracted to him: physically, emotionally, and spiritually. She wanted Brady. And there were times, from the look in Brady's eyes alone, that she knew without a doubt that he wanted her just as much. But did Brady [i]love[/i] her? Those reservations single-handedly made Chloe want to fight falling in love with him, fight kicking and screaming until she had no other choice but to admit she did in fact love him. Until then she was not going to admit it, not even to herself. She finally sighed, covering her face in her hands. "Ugh, okay I admit it: I think I'm falling in love Brady." She was such a sap.
A hand flew to Belle's mouth. She was almost speechless for the first time in her life. Almost. "Oh my G-d Chloe. Do you know what you just said? You're falling in love with Brady. My brother and my best friend. That's just so great," Belle cooed.
"It's awful." Chloe ran her hands through her hair and felt her eyes begin to tear up.
"Awful? Chloe, how can you falling in love be awful?"
"Because it's too soon," she murmured. "Because I'm not ready for this." But Belle only stared at her friend, knowing those weren't the real reasons, although they were valid ones. Chloe sighed feeling the first unwanted tears course down her cheeks. "Because it isn't a two way street."
Belle's heart broke for her friend. "Oh, Chloe.how will you know that unless you tell Brady how you feel?"
"What am I supposed to say Belle? 'Hey Brady, I know I've only known you for two months but I think I'm in love with you...I [i]am[/i] in love with you.and I want to be with you. How do you feel about me?'"
"Why not say [i]that[/i]?"
Chloe rolled her eyes. "I'll be the first to admit, I'm definitely a woman of the twenty-first century but I will not put my feelings out there like that.not just yet.not until he gives me some sign, any sign, that he's interested." She sighed. "I think I'm going to go crazy if something doesn't happen between us soon. You have no idea how exhausting it is to be in such close proximity to a hottie like him."
"Ix nay on any details please."
"Oh well then I guess you don't want to hear what happened this morning, then." Chloe took a sip of tea and pretended to organize the sugar packets in the center of the table.
"You tease," Belle smiled, all the while shaking her head.
"So anyway, this morning I go to have a shower. I knew Brady was out on his morning jog before work so...."
FLASHBACK.
Chloe stood in her shower, letting the cascade of water wash off any remaining soap. It had been two days since the super had come and fixed the air conditioner. So things had considerably cooled in the house [b]and[/b] between Brady and Chloe. Chloe's "knee" was feeling much better and Brady was glad for that, though he'd secretly liked carrying her around.
Chloe shut the water off and shivered. She had the distinct feeling that the water heater was going on the fritz. This was supposed to be a nice, hot shower she was taking but instead Chloe found herself shivering in the tub, her teeth chattering as she reached for her towel, which, of course, was not there. Brady must have done laundry last night. It was great of him to do so but he had the habit of leaving all of the towels in the hall closet. "Dammit, Brady, it's like you do this on purpose." Chloe cursed as she made her way out of the tub, determined to make a mad dash for the hall closet before Brady got back from his jog.
Meanwhile, Brady entered the house still high from his morning jog. With his headphones on, blaring the sounds of Gun N' Roses' 'Welcome to the Jungle' in his ears, he whipped off his sweat-soaked shirt and headed straight for the hall closet. Doing a little air guitar type move, he looked for a hand towel to wipe the sweat drenching his torso.
Chloe made her way to the closet and stopped in her tracks, though nude and still dripping wet with water. She watched in slow motion as Brady ran a towel over his body and nodded his head to the beat of the music shattering from his headphones. Chloe knew she should just turn around, turn around and walk back to the bathroom, just ask Brady to bring her a towel. But her feet refused to move.
Sensing someone watching him, Brady suddenly turned around. His eyes widened in complete shock as he quickly pulled the headphones from his ears. "Chloe, what are you doing," he couldn't help but give her a once over.
Suddenly feeling very self-conscious, Chloe attempted to cover herself up with her arms. She was unsuccessful. "Towel. I need a towel."
"Here," he offered her his hand towel, his eyes still wide, his voice cracking slightly.
"Umm.that's a little too small. And you.it's used. You used it to." she pointed to her hair.
Snapping out of whatever trance he was in, Brady nodded and shook his head, suddenly feeling like a thousand marbles entered his mouth. "Right, you're right. So stupid of me," he smiled and blushed slightly as he looked down at the towel in his hands, as if it were the most intriguing thing he'd ever seen. He turned back to the closet and turned back to face her with a larger towel in hand.
Chloe watched as he held the towel out to her and avoided any and all contact with her by staring at some nonexistent mark on the wall. "Thanks," she wrapped the towel around her body and stood looking at him, her feet still refusing to move.
"Well okay then," he walked passed her without another word or glance in her direction.
END OF FLASHBACK
The Brady Pub.
Brady frowned at his cousin. "I mean, can you say awkward? Don't laugh Shawn. It's not funny."
But Shawn couldn't help but laugh. Brady and Chloe had been dancing around each other for so long now. "Brady, Brady, Brady." he shook his head in disbelief. Brady was not shy around women. He'd bedded plenty after breaking it off with Patricia; that much Shawn was sure of. So to see Brady so timid when they broached the subject of one woman in particular, Shawn was quite amused.
"What? I couldn't sit there and gawk at her. I won't embarrass her that way and I won't make a fool of myself. I am not going to freak Chloe out by telling her I have the hots for her. I just won't."
"So it's just physical attraction?" Brady was silent, causing Shawn to probe further. "So it's more than just physical then. Belle was right. You're falling in love with Chloe, your wife."
"No comment."
**************************
"So Brady saw you in the buff, so what?" Belle took a bite of her blueberry muffin.
"So that was incredibly embarrassing, that's what."
"No offense but it's not like he's never seen you naked. It's just this time he's sober enough to remember, that's all." Belle laughed as Chloe groaned.
"He couldn't even look at me. What's that about?"
"Chloe you're overanalyzing this. You are a beautiful woman, absolutely gorgeous. You've got a great body and this awesome hair that I would kill for. Any red blooded American male is going to [i]notice[/i] you to say the least."
Chloe scoffed and sighed in concession. "So then how come Brady doesn't? He's supposed to be this Casanova but so far he hasn't even attempted to make a move on me. I just don't think he's attracted to me that way. Maybe I'm not his type, maybe that's why he won't acknowledge me in that way."
"He's a guy. Trust me Chloe: He's noticed. He's just confused. I'm sure you know how badly Patricia hurt him." Chloe nodded. "Well, it's made him insecure when it comes to saying how he really feels, especially when it comes to love. Believe it or not, the guy is terrified of rejection."
"I don't know how I could make it any clearer that's he's got nothing to be afraid of. I faked an injury for this guy, play the part of the damsel in distress when I can't reach something off of the top of one of the kitchen cabinets and I have him open any and all jars for me just to stroke his ego. He won't even flirt with me anymore."
"You're doing it all wrong." Belle sighed. "First of all, if you want to play mind games, do it right. Men are. for lack of a better word: stupid. You [i]have[/i] to spell it out for them or they don't get it. In other words, it's time to play hard ball, Chloe."
"Belle, what are you talking about?"
"I mean you've got to pull out all the stops, take no prisoners."
"Huh?"
"Don't hold back. Don't play coy. Go out and get what you want. Seduce my brother. Be forward. Let him know that not only are you not afraid of your feelings but that, in fact, you're very proud of them."
"Seduce him?" Chloe chuckled. "You're crazy." Belle was crazy. Seduce Brady? What? Coax him into making love to her tonight on the couch? Make him admit he wants her and has wanted her for just as long as she has him? "You think it'd work?"
"Oh I know it will."
Thinking it over, Chloe nodded her head in agreement. Belle was a good friend. She was Chloe's best friend. So Chloe ignored the meddling voice at the back of her mind telling her to handle this herself, that this wasn't a game, and that Belle's advice, though well meaning, might do more harm than good.