“It’s nice seeing you like this. It’s been too long,” Brooks said, grabbing the other half of my doughnut and popping it into his mouth.
“You always have had a problem with grabby hands,” I teased, elbowing him in the side.
“At one time you sort of liked my grabby hands.” Brooks wiggled his eyebrows and I laughed off his flirting.
“Yeah, well, that was a long time ago. And I’ve learned a thing or two about the importance of personal boundaries since then,” I joked back, enjoying our easy banter.
Brooks licked sugar from his lips, shrugged, and grabbed my hand, pulling me up short.
“I’m taking you out tonight. I think it’s time to get you drunk and to have those normal college experiences all the kids are talking about.” Brooks let me go and I took a step back.
“Uh... I don’t know...” I began, but Brooks cut me off.
“Just sit back and enjoy the ride, Aubrey.”
I involuntarily shuddered at his words. Sitting back and enjoying the ride is what had gotten me into trouble in the first place. But he was right. What could it hurt?
“Sure. Why not?” I said, shrugging.
“Wow. Your enthusiasm is contagious,” he joked, rolling his eyes.
I playfully punched his shoulder. Maybe he was right and I just needed a good night out to forget about everything.
“When should I be ready for our night of wild and crazy shenanigans?” I asked, walking through the door Brooks held open for me. Our shoulders brushed and I felt a strange mixture of hesitance and pleasure.
Not because it was Brooks touching me. It had nothing to do with that. It was more about the fact thatanyonewas touching me. My body missed even the casual touches of intimacy.
I realized that I hadn’t done myself any favors by living an isolated life.
Brooks walked close beside me, his arm rubbing against mine as we moved. And I allowed it.
“I’ll be by around eight thirty. Get ready to have some fun, Aubrey. I’ll pull a good time out of you if it’s the last thing I do,” Brooks threatened good-naturedly, and I couldn’t help but smile. It felt good.Ifelt good.
What a concept.
“Wow, going out on a school night? What’s come over you?” Renee joked as I pulled a conservative sweater dress out of the back of my closet. It was cute, with a slightly scooped neck and fitted sleeves. It fell midthigh and was a flattering purple.
Before thinking too much about it, I grabbed my knee-high boots and lacy tights to wear beneath my dress. I didn’t get dressed up often, but I was in the mood to look pretty.
“Yeah, Brooks convinced me to go out,” I said, stripping down to my underwear and bra and then sliding the dress over my head. Renee didn’t bat an eye. We had been living together long enough that modesty had lost its place in our relationship a while ago.
Renee gave me a smile. “That’s good, Aubrey. I haven’t always been Brooks’s biggest fan. His collection of button-down shirts kind of gives me hives. But he’s been a good friend to you. And who knows, maybe you’ll find someone to get a little wild with.”
I nearly choked.
“What?” I shrieked.
Renee held her hands up and laughed at my expression. “Jeez, calm down, Aubrey. I’m just saying that you’ve been tied up in knots for a long time now. Something simple might be good for you.”
“And you honestly think hooking up with a random someone issimple? Are you serious?” I asked incredulously.
My face flamed hot and I felt an uncomfortable flip in my stomach at Renee’s suggestion. It wasn’t that I was against the idea of ever being with someone else. But I had the inexplicable feeling that I was betraying Maxx by even contemplating it. Which was ridiculous.
“I’ll save releasing my inner hoochie for another night, I think,” I joked, pushing aside my unease.
Renee playfully swatted my arm and grinned.
“It doesn’t have to be a full-on sexcapade. You could just... you know, kiss someone a little. Find a hot stranger to whet your appetite,” Renee teased, trying to break the heaviness in both of our hearts.
