To Be Loved By You - A Bradley Bradshaw Story

Meeting You Part Two

Author's Note: Here is part two of To Be Loved By You's first chapter! I had originally split this into two parts because this was supposed to be longer than it turned out. But it got away from me as I was writing it and this ending just seemed right. And, anyway, I love where this chapter went!

I hope you like it!

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Stef and Logan never did come to find them and their drinks sat forgotten on the table. The cool night breeze and the sound of waves surrounded them. He watched as Thea talked animatedly, hands moving through the air. The deck lights glinted off of the ring in her nose and made her green eyes sparkle.

She was beautiful.

He'd spotted her as soon as Logan had led him into the bar and had been thrilled when he'd found out this was the friend Logan had mentioned. He'd been pleasantly surprised to see that he had as much of an effect on her as she had on him. And he was truly enjoying how effortless their time together was. They talked like old friends.

He told her all about his parents, how close he and his mother had been after his father's death, and how his father had influenced his decision to join the Navy. He spoke proudly of his service time, having just recently graduated from Top Gun. He even talked about Pete being his dad's best friend and a great presence in his life growing up.

She'd described to him how her parents had decided to settle down here because they fell in love with the town after being stationed in the quiet beach town. Luckily, it had been Bill's last station before retiring, so they were able to buy and open the bar almost immediately following his retirement.

She told him about growing up with Logan. Her brother Charlie had met the boy at school and brought him home to hang out. Thea, much like the baby sister stereotype, had followed the two boys around until they played with her. Eventually, the three kids had become inseparable.

She lauaghed as she finished a story about a prank the three of them had pulled on their high school principle. "It took him days to get everything back off the ceiling!"

"I can't believe that's the same man I work with. He's so serious on base!" He laughed along with her. Their laughter died, but the silence was far from awkward. It was comfortable.

"So I recall seeing a picture in there of you with a guitar?" Bradley questioned, referring to a picture he'd seen of a young Thea with braces, smiling widely over a guitar.

"Oh! That was my first guitar. Pop bought me, Charlie, and Logan all matching ones back in junior high. He plays and writes songs sometimes and we used to sit around him like he was our very own personal rock star. So one day he decided he was gonna teach us."

"Did it work?"

"For me and Logan, yeah. Charlie never had the patience to learn though." She smiled wistfully as she talked about the memory. She seemed a little sad anytime she mentioned her brother. Bradley wanted to ask why but he also didn't want to ruin the night. So he didn't ask.

"So you could play me something?" he asked, wanting to know if she sang as beautifully as she spoke. Longing to know if he'd still hear that sultry accent when she sang.

"Well, I could," she motioned to her empty lap, smirking. "But I don't have a guitar with me."

"Another time, maybe?" he asked. He watched as she chewed on her lip, and wished that he could taste those lips.

"I don't know," she drawled. "What'll I get if I play for you?"

He had some ideas, but none seemed appropriate to share with her. He chuckled at the sensual smile spread across her pouty lips and rubbed the back of his neck. The air no longer felt cool as he looked at her. "Well," he looked around and his eyes happened across the piano inside the bar. "I'll play something for you."