I’m not mad, or at least I hope I don’t look it. I'm too mesmerized by the sound of her.
I have never, ever heard her laugh this way.
Is this the true Brooke Sloan laugh?
It’s … the best thing I’ve ever heard.
“Are you hurt?” she asks.
I shake my head, my hand resting on her hip, as half her body is still draped over me.
“Good. Me neither,” she says softly.
Her eyes meet mine, and everything around us disappears.
I’m not in Lovers, I’m not at a festival, I’m not trying to convince people to like me again. I’m just here, with Brooke, who genuinely wants to be around me.
It’s refreshing.
And she’s beautiful.
A throat clears behind her, bringing me back to the present. I sadly pull my gaze from Brooke to look up at Hudson, who has the decency to look remorseful. “Sorry,” he says and then looks at Luca. “We just … there are a lot of people around, and it looked like you were both about to push these rumors to another level.”
Brooke pulls her legs from the stack and stands.
“What rumors?” she asks defensively as I pull myself off the ground.
“The ones of you two being friends,” Sadie answers. “No one believes it’s real.”
Brooke moves her body slightly in front of me and snaps her hands to her hips.
“Wearefriends. We hang out every single day, and it’s turning out to be my favorite part of the day, and I don’t care who knows it. Dutton Richford is my friend and it’s not going to change. It shouldn't be the talk of the town.”
I slink a hand around her stomach and pull her back to me. When her back hits my chest, I whisper, “Our friends aren’t the ones questioning this.”
“I know.” Her chin drops for a slight moment before she looks at Sadie again. “I’m sorry I snapped at you. You didn’tdeserve that.” Then she looks at the audience we drew in. “But the rest of you did.”
My eyes widen. The town's sweetheart just basically told everyone to shove it where the sun doesn't shine.
There are easily twenty people watching us, and Brooke is staring at one in particular.
Her father.
Sheriff Sloan.
Unease settles in my stomach. I should take my hands off his daughter, but this woman just stood up for me in front of everyone, and now it’s my turn, should she need it.
But that doesn’t happen because her dad shakes his head and walks off.
Brooke doesn’t move to follow him, but she lets out a sigh before exchanging hugs with Shay and Sadie.
“Let’s get back to the bakery,” Brooke says and steps away from me.
“Books,” I call after her as I follow. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
I reach for her and pull her back to me.
