“Well, the joke is on you. Because I have no idea how I actually feel about Drew. One minute I’m barely tolerating her, the next minute she’s getting under my skin.”
“Doesn’t sound like you’re feeling neutral towards her,” Em smiled.
Emily had her there. Brooke couldn’t accuse her feelings for Drew of being neutral.
“You aren’t wrong there. But what difference does it make? Not neutral isn’t the same as me wanting to go out with Drew.”
Emily stood in silence, suddenly her friend was very interested in cleaning her glassware.
“Look, maybe I’m not neutral. But I don’t want to ask Drew out either. So I have no right to stand in the way of any other connections she might want to make.”
“It’s true. You can’t make any demands. But I do think you should figure out your feelings before they come back around and smack you in the face.”
Emily had always had a way with words. Brooke forced herself to glance out at the crowd and find Drew. Robin had an arm looped around Drew’s as they stood talking to several other women. Brooke couldn’t understand why the scene made her heart sink ever so slightly. She turned away and begged her heart to behave.
Chapter 6
Drew had spent the majority of the evening as Robin’s arm candy. The woman had introduced her to several other business owners. She had to admit that it felt good to be connecting to other women like herself in the area. Being tied to Robin all evening was beginning to leave her feeling stifled. The woman acted as though she and Drew were already dating. Robin’s moves were subtle, a hand on Drew’s lower back or grabbing Drew’s arm to lead her around. It was the subtle kind of possessiveness that would have normally pushed Drew away. Drew was new to this group of women, and the last thing she wanted to do was alienate herself.
It would have been nice to have Brooke around for guidance, but the woman had been making herself sparse all evening long. Drew had made several attempts to make purposeful eye contact. But Brooke seemed disinclined to rescue her. During a lull in one conversation Drew finally attempted her escape and headed towards the bar and Brooke.
“How’s it going over there?” Brooke asked with a smirk.
“I’ve been trying to escape for the last half hour,” Drew whined.
“Not having a good time as Robin’s new pet?”
Drew shot Brooke a warning glare.
“Robin is nice, but I’m ready for a drink and to sit down,” Drew announced.
“That’s a very diplomatic way to put it,” Emily laughed from behind the bar.
“Not like you’ve been helpful. You just let that woman kidnap me,” Drew accused, looking straight at Brooke. An unmistakable pink blush crept across Brooke’s cheeks.
“I thought maybe you’d enjoy being the center of attention,” Brooke smiled. Drew narrowed her eyes until they were just tiny slits. Emily had the good sense to slide her a beer and give her a tiny wink.
“Shouldn’t you be getting back to your date?” Brooke chuckled.
“You’re mean,” Drew accused. Brooke simply gave her a wink and a smirk.
“There you are. I’ve been looking for you.”
Drew took a moment to adjust her face at the sound of Robin’s voice.
“Here I am,” Drew smiled.
“I needed a drink.”
If Robin had any thoughts about her comment, she didn’t say anything to Drew.
“Brooke, where have you been hiding this one?” Robin asked.
“She keeps me locked away. I’m lucky she let me out for the evening,” Drew laughed. This time it was Brooke shooting her a glare. Good. Drew refused to be the only one uncomfortable in this situation. Robin let out a laugh that was far too loud to be genuine. Drew caught Brooke’s eyes and saw that she was cringing at least as hard as Drew herself was.
“Sexy and funny. What a great combo. You know Drew, we should get together sometime soon. I’d love to take you out on a date.”
Drew had to hand it to the woman; she didn’t leave any room for misinterpretation. She had to force her face back into an expression of neutrality.
