Brooke deflated.“And she’ll have to deal with my mother. I just hope she stays my friend after the trip, to be honest with you.”
“Is that all you want her to be?” The question was gentle, but it was there. Out in the open for Brooke to face.
Brooke cleared her throat and shrugged.“It doesn’t matter what I want her to be.”
Susan’s eyes narrowed.“I’m going to need more information from you than just that, Brooke.”
Brooke sighed.“She’s never actually said that she’s not straight. And while there are definitely moments that I feel like we might be flirting, I can’t just assume someone’s sexuality. And on top of that. She’s stunning. And funny. And she owns her own business. There’s no way on Earth she’s single.” Brooke's right foot bounced aggressively against the side of her chair.
“But if she were single?” Susan pressed.
Brooke finally snapped, letting the root of it all be unearthed.“She wouldn’t want to date me anyways. She could have anyone she wants. Literally the world’s sexiest manorwoman would be lucky to be with her. And I’m…” All of the rejection that she had ever faced bubbled to the surface. Her parents, her extended family, the girl who had shattered her heart. Brooke shook her head and wiped tears out of the corners of her eyes before they had a chance to fall.
“Brooke,” Susan said softly, clearly trying to choose her words carefully.“Oh my, dear.” She smiled softly. Sometimes Brooke couldn’t help but think that Susan would make a wonderful mother, the way even her look could reassure her.“Please at least give the girl a chance to climb your walls,” Susan teased her gently, knowing that was the easiest way to pull Brooke out of head.“You might even throw her a rope.”
Brooke was probably laughably early to Monday night’s dinner atLa Fourchette, but she couldn’t help it. All she’d done all day was her therapist appointment, shower, pack her suitcase, and pace. It was as she parked that she realized she was almost an entire hour early. She decided pacing in front of the restaurant would be better than going back home to pace more. She had only made two passes when Anna poked her head out the front door.
“Hey, Honey. Whatcha doin’?” Anna’s sing-song tone pulled Brooke out of a trance.
“Oh, sorry,” Brooke frowned. She swallowed nervously.“I’m early.”
Anna let out a small chuckle and stepped outside.“That’s okay, B. You know we’re open. You could wait inside?”
Brooke stuffed her hands in the pockets of her linen pants.“I could, yes.”
“Are you okay?” Anna asked, stepping close enough to run both hands up and down Brooke's biceps in a soothing manner.“Is it the trip?”
Brooke sighed and nodded.“I’m not all prepared.” Brooke's eyes watered. She forced herself to look away, anywhere but Anna’s beautiful and patient face.“You know. I haven’t cried about trauma inflicted by my family during therapy in a long time.” She let out an awkward laugh.“But today…” Brooke stopped talking, the wounds of rejection still stung. And here she was, about to cry in front of the person she was afraid might reject her next.“Some scars never fully heal, do they?”
Anna smiled a small, sad smile and shook her head no.“Not all of them, no.”
There was still so much they didn’t know about each other. Brooke had barely scratched the surface of her past. They had hit some highlights and moved back into a safe, surface level space. Anna pulled Brooke into a hug, and Brooke didn’t fight it. In fact, she let herself sink into it. Anna wasn’t going to reject her—well she probably would romantically, but not as a friend—not now.
“We’re friends, right?” Brooke asked, terrified, but desperate for the answer.
Anna laughed into their hug.“Yeah, Honey, we’re friends.
“Even after you experience my mother?” Brooke asked, tensing for the answer.
“Even if your mother slaps me in the face,” Anna said, her voice laced with an edge that Brooke didn’t know how to classify.
Brooke leaned back and stared into Anna’s eyes.“Thank you, Anna. Your friendship means the world to me.” She was so sincere, so genuine in her thanks that even Anna looked a bit filled with emotion.
“Of course, B. I’m just glad we’re finally friends,” Anna swallowed and stepped back.“You wanna head inside and meet Maddie?”
Brooke smiled and nodded.“I’d like that, yes.”
Maddie was everything Brooke had hoped she would be and more.“This isn’t Pretty Woman,” was her opener.
Brooke let out a startled laugh.“No, no it certainly is not,” she had agreed after Maddie had never broken into a smile to indicate that she was joking.
“No showing up in a limo after breaking her heart and no letting any of your friends cause trauma,” Maddie continued.
Brooke frowned, fully confused.“I’ve never once ridden in a limo. I promise I won’t start now.”
“And the rest of it?” Maddie asked, apparently this was a serious conversation.
“Riding in the limo was the most likely part of your sentence,” Brooke answered with dead pan honesty.
