“Oh, I have been told that Skylar West will probably be there,” Brooke shrugged. She’d never been one to gawk at celebrity. She’d run into Skylar a few times since Emily and Scarlett had gotten engaged. Skylar was beautiful, and probably the nicest person alive, but her celebrity had long since rubbed off for Brooke.
“The Skylar West?” Drew asked.
“Yep, the Skylar West.”
“Your friend rides in some posh circles,” Drew laughed.
“Trust me when I say that Emily is anything but posh,”
“Yeah, she’s always seemed down to Earth when I’ve talked to her. What’s Scarlett like?”
“Scarlett is very nice once you get to know her. There’s a little bit of a shell you have to break through first.”
“Say no more. I’m excellent at breaking shells.” Drew looked over at Brooke and smiled. Brooke got the strange inclination that Drew was referring to her.
“Wait a minute. Are you talking about me?” Brooke asked.
“Maybe not specifically. But I’m notnottalking about you,” Drew teased.
“I don’t have walls,” Brooke argued. Indignation stung her to the very core of her being.
“Of course not, Tomes. You’re an open book,” Drew smirked. Brooke couldn’t help smiling at the long put down nickname.
“I was just angry because I wasn’t going to be able to expand my store. And you were so frustratingly nice that I wasn’t even able to dislike you.” Brooke grimaced. It sounded worse when she said it out loud.
Drew took her hand and kissed her knuckles. Brooke felt herself melt into a puddle of goo. She didn’t know how shemanaged to keep driving with her heart pounding and her body melting. They pulled into a large driveway and Brooke couldn’t help but stare.
Vera Lossett was the kind of woman you found on television or in movies. Somehow, she managed to make her ugly Christmas sweater look stunning. She met them at the door before Brooke even had a chance to ring the doorbell. Her eyes were the kind of hazel that looked golden.
“Welcome. You must be Brooke and Drew,” Vera said with a disarming smile.
“I’m Vera Lossett. I’m Scarlett’s mother,” Vera ushered them inside.
Brooke could see why the woman had been the premiere Nashville wife when she’d been married. The Lossett name still held power in Nashville. The family had been as close to tycoons as Nashville had ever seen. Until Vera and David Lossett had divorced. Then David had been arrested for fraud and embezzlement. That had been years before Brooke had met Scarlett.
Brooke had always known Scarlett for her relationship to her friend, Emily. As well as Scarlett opening one of the most successful new breweries in Nashville. Brooke took a second look at Vera and wondered what Scarlett had been like in her past life as a business tycoon’s daughter.
“Your home is lovely,” Drew said to Vera.
Brooke pulled herself back into the conversation.
“Thank you so much. I do love it here. I’m far enough away from the city to be at peace, and close enough not to go stir crazy.”
Vera led them down a hallway and into the main living area.
“Brooke and Drew are here,” Vera announced. Every head turned for a moment, and Brooke wished she could physically melt into the carpet. Drew squeezed her hand a bit tighter, anchoring Brooke.
Brooke saw Emily and arched an eyebrow. Her friend had told her this would be a small gathering, but there were at least twenty people here. Emily blushed but flashed her an apologetic smile. Emily walked over to them, wrapping Brooke into a tight hug.
“Scarlett tells me that you’re a tattoo artist,” Vera smiled at Drew.
“I am. I just opened a shop in Nashville.”
“I’ve been thinking about getting a tattoo for the longest time,” Vera grinned.
“Do you know what you want?” Drew asked.
Brooke watched as Drew seamlessly transitioned into artist mode.
