Anna leaned forward and kissed Brooke's cheek quickly before grabbing Brooke’s hand and leading them both towards the front door. Brooke’s heart beat faster as her thumb found her own ring on Anna’s little finger, hoping that when they made it home for real, that Anna would continue to wear it. There was something about it, about the fact that Anna had worn it before they had confessed their feelings, before they had kissed even, that made it mean even more.
“It’s okay, right?” Anna asked as they headed towards the front door, she was clearing asking about the ring Brooke was fiddling with.
“It’s preferred, if I’m being honest.”
The brunch spot was a modern little joint that felt particularly curated to appeal to social media, complete with different neon lights up near each little nook and alcove. They arrived not long after Jasmine and Martin did. Brooke watched them closely, trying to figure out how well the rest of their evening had gone, but neither of them gave anything away. They were no more or less flirty than they had been the night before. Brooke did her best to not frown as she studied them. She knew her thinking face wasn’t exactly subtle.
In the meantime, Brooke reveled in the way that Anna’s bubble had completely disappeared. If you had asked her a week ago, Brooke would have told you that she thought personal space was important, but either her personal space had expanded to include Anna, or she had been wrong a week ago. Anna stood with her side entirely pressed against Brooke's, with her arm wrapped around her waist. And Brooke was happy to let her. Her arm felt better wrapped around Anna’s shoulders. Her hands were happiest entwined with Anna’s. She didn’t get the chance to marvel over each and every significant change because the newlyweds(ish) walked in.
They looked as happy as Brooke felt. They were all radiant smiles and just as touchy as she knew that she and Anna were being. Mel immediately clocked the hickey’s on Brooke's neck and shot her a knowing look. Instead of teasing her, though, she just winked and less than subtly high fived Anna.
Nate on the other hand guffawed.“Jesus Christ, Sis. I think you had a rowdier night than I did.”
Brooke felt her ears turn pink. Before she could say anything to defend herself, Anna lobbed back a response.“Probably, but those were from this morning.”
Nate barked out a laugh, clearly not suspecting that response. He clapped Brooke on the back.“Come on, let’s see if they’ll let us have our table early.”
The hostess led them to a private event room that had been set up for the occasion. She and Anna sat next to Jasmine and Martin, intentionally far enough away from Nate and Mel that they wouldn’t have to sit next to Brooke's parents when they arrived. This brunch was for the wedding party and immediate family only, and with only twenty-five guests, there weren’t many ways in which they could hide from Sybil and Augustus. So the corner of the table, farther away from Nate and Mel than she would have liked seemed like the best option. It proved useful. As the wedding party trickled in, they seemingly followed suit, leaving the closest chairs to Nate and Mel open for their parents.
Thankfully, that meant that Brooke and Anna had a nice little bubble built by the time her mother and father walked in. They were obnoxiously, and pretentiously over dressed. Everyone else had opted for more casual, jeans and T-shirts, a few polos, but a few shorts, too. Anna’s overalls had received no fewer than six compliments. But Augustus and Sybil had opted for pearls and a suit. Brooke knew that most of her nerves revolved around what her father had told her the night before and the fact that she had very visible marks on her neck.
Anna, however, seemed completely at ease. Their now shared personal space in full effect as Anna's ankle curled around Brooke's. Brooke smiled down at Anna’s hand, happily at home on her right thigh, her arm easily thrown over the back of Anna’s chair, her own fingertips danced along Anna’s shoulder, absentmindedly tucking under the shoulder strap of Anna’s shirt. She enjoyed the sensation of goosebumps left in their wake. Nothing had changed, and yet Brooke's entire world had shifted. She had told Anna that she loved her and Anna had said it back.
She leaned over and kissed Anna’s shoulder, suddenly wanting to reassure her, or maybe it was to reassure herself. Either way, it earned a radiant smile from Anna, the kind that made Brooke's heart lose its steady rhythm.
Her parents sat next to Nate and Mel, just as Brooke had suspected they would. She felt herself relax at the distance between them.
“It is taking all of my willpower to not drag you off into some corner to make out with you,” Anna whispered in her ear, kissing the sensitive skin just below Brooke's earlobe.
Brooke felt herself blush. She discreetly thumbed over one of the hooks of Anna’s overalls.“How does one be so seductive in overalls?”
The corners of Anna's lips curled up into a mischievous smile.“Talent, to be sure.”
“Oh certainly,” Brooke teased, but there was a layer of truth to it. She had learned last night—and again this morning—that Anna was a woman of many talents.
Anna’s gaze lowered to Brooke's mouth. Brooke cursed herself for the fact that she still hadn’t properly gone down on Anna. She knew that it would probably be more than twenty-four hours and one very long plane ride home until she got the chance. Her mind started to race at the thought of them being back home. A place where they lived in separate apartments and would have to schedule time to see each other. Brooke was already frowning, worried suddenly about the prospect of it.
Anna’s thumb stroked down the crease of Brooke's frown.“What’s wrong, Honey-B?”
It was embarrassing and clingy, and Brooke didn’t want to admit to it in a place where all of their new friends could hear. She scrunched up her face and nodded away from the table.“Come to the bathroom with me?”
“Why do I feel like this is not for sexy time?” Anna stuck out her bottom lip in a pout.
It was enough to pull a laugh from Brooke's chest.“We can make out a bit, too.”
That got Anna to smile and happily untangle herself from Brooke for long enough to follow her to the women’s restroom. Brooke quickly checked to make sure they were alone in the room before she let out a heavy sigh.
“What’s wrong, Honey?” Anna asked, her face serious and concerned.
“Okay, but please don’t judge me,” Brooke started.“I’m anxious about going home.”
Anna tilted her head to one side and let Brooke continue.
Brooke just let out an embarrassed chuckle.“I’ve grown quite fond, and perhaps rather accustomed to sleeping next to you. I’ve never slept quite so well. And I’m going to miss it.” She stuffed her hands in her pockets, uncertain of where they were supposed to go for a conversation like this.“I mean, you have your own place and I have mine. And you have friends who have undoubtedly missed you, and a roommate, and I can’t monopolize your time quite like I have over the past week, and I’m just nervous about what that looks like. It’s been a really long time since I’ve had a girlfriend. I think I’m just stressed and worried. And of course it’s going to be fine, but it’s all so new and wonderful, and I’m already missing you.” Brooke frowned at her own awkward landing.“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so needy, I just”—
—Anna silenced Brooke's ramble with a kiss. When they broke apart, Anna was smiling at her. For some reason she looked absolutely delighted.“Thank you,” Anna whispered.
Brooke looked at Anna, her face as confused as she felt.“Why are you thanking me? I literally just admitted to being clingy and fairly desperate and definitely stereotypical.”
