Page 34 of Healing Hearts
I hesitate for a split second before nodding, even though he can’t see me. “Dinner sounds perfect.”
“Great. Seven o’clock?”
“Seven,” I confirm, the smile lingering on my lips even after we hang up.
I turn back to the laptop, staring at the half-finished sentence. The memory of his voice, rich and teasing, lingers in my ears, and I know there’s no way I’ll be finishing this chapter without at least some wine in me.
A few hours and at least seven written chapters later, a sharp knock at the door yanks me from my reverie. I jump, slamming the laptop closed, heart racing like a guilty teenager caught in the act.
“Brooke! Open up, girl!” Kendall’s voice calls out, muffled but unmistakable.
I take a deep breath, smoothing my hair before heading to the door. When I open it, Kendall stands there with a mischievous grin, a bottle of wine in one hand and a bag of delicious smelling tacos in the other.
“Well, well,” she says, pushing past me into the room. “Looks like someone’s been busy. And I don’t mean with library books.”
I feel my cheeks flush. “What are you talking about?” I only let her in because she’s got tacos.
Kendall plops down on my couch, uncorking the wine. “Oh, please. Charlie told me about your cozy dinner with Dr. Dreamy. Said the chemistry was sizzling so much, she could have cooked dinners at your table.” Kendall wiggles her eyebrows, which is not a good look on her.
“It wasn’t like that,” I protest, but images of Trevor's intense gaze across the table flash in my mind, and I know I’m fooling no one. It was totally like that. “and don’t wiggle your eyebrows like that. It’s creepy.”
“Uh-huh,” Kendall smirks instead as she’s pouring us each a glass. “So, spill. I want all the juicy details.”
I sigh, settling into the armchair across from her. The wine is rich and smooth, helping ease my nerves. “It’s complicated, Ken,” I admit, twirling the stem of my glass. “Trevor’s... he’s different. But I’m nervous.”
Kendall’s playful expression softens. “Nervous over what, honey?”
“Getting hurt again,” I whisper, feeling the weight of the words. “You know how it was with Jake. I don’t think I can go through that again.”
“Trevor isnotJake,” she says firmly.
I nod, taking a long sip. “I know. But… it’s everything. Do you know how people look at teachers and librarians? Like we’re supposed to be these pure, saintly creatures. Virginal.”
Kendall snorts. “As if.”
“Exactly,” I say, laughing a little, feeling a bit of the tension ease. “If they only knew…” I pick up a taco, then gesture at her. “I mean, look at me. I’m fine with how I look, but how long will a hot trauma surgeon want me? Especially with all those cute nurses bee bopping around him all day?”
Kendall’s eyes narrow as she sets her taco down. “Stop it right there! No way am I letting you get away with that. I wouldn’t let someone else talk bad about you – what makes you think I’m going to let you talk bad about yourself? You’re incredible, smart, and beautiful – inside and out - and if this Trevor guy doesn’t see that, he’s not worth your time.”
I frown, knowing she’s right but still feeling a trace of insecurity. “I’m just… I don’t know how to explain it.”
“There is no ‘just.’” Kendall says, her tone is fierce. “You’re beautiful, and if Trevor or anyone else doesn’t see that, you move on. Got it?”
I hesitate, and then finally, I nod. “You make it sound so easy to do.” It’s easy for her to say since she’s a size zero with the best hair in town. How she gets those natural waves to sit perfectly on her head I’ll never know.
She squeezes my hand. "You do it by being you, Brooke. All of you. The passionate, complex, amazing woman that you are."
A warmth settles in my chest, and I feel a flicker of hope. “You really think I should go for it with Trevor?”
Kendall grins. “Honey, I think you'd be crazy not to. Life’s too short to be second-guessing yourself all the time like you do.”
A smile tugs at my lips. "Maybe you’re right. Maybe it's time to take a leap."
Kendall lights up, pointing at me with her wine glass. “Speaking of taking leaps—have you read that new Sophie Quinn book I lent you yet?”
I nod as I finish off my taco. “Yes, it was… good.”
Kendall’s eyes widen in disbelief. “Good? Just good? It was amazing! I mean, did you see how Harley gave up everything for love? She left behind all that money and fame for a guy with a vineyard!”
