Chapter 4
Drew wasn’t prone to anger. She’d always seen it as a lower-level emotion.
So, she went through her life trying to stay positive and upbeat.
This way of thinking had served her well all through life.
Most people she’d met responded well to her positive way of thinking.
But that was most people. Not Brooke. It was clear that Brooke was determined to be the black cloud in her otherwise sunny skies.
Drew had tried her best to win Brooke over.
This morning had shown her that her efforts were in vain.
Brooke had decided not to like her immediately.
She hadn’t even bothered trying to get to know her.
The most frustrating part was that it bothered Drew.
She knew that Brooke’s opinion of her shouldn’t matter.
It shouldn’t bother Drew at all to know that Brooke didn’t like her.
The fact that it did bother her was what troubled her the most.
Who does she even think she is? Drew asked herself as she flipped through her display book.
“Hi, I’m Brooke and I’m perfect at everything I do. I wanted the shop space you’re in so I don’t like you on principle,” Drew said aloud in her whiniest voice.
“That’s a pretty good impression. I don’t think my voice is that high-pitched,” Brooke chuckled somewhat nervously.
“Good to know that I’ve failed to meet your expectations in yet another area.”
Drew’s eyes lifted, meeting Brooke’s. She forced herself to harden. Drew refused to be charmed by this woman’s good looks and intellect. Brooke lifted her hands up in defense, in her hand a small packet hung from her fingers.
“Listen, you’re right. I’ve been an ass.”
“Yes, you have been,” Drew agreed, she folded her arms across her chest.
“I come in peace, and with a gift offering.”
Brooke extended her hand, offering the packet to Drew. Drew eyed the packet suspiciously.
“Is that tea?” Drew asked.
“Yes, it’s my favorite kind of tea,” Brooke answered.
“Have you moved past snide comments to trying to actually poison me for the shop space?” Drew asked defiantly. She could tell from the expression on Brooke’s face that she’d hit a nerve. Drew forced herself to soften, she took the packet from Brooke’s hand.
“Rose, huh?” Drew asked.
“That’s right,” Brooke answered hesitantly.
“I guess I didn’t figure you as the romantic type, Tomes.”
Brooke smiled when Drew brought out the nickname and it warmed an unexpected place in Drew’s heart. She tried her best to manage her heart’s expectations.
“Why don’t I make us a couple of mugs. I suppose drinking tea together is a nice first step towards peace,” Drew sighed.
She watched as Brooke’s face brightened further. Drew smiled in spite of herself. She made the tea in her back-room microwave. Probably not the ideal way to heat water for tea, but they’d have to make do. When she came back Drew handed Brooke her mug. Drew took a tentative sip and smiled.
“You have good taste in tea,” she offered cautiously.
She was glad that Brooke was interested in peace talks. But Brooke had stung her more than once so caution was still required. Drew sat on the stool behind the counter and took another sip of her tea.
“I know I’ve been hard on you since I discovered you were taking over the shop. I’d like to try and make up for my awful first impression.”
Drew met Brooke’s bright blue eyes and watched the sparkle there. She gave Brooke what she hoped was an encouraging smile.
“What do you have in mind?” Drew asked.
“My friend, Emily, owns a local brewery. Every month she hosts a women’s business night. It’s a sort of networking dinner. Local women in business come and get to know each other. I thought since you were new maybe you’d like to come to the next one in a couple of nights.”
Drew considered Brooke’s invitation and decided she was making a genuine effort.
“I’d love to come. Thanks for the invite.”
“Of course. I’m glad you can make it.”
They finished their tea in relative silence.
Drew enjoyed the quiet. Her eyes began drifting slowly over to Brooke.
She couldn’t help taking the woman in. Brooke’s long blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders.
Brooke took a final sip of her tea and her perfectly full lips curved into a smile.
Those lips looked like they’d be perfect for kissing.
Drew dismissed the thought as soon as it popped into her head.
Brooke had only just decided to not hate her, so kissing was probably off the table.
“What kind of work do you do?” Brooke asked, shattering the silence.
When Drew gave her a look of confusion Brooke covered a chuckle with her hand.
“I mean what style of tattoos do you do?” Brooke tried again. Drew laughed.
“I do a lot of decorative fine line. Some color but mostly black and grey. I love exploring new styles though. I enjoy playing around with styles I’m less familiar with.”
Brooke nodded her head and looked around the shop.
“Do you have any tattoos?” Drew asked. She watched the unmistakable blush spread across Brooke’s face.
“I might have one or two. But nothing you’re ever likely to see.”
The blush on Brooke’s face deepened.
“Duley noted,” Drew laughed.
“Do you want a ride?” Brooke asked.
“A ride?”
“Yeah, to the thing at my friend’s brewery. It’s a little outside of Nashville. Plus, we live so close to each other I figured ridesharing would make the most sense.”
“Thanks, Tomes. I’d love a ride.”
She watched as a sweet blush spread across Brooke’s face. Drew gave a half smile.
“We’re back to the nickname I see,” Brooke chuckled.
“Only if you want it.” Drew met Brooke’s eyes and held the contact.
“I guess as far as nicknames are concerned, it isn’t bad.”
“Do I get points for originality?” Drew drawled.
Brooke allowed her eyes to scan Drew up and down. She made no attempt to hide the checkout. Drew felt the slightest tightening low in her stomach.
“Something tells me that you’re nothing if not original,” Brooke smirked and gave Drew a wink. The slight tightening in her stomach intensified.
“That’s me. I’m one of a kind,” Drew laughed. She hoped that Brooke couldn’t see that she’d thrown her off.
“I should get back to the store,” Brooke said, her voice low.
If Drew didn’t know any better, she’d think that Brooke wanted to be asked to stay. Of course that would be ridiculous. They each had a busy day ahead of them. Brooke smiled softly and set the mug back on the counter.
“Thanks for the tea,” Drew managed to say as Brooke turned to go.
“You’re welcome. You know it’s nice to have a neighbor I can drink tea with.”
“Then we’ll have to do it again sometime soon,” Drew offered.
“I would like that.”
With that Brooke opened the door and was gone.
She left Drew with knots in her stomach.
Drew fought the urge to stare after Brooke.
Developing a crush on Brooke now would be insane.
The woman had only just stopped hating her.
That was a far cry from liking Drew. This had too often been a theme in Drew’s life.
Her heart was always the one to lead the charge.
So far this had caused her mostly trouble. Especially when it came to women.
There had been her first girlfriend, Lauren, who had convinced her to move to Colorado Springs.
Lauren had left her for a barista at the local coffee shop.
Then there had been Taylor who’d become obsessed with crypto midway through their relationship.
Taylor had lost all of her money and basically lived off Drew for five months.
Drew had moved back to Nashville and immediately met Jess.
The two of them had been great until they weren’t.
Jess had been the final straw. Her heart just didn’t have any room left for love.
It was time for her to focus on moving forward in her career.
Drew was determined not to fall for anyone for at least six months. Her poor heart deserved a break. She could only allow so many women to break her before taking herself off the market. No more girl trouble. And Brooke might as well have a neon sign that said trouble hanging around her neck.
“Glad to see you’re still completely uninterested in neighbor girl,” a mocking voice said from behind her. Drew nearly jumped out of her skin.
“Fucking hell, Tatum! Are you trying to give me a heart attack? Where did you come from?”
Tatum gave a low laugh and lifted her hands.
“Relax. I came in through the back door. And please don’t have a heart attack. I doubt your uncle is inclined to let me stay here rent-free on my own.”
“Nice to know my health is your primary concern,” Drew said mockingly.
“You are my friend. So your health is at least my second concern.” Tatum twirled a strand of her red hair around a finger.
“Generous of you,” Drew laughed.
“I know. When is your first client coming in?”
“In about an hour,” Drew answered, looking at the clock on the far wall.
“Are you getting to do a Drew original?” Tatum asked excitedly. One thing about her friend was that she’d always been supportive of Drew and her artwork.
“I’m afraid not. It’s a bride here for her bachelorette. She’s getting a tattoo of the Nashville skyline to remember the experience.”
“That’s kind of sweet,” Tatum acknowledged.
“I just hope her bachelorette party is small,” Drew admitted.
“Good point. I can’t see you in a group with fifteen women crying over a tattoo going well.”
“I guess we’ll find out.”
Drew readied her station cleaning and getting everything ready.
Two cars pulled into the lot outside and Drew double-checked to make sure they were on her side of the lot.
If nothing else she could hopefully maintain the peace with Brooke.
There weren’t quite fifteen women in the party.
Still her side of the shop felt a bit too small with eight women crowded around their friend as she got the tattoo.
For her part, the woman took the experience like a champ. The bride didn’t cry out a single time.
Drew lifted her eyes while she changed out her needle.
Her eyes wandered over to Brooke’s store.
She could just make out Brooke talking to an attractive woman by the door.
It occurred to her that Brooke might already be spoken for anyway.
She didn’t like the way her heart sank into the pit of her stomach.
The women were all congratulating the bride on her tattoo.
All in all they had ended up being a cool group of people.
Drew allowed one more glance at Brooke before she lowered her head to finish up the bride’s tattoo.
When the tattoo was done the bride seemed happy. The group paid and left. Drew didn’t have time to rest. Her next customer would be there in less than an hour. She was grateful that time slots were filling fast. Focusing on her career was definitely what she needed to be doing.