Brady

Brady’s heart was in his throat when he led Chloe into one of the small ballrooms that wasn’t being used. He couldn’t believe she’d agreed to talk to him. What had Margot said to her in the ladies room? Was she on his side after all?

When Chloe had practically run into the bathroom in tears, Brady hadn’t thought he had a chance in hell with Chloe. But now here she was standing next to the baby grand piano in the dark ballroom. A few strands of white lights lit up the rows and rows of white chairs, making her pale skin glow.

“Looks like a wedding,” he commented.

Chloe crossed her arms and glared at him. “What do you want, Brady?"

“Okay, so no small talk then . . .”

“You haven't talked to me in months, what did you expect?”

Brady pulled his hat off and ran his hands through his hair. She was right, he was expecting too much. But he needed to apologize regardless. “I just wanted to tell you that I'm really sorry.”

“About what?” Chloe asked. “Cheating on me, getting caught, dumping me, ignoring me?”

“All of it,” he said, taking a step closer to reach for her hand.

She pulled away. “Brady, this apology is three months too late.”

“You’re right, but I’m apologizing anyway. I was a jerk, okay? And now that I’ve been dumped I’m finally realizing just how terrible I must’ve made you feel.”

Chloe’s mouth fell open. “Maci dumped you?”

He nodded.

“Is that why you’re here?”

“No.” He sighed. “I don’t know. I just know I feel like crap and if I made you feel even an ounce of what I’m feeling right now, I just wanted you to know how sorry I am.”

Chloe

Chloe was silent for a moment contemplating her next words carefully. Brady took her silence as defeat and sat down in one of the chairs, hanging his head.

After a while, Chloe joined him, sitting one chair away. “You did hurt me, Brady,” she said quietly. “A lot.”

He looked up. “I’m sorry, Clo.”

“Me too,” she said.

“What are you sorry for?”

She shrugged. “That you got dumped. I know how bad it sucks.”

He huffed a laugh and shook his head.

“What?”

“I always knew you were too good for me.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I came here to apologize because I’m a jerk and you’re the one comforting me.”

Chloe smiled. “Well, I know I could’ve used a friend after this jerk I was dating dumped me, so . . .”

Brady grinned that dazzling all-star smile of his. “He sounds like a tool. You shouldn’t date tools, Clo.”

She gave him a sad smile. “I don’t plan to again.”

Brady

That comment was sobering to Brady and he felt the humor of the situation evaporate. He looked at Chloe, his tone turning serious. “I really am sorry.”

“I know.”

“So can we be friends again?” he asked. “I think I could really use one.”

Chloe gave him that slow, sweet smile of hers that always melted his heart. “I think I can manage that.”

“Good.” He gave her another of his flirty smiles. “Wanna bash my ex-girlfriend with me?” he teased.

“Only if you’re willing to talk smack about my ex-boyfriend with me.”

This time Brady’s smile was genuine. “Deal,” he said, extending his hand.

Chloe shook it and Brady pulled her into a hug. With her in his arms all his old feelings came rushing back. It was true what they said. Sometimes you didn’t know what you had until you lost it.

It was going to be difficult for Brady to be just friends with Chloe after they’d been so much more. But if friends was what she was comfortable with, that would work—for now.