Chapter 11
In a daze, Brooke slipped into her apartment building. Behind the lobby desk, George let out a long embarrassing whistle. Heat splashed her cheeks, and she fidgeted with her hair.
“Stop.” She waved him off then fully planned on walking as quickly as possible to the elevator bay. “You’re embarrassing me.”
He held his arms out wide. “Did I call it or did I call it?” George leaned back in his chair and cupped the back of his head with both hands.
“Fine.” Brooke whipped back around and stomped over to the lobby desk. Her heels clacked against the marble floors. “You called it. There, are you happy?”
George grinned. “Of course I’m happy. That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you. Just wait until I tell my wife about this. This has been the most entertainment either of us has had in years.”
“How pathetic,” Brooke leaned a hip against the lobby desk, “for me.”
“I like this one better than the other one.” George leaned forward and cupped his hands together on top of the desk. “I have a good feeling about him.”
“Hold your horses.” She straightened herself. “I think it’s far too early to predict if this will work out or completely blow up in my face.”
“Nah.” George shook his head. “He likes you. I can tell. Justin never looked at you the way this one does.”
Brooke ignored his comment about Justin. “I’m going out to dinner with his family again on Sunday. Any advice?”
“Yes, please don’t order a pasta dish with red sauce.” He wagged a finger. “You don’t need a big splatter on your shirt to ruin your evening.”
“Okay.” Brooke laughed. “I’ll keep that in mind. Anything else?”
“Nah, a dirty shirt will be your only obstacle to avoid. I’m sure they already love you.”
Logan’s mom might, but Danielle was probably a different story.
“I appreciate your confidence in me. Have a nice evening.” Brooke waved goodbye.
She rode the elevator up to her apartment, and her bone-dead tiredness resurfaced. Her eyelids flickered open and closed. Being with Logan had distracted her from reality, she was going on very little sleep and had another full day tomorrow.
After her shift tomorrow, she and Aubrey had an appointment to taste a new wedding cake.
The original cake maker had left suddenly for a family emergency and wouldn’t be able to bake it.
Luckily, Aubrey’s wedding planner arranged for her to meet with someone who could follow the chosen design last minute.
They only needed to decide on the cake flavor.
Brooke shot Aubrey a text before going to sleep and confirmed the location of the shop. Promptly, she drifted off to a dreamy sleep thinking about one guy and one guy only.
After work, Brooke caught the L train to the bakery on the other side of the city.
At her stop, she climbed down the stairs from the station, the delicious and tantalizing aroma of the bakery guided her the rest of the way.
By the time she arrived at the place, her stomach growled, and mouth watered.
She entered and the bell on the door announced her arrival.
The tiny bakery had a beautiful display of cakes and cookies in glass display cases. She found Aubrey in the little two-top nook, facing the street. Slowly, she slid into the empty seat across from her and unwrapped the scarf from her neck.
“This place looks amazing.” Brooke gripped a glove between her teeth and removed it. “If it tastes as good as it smells, then your cake is going to be perfect.”
“Really?” Aubrey wrung her hands together. “I almost lost it when the wedding planner told me the cake was up in the air, but she assured me she sent them the photo of what I wanted. They have a quick turn around and promised to match what I selected.”
“I’m sorry Ian couldn’t be here.” Brooke wrinkled her nose. “But I’m always up for cake.” She flashed her an enthusiastic grin.
Aubrey waved it off. “Ian doesn’t care what we get, which is why I needed your opinion.”
“I’m in.” She removed her jacket and placed it on the back of her chair. “Plus, I’m starving so bring it on.”
The baker appeared from the back of the store with two plates with small slivers of cake in various types.
“Here we are.” They placed them on the table in front of each of them.
Then they pointed out each type and the ingredients.
“I’ll give you a few minutes to try them.
If you can’t decide on one flavor, we can do a different cake for each layer of the cake. ”
The baker returned to behind the glass cake display.
Brooke scooted the plate closer to her and cut into the first sliver of cake which looked like red velvet. “What did you pick for your last cake?” She tried the first bite and sighed as the moist texture of the cake touched her tongue.
“I think,” Aubrey nibbled on a bite, “Ian liked chocolate, and I liked the almond vanilla.”
“This red velvet,” Brooke shook her fork at it, “is out of this world good.” She dug in again and ate another bite.
“The one I’m eating is good, too,” Aubrey remarked.
A phone dinged. Brooke set her fork down and retrieved her phone from her pocket. A message from Logan displayed on the screen.
“It’s mine,” she announced with her eyes glued to the screen.
“Mm,” Aubrey said.
She tapped on the screen to read the entire message.
I can’t stop thinking about that kiss last night. I think that was the hottest kiss I’ve ever had in my life.
Her cheeks burned. Brooke used the back of her hand to cool them off one at a time. Then her finger whizzed across her phone.
Really? I thought it was okay.
She gnawed on a fingernail hoping he understood her flirting. Her stomach twisted as she watched the cursor dots on their text chain dance.
Okay? Ok. Fine, I guess I’ll have to kiss you again with the promise of improvement. I’m very good at receiving critical feedback.
A laugh escaped her. Fire mounted in her gut.
Uh, oh. That sounds almost like a dare.
Tell me where you’re at, and I’ll come kiss you senseless and bring my grade up from okay to fantastic.
“Who are you texting?” Aubrey’s voice interrupted her. “You can’t stop smiling so I’m guessing, Logan.”
“I’m not smiling, am I?” Brooke peered over at her.
“Like a fool.” Aubrey licked the frosting off her fork. “So, spill it.”
“We kissed.” Brooke shrugged then buried her head back down over her cell phone.
“What?” Aubrey shrieked. “And you didn’t text me last night with the details? Come on that’s what I live for.”
“It’s new. I don’t want to jinx it.” Then Brooke held up a finger. “Give me a second to text him back then I’ll spill.”
Brooke tapped out a message to Logan.
I’m tasting wedding cakes with Aubrey on the other side of the city. I probably won’t be home until later.
I don’t mind. Text me when you’re headed home. I’ll meet you at your place and bring dinner.
How can a girl resist that type of offer?
I know, right?
I’ll text you on the train.
She slid her phone back into her purse and picked her fork back up.
“Details.” Aubrey raised an eyebrow and waited. “I need details.”
“What do you want to know?” Brooke cut into the white cake with coconut frosting.
“Everything.”
“Then buckle up, you’re about to go on a wild adventure.”
Brooke then spent the next ten minutes filling Aubrey in on everything.
The fake dating, meeting his family, Shelby, and their kiss which might change everything.
By the time the baker whipped back around, they had finished the cake.
Both agreed the chocolate and almond vanilla were the best. Aubrey put in the order for a doubled flavored cake.
“When do you see his family again?” Aubrey asked as she wound her scarf back around her neck and stood.
“Sunday.” Brooke pushed in her chair and put her jacket back on.
“Only this time we won’t be pretending.” She let out a sigh and slugged her purse over her shoulder.
“I’m worried. You know my family history.
Justin’s family never liked me. I’m sure once they get to know me more, I’ll be the last person they want dating Logan. ”
“I’m sure if you make Logan happy, then that’s what his family will want for him.”
“I think his mom likes me, but his sister wants him back with Shelby,” Brooke revealed.
“The ex?” Aubrey questioned.
Brooke nodded and weaved around the table to the door. Aubrey followed behind as they filed outside. Dark sky surrounded them and forced her to button up her jacket and tighten her scarf.
“I’m sure the sister will get on board.” Aubrey put her gloves on. “Once she feels you out a little bit more, she’ll see how terrific you are.”
“I hope so.”
They walked toward the L train. Aubrey was headed in the opposite direction but from the same station. A train rolled overhead making the staircase vibrate as they climbed up to the platform. Before they parted ways, Aubrey asked, “Are you going right now to see Logan?”
Her lips curled as she fought off a smile. “He’s bringing dinner over to my place. I’m texting him once I get on the train with my ETA.”
“Then I won’t invite you to dinner.” Aubrey hesitated as she bit her bottom lip. “I’m meeting up with Ian. Justin and his girlfriend will be there.”
“Hey,” Brooke stepped closer, “you don’t have to tiptoe around me anymore. You can tell me your plans without worrying about hurting me. I’m over Justin. If these past few weeks have taught me anything, it’s how wrong he was for me.”
Aubrey’s chest heaved as she blew out a rattly breath. “That’s a relief.” She motioned for her to hug her. Brooke welcomed the embrace and hugged her back. “You’re a great friend. I didn’t want to lose you over this thing.”
“I know.” Brooke loosened their embrace, taking a step back. “I’m not going anywhere. Now, get out of here before you miss the next train.” She shooed her away.
“Have a nice time with Logan.” Aubrey winked then disappeared into the crowd as she took the path that weaved around to the other side of the track.
The train rolled up next to her platform, and Brooke made her way on with the other late-night commuters. No empty seats were available, so she gripped onto a pole and managed to balance her cell phone to send Logan a text.
I’m en route. I’ll be there in about thirty minutes.
A text came through almost immediately.
I’ll be ready and waiting.
You realize how bad that sounds, right?
Her cheeks flushed. She unbuttoned a few of the buttons on her coat as the air within the train cab grew stuffy. A tickle of sweat ran down her spine.
What’s wrong about being ready to see you again?
You know what I meant.
No, I don’t. I’m going to need you to spell it out for me.
She giggled to herself.
I’ll see you soon.
Then she slipped her phone back into her pocket and tightened her hold on the pole.
In her little love haze, nothing brought her down.
A couple kissing elbowed her in the back, another man yelled at her when she inadvertently stepped on his foot, but nothing could dampen her bright mood.
In a few minutes, she’d be seeing Logan.
Maybe her luck was turning around as well.