She could be proud of herself. She’d come and looked him in the eye, and she’d left with her head throbbing, but she was leaving.
Neither of them had agreed to anything, making this visit a giant waste of her time. She even wondered if there was a part of her that had wanted to see him today. Was she playing games . . . with him? With herself? She honestly wasn’t sure.
After the burning in her head was settled, she might be able to feel proud of herself for trying to face the situation even with her thoughts completely muddied. But for now, all she felt was pain. She knew from experience the pain would dull. It would just take a very long time.
If she could get Brandon off her mind with some magic pills, she’d take them in a heartbeat. But she had a feeling getting rid of the migraine was going to be a whole lot easier than getting rid of one very determined Anderson.
CHAPTER SEVEN
It took nearly twelve hours for Chloe to get control of her headache. She’d had to turn off all the lights, take a double dose of medicine, and then lie in bed with complete silence as she prayed her head wouldn’t turn inside out. But finally the pain was gone, and Chloe was too restless to stay inside the house even a minute longer.
After donning her warmest coat, she stepped outside, inhaling the fresh night air. It was nearing midnight, but it didn’t matter. She lived in a place where the only crime reported was bored kids setting off bottle rockets in public restrooms. It irritated the heck out of the local sheriff but didn’t scare people into hiding away behind ten locks and a shotgun.
Moving down her quiet neighborhood, Chloe focused on the Christmas decorations that were out, people choosing to leave their lights on all night for those who stayed up late. The holidays were approaching quickly, and her Christmas spirit had been zapped. Normally this was a time of year she loved—magic and possibilities were in the air. And she always came up with some fantastic Christmas creations. Her favorite cookies were produced this time of the year. She always drew a crowd to try out the treats.
But all of that was now being tainted by Brandon’s insistence she team up with him. Just because her friends had married his brothers didn’t mean they should jump on the bandwagon. She was afraid she was beginning to want a ride, though.
The smell of snow was in the air. She was surprised it hadn’t already fallen, but the weatherman had promised it would be there for Christmas Eve. Maybe if she didn’t see Brandon again, she’d once again see the beauty of it all. She had to be open and willing for that to happen.
Before she saw him or heard him, she felt him. Maybe she’d known the second she’d stepped outside he’d be there—maybe some deep, dark place inside her that was a glutton for punishment had known. But without a doubt she knew Brandon was walking up behind her. She didn’t slow and certainly didn’t turn, but soon he was at her side.
“I heard you had a fondness for midnight strolls,” he said, his voice quiet, almost subdued, surprising her.
She thought about ignoring him, pretending he wasn’t there as she finished her walk. But if she did that, he’d realize the power he held over her, and that wasn’t acceptable.
“I’ve always been a creature of habit,” she said, keeping her tone moderated. “If I don’t walk, then I can’t get my mind to shut off, and then I never get any sleep.” She didn’t know why she was adding that, but talking to him had been natural from the start when she wasn’t on edge.
“You might like your routines, but I’ve seen how much you’ve progressed in life just in the few short years I’ve known you,” he pointed out. “You’re a woman who likes to be the best and is never happy settling. It’s something I truly admire about you. It’s something I’ve always felt myself.”
She was shocked enough by his words that she turned and looked at him. He was wearing a pair of sweats; what appeared to be several sweatshirts, making him seem a bit chubby; and a wool hat. It was chilly out, but he might have gone slightly overboard.
“You’ve never seemed to be an overachiever to me,” she said.
“That’s good because I don’t want people