“I do. I’m just not sure about size or placement,” Vera
As Vera pulled Drew away Brooke focused her attention on Emily.
“I thought you said this was going to be a small get-together?” Brooke hissed.
“For the Lossetts this is a small get-together,” Emily smirked.
“This is a houseful of people,” Brooke argued.
Scarlett approached and gave Brooke a gentle hug.
“Thanks for coming. I’m glad Emily will have someone she knows here. Where’s Drew?” Scarlett asked.
“Your mom commandeered my girlfriend so that she could ask Drew about tattoos,” Brooke answered.
“My mom will do that. I promise she treats her captives well,” Scarlett chuckled.
“Let me get you a drink,” Scarlett smiled. She ran to the kitchen and grabbed a couple of glasses. Brooke watched as she poured two glasses and brought them back.
“This is a new cider that I came up with,” Scarlett announced excitedly.
“She’s very proud of it,” Emily teased. Scarlett gave Emily a poke in the side.
“You just wish that you’d come out with a cider,” Scarlett laughed. She handed one glass to Brooke and one to Emily. They each took a sip. The crispness of the drink took Brooke by surprise.
“I have to give it to you, Scarlett. This is really good,” Brooke announced.
“Thank you, Brooke. And what are your thoughts, babe?” Scarlett plastered a look of innocence on her face.
“Ugh, it’s actually really good,” Em grumbled.
“You two are so strange,” Brooke laughed.
Brooke had always liked the way Scarlett and Emily could balance being together as a couple, while also being in competition business-wise.
“A little competition keeps the romance alive,” Emily teased.
Brooke shook her head and laughed.
“How are things going with you and Drew?” Emily asked with a smile.
“Things are going well. I think especially considering that we went straight into living together while my place gets fixed.It could have been hard, but everything with Drew is just so effortless.”
“Oh, wow. Who are you? What did you do with Brooke?” Emily teased.
“Oh, stop it. What are you talking about? It’s still me,” Brooke laughed.
“Sure it is. But I’ve never seen you smile like that before. I can just tell you’re really happy,” Emily smiled.
“I am really happy,” Brooke answered.
Her eyes lifted, searching the room until they fell on Drew. Brooke smiled. Drew was sitting in a circle with Vera and another woman that could only be Scarlett’s sister and Vera’s daughter. A blonde woman with wild curls sat beside them laughing. The picture just felt right. That was the Drew she’d fallen for. She could be placed with just about any group of people and fit into the dynamic. Drew lifted her eyes and met Brooke’s gaze, as if she’d felt the weight of Brooke’s eyes. Brooke smiled and Drew returned the gesture. Brooke felt a tiny dose of calming settle over her. Everything felt exactly right.
Chapter 17
Drew had spent the majority of the night commandeered by Vera Lossett. Not that she was complaining. As far as people went, Vera was engaging and fun. She lit up the room and had a way of making Drew feel like the most important person there. They’d spent a considerable amount of time talking about her tattoo idea which included getting matching tattoos with her daughters. Since she considered her daughters-in-law to also be her daughters there were quite a few people on the list. All in all, Drew was pretty sure that the number came out to nine. Her daughters and their partners made up six. Vera also wanted to add Skylar West and her wife Leigh who she considered adopted daughters. Drew had to appreciate how large Vera’s circle was.
Vera had managed to convince two of her daughters to get a matching tattoo with her. Once Vera had skipped off to find everyone else on her list, Drew had immediately gone to find Brooke. She was standing in the kitchen talking to Scarlett and Emily. It always surprised Drew how excited she got every time she saw Brooke. As if even being in the same room with the woman made Drew’s day a bit brighter. Brooke caught Drew staring and waved her over with a smile.
