Chapter 3 #3
“Hello, reunion goers and guests! Welcome! On your tables during cocktail hour you’ll find some conversation-starter cards. These cards are meant to test how well you remember your classmates and get to know their dates and guests. Start the conversation, and enjoy reconnecting!”
A waiter came by and took drink orders. Of their own volition, my eyes sought out Brooke. I had to know every tidbit I could about her, even her drink order. It had been five years since I’d laid eyes on her, and pathetic as it was, I was starved for information about her life now.
“Just ice water for me, please. Thanks.”
Her fiancé ordered a “Scotch, neat. Top shelf. Macallan 18 if you have it.” Stuck up rich prick, my inner dialogue rumbled. Fair? Maybe not. But that’s where my head was.
I wondered why she didn’t drink. Was she still an athlete?
Even in her formalwear I could tell her body had softened since high school, curves filling out the dress I tried unsuccessfully to tear my eyes from.
Don’t eye-fuck some guy’s fiancée, I told myself in vain.
But this was Brooke. Her firm, trim, muscular form now gave way to full hips and softer angles.
She was stunning, maybe even more so now than five years prior.
Her chocolate hair fell far below her shoulders.
She wore a floor-length dress in a sparkly fabric.
It was so dark of a blue it was almost black.
I couldn’t help noticing how the fabric clung to her curves.
Thin straps adorned her shoulders, and I struggled to keep my eyes off the alluring dip of the V-neckline.
Brooke had definitely filled out, in all the best ways.
The waiter placed a beer in front of me and I took a sip, struggling to swallow it down.
Nic’s cheery voice broke my train of thought. I glanced over to see one of the conversation-starter cards in her hand.
“Okay, this one is for everyone at the table,” she began. “If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? I know Bryan’s! New Zealand. He wants to see the filming locations for the Lord of the Rings.”
Bryan squeezed Nic’s hand and nodded his agreement, then leaned down and kissed her temple. “And Nic wants to see Angel Falls, Venezuela—the tallest waterfall in the world.”
I could see the love and familiarity pass back and forth between their eyes. Damn, what would it feel like to have that kind of connection with someone? I mused.
“Omigosh, YES!” Nic replied, lovingly patting Bryan’s cheek. She turned to Amanda: “I know you used to love art, so . . . I’m going to guess somewhere with art museums and a really dedicated art scene. Maybe Paris, or Spain or somewhere?”
Amanda’s face broke into a grin. “I studied abroad in Barcelona! Oh, I’d love to go back.” For a moment, she looked dreamily lost to the memories.
Nic clapped her hands in glee at her successful guess. “Okay babe, now you guess where Cade would go.” I smiled at how Nic had become our table’s self-appointed cruise director for the evening.
“Hm . . .” Bryan began. “Well, he loves anywhere he can climb and surf and jump off things. Maybe Hawaii? Machu Picchu?”
I shrugged. “Sounds good to me. I’m up for anything.” I turned to Brock and caught his eye. “And where does Brooke want to go?” I challenged.
He cleared his throat. Snootily, I thought.
“I plan to take her to St. Kitts for our honeymoon. My family owns property down there,” Brock replied with smooth confidence and a wide smile.
So I was right about the rich guy thing, I thought smugly.
“She’ll have all the best amenities. Butlered drink service.
A personal masseuse.” God, this guy was insufferable.
I could sense the women on either side of me swooning, though.
My eyes clicked with Brooke’s. “Not Africa?” I asked Brock. “Maybe a safari, to experience the animals?”
Brock let out a hearty laugh. “That doesn’t sound like Brooke to me, no.”
Brooke glanced away.
Brock grabbed another card from the table and began to read: “This one is for the ladies: What are her favorite flowers?” He placed his arm around Brooke’s shoulders. “Too easy! I bring her red roses every week.”
Bryan darted his eyes to me, hearing my immediate mumble of “sunflowers,” but no one else at the table seemed to have heard.
“How romantic!” Nic replied to Brock, while playfully swatting at Bryan’s shoulders. “Bryan better get this right.”
“Nic loves tulips,” Bryan said, eyes still burning into me. Nic squealed again in agreement.
“What kind of flowers do you like, Amanda?” Brooke spoke up.
I still couldn’t get over how quiet she was being.
This wasn’t the vibrant girl I remembered.
I saw her fidget with the strap of her dress.
Was it bothering her? If only I could be the one to help her get out of it .
. . Don’t go there, I reminded myself. She’s with someone else.
Amanda was answering. “Hmm—I’d have to say orchids, or maybe irises. I love their vivid coloring. Okay, my turn.” She lifted a card. “What's something the person across from you doesn't know about you?”
My eyes locked with Brooke.
I heard her voice in my head. Tell me a secret.