“It’s complicated,” Brooke explained.
“I invented complicated,” Susan smiled.
“Fine. She took over the shop next to mine and I was mad because I wanted the space. I was kind of a jerk so to make it up to her I invited her to the women’s small business get- together that Emily does. She came and things were good. Except this woman was flirting with her and it made me feel weird, so I pushed them into dating. Then I kissed Drew in her car but told her it was a mistake. Now we’re not speaking and things are complicated.”
Her mother’s face told Brooke that she regretted asking the question. Susan gave her a smile.
“Don’t take the easy way out. Tell her you’re sorry and make up. You obviously hate things the way they are. I’ve got to get going, but I’ll text you about dinner with Frank.”
“Sounds good.”
Brooke barely got the words out before her mom was turning to go. That was the way things always were with her mother. She was engaged until she wasn’t. She watched as her mom disappeared. Drew was coming back up the stairs and Brooke drew back inside her apartment before they had another awkward moment.
Brooke hated avoiding Drew. She liked Drew and thought the two of them might have at least had a friendship. But not now. She had ruined any chance they may have had for a friendship. She could hear Drew’s footsteps as the woman walked down the hallway.
From her spot on the couch Pearl offered her a judgmental glance.
“Don’t you start,” Brooke accused. The cat simply turned her back before laying on the couch to go to sleep.
Sleep seemed like the best possible idea. Brooke changed into her pajamas. A matching baby blush pink cotton top and pants set. Brooke climbed into the bed and was reaching for thelight when she heard a hiss from the living room and a strange noise coming from her bathroom. Brooke groaned but got out of bed and walked barefoot to the bathroom. Her feet touched the floor and found that it was wet. When Brooke flipped on the light the problem was readily apparent. A burst pipe leaked water which was steadily accumulating all over her floor. Brooke screeched and immediately ran out to grab Pearl.
Chapter 8
The peace of Drew’s evening was shattered with one single scream. Drew grabbed the baseball bat she kept beside her bed and ran to her apartment door. The sight that met her was strange enough to give her pause. In the hallway Brooke stood clad in pink pajamas holding her cat. The cat was dripping wet and flicking its fuzzy tail in annoyance.
“What happened?” Drew asked.
“I think a pipe burst. There’s water everywhere,” Brooke explained.
“Did you turn off the water?” Drew asked.
Brooke moaned something about not knowing what Drew was talking about. Drew moaned because she knew that meant the answer to her question was a no. Drew threw the baseball bat inside her apartment. Drew shuddered as she heard the sound of something breaking as the bat landed. She rolled up the legs of her pajamas and walked through Brooke’s door. She shut the water off, though there was already a fair amount of water covering the floor. She used what towels she could find to soak up the water. She met Brooke in the hallway.
“I shut off the water and put some towels down to soak up the water.”
“Thanks. You’re kind of a life saver. I tried calling the landlord, but no one answered.”
Drew sighed, getting the landlord at this time of evening was going to be nearly impossible.
“Thanks again for your help. I should probably look for a hotel or something for the night.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. You can come stay at my place tonight,” Drew suggested. The words were out of her mouth before she had a chance to think.
Drew immediately regretted the suggestion. She was about to suggest a hotel room instead, but one look at the relief flooding Brooke’s face caused Drew to bite her tongue. She stepped aside and gestured towards her door. Brooke walked past her with a small smile. From Brooke’s arms, Pearl eyed Drew with obvious suspicion.
Drew didn’t have much in the way of furniture. She had a bed and a small table that had come with the apartment. Everything else she had determined to add overtime. Why buy a couch now, when she could save up for one she would really like down the road? As such their sleeping options were limited. Brooke seemed to be picking up on the same problem.
“If you have a blanket, I can just sleep on the floor,” Brooke insisted.
“Absolutely not!” Drew’s admonishment obviously took Brooke off guard.
“You’re my guest. I can’t let you sleep on the floor,” Drew added in a calmer tone.
Drew flew through the apartment giving it a notable once over. She found her old green sleeping bag in a closet and pulled it out.
“You take the bed, and I’ll use my trusty sleeping bag.” Drew forced a wide smile. Brooke covered a laugh with her hand.
“What?” Drew asked incredulously.
