“He doesn’t care.” Vanessa never took her eyes off Brodie. “Trust me, he’s used to it by now.”

“How long have you known him?”

“I only moved to town six years ago. This was my first job out of college. For about five years, I watched these guys.” She looked to the brothers. “Our paths didn’t cross much, but every time I saw them around town, I had to literally pick my jaw up off the ground. They’re just…so…charismatic.”

After bouncing several times, Brodie suddenly flipped. Only—unlike the other brothers—he didn’t limit himself to one trampoline. With a stunning display of core strength and athletic grace, he soared from one mat to the other, taking a crazy spin around the entire gym, his body twisting and turning, flipping forward and back—never once taking a break.

“He’s a thing of beauty, isn’t he?” Rosalina said. “How does he not get dizzy?”

Vanessa didn’t answer, just stared, mesmerized, looking like she wanted to drag him out by his hair and have her way with him.

“Now, that’s how it’s done,” someone shouted.

Rosalina had never seen anyone with the strength and agility of Brodie Bowie.

“He’s so hot.” Vanessa sounded wistful. “He says he’s not the relationship type, but he makes it really confusing.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, he’s just so passionate, you know? And when he focuses it on you, you get swept up in it. It’s like…you think it’s about you. But it’s not. He’s just intense.”

“Passionate about the projects you’re working on, you mean?” Because Brodie had made it clear he’d never been into Vanessa.

“Well, sure, that, too, I guess. But, I mean, as someone he’s dating, you think he’s so into you, because he’s wild in bed.”

Rosalina shot her a look. Was she trying to make her jealous? But, no, Vanessa’s tone was one of pure wistfulness.

She thinks I’m engaged. She doesn’t even know I’m sleeping with him.

“I thought it meant he was into me, but it’s just who he is. I see that now.”

A chill fell cross her body, like leaving the bright, sunny sidewalk to walk down an alleyway. She didn’t understand. Brodie had told Rosalina he’d never felt for anybody the way he did for her. But if Vanessa had experienced his passion in bed…what does that mean for me?

She didn’t doubt his feelings for her…right now. But maybe he threw himself into all the projects he cared about. At the moment, Rosalina was one of them.

It hurt. So badly. But it was just the reminder she needed. She was getting too involved, too excited about the idea of something developing between them, when the only thing she should be focused on was launching her business.