Page 32 of A Class of Her Own

He nodded. “Okay. What are they not understanding?”

“Real things, actual issues.”

“Like?”

A burst of laughter drifted down the hallway, and I looked over my shoulder. Aryn was standing near my table, looking towards me. Her expression asked if I was okay, and I returned a small nod, letting her know I was fine and to keep the party going. Friend telepathy was the best.

I turned back to Brooks. “I’m hosting a party right now; I don’t have time for this.”

“I did a little sleuthing, you know.”

“I’m assuming you’re telling me this because the sleuthing was about me?” I folded my arms.

“Bingo. Any lawyer worth his salt can dig up facts on people, so I dug.”

“And what super interesting tidbits did you find out?”

“High achiever, little bit of a loner, single dad and two younger sisters.”

“None of those fact required much digging, and I’m not a loner. Do you hear this house full of people?”

One side of his mouth tugged up. “What’s the party for?”

“None of your business.”

“I’m getting married!” Lizzie called, having heard him . . . mostly because all my friends were now innocently hovering in view of me and Brooks. “I’m so excited.”

Brooks shot her the type of warm smile that he’d never directed my way. My toes curled as he offered her a “Congrats.”

This was, apparently, the invitation they needed to join us in my tiny entryway. I looked heavenward and mentally took a few deep breaths. I adored these ladies, but honestly.

“You did it to me with Ford. Ax throwing,” Hailey whispered in my ear as she lightly touched my back. “Payback is rough.”

I wondered if the expression on my face was similar to the horrified one she’d been wearing when I’d gone up to Ford that night. The thought helped me relax and find the actual humor in the situation.

“Guys, this is my HOA president, Brooks VanOrman,” I said, even though I knew for a fact that they already knew that. Some of them had already met him. But it seemed like the proper thing to do. “He’s here to kill dreams and suck all the joy out of hearts.”

“That feels a little like a pot and kettle situation,” Brooks replied, one side of his mouth tugging into a crooked smile.

My friends laughed at his comeback, and I shook my head. “He’s leaving,” I replied.

“First I need to ask you a question,” Brooks held up one finger.

“What’s your question?” Ruby asked. “She’s not an open book, but I am, and I’ll tell you anything you want to know about her.”

“Did you guys ditch all the other guests?” I asked them.

“They’re eating and talking. This is more interesting,” Ruby replied.

“Besides, we can’t start gifts without you,” Lizzie added.

I snapped my fingers. “Oh, sorry, Brooks. I’m needed elsewhere. Your question will have to wait.”

“One question, and then I’ll go.” His eyes were coaxing, his voice was low, and it hit me as though he’d actually reached out and tugged on my chest.

My friends, those naive fools, all nodded. I sighed. “Fine. One.”

“Your idea about helping hungry kids in our neighborhood, that wasn’t the only idea you’d been working on, right?”

---