Chapter 27
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Brooke was still thinking about Julia’s parting words the next day, when Eliza picked her up for dinner.
“She just showed up?” Eliza blinked when Brooke told her about the unexpected visit. “That’s ballsy.”
“She seemed . . . happy. Or at least, determined,” Brooke said, remembering the glint in Julia’s eyes. “I’m glad. I hope she wins everything in the divorce.”
“Finally, that douche-nozzle gets his payback,” Eliza agreed.
Brooke snorted with laughter. “Douche-nozzle? What are you, six?”
“It’s fitting,” Eliza grinned. “Anyway, I’m glad you two squared everything away. That has to be a weight off your mind, right?”
Brooke nodded. “I’m going to try not to feel guilty anymore,” she confided. “I feel like I’ve been dragging around all these regrets, but it’s time to let them go.”
“Atta girl.”
“Wait a minute.” Brooke saw a familiar sign fly by out the windows. “I thought we were going to Provincetown. You know, wine and chowder like usual.”
Eliza looked evasive. “Actually, there’s a movie on. They’re showing The Thin Man, I figured it could be fun.”
“I love that movie,” Brooke exclaimed. “Where is it playing?”
“Well, about that . . .”
Eliza turned off the highway, and Brooke saw the Sweetbriar Cove sign up ahead. “Eliza!” she exclaimed.
“You’ve been avoiding this place for weeks!” Eliza argued. “Come on. We had to skip Sunday pastries at the bakery because you were so worried about running into Riley, and karaoke at the pub, and the best lobster rolls?—”
“OK, OK,” Brooke sighed, but still, she felt a twist of nerves at the thought of being on his turf again.
“It’ll be fine,” Eliza reassured her, pulling up to park just off the square. “He won’t even be there. I mean, classic movies at the town hall? That’s not really his scene.”
“No, it’s not.” Brooke tried very hard not to think about Riley’s scene—probably charming some gorgeous woman’s pants off on that boat of his. “You’re right. I can’t stay away forever.”
They got out of the car and headed inside.
The main hall was already busy with locals, and had been set up with a massive projector screen and rows of mismatched chairs and comfy beanbags.
“Ooh, they have snacks.” Eliza brightened, making a beeline for the trestle table along one wall, practically groaning under the weight of homemade goods.
A hand-written sign explained that donations were welcome and all proceeds would be donated to the Sweetbriar Nog-Off Prize Fund.
“Do I even want to know?” A familiar voice beside Brooke made her turn. It was Poppy, looking at the sign with a bemused expression.
“Don’t ask me,” Brooke agreed. “I’m guessing it’s some town tradition.”
“A grand one,” Mackenzie announced, joining them.
She had two brightly colored cushions under her arms, and deposited a couple of bags of chips on the table.
“The big town eggnog competition, at the Christmas festival. People work on their recipes all year round. Debra usually has it locked down,” she added, nodding to the older woman who was pouring something from her flask into a mug of coffee.
“But Summer’s a wild card now. My money’s on an upset victory. ”
“The drama never ends,” Eliza laughed. “Maybe I should write an article, eggnog at dawn.”
“Don’t even joke about it,” Mackenzie said darkly. “We’re still reeling from the dairy-free incident of ’09.”
“I won’t ask.” Eliza nudged Brooke. “I’ll go grab us some seats.”
“I’ll get the popcorn.”
“So, I haven’t seen you around,” Poppy said to Brooke, as she filled a bowl with snacks. “How have you been?”
“Good,” Brooke said slowly, wondering how much of what happened with Riley made it back to the gossip mill. “Busy. Things are hectic at the hotel.”
“Summer said!” Poppy exclaimed. “She’s baking around the clock, you have so many weddings.”
“Or maybe I’m just telling her that, and eating all the cakes myself,” Brooke cracked.
They all laughed, and then Mackenzie paused and gave her an appraising look. “You know, we should all get together, when you have a break. Girls’ night, or something like that.”
“I’m in,” Poppy agreed.
“Sure,” Brooke said, touched. “That sounds nice. If you’re sure,” she added, thinking of Riley again. She didn’t want to make it weird, hanging out with his friends, but everyone had been so welcoming, she’d love to get to know them better.
“Positive.” Mackenzie nodded. “Oh, look, I think they’re starting the movie.”
Everyone moved to take their seats, but no sooner had Brooke delivered her armful of snacks to Eliza than she realized her glasses were in the car.
“Be right back,” she whispered, and ducked out as the lights started to dim.
She turned down the hallway—and almost smacked straight into someone just entering the room.
“Easy there.”
Brooke sucked in a breath. She knew the strong arms holding her steady, even before she looked up into Riley’s blue eyes.
“Brooke.”
He said her name softly, and her mind went blank. Suddenly, her pulse was racing, and the few inches of space between them seemed at once too close—and not nearly close enough. In an instant, it all came flooding back. Every hot, reckless kiss.
Every blissful moment of pleasure.
“Riley, hi.” Brooke reeled back. “Sorry, I was just . . .” She gestured vaguely, her brain still trying to catch up.
“No problem.”
There was a pause, and she felt his gaze on her, burning through her defenses.
“How are you?” Riley asked slowly. “You look good.”
“Thanks.” Brooke gulped. “So do you.”
He did. Riley was clean-shaven, and wearing a pale blue pullover that looked soft enough to touch, but there was something else about him too, some new energy crackling in the air around him.
“How are things with the bar?” she asked, still feeling tongue-tied.
“Fine.” He shrugged. “You know it pretty much runs itself. I’m actually working on something else these days,” he added, looking bashful. “I just started consulting for some tech start-ups.”
“That’s great!” Brooke exclaimed.
He nodded. “I like it, pointing them in the right direction, showing them the mistakes to avoid.”
“Does this mean you finally figured everything out with your old business partner?” she asked.
“No.” Riley gave her a rueful look. “But I decided I wasn’t going to waste any more time on the past. Some things you just can’t change.”
Brooke’s heart clenched. Did he mean them, too?
“I should . . .” She backed away.
“Right. I won’t keep you.” Riley looked into her eyes and gave a quiet smile. “It was good seeing you, Brooke. Take care.”
“You too.” She ducked back into the main hall and made her way blindly to sit beside Eliza. The opening scene was playing, but the movie was a blur to her, her heart still pounding with a reckless drum.
What just happened?
She knew it was inevitable that she’d see him again. In a community this small, she was surprised it hadn’t been sooner. But nothing had prepared her for how it felt, up close and personal after all these weeks apart.
It was like no time had passed at all.
His smile still made her heart skip. His eyes still seemed to pierce beneath the surface. And she still craved to touch him, to fold herself into the strong and steady warmth of his embrace.
She sat through the movie in a daze, replaying every moment of their awkward encounter, searching for clues about how Riley really felt.
He’d talked about leaving the past behind, but did he mean more than just his old business?
Had he moved right along, the way Brooke was afraid of—to some other girl, another fling, replacing her as if she’d meant nothing at all?
She burned with jealousy just thinking about it, even though she knew she had no right. She was the one who pushed him away.
And there she was now, wanting nothing more than to pull him close again.
By the time the final credits rolled, and the lights came on, Brooke felt more confused than ever.
She’d thought that time would give her clarity, and that somehow, if she just waited long enough, all her conflict would melt away, and she’d know for certain what she wanted.
And it had been working. Every day, she felt more focused, more like herself again, the person she’d been before Archer made her second-guess everything.
But seeing Riley had thrown all that into chaos. She wanted him so badly, every cell in her body ached to turn back the clock. All her good intentions were clouded with memories of them together, and just how good it felt to be with him.
But it was too late. She’d made her choice.
Hadn’t she?
“Ready to go?” Eliza asked, shrugging on her coat.
Brooke swallowed back the regret and forced a smile. She wasn’t ready, nowhere close. “Sure, let’s go.”
Eliza dropped her off back at her apartment, and Brooke fumbled for her keys, but just as she reached to unlock the gate, it swung open of its own accord.
Brooke paused.
“Hello?” She pushed it wider. Her landlord was usually a stickler for security, but maybe she’d forgotten to shut it properly on her way out. Still, she kept her keys in her hand, sharp edges facing out, and took another few steps inside?—
She stopped, amazed. The small courtyard had been transformed. Tiny lights were strung over her balcony, glittering between the shrubs and trees. Music was playing, and dozens of candles flickered on tabletops and in every corner. It was magical—and she had no idea what was going on.
“Is somebody there?” Brooke looked around, and then Riley stepped out of the shadows and she forgot how to breathe.