Better to play it safe. For now.
Cody wasn’t the only one who glanced her way. It seemed everyone stared at her, understanding why she isolated herself and wondering if she’d ever be the girl they used to know. Not likely. She’d broken into a million pieces when her baby died. Brooke didn’t know exactly who she’d become, but she was a survivor and she’d find her way eventually.
She tried to give herself a break, like her therapist told her she deserved.
“Hey, stranger.”
Brooke jumped up from the bench and caught Mindy Sue in a tight hug. “You came.”
Mindy Sue hugged her back just as fiercely. “I promised I’d be here.”
Brooke stepped back. “I’m so happy to see you.” She waved at Mindy Sue’s boyfriend, Tony, at the bar.
Mindy Sue’s gaze swept over her. “You look good. How are you?”
“Better.” Brooke sank back down to the bench and pulled Mindy Sue’s hand to tug her down beside her.
Brooke stared across the courtyard at Cody. He held up his beer to her and Mindy Sue.
“You two can’t stop looking at each other. How are things between you? As hot as they sound?”
Brooke blushed. She didn’t hide things from her best friend. That didn’t mean she gave every detail either. “At first, it hurt to look at him. But he wouldn’t go away. He stayed with me, no matter how hard I tried to push him away. Every time I came out of my funk and fog, there he was, waiting for me.”
He spent his days trying to make her smile, telling her jokes to make her laugh, rearranging his schedule to spend more time with her. They slept together every night. He made love to her like every time might be the last. He told her he loved her at least five times a day.
“Now…it’s everything I ever wanted and more.”
“Back when you first came home and Cody was calling and updating me, he said you two were going to get married.” Mindy Sue pointedly looked at her left hand, still in the brace for her broken wrist. “Is that what you still want?”
“At first, I didn’t believe it. But now that I’m really with him, like spending every day and night together and living like we are a couple and partners and everything to each other…yeah. I want it.”
“I’m glad you guys are taking some time to settle into it.”
She smiled. “I haven’t been all here for some of it, but I’m getting better.”
“You look better. You sound better. I know you still have some difficult moments and days, but that’s okay.”
“I’m trying to be okay with my darker thoughts and emotions taking over sometimes.”
“It’s just your brain’s way of processing all you’ve been through.”
She set aside thoughts of the past and focused on the future and the man still staring at her with so much love in his eyes. “I can’t believe he wants to marry me.”
Mindy Sue squeezed her hand. “It’s real, Brooke. I’ve spoken to him several times over the last few weeks. Believe me, if I thought for a second he wasn’t all in, I’d tell you. He is one hundred percent, dead set on marrying you.”
“Yes, I am.” Cody smiled down at her.
Mindy Sue took the beer he offered her. Brooke took the sangria he held out to her.
Cody bent in front of her. His hand settled on her thigh and slid up to her hip. “Happy your best friend is back?”
Brooke smiled from him to Mindy Sue and back. “Yes.” She confessed to Mindy Sue, “I was kind of afraid to see you again.”
Mindy Sue’s eyes went wide. “Why?”
“Because you were there that night and after. I thought seeing you would bring it all back. But instead, I’m just so happy you’re here.” She hugged Mindy Sue and both of them wiped away a tear.
Once they separated, Cody brushed his hand over her hair. “I’m so glad you’re happy, sweetheart.”
