Chapter 6
Brooke smoothed out the front of her blouse and studied her appearance in the mirror.
Her black slacks were freshly pressed from the dry cleaner.
She wondered if her outfit was appropriate to meet her fake boyfriend’s parents.
Logan had reassured her anything she wore would be fine because they were a casual family.
Big problem, she didn’t know the first thing about casual gatherings.
Family gatherings of her own were nonexistent and she had no point of reference.
And Justin’s family were an uptight and formal bunch, think two forks and two spoons dinner.
Her stomach twisted, reconfirming her nerves. She reminded herself she didn’t need to be anxious. This didn’t mean a thing. To Logan’s family she’d simply become a random woman they meant once.
An delivery made her phone buzz. Brooke checked the time and confirmed she had enough time to hustle on down to the lobby to pick it up from George before Logan arrived.
When she entered the lobby, George whistled. “It looks like someone is headed somewhere special.”
Her cheeks warmed. “I know I need to step it up, I normally wear sweats if I’m not working.” She arrived in front of the lobby desk.
“Hey,” George held his hands up. “You said it, not me.”
“ let me know I have a package waiting.” She leaned her hip against the desk.
“Oh,” George scuttled out of his chair. “Let me check what is here, but you didn’t answer my question. Where are you off to?” He walked to the table which held the packages delivered for the residents.
“I’m meeting Logan’s parents today.” Brooke watched George still.
He furrowed his brow. “Already? This is more serious than I thought.”
“It’s not serious. We’re friends, nothing more.”
“Hmm.” George found the package and placed it on top of the desk. “Are you sure about that? In my day and age, meeting someone’s parents— well you didn’t do that unless you really cared about the woman.”
“Times have changed.” Brooke scrutinized her nice fresh coat of nude nail polish.
“It isn’t like that with him.” Brooke plunged her hand into her pocket and retrieved her phone.
Then located the list of rules they had agreed upon for their fake dating relationship in her notes.
“See?” She whipped the screen around to let him see it.
“It’s right here in black and white. We have an agreement. The entire thing is fake.”
George tipped up his hat a bit then took her phone from her.
“Geez, I’m getting old.” He patted the desk and located his readers.
Once on, he scanned the list. “These are the rules?” He looked up at her over the top of his glasses.
“Seems like a lot of nonsense for two people who are fighting real feelings.”
“We’re friends who need to make other people jealous.”
He cleared his throat then peered back down at the phone. “Rule one, hand holding will only be done in the presence of Justin and/or Shelby. Huh?” George scratched his head. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“We had to establish the rules. I didn’t want to really fall in love with Logan.”
“And why,” George scrolled through the list, “would that be such a bad idea?”
“Because I’m not over Justin,” she countered.
“Wrong.” He scrolled more. “Try again.”
“Because,” she thought for a minute then added, “I need time to be single.”
“Stop spewing a bunch of malarkey.” George finished reading and handed the phone back to her.
He removed his glasses and tossed them onto the desk.
“I really like the addendums about kissing. Tongue can only be used if and when Justin or Shelby are staring.” He laughed and shook his head.
“Nice try. It’s not going to work, because you’re playing with fire. ”
“I don’t think we’ll ever get to kissing.” She slipped the phone back into her pocket. “It probably wasn’t necessary to include it.”
“Maybe.”
She stared back at him. “I guess I’ll run this package up to my apartment before Logan arrives.”
“Okay, I’ll make sure to keep your fake date company when he arrives.”
“Please don’t.” Brooke balanced the box in her arms. “In fact, please don’t talk to him at all.”
“Sorry,” George smirked. A glint in his eyes made Brooke uneasy. “It’s my job to greet the guests of the people who live here. I can’t shirk my duties.”
“Fine.” Brooke whipped around and walked across the lobby to the elevator bay. “Have it your way.” Her voice vibrated across the tile floors. She used the corner of the box to hit the elevator button.
“I usually do.” Then George chuckled and sat back down behind the lobby desk.
She entered the elevator and went up to her apartment to drop off her package. A few minutes later, Logan texted letting her know he had arrived. She shot him a quick text, gathered her purse and went back down to the lobby. When the elevator opened, she heard the laughter of Logan and George.
Logan leaned over the desk, looking much too dapper in his jeans and navy henley tee under a Carhartt jacket.
She questioned her outfit. For a second, she wavered.
Too late, they turned in her direction when she stepped off the elevator.
George whistled, making her cheeks warm.
Logan straightened himself and walked toward her, meeting her halfway across the lobby.
“You look nice,” he said as his hungry eyes ran down her, making her skin tingle. “I like your hair that way.”
“Oh,” Brooke fluffed her hair. She actually washed it this morning, which she hadn’t done in almost a week.
Her schedule at the hospital had been a bit chaotic.
So, this morning she enjoyed the luxury of lathering thick shampoo into her locks.
It lifted her own mood immensely. “Thanks,” she managed.
“I like that blue on you, it makes your eyes pop.”
“This?” Logan smiled and peered down at her his T-shirt. “I’ve never had anyone tell me that but thanks.”
With a nod, she shifted and placed her purse over her shoulder. “Should we go?”
“Yes.” Logan clapped his hands together then rubbed them back and forth dramatically. “Let’s do this. Let’s get our fake date on.”
Brooke’s lips twitched with amusement. “Alright.”
They walked the rest of the lobby, passing George as they headed outside. They said goodbye.
George yelled at the back of them, “Fake dating— yeah right.”
She waved him off, but his comment made her stomach swim. Her palms sweated. Even though this arrangement was beneficial for both, she wanted Logan’s parents to like her. She tried to remind herself she’d never see them again so it didn’t matter, but her jittery hands begged to differ.
They wandered around the side of the building to where Logan had parked in one of the designated guest’s spots. He held her door open to his sporty sedan, and she climbed in.
When on the expressway toward his parents’ house, Brooke shifted in her seat to face him. For a moment, she found herself distracted as she stared at his sharp jaw and broad shoulders. The inside of the car swirled with his spicy aftershave. Geez, this guy smelled good and looked even better.
“So,” Brooke leaned over the middle console. “Tell me what I need to know to impress your family. I remember their names from our study session, but I’m still worried they won’t like me.”
Logan glanced over his shoulder and changed lanes. “I already know they’ll love you.”
“What about Danielle?” Brooke adjusted her seat belt where it dug into her. “Shouldn’t I be worried about her since she wants to see you back with the queen?”
“Shelby.”
“Shelby,” she repeated. “It does sound like a queen name.”
He shrugged but didn’t comment.
“Danielle—how do I get in her good graces with so many things stacked against me?”
His gaze darted quickly to her then back to the road. “You have nothing to worry about. Danielle is easy to win over. If you show some love for her twins, maybe ask to hold them and play with them, I think she’ll warm up to you in no time. And acting head over heels in love with me would help too.”
“Ok.” Her stomach twisted. She wondered if her acting skills were up for the challenge. “I’ll try my best.”
“Hey,” Logan lightly touched her forearm, “you don’t need to be nervous. I know everyone is going to love you. Just be yourself, and it should be fine.”
Brooke tilted her head away and stared out the passenger window, watching the mile markers as they passed by.
If only he knew how many versions of herself, she had to be over the years to survive.
Growing up, she learned to be invisible.
Her main goal was to move undetected to avoid her mom’s alcoholic rages and drug-induced abuse.
In college, she learned talking about her less than perfect family life made people uncomfortable.
People didn’t want the nitty gritty. She once again molded herself into a version that made her likeable.
Survival. Only those who lived with no safety net, knew what it was like.
“Justin’s family never approved of me. Honestly, I don’t even think they liked me a little,” she stated.
Her revelation vibrated in the space between them.
The sting of rejection was a fresh wound even now.
“That’s why I’m worried. Parents usually don’t like me.
” Tears tickled the corners of her eyes.
She blinked rapidly to keep them at bay.
Her gaze focused at the mile markers drifting on by.
Logan squeezed her forearm. “Hey, I’m sorry to hear that.” He squeezed one more time before letting go and repositioning his hand on the steering wheel. “How could anyone not like you?”
Brooke shifted back to face him. “I know, right?” she joked.
The car grew silent. She leaned her head back against the head rest. Logan didn’t speak, which she appreciated.