Chapter 17
Drew had spent the majority of the night commandeered by Vera Lossett.
Not that she was complaining. As far as people went, Vera was engaging and fun.
She lit up the room and had a way of making Drew feel like the most important person there.
They’d spent a considerable amount of time talking about her tattoo idea which included getting matching tattoos with her daughters.
Since she considered her daughters-in-law to also be her daughters there were quite a few people on the list. All in all, Drew was pretty sure that the number came out to nine.
Her daughters and their partners made up six.
Vera also wanted to add Skylar West and her wife Leigh who she considered adopted daughters.
Drew had to appreciate how large Vera’s circle was.
Vera had managed to convince two of her daughters to get a matching tattoo with her.
Once Vera had skipped off to find everyone else on her list, Drew had immediately gone to find Brooke.
She was standing in the kitchen talking to Scarlett and Emily.
It always surprised Drew how excited she got every time she saw Brooke.
As if even being in the same room with the woman made Drew’s day a bit brighter.
Brooke caught Drew staring and waved her over with a smile.
“You managed to escape my mother,” Scarlett teased.
“Your mother is on a mission to convince all of her children to get a matching tattoo with her,” Drew chuckled.
Drew could have sworn that she saw the blood drain from Scarlett’s face.
“Her idea is a fairly small tattoo,” Drew assured her.
“Babe, you’ll be fine. I think it’s cute that your mom wants to get a matching tattoo with you guys,” Emily said, obviously trying to console Scarlett.
“All of you,” Drew chimed in.
“Excuse me?” Emily questioned.
“Vera wants to get matching tattoos with all of her daughters. Daughters-in-law included. Oh, and Skylar and Leigh.”
Emily’s face paled to match Scarlett’s. Drew laughed. She’d been around tattoos so long that sometimes she forgot how squeamish some people could be just by thinking about them.
“At least she considers me family,” Emily gave a weak smile.
“It really won’t hurt as much as you’re imagining it will,” Drew promised.
“I can come hold your hand if you want,” Brooke offered.
Emily stuck out her bottom lip in a pout. Scarlett chuckled and wrapped her arms around Emily.
“You can say no to my mother if you want to,” Scarlett whispered.
“No, I am grateful to be included. I love your mom. I just don’t know how I feel about needles,” Emily shivered.
“I promise it isn’t bad,” Drew smiled.
“I’ll even put numbing spray on after I do the first pass,” Drew offered.
“Thanks. This must seem ridiculous to you,” Emily laughed.
“Not at all. It’s normal to be apprehensive about getting a tattoo.”
Brooke pulled her aside. Drew sucked in a breath as Brooke wrapped her arms around her waist. There was a need in her touch that Drew had become familiar with. Vera caught sight of Scarlett and made her way to the group.
“Did Drew tell you what I’ve been thinking?” Vera asked.
“She told me that you’re planning for us to all get a matching tattoo,” Scarlett accused, folding her arms across her chest.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You don’t have to get a matching tattoo if you don’t want one. I’m inviting you to get the tattoo if you’d like to,” Vera smiled.
“Are Cora and Maggie on board?” Scarlett asked.
“Of course they are. Their wives are also getting the tattoo with us. Oh, and Skylar and Leah. I couldn’t leave them out. They’re practically family.”
“Is that all?” Scarlett asked.
“I believe so,” Vera grinned. She leveled a look of pure sass at her daughter.
“Ugh, I’m obviously going to do it. I love our family. I’m just nervous.”
“Don’t be nervous. Drew is a professional. I’m sure we can figure out a schedule that works for her. Everything is going to work out perfectly. You’ll see,” Vera assured her.
“Emily, I would love it if you’d get a tattoo with us,” Vera’s face softened as she addressed Emily.
“I would love too,” Emily beamed a smile. Drew could tell that Emily meant every word.
“Me? You want me to do all of your tattoos?” Drew asked.
“Well, of course, dear. You didn’t think I talked you up for an hour to just give my business to someone else? Unless this isn’t something you’d be interested in doing,” Vera shot her a pleading look. Drew could see why everyone had described the woman as formidable.
“Of course I would be interested. I can already tell this will be the session of my year. I just assumed you’d know some artist with a private studio who catered to more high-end clients,” Drew explained.
“I only look fancy. I assure you that your studio is more than adequate.”
“In that case I’ll take your number and text you with some possible dates that I have available,” Drew smiled.
Tonight was turning out to be a better night than she could have ever anticipated. From her side Brooke gave her hand a squeeze. She could feel Brooke telling her how proud she was in that simple gesture.
“That sounds lovely. I am so excited about this. I’ve had this tattoo in my mind for such a long time,” Vera pulled Drew in for a quick hug before hurrying away to find the next person she wanted to talk to.
“And that, ladies, was my mother. A cyclone in heels,” Scarlett laughed.
The description wasn’t completely off base. Vera had seemed like a whole lot of person crammed into a small body.
“Did Mom talk to you yet?”
The woman that had been introduced to Drew earlier as Cora Lossett wore a black pantsuit that was stunning yet all business at the same time.
“Yes,” Scarlett laughed.
“I can’t believe you said yes to this tattoo,” Scarlett leveled an accusing stare in Cora’s direction.
“I don’t know what you mean. I’ve wanted a tattoo for decades,” Cora teased.
“Am I the only one in this family with any apprehension?” Scarlett laughed.
“I think so,” Cora grinned.
“I for one am just really excited to be included in this tattoo,” Emily stated with a wide smile. Scarlett leaned in and gave the woman a kiss.
“Well, you’re family, babe,” Scarlett assured Emily. Drew’s heart warmed at Scarlett’s words as if they were directed at her instead of Emily.
She loved seeing people being treated as family. Hell, she’d basically been treated as family since she’d arrived, and no one here had even known her. Beside her, Drew was aware of Brooke checking her phone.
“Everything, okay?” Drew asked.
“Yeah. That was just the landlord letting me know that my place is ready to move back into.”
Drew couldn’t explain the sudden drop in her stomach at Brooke’s words.
She’d enjoyed having Brooke stay with her.
Drew was used to rolling over and finding Brooke in the spot beside her in the bed.
It was strange to think of the awkwardness she’d felt during that first night together.
There was nothing awkward about having Brooke there now.
In fact, Brooke had left her mark all over Drew’s place.
There was Pearl, the cat, she was now a fixture in Drew’s apartment.
Drew expected to see Pearl curled up under her window every day when she came home.
There were also smaller tokens Brooke had left.
A blue vase that had found its way to Drew’s countertop.
Flowers were rotated through the vase every week.
Drew had never had to ask for the flowers.
They had simply appeared, then kept appearing.
Other than flowers there were books. Every day Drew found another book she’d never seen before.
Some of the books were placed on shelves, as if waiting to be read.
Others were piled on the nightstand by Brooke’s side of the bed.
Whenever Brooke had a spare moment, she could be found reading.
Brooke had supplied Drew’s apartment with so many books that no matter what room she was in there was always a book close by.
Drew had even taken to thumbing through them.
That was a mark that Brooke had placed on Drew.
A growing habit that Drew had begun to enjoy.
Brooke reached out and took Drew’s hand as if she could feel the unease building.
Decisions would have to be made. Tonight wasn’t the night to make decisions.
Drew was just happy to be here with so many lovely people.
Tonight being here with Brooke was enough.