Brooke
Chapter
Twenty-One
I didn’t go anywhere in the bakery today where there wasn’t a set of eyes on me.
If I was in the kitchen, Sammie found a way to be back there for even five seconds.
If I was in the front, Daisy kept a table or customers watched me.
Gentle smiles touched every face the moment our eyes would make contact.
The town of Lovers knows what happened last night, and while no one has yet to ask me about it, they are quietly showing their support for me.
“Oh my god! You’re here!”
And others are not so quiet about their support.
Grace rushes to me and wraps me in a tight hug.
“Dutton said that you were working today, and I had to see it with my own eyes. How are you? Do you want to go somewhere? What can I do?”
I’ve barely opened my mouth when the door to the bakery opens again.
Three more of my best friends come barreling in.
“Since when can you run that fast?” Shay asks, her hand resting on her growing baby bump.
“Probably since you started growing a human.” Sadie giggles and then also embraces me in a hug.
“What I want to know is how she ran in those heels,” Quinn adds, taking Sadie's place.
Once I’ve successfully hugged everyone, we move as a group toward the register.
“I’m supposed to bring Ruby a latte and some chocolate chip cookies. She’s on a deadline with one of the book covers she's designing, but she’s going to be at bowling tonight,” Sadie informs us as she gives Daisy money for her order.
“Bowling?” I ask. “Since when are we going bowling?”
“Take a break,” Daisy says to me and nods to the only empty table in the place.
Working has been the distraction I've needed since I walked in the door, but now that my friends are here, I realize how much I need them.
Drinks and treats in hand, we take our seats, with Quinn and Grace sharing one since there are only four chairs.
“Luca wasn’t keen on the idea of us doing something alone after last night. So, he thought we could all go bowling. Guys and girls. He figured you and Dutton would want to be together anyway.”
I take a breath and smile at her comment.
“Soooo,” Sadie starts. “What do we talk about first? The stalker or Dutton?”
All eyes fall to me.
“There isn’t much to say about Tony, the stalker. We have no idea where he is. He deleted all of his accounts, but he did break into my house last night and destroyed it, so I’ll be staying with Dutton until it’s safe to go back.”
A mix of gasps, and I’m pretty sure Quinn swears.
But it’s Grace whose hand reaches out for mine. “You know you can always stay with me, right?”
I nod.
“I do. I just … with Dutton…”
“It’s different,” Shay finishes for me, a knowing smile on her lips. “Are you two dating?”
“No,” I say. And the smile on her face falls.
“Oh.”
“Are you sleeping with my brother?”
The water in Sadie's mouth sprays all over the food in front of us.
Shay starts to giggle, and Quinn’s eyes go wide.
Now, I know that Dutton and I haven't actually had sex yet, but I am curious about Grace's response.
“Would that bother you?” I ask her. I watch as she takes a breath.
“Honestly, I don't know.”
“Okay. Then honestly, no, I have not had sex with your brother. But I have thought about it.”
“Are you going to date him?”
“It's not something I've thought about.”
“But you want to sleep with him.”
I nod. “Can you sleep with someone and not be dating them?”
“You can, but this is my brother, and he might be a big grump and say crude things, but he deserves love just as much as the next person.”
I love that she’s looking out for her brother. I wish my sister had been like this for me.
“You’re right, and I won’t forget that.”
“Good.”
“So back to bowling,” Quinn says. “What time is this happening, and do we wear matching colors to make it fun?”
We fall into discussion of what we should all wear tonight as if we are celebrating something special. And maybe we are. It’s been so long since we’ve had an official girls’ night, and it's been even longer since we have all been together with the guys that wasn’t a wedding.
After the girls and I have all the details sorted out, they leave, and I get back to work.
That is, until I overhear a table whispering about Dutton.
I pause in front of them, and without a word, I give each of them a look that says they need to stop.
One lady clears her throat. She looks familiar, but I can’t quite place her face. Maybe from school?
“I’m so sorry, Brooke. We just … Dutton is an entirely new person. I don’t know how you did it.”
“I didn’t,” I tell them easily. “This town simply hasn’t taken the time to get to know him or notice the man he really is.”
I can’t help the way my lips tug into a grin just thinking about him.
“Excuse me,” I say and then gather a few dishes before I disappear to the back, dropping the dirty plates in the dishwasher and then sneaking into my office.
I grab my phone and see a text from Dutton. I grin so big, my cheeks start to burn.
Dutton
We both should have skipped work today.
Brooke
And what would we be doing?
Dutton
… reading?
I let out a laugh.
Brooke
Reading, huh?
Dutton
I’m not sure if my first thought is appropriate.
Brooke
There’s only one way to find out. Tell me.
The dots appear.
I glance up to see Sammie and Daisy in the kitchen. Daisy was already set to close for today, so perhaps I could dip out early.
His reply hasn’t even come in yet, but I let my thumbs put words together.
Brooke
Come get me.
More bubbles and then …
Dutton
Now?
Brooke
Now.
Dutton
I’ll be there in ten minutes.
I quickly gather my things, my stomach turning into knots just as fast.
Dutton and I have hung out many times before, but now that things have changed between us, it won’t be the same.
I’m ready for it.
For whatever is happening between us.
I slip my laptop into my bag and grab the mail from today, then I lock the office door and tell Daisy and Sammie goodbye.
By the time I reach the front of the bakery, Dutton is walking around the front of his truck.
His smile sends butterflies to my stomach.
“Hi,” I say and bite my lip.
I want to kiss him, but I’m not so sure that’s allowed.
And yet, we did agree this morning that if it feels natural, we are going to do it.
Does that apply to when we are in the public eye, too?
“Hey, Books,” he says, his steps never slowing until he slinks one arm around my waist and pulls me against him. His lips find mine in a way that screams mine.
I kiss him back in a way that screams yours.
When he pulls back, his smile is still in place.
“It might not be reading, and it might not be taking you back to my place, but I know where we should go.”
“Okay,” I say without asking any more questions.
He drives us to the hiking trail. We walk hand in hand to the top, and then I snuggle under his arm, taking in the view and the calmness that his favorite spot brings.
We don’t talk much, but that’s okay.
Sometimes, more can be said in silence than with actual words, and with every kiss on my temple and every squeeze of his hand, Dutton makes it very clear that he’s here and he isn’t going anywhere.