Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
A s soon as she closed the door, Brooke pushed him up against the wood and locked the knob. She immediately started unbuttoning his shirt. “You shouldn’t have followed me.”
He stared at her, his green eyes blistering with heat. “You’re giving me such mixed messages.”
“Just because I said you shouldn’t have doesn’t mean I’m disappointed.” She finished with his buttons and spread his shirt open, pressing her palms against his smooth, warm flesh. His chest felt even better than it looked. “Do I look disappointed to you?”
He clasped her waist. “God, Brooke.” He pulled her into him and kissed her.
She curled her fingers into his chest and met his tongue. Lust—raw, pure, and devastating—raged through her. She pushed her hands up and cupped his neck as she pressed against him.
He broke the kiss and took a gasp of air. “I need to understand this. We can’t keep starting up and…stopping. My body can’t take it.”
He sounded so adorably high-strung. She smiled and traced her finger over his lips. They were so soft and delicious. “Mine can’t either. Clearly, we need to do this, and hopefully that will be the end of it.”
His brow arched up as skepticism joined the desire in his gaze. “So we aren’t stopping?”
She shook her head. “No.” Then she kissed him again with wild abandon. There were no voices in the back of her head telling her to stop, no conscience saying she might regret this. Because she knew, without a doubt, that she wouldn’t. Except…
She pulled back with a groan. “Tell me you have a condom.”
His lips spread in a lazy, sexy grin. “Put a couple in my wallet after the other night. No way was I going to let that happen again.”
“Smart man.” She tugged at his neck and brought his mouth to hers.
They kissed ravenously, like starved animals led to a feast. His hands cupped her ass as he pulled her tight against him. She could feel the length of his cock and couldn’t help but rotate her hips to create friction.
He moaned into her mouth and pushed away from the door. He interrupted the kiss and looked around. She licked along his jaw and spread kisses down his neck.
“God, I’ve waited for this. Dreamed about this. And we’re in a damned bathroom.”
She giggled. “There’s a fairly sturdy-looking cabinet against the other wall.”
He steered her in that direction. “Thankfully this bathroom isn’t tiny.” He reclaimed her mouth just before her backside hit the cabinet. He lifted her, effortlessly, and set her on the top. Something behind her jostled.
She reached back, and her fingers closed around a vase of dried flowers. “Do something with this before we break it.” She thrust it into his hand, and he left briefly to set it on the counter next to the sink.
When he came back, he looked at her a moment, his gaze dark and fierce and full of promise. With both hands, he brushed her hair back from her face before lowering his head to kiss her again. This time was softer, less frantic, but every bit as passionate. His tongue made long, searching strokes as his fingers tangled into her hair. This was a kiss that made you swoon. A kiss you’d never forget.
She opened her legs, and he moved between them. She clutched his back, holding on to him tightly because if she didn’t, she might just slide off the cabinet and form a puddle on the floor.
He pulled away, sighing. “I could do this all night. But we don’t have a lot of time.”
“I know. The bartender sent me up here because the other bathroom was in use. He’ll send others…”
This galvanized him. He hiked up her skirt, baring her legs.
She undid his belt and his pants and said, “Condom,” into his mouth.
He pulled his wallet from his back pocket. She watched as he withdrew a condom, then tossed his wallet to the floor. She pulled at the waistband of his boxer briefs until his cock was exposed. She couldn’t resist running her hand along his length and smiled when he moaned again.
She helped him don the condom, and then his hands were on her. He pushed her thighs farther apart and went straight for her clit, teasing and rubbing the sensitive spot until she moaned. She tried to be quiet, but it was nearly impossible. “Someone’s going to hear me.”
“Baby, I’d like nothing more than to hear you scream my name.” He slipped his finger inside her. “But don’t.”
She clutched at his hips. “ Cameron .” Her whispered plea made him smile.
“That works. Just keep saying that.” He stroked his finger into her and kept his thumb on her clit.
Damn, he was skilled. And she did precisely as he asked, murmuring his name over and over as pressure built inside her.
Then he was at her entrance, and his mouth was on hers once more. He pushed into her, and she slumped against him as sensation overwhelmed her. It had been so long since she’d done this, and probably forever since she’d wanted anyone this badly.
He began to move, his hips thrusting, his cock filling her. She pressed into him, her breasts flush against his chest. She clutched at his hips, urging him faster and deeper.
He braced his hand on the wall behind her and clasped her waist as he drove into her, increasing the pace. Pleasure assaulted her, and she knew if he wasn’t kissing her, she’d be making a vociferous fool of herself. As it was, the cabinet began to rock and hit the wall.
“Hurry,” she urged between kisses.
He gripped her harder and thrust even faster, increasing the knocking of the cabinet. Her muscles contracted as her orgasm started. Her eyes were closed, but she saw brilliant white light as he pulsed into her. A dozen more strokes maybe, and she felt him stiffen. She kissed him deeply, swallowing his moans and taking them into herself as spoils for a battle well fought—and won.
She hadn’t meant for this to happen, but she was sure as hell glad that it had.
She held on to him tightly as they slowed their movements. He softened the kiss, tugging on her lip as he eased away from her. He caressed her cheek before turning toward the toilet to take care of the condom. She focused on adjusting her clothing and slid off the cabinet.
The toilet flushed, and when he turned back, his pants were done up. He bent and retrieved his wallet, then stashed it in his back pocket.
Brooke smoothed her hand down her dress and went to him. She started buttoning his shirt. “Thank you. That was nice.”
“Nice?” His eyes still held a bit of their wild intensity. “That was fucking incredible. Please don’t tell me it was just nice.”
“It was amazing. And I have to admit, I feel much, much better.” She didn’t remember the last time she’d felt so…satisfied.
He laughed, dark and sexy. “I hope so. And I hope this means your date was a total bust.”
It hadn’t been great, but it also hadn’t been a total bust. And she blamed its lack of greatness on Cam. She’d kept comparing Justin to Cam in her head, and poor Justin had consistently come in second place. He’d asked to see her again, and she’d said yes, if only because she thought she owed it to him to give him another shot. Maybe now that she’d exorcised her crazy lust for Cam, she could give Justin the attention he deserved.
She finished the last button and stepped back. “It was an okay date. It didn’t end like this.” Damn, he looked sexy. His hair was mussed, and now his eyes had this dazed, satiated quality. He looked like he’d just been screwed, and he’d liked it. Wondering how she looked, she turned to survey herself in the mirror. Her hair was also a bit ragged, and her cheeks were flushed.
“Great to hear.” He leaned close to her ear. “You’re gorgeous.” He pressed a quick kiss to her temple, then looked at his reflection.
The sound of footfalls made them both freeze as they were tending to their hair. Brooke held her breath. The knob tried to turn, and this was followed by a knock.
“Just give me a minute,” Cam answered.
“No problem.” More footfalls. Was he walking away?
Cam took a deep breath and finished finger-combing his hair back into its style. He winked at her, then went to the door. After unlocking it, he opened it just enough to peer through the gap. “Coast looks clear,” he said.
Brooke exhaled fully, and her shoulders dropped. He held the door open. “After you.”
“Thank you.” She preceded him and walked down the hallway toward the stairs.
He caught up to her and snagged her hand, drawing her past the stairs to a small dining room. “Hey. What now?”
Shit. That was the one question she’d been hoping he wouldn’t ask.
He really hadn’t meant to ask that. Wasn’t that the reason they’d tried to keep from having sex, because it would open up a can of worms? “Forget I said that. I had a great time.”
She visibly relaxed, and his ego took a minor hit. Had he hoped she’d fall at his feet? No, but he hoped they could do this again. He hadn’t realized he’d feel that way, but now it seemed rather obvious. He liked her a lot, and it wasn’t just about the sex or being physically attracted to her. She was fun to be with, and he respected her drive and work ethic. She also had a vulnerability that he longed to explore. Something about her brought out a desire to care for her, protect her even. He hadn’t felt that way about someone in a long time. In fact, he didn’t know if he’d ever felt that about Jennifer. But then it had turned out that she hadn’t ever really opened herself up to him. Maybe Brooke would be different.
Cam pushed those thoughts away. They were dangerous and probably pointless.
Brooke untwisted the strap of her dress and smoothed it over her shoulder. “I had a great time too. But, uh, let’s hope this is one and done. Out of our system. Probably for the best, right?”
“Definitely.” Maybe not. He actually wanted to take her home right now and go for round two. No, he wanted to hold her hand and go for a walk. Something. Anything that would prolong this feeling of…happiness.
His blood turned to ice. Happiness scared the hell out of him. That he’d felt before. And he didn’t like it when it was evoked by other people. That meant it could be decimated by other people too.
“Shall we go back downstairs?” she asked. “I stashed my purse in a corner. Hopefully it’s still there.”
“I’m sure it is. Let’s go find out.” He stepped aside, and she walked out in front of him, then turned and went down the stairs.
He watched her, remembering the feel of her against him, thinking that he’d never be able to look at her and not recall what it felt like to hold her in his arms.
He had a feeling that one and done was a pipe dream.
They didn’t pass whoever had come up to use the bathroom, but as soon as they walked back into the bar area, Hayden approached them.
“There you are,” he said. “Hi Brooke, how’s it going?” He looked between them, and Cam couldn’t decide if Hayden was trying to figure anything out. Since he and Cam’s brothers seemed hell-bent on pairing him with Brooke, he had to assume Hayden’s mind was churning ideas about why they’d come downstairs together.
“Good, thanks. Excuse me, I need to find my purse before someone walks off with it.” She flashed Hayden a smile and quickly departed for the main dining room.
Cam watched her go because, really, there was absolutely no reason for him to accompany her. Except he wanted to.
Hayden pulled him toward the windows, away from the more crowded area near the bar. “I’ve been here a good ten minutes, and you’ve been…upstairs? With Brooke? Spill.”
Cam knew there was no point in telling him to fuck off. Cam had butted in the same way when Hayden had tried to avoid falling back in love with Bex. As if they’d ever fallen out of love. Cam had sometimes wondered if he was still in love with Jennifer, if that was the real reason he hadn’t moved on. But then his insides pitched with disgust, and he felt nauseated. Nope, he was pretty sure that ship had sailed right into the Bermuda Triangle. And good riddance to it.
“It’s complicated,” Cam said.
“I’m sure it is. Are you guys together or not?”
That depended on what he meant by “together,” but Cam wasn’t going to split hairs. “Not.”
Hayden exhaled. “You usually tell me about your conquests. This is disappointing.”
Cam narrowed his eyes. “Brooke isn’t a conquest.”
Hayden’s eyes widened. “Aha.”
Cam had fallen for that one. “You’re a dick.”
Hayden smiled. “Takes one to know one, but you know that.”
Brooke came back toward them, waving her clutch. “Found it.”
Cam hadn’t expected her to come back. He was pleasantly surprised. “I said you would.”
She nodded. “I’m going to take off. Oh, I keep forgetting to ask you something.” She transferred her attention to Hayden. “That brick you showed me, I told Kelsey about it—she’s the new librarian, and she’s putting together a Ribbon Ridge exhibit. She’d like to include it. She’s going to try to find out more about it with Alaina and Crystal.”
“Right, I talked to her about the museum. It sounds great,” Hayden said. “Of course the brick should go in the exhibit.”
“I’m meeting with them tomorrow night, so I’ll tell them, thanks.”
“Yeah, anything we can do to help,” Hayden offered. “Just let us know.”
“Will do.” She darted a glance at Cam. “See you guys.”
Hayden lifted his hand. “Bye.”
“See you,” Cam murmured.
Hayden turned back to Cam. “You’re sleeping with her.”
“Not really.” That was true, right? There had been absolutely no sleeping, and that phrase made it sound like what they had done was an ongoing thing. “No, I’m not. We, uh, we have some chemistry, but I think we resolved it.” He highly doubted that, but maybe if he repeated it to himself over and over, it would come true.
Hayden didn’t look convinced either. “If you say so. Whatever you do, don’t drive her away. She’s really good at her job.”
Cam gave him an exasperated stare. “I know. But thanks for the reminder. Are you going to stand here and harass me about Brooke, or are we going to do what we came here to do and talk up our wine?”
Hayden held up his hands. “Hey, I didn’t mean to piss you off. You really like her. That’s great. I hope it works out.”
“There’s nothing to work out.” Though as he said it, Cam couldn’t help but hope he was wrong. “I’m getting more wine.” He turned toward the bar.
Hayden clapped him on the back. “Right behind you, bro.”
The next evening, Brooke walked into The Arch and Vine. Kelsey had invited her to meet Alaina and Crystal to discuss the Ribbon Ridge exhibit.
She glanced around the interior, looking for the others. The man behind the bar, which was situated in the middle of the space, nodded toward her. “You can seat yourself. Or can I help you with something?”
“I’m meeting some people.”
The man, probably in his early sixties, adjusted his glasses on his nose. “You’re welcome to look around. What are their names?”
He would know them, of course, especially since Kelsey worked here. “Kelsey McDade is one of them.”
“She’s back in the corner over there.” He pointed behind him and to the left. “Go on over. I’m George, by the way. I don’t know that I’ve seen you in here.”
Brooke walked to the bar and offered her hand, which he shook. “I’m Brooke Ellis. I’m pretty new to town.”
He grinned at her. “Well, welcome to Ribbon Ridge. There’s plenty of room for charming young ladies like yourself.”
She laughed softly, immediately liking his easy, warm demeanor. “That’s good to hear.”
“If you ever need to take a load off—your feet or your mind—just belly up to my bar here, and I’ll get you on the path to feeling better. Or the beer will.” He winked at her.
“Sounds like a deal I can’t refuse. Thank you.” She started to turn toward the back corner.
“Wait, you need a beverage,” he said. “What can I get you?” He rattled off their beers on tap, and Brooke chose a blonde ale called Legolas.
George nodded. “Good choice.” He grabbed a pint glass and went to the tap. “This is actually made up at The Arch and Fox.”
Brooke supposed that meant that Bex had made it. “Bex Archer makes the beer up there, right?”
He brought the glass and set it on the bar for her. “You aren’t that new to town.”
Brooke chuckled. “I guess I’ve been here a couple of months now, and I’ve met Bex. I’m distributing wine for West Arch.”
“Aha, that makes sense. Well, this one’s on the house—don’t be a stranger, now.”
Brooke thanked him and made her way toward the sound of feminine laughter in the corner. As she approached the table, Kelsey caught her eye. “Brooke! Come sit.” She patted the empty space beside her.
Brooke slid onto the bench and set her beer on the table. “Hi. Thanks for inviting me.”
“Brooke, this is Crystal and Alaina.”
“Nice to meet you,” Brooke said.
Crystal had pale blonde hair and deep blue eyes. “Hi, Brooke, good to meet you too.”
Brooke moved her gaze to Alaina Pierce. It was weird sitting here across the table from someone she’d seen on film. She seemed familiar, but of course Brooke had never met her before.
Alaina smiled warmly. “Kelsey told us all about you. Okay, not ‘all’ about you, but you know.” She laughed softly and offered Brooke her hand to shake.
Tentatively, Brooke took it and shook. “I love your movies.” She withdrew her hand in horror. “Sorry. I told myself I wasn’t going to do that.”
Alaina laughed. “It’s quite all right. Kelsey says you’re a wine distributor. Since you make sure good wine gets into my hands—that’s pretty much how it works, right?—I appreciate your work as well.”
Crystal laughed and looked at Brooke. “See what a dork she really is?”
Brooke relaxed as the starstruck sensation began to fade. “No, but I’ll take your word for it.”
“Oh, do,” Alaina said. “I’m the biggest dork. Take this exhibition, for example. I’m completely nerding out. I’m even thinking I should go to college and get a degree in history. Or science. I love science.”
Crystal shook her head. “See what I mean? She is so not going to college. She’s too busy with a toddler running around and the odd film project.”
Alaina exhaled. “It’s true. But maybe someday. I can’t make movies forever. I’m already over the Hollywood hill.”
Brooke could hardly believe that. Alaina was as beautiful as she’d been in her debut film and had only gotten better with each role. “That’s so lame. Male stars your age are in their prime, right?”
Alaina nodded. “For at least another twenty years. Jerks.” She flashed a grin.
Kelsey looked over at Brooke. “We were just talking about that brick. Did you ask if we could have it for the exhibit?”
“I did,” Brooke said. “I saw Hayden last night, and he was more than happy to give it to you. He offered to help in any way possible.”
Kelsey grinned. “That’s great. Should I arrange to pick it up?”
Brooke almost offered to get it for them—and she could because she needed to stop by the winery sometime this week to restock her chardonnay supply before she headed to the coast this weekend for a sales trip. Why was she hesitating since she had to go there anyway? She could arrange the pickup with Hayden, not Cam. Was she avoiding Cam? In person, yes. She might’ve said last night was one and done, but the way she’d thought of him almost constantly today told a completely different story.
Brooke sipped her beer. It had a smooth wheaty flavor. “I can pick it up later this week, if that works. When are you planning to open the exhibit?”
The three women looked at each other, and it was instantly apparent that they didn’t know. “We’re still figuring out what should go in it,” Kelsey said. “It’s kind of turned into a massive undertaking.”
“Yes, and we’re trying to not have it be the Archer show.” Crystal chuckled. “But it just so happens that they have the best cache of historical documents and items.”
“Well, they’re the first family or something, aren’t they?” Brooke asked.
Alaina nodded. “Yes, Benjamin Archer settled here in 1856, but others followed. He made frequent trips into Portland, where he met his wife. Her brother and cousins came to the area and were involved in establishing the town.”
Brooke was intrigued by all this. “Is there a written history of Ribbon Ridge?”
“Nothing formal,” Alaina said. “It’s something the Archer family had planned to do, but it just hasn’t happened yet. Crystal has actually offered to document it for them. She’s not as busy working as my assistant since my career has taken a backseat to being a wife and mother. Plus, she’s a terrific writer. I keep telling her to finish the screenplay she started, but she keeps finding other things to do.” Alaina gave her friend a look that said they’d had this conversation many times.
Crystal returned the look with a mild, probably playful glare before taking a drink of her beer. She set the glass back on the table. “Maybe I have finished it. I certainly wouldn’t tell you.” Crystal looked pointedly at Kelsey and Brooke. “She’s a real nag once you get to know her.”
Alaina smiled broadly. “That’s me. And hey, what’s wrong with encouraging your friends toward things that you know will make them happy?”
They sounded like Brooke and her sisters. “You’ve been friends for a long time, haven’t you?” Brooke asked.
“Since we were kids,” Alaina said. She briefly rested her head on Crystal’s shoulder. “She’s held my hand through so much. Is it bad that I want her to be happy?”
“Of course it isn’t. You know I love you.” Crystal turned and kissed her cheek, provoking a grin from Alaina.
Brooke couldn’t help but smile in the presence of such a warm and deep friendship. She suddenly missed her sisters and planned to call them both later.
“So in the process of gathering information to write this town history, we’ve been trying to figure out what those letters on the brick stand for,” Crystal said. “So far, we’ve got nothing.”
“I assumed they were someone’s initials.” Brooke took another drink of beer.
“I think we all did, but we’ve pored over the birth and death records—well, those we have from those early years—and there isn’t anyone with a first name that starts with B and a last name that starts with R.”
“We’ve also scoured marriage records and still nothing,” Alaina said. “There’s a pretty good cache of letters too, and we’re not all the way through them. But so far, no mention of anyone that would match the initials BNR.”
“That’s a little frustrating,” Brooke said.
Kelsey pressed her lips together. “Tell us about it. Don’t suppose you have any brilliant ideas?” She stared at Brooke hopefully.
Brooke took a moment to sip her beer and think. She knew next to nothing about Ribbon Ridge. Maybe she should start by exploring every corner of the town, starting with the oldest buildings and places. A lightbulb went off in her head. “Hey, have you guys been to the cemetery? Maybe BNR’s death wasn’t properly documented or the documentation was lost.”
Kelsey’s face lit. “That’s a great idea! Nice going, Brooke.”
Brooke smiled. It felt good to be helpful. “Thanks. Should we plan a field trip?”
Alaina cocked her head to the side. “It would be faster if we all went together to canvass it. But Crystal and I are headed to LA tomorrow, and we won’t be back until Tuesday. Can you guys wait until then?”
Brooke looked over at Kelsey. “I can. I’m headed to the coast Saturday and won’t be back until Wednesday.”
“What time?” Kelsey said. “My next free day is actually Wednesday. Any chance we could make that work?” She glanced at Brooke.
“If we make it later in the day—say three or so—I can do that.”
“Sounds good to me,” Alaina said. “Crystal?”
Crystal nodded. “It’s a date.” She already had her phone out and was typing into it. “And now it’s in my calendar. I’ll send you all an invitation so it’ll be in your calendars too.”
Alaina grinned at Crystal. “I’m so glad you’re here to keep us all organized.”
Crystal chuckled. “Can’t help it, even when I’m not working.” She looked over at Brooke. “I just need your number, Brooke.”
Brooke provided it, happy to have found a group of friends here in Ribbon Ridge. She had barely talked to Naomi and Jana since the 10k, but that was probably for the best. They were single women on the prowl and too overbearing in trying to jump-start Brooke’s love life.
Alaina rubbed her hands together. “I’m so excited about this. Thanks, Brooke! And on that note, I need to get home and put my daughter to bed.”
The familiar pain ripped into Brooke. She wanted to ask about Alaina’s daughter but was afraid that it would only intensify her heartache. But she was also tired of letting that rule her life. “How old is she?” The question came out soft and tentative. Hopefully no one else noticed.
“Two and a half and such a spitfire.” Alaina pulled out her phone and scrolled to a picture, then handed it to Brooke. “She looks just like her dad.”
Brooke hadn’t met Evan Archer but could see the toddler didn’t have her mother’s dark blonde hair. Her hair was dark brown and a bit wild. She stood in a small inflatable pool wearing a bright yellow swimsuit with flowers and a huge grin. “She’s adorable.” Brooke’s gut twisted. She’d wanted that so badly—to be a mother, to share a picture of her own child, to feel that pride and that bond. She gave the phone back and didn’t ask any more questions.
Alaina tucked the phone into her purse. “Thank you. I’m grateful for every day with her—she’s such a gift.”
Her words made Brooke’s eyes sting with unshed tears. Her throat clogged, and she merely nodded.
“It was great meeting you, Brooke. I’m really looking forward to this project!” Alaina stood. “See you next week.”
Brooke summoned a wobbly smile and forced words past the emotion jamming her throat. “See you then.”
Crystal followed her out of the booth. “Alaina’s my ride. Great to meet you, Brooke.” She lowered her voice and looked at Kelsey and Brooke. “Us single ladies should plan a night out.” She winked at them and grinned before turning and joining Alaina.
Brooke watched them leave and drank more of her beer, hoping it would blunt the ache.
“Everything okay?” Kelsey asked.
Damn, she’d picked up on something. Maybe they all had.
“Yep,” Brooke answered. She liked Kelsey, but she didn’t share her infertility with most people, especially those she didn’t know well. A voice in the back of her head asked if Cam still fell into that category. How could he after last night? It wasn’t just that they’d had sex. It was that they’d both finally lowered their guard.
Kelsey finished her drink. “Well, if you ever need to talk, I’m apparently a good listener. Or so my college roommate always told me. But maybe that was because she talked all the time and I didn’t have a choice.” She laughed, and Brooke joined her. She felt instantly better, and whether Kelsey had provoked that on purpose or not, Brooke appreciated it.
“Crystal and Alaina are really nice,” Brooke said, moving the topic in a new direction.
“Aren’t they? Alaina is so down-to-earth, and Crystal’s hilarious. You’ll see that the more you spend time with her.” Kelsey tipped her head to the side. “Maybe when we go out for our single ladies’ night out. Hey, did you ever go on that blind date?”
“I did, actually.”
Kelsey watched her expectantly. “And?”
Brooke chuckled. “It was fine. Nothing spectacular, but it didn’t crash and burn either.”
“Are you going to see him again?”
She’d thought so, but then she’d hooked up with Cam in a bathroom, and now a second date with Justin seemed disingenuous. Never mind that she wasn’t with Cam and didn’t expect a repeat performance. Probably because in the recesses of her body and mind, she hoped for a repeat.
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“That doesn’t sound promising. Any chance Cameron Westcott is holding you back?”
Wow, she was good. But then she’d noticed the crazy sparks—that was what she’d said, wasn’t it?—between them. Brooke considered brushing her off, as she’d done a few minutes ago, but she suddenly wanted to talk to someone about what had happened.
“Yes, I think he is.”
Kelsey looked surprised, her eyes widening. “I see. Did something happen?”
Brooke couldn’t withhold the smile from her lips. “You could say that. We, uh, had a moment last night.”
Kelsey turned on the bench and faced her. “What does that mean?”
Brooke winced, her eyes squinting. “We had sex in a restaurant bathroom?”
Kelsey clapped her hand over her mouth and giggled. “That’s a bit more than a ‘moment.’ You are too funny. Are you guys together now?”
Brooke shook her head definitively. “No. In fact, we both agreed it was a one-time deal.”
“Yet you’re holding back with the blind-date guy.”
“A little.” Brooke set her elbow on the table and put her forehead on her hand. “Ugh. What am I doing? I would much rather things move forward with blind-date guy—uh, Justin—than with Cam.”
“And why is that? The work thing?”
“Yes, and—” And what? Cam’s history as a player? Certainly, but he seemed to have relaxed that behavior from what she could tell. Or maybe it was something far deeper. Something she didn’t want to explore. Something to do with her and her inability to give him, or anyone else, a family. She slammed back the rest of her beer.
Kelsey was still studying her, likely waiting for the rest of whatever Brooke meant to say.
“That’s pretty much it—the work thing.” Brooke was done sharing for the day.
“I understand. That’s a bummer, though. Maybe there’s a way around it?”
Only if Brooke gave the account to someone else at Willamette, and she didn’t want to do that. She felt personally invested in their wine, and she wanted to be a part of its success. But if life had taught her anything it was that you couldn’t have your cake and eat it too. “I don’t see one, but really, it’s okay. I’m pretty sure I got him out of my system. Talking to you has helped me see that. I think I’ll give Justin a call.”
Kelsey nodded. “Sounds good. I’m a little jealous, actually. I wish I was ready.”
Brooke wanted to return Kelsey’s kindness. “Anything I can do to help?”
“No, it’s all me. I’ll get there eventually. I hope.” She smiled and glanced toward her empty glass. “Alaina must’ve paid the bill. Or maybe George comped it.”
Brooke slid out of the booth. “He comped mine as a sort of welcome to town.”
“George is the best. He’s one of the reasons I’m still here in Ribbon Ridge. He made me feel welcome from day one—like family.”
“That’s so great.” Brooke missed her family, but more and more she felt like Ribbon Ridge was home.
They parted and went their separate ways, and as Brooke walked to the store to grab something for dinner, she thought about what she’d told Kelsey, that she’d call Justin. Would she, really?
Or would she continue to obsess about Cam? She was fairly certain it would be the latter, unfortunately.