“They’re usually pretty chill. It’s just a chance for businesswomen in the area to meet one another.”
Drew nodded her head and smiled. She pulled into a parking spot.
“It’s busy tonight,” Brooke said, noticing how many cars were in the parking lot.
“Fair warning, there will probably be an above average amount of lesbians here tonight,” Brooke chuckled.
“Oh?”
“Yeah. With Em being a lesbian she just knows a lot of other queer women in the business community. So this place is bound to have more than a couple other lesbians.”
“Duly noted. Maybe I’ll find Ms. Right in there,” Drew laughed.
“I thought you were on hiatus?” Brooke accused. She tried to ignore the sting of jealousy that rose inside of her.
“I am. But who am I to stand in the way of true love if it presents itself.”
“Good grief,” Brooke moaned. Drew laughed and Brooke took note of how pleasant the sound was.
Still her heart clenched at the thought of Drew flirting with other women. Which was ridiculous, she had no ownership over Drew. Brooke had no right to tell the woman who she could and couldn’t flirt with. Drew had a wide grin on her face as they walked towards the doors. Brooke had to smile too. There wassomething about Drew’s energy that was undeniably magnetic. Brooke gave Drew a nudge with her shoulders when she paused at the doors. Drew took in an audible breath and pushed the doors open. Just like that the woman was ready to meet a room full of new friends.
Drew stuck by Brooke’s side for all of two minutes. That’s how long it took Robin Strickland to lock eyes on Drew. Robin had easily flirted with every queer woman in the room at one time or another. Robin was gorgeous, with long red hair and deep green eyes. Her looks were downright striking. While many an entrepreneur had failed to open one successful restaurant in Nashville, Robin had managed to open three. Robin’s success had come from hard work and determination.
Robin’s smile widened as she approached them. Drew smiled back, unaware of what or who was coming her way. Robin had a way of drawing people in. She could make a person feel like they were the most important person in the room. Yet her advances rarely went further than a night of flirting and drinking.
“Brooke, are you going to introduce me to your friend?” Robin cooed. Her voice was thick with sweetness. Brooke forced her face to remain composed.
“Of course. This is Drew. She opened her tattoo shop right next door to my bookstore.”
“Oh, an artist, how exciting,” Robin continued.
One glance at Drew’s face told Brooke that the woman was eating up the interaction. She decided to make a quick exit. Brooke might find Robin insufferable but there was no reason not to let Drew enjoy the moment.
“Do you mind if I pull your new friend away?” Robin asked. She knew this was Robin’s one attempt at making sure that she and Drew weren’t an item. Brooke honestly had to give Robin props for at least checking.
“Not at all. Drew here is a free agent,” Brooke announced. She hated the way those words tasted in her mouth. Still, it was the truth. Drew was single and Brooke wouldn’t stand in the way of her having a good time.
Drew had the good sense to seem somewhat taken aback when Robin took her arm and led her away. Brooke gave a slight chuckle and a half wave. She caught Emily watching her from the bar and walked over.
“Is it a smart idea to send your new friend off with Robin?” Emily laughed.
“I don’t see why it wouldn’t be,” Brooke smirked. She tried her best to deliver a level of non-chalance she definitely didn’t feel.
Emily poured a tiny bit of whiskey into a cup and pushed it towards her.
“I don’t know. Maybe because you like her,” Emily suggested. Brooke almost choked mid swallow on her whiskey. Emily shot her an apologetic smile.
“I don’t like Drew,” Brooke insisted.
“If you say so,” Emily laughed.
“Why do you think I like her?”
“The way you look at her. You do a good job of playing things close to the vest. But I know you and I can tell when you like someone.”
“And how am I looking at her?” Brooke could feel the sarcasm dripping from every single one of her words.
“Like she’s the last bite of food on your deserted island,” Emily countered. Brooke could admit that the retort stung a little.
