Chapter 12
Drew had never been more bored in her life. She hated that she was bored. Robin was telling her all about her newest business venture which she was obviously excited about. Drew had tried to stay engaged. She’d tried asking questions but everything Robin was saying just felt so surface-level.
What was worse was that Drew kept looking for an opportunity to talk to Robin about their relationship and failing to find one. Robin had barely stopped for a breath since they sat down for dinner. Drew waited patiently for Robin to finish her current story before bursting in vigorously.
“I’d like to talk about us. If that’s okay?”
Drew could tell from Robin’s face that her delivery could use some work. Though she knew that she’d done the best she could. After a moment Robin’s face brightened and she smiled.
“Of course. We’ve gone out on quite a few dates now. I guess it is about time for us to talk about where we see things going.”
Drew felt an absolute hole
form in the pit of her stomach. She’d forced the moment into existence but now she’d do anything to rewind back to a couple seconds ago.
“I was thinking that I’m not seeing this going in a serious direction.”
Robin’s face was unreadable, but Drew got the impression that the woman wasn’t pleased.
“Oh,” Robin said when she finally did speak.
“Are you okay?” Drew asked.
“Of course.”
Robin’s lips were drawn tight together.
“I’m not saying that I don’t want to keep seeing you,” Drew offered.
Robin arched a single eyebrow and stared Drew down.
“What are you saying then?”
“I’m saying we could date one another and also see other people while we figure out where we fit into each other’s lives,” Drew answered, her tone hopeful.
Robin levied a stare at her that Drew was sure had broken more than one person.
“Is there someone else?” Robin asked finally.
“Not exactly.”
“Drew,” Robin bit her name out.
“I recently started dating Brooke,” Drew admitted. There was no reason to hide the fact that she was dating Brooke from Robin.
“I see. You’re dating Brooke. Of course you are. I knew there was something going on between the two of you the night we met.”
“There was nothing going on between us then,” Drew argued.
Robin’s expression told Drew clearly that she didn’t believe what Drew was saying.
“Regardless. I don’t think things are going to work out between us. I have no interest in splitting time with another woman. And I honestly think it was really shitty for you to expect me to.”
“I’m sorry,” Drew offered, her apology genuine.
“Honestly, if you weren’t feeling like you wanted something deeper with me you should have just said so. That would have saved us both some time.”
Robin’s words cut, but it was mostly because she could see the truth in them.
“You’re right. I should have been more forthcoming as far as where my feelings for you were.”
Robin gave her one more glance before shaking her head and rising to leave.
“Are you leaving?” Drew asked, surprised.
“Why would I stay?”
“Our food hasn’t even come yet,” Drew argued.
“Why would I sit here awkwardly eating dinner with you? We just broke up Drew. I’m going home. I’m going to pour a nice glass of wine and have a warm bath.”
Drew had to respect Robin’s allegiance to herself.
“What do you want to do with the food?” Drew asked.
“Take it to Brooke. It might even earn you some points.”
Robin had clearly already moved on from their conversation. She was all business as she gave Drew one more glance.
“You’ve really got to figure yourself and what you want out of life, Drew. Otherwise, you’re going to keep ending up in trouble.”
Robin offered no more words of wisdom. She simply turned on her heels and walked towards the door. Drew was fairly certain that the woman hadn’t offered her so much as a backwards glance. Drew let out a long breath and realized that she’d been holding it in for several seconds.
The food came a few minutes later and Drew immediately asked for two to-go boxes. There was no reason to sit alone eating her food. The server brought back two boxes and the check. Drew paid without complaint, though the bill was hefty. Robin had expensive tastes.
Drew pulled into the parking lot of her apartment and wondered if Brooke would be home yet? Brooke was usually a homebody, but Drew wondered if that would be the case while she stayed with her. She found that Brooke was home and already in bed.
One thing Drew hadn’t considered when she invited Brooke to stay was that there weren’t many places where she could change clothes in her apartment.
She pulled some pajamas out of her dresser drawer.
Drew gave Brooke one last look before undressing and slipping into her pajamas. Brooke stirred and opened her eyes.
“When did you get home?” Brooke asked.
“I haven’t been home long. Though I did bring you home some food. If you’re interested in dinner,” Drew smiled.
Brooke stretched her arms above her head and gave a sleepy groan.
Her pajama shirt rose to reveal the skin of her stomach.
Drew imagined pushing the fabric up further to reveal Brooke’s breasts.
She quickly pushed the thought from her mind.
Sure, the two of them were dating, but living together added a level of complexity to the equation.
Perhaps they should wait until Brooke moved back into her own apartment before they did too much physical exploration.
“That was sweet of you,” Brooke yawned out.
“You know, I technically haven’t eaten yet either. If you want we could watch some TV while we eat our dinner?”
Brooke didn’t require much convincing of the plan. Drew’s heart skipped a couple of beats as Brooke excitedly agreed. Drew went to the kitchen and put their food on a plate. Brooke took her plate and smiled.
“Why didn’t you eat at the restaurant?” Brooke asked. Drew picked up on the note of suspicion in her tone. Drew rubbed the back of her neck with a hand.
“Actually, Robin and I broke up,” She admitted.
“What? Why?”
Serious confusion laced Brooke’s voice.
“She didn’t want to continue dating me while I dated someone else.”
Brooke’s cheeks heated to a very obvious red color. Drew chuckled.
“I can’t help but feel a little responsible for that,” Brooke offered.
“There’s nothing to feel responsible about. Robin knew what she wanted. She wants a relationship between two people. I can hardly fault her for that. If anything I should have been honest with her sooner,” Drew admitted.
“Honest about what?”
“I’ve known since our first date that Robin wasn’t someone that I wanted to date seriously.”
“If you didn’t see wanting something serious with her, then why keep going?”
“It’s nice not to be alone. To know that you’re going to get dressed up and go on a nice date once a week. Have some light conversation and a good time.”
“Is that what I am to you?” Brooke asked. There was a new rasp in her voice.
“No,” Drew answered, breathless.
“So, you see me as someone you can be serious with?”
“I do.”
Brooke laid her plate down on the coffee table.
She leaned in and gave Drew a kiss on the neck.
The feel of Brooke’s warm air heating her ear sent shivers up Drew’s spine.
A pulsing heat formed deep inside Drew’s core.
Her body was a spring wound so tightly that she felt she might undo at the slightest touch.
“Should we slow down?” Drew asked. She could hear the strain in her own voice.
“Why? Do you want to slow down?”
“I’m just. Should we wait until you’re not living here to get physical?”
“We can wait as long as you want. Personally, I’d prefer to take you to bed tonight,” Brooke answered playfully. Drew felt the spring of her body snap. If Brooke wanted to be taken to bed then Drew was more than happy to oblige her.