Brooke’s breath caught in her chest. Frozen in place by how stunning Drew was. This had happened on and off sinceBrooke had moved in with Drew. It had happened enough times that she had been referring to it as the “Drew effect.” No other woman had ever been able to bring her to her knees just by existing. But Drew certainly could.
Drew wore a thick black sweater with curve-hugging jeans. She saw Brooke in the mirror and turned to face her.
“Do you think it’s okay?” Drew asked.
Brooke allowed her eyes to travel up Drew’s body, stopping when she locked eyes with her. Drew’s eyes were perfect. Brooke could always tell exactly what Drew was feeling by her eyes. The color always remained the warm hazel that Brooke loved. But somehow, Drew’s eyes held all of her emotions. When Drew was happy, they gleamed a little brighter. Tonight, there was an uncertainty behind Drew’s eyes. Brooke offered Drew a smile before stepping forward, close enough for their toes to bump.
“More than okay.”
“Are you sure?” Drew asked, biting a corner of her bottom lip. Brooke sucked in a breath.
“I am positive that the only thing Susan Foster is going to care about is whether or not we show up on time,” Brooke chuckled.
“Understood,” Drew laughed.
Brooke leaned in and gave Drew a kiss, then took Drew by the hand, practically dragging her from the apartment. Brooke’s mom had insisted on cooking for the occasion. That was one way that Brooke knew her mom must be serious about her new flame. Brooke didn’t think that her mother had committed to cooking for anyone since her divorce. If she was willing to give up the convenience of restaurants Susan must be smitten. Drew had been downright giddy ever since Brooke had invited her to dinner with her mom. Brooke didn’t think she could fully explain how much she loved this woman.
“What do you think this guy your mom is dating is like?”
“Honestly, I have no idea. I know his name and a little bit of back story. Things must be kind of serious if she’s cooking for this,” Brooke teased.
“I think it’s great that you and her have been able to reconnect,” Drew smiled.
Brooke felt a pull deep inside her. There had been questions that she’d wanted to ask Drew for weeks. Now that she was restoring her relationship with her mom, Brooke couldn’t help but to be curious about Drew’s. It never seemed to be the right time to bring up Drew’s family history. Let alone her current relationship with her mother. But Brooke wanted to know more. She wanted to know everything about Drew.
“Do you and your mom talk much?” Brooke hated how hesitant the question sounded.
If the question upset Drew she didn’t show any signs.
“I probably should get together with her more than I do. Or at least call more,” Drew admitted. Brooke smiled and placed her hand gently on Drew’s knee.
“Families are complicated. I wouldn’t give yourself a lot of grief over it.”
“True. My family has definitely had some tough years. But my mom went out of her way to get my uncle to rent me the shop. So I definitely want to take her out for a thank you dinner some time soon. And if you’re up for it, I’d love to take you with me.”
Brooke’s heart was flying somewhere above her body.
“I would love that,” Brooke said simply.
Brooke’s mom had lived in a brick ranch-style house off of Miller Street in Nashville ever since the divorce. The first thing she had done post-divorce was buy a home for the sake of stability. She’d been living in the same home ever since. The move had proven to be a good investment. Through the years the house had more than tripled in value as Tennessee real estate steadily climbed upwards. Drew pulled into the driveway and Brooke smiled to herself.
It wasn’t lost on Brooke that she’d never had a woman that was worth introducing to her mom before. She’d never been in a relationship, let alone in love. Now here she was withDrew. Once she had stopped fighting her connection with Drew, everything really had just fallen into place. Everyone had always told her that she’d know when she met the right person. Brooke had never believed them. But now she knew that they had been right. All Brooke had to do was look at Drew and she just knew she was right.
Her mom yelled for them to come in when they knocked on the door.
“Mom, you live too close to downtown to just leave your door open to the world,” Brooke chided.
“And yet here I am unmurdered,” Susan quipped.
“Mom, that is not a good metric to use,” Brooke scolded.
“You must be Drew,” Susan’s eyes moved to Drew.
“I must be,” Drew laughed.
Susan pulled Drew in for an uncustomary hug. She shot Brooke a thumbs up over Drew’s back. Brooke’s mind was officially blown. Had Susan Foster just given Brooke her approval? Words failed her.
“Why don’t the two of you make yourselves comfy in the dining room? Frank should be here any minute.”
