Page 55 of Last Chance Seduction
“So wise.”
“I think I heard it on a TV show once.Or I’m just making up words.Either way, I have many questions.But first, if you think it might be a real relationship, are you just going to bypass the whole it started as a fake relationship thing?”
I threw my hands up in the air, grateful I didn’t toss the lip gloss with the motion.“I have no idea.It’s not like we talk.And the holidays have been busy.I mean, it’s already Christmas Eve.And this is not exactly how I thought I’d spend my day.”
“How did you think you would?”Brooklyn asked with a tilt of her head.
“Reading a book next to the fire with my cat on my lap.I mean, it’s not a bad night.”
“Not at all.That sounds like a lovely evening.But now you have a tree, lights, decorations, and Montgomerys invading.”She cringed.“I can leave if you want.If you want that time.And I’ll drag Lex away too.”
I shook my head, guilt setting in.“No.I was fine being alone.I really am.I mean, now that Emily’s gone, Iamalone.”I swallowed hard, ignoring the tinge that always hit with that thought.Brooklyn reached out and squeezed my hand.
“I’m still so sorry.I know that memories can be difficult, but I’d love to talk about her.”
“That’s sort of why I moved back.Because people knew Emily.I want to talk about her.I want to talk about her laugh, how she was outrageous sometimes but was the quiet one of us too.”
“She was a hoot.Did I tell you that one time when we were young you were out with Lex doing something, and so Emily and I snuck up behind you guys and tried to spy on you, but instead we got caught by another one of my cousins and were chased around with paintballs.The soft kind that didn’t hurt, but still.”
“I did not know that.I wonder what Lex and I were doing?”I paused.“It’s weird.Because Lex and I were friends before, close friends.And then I started dating his other friend, and things just changed.”
“Okay, we’re going to circle back to the first part of our conversation if that’s okay.That way I can get it all out there.First off, you look lovely.We’re going to go out tonight and have fun.And I’m sorry that we’re kidnapping you.And, you and Lex haven’t had sex yet?”she blurted.
“I’m very confused about the circular conversation, but no, we haven’t.When would we have time?”
“I don’t know, when you guys were snowed in for an evening at a very beautiful resort?”
“Well, we sort of got close.”I blushed.
Brooklyn grinned like the Cheshire Cat.“Don’t tell me all but tell me enough.”
“There’s not much to tell.But it was close.And that’s when it went from I’ll be your friend just to annoy Gia and make sure that you guys can get the contract, to whatever this is.Like the fact that we spent so much time together, and I’m texting him more than I’m texting Posy, and I text Posy all the time.”
My best friend was currently on a road trip of mass proportions that I did not even want to think about, but she was happy, safe, and I couldn’t wait to hear her story with a certain friend of hers, all alone in a cabin.But that meant I would have to tell her what was happening with me and Lex.And I had no idea what that was.
“Well, I guess this means once the holidays are over, maybe you and Lex can just talk about it.Which is funny coming from me, because I’m usually the worst when it comes to talking about men and relationships.”
I leaned against my vanity, folded my arms over my chest, and looked at the other woman that was slowly becoming a close friend.
Like I had told her, I had moved here for a reason, but I hadn’t realized another reason had been needing relationships like this.I was still trying to figure out how to break out of my shell, but the fact that I could just have a moment of getting ready for a dinner while I put on makeup with another woman, felt wonderful.I was like a sponge soaking up all the interactions I could get.After spending the past two years trying to heal and yet grieve at the same time, maybe this was me stepping into the light.
“What do you mean by that?”I asked, shaking myself out of my thoughts.
“I usually date the worst guys.Not the bad boys, you know the ones with tattoos and motorcycles.”
That made me laugh.“Um, your family is the tattoos and motorcycle crowd.”
“Too true.No, I dated the guys with the polo shirts and the tan slacks and the ones that you could take home to mom and be happy about.Well, maybe not my mom.My mom’s a little more discerning than that.”Brooklyn shook her head.“But they never stood up for me.They were just easy.You know?You just got along, the sex was fine, you went out to dinner, and no matter what, it just was.Ever since middle school, the guys I would date would be not quite boring, but boring enough.Weak in some aspects.”
“But Duke isn’t like that?”
She shook her head, her whole face brightening.“No.I know it’s only been a little while, but he is fantastic.He listens to me.He holds the door open for me and doesn’t growl when I open the door for him.And when I walk, sometimes he’ll lead me by putting his hands at the small of my back.He texts for no reason, and sometimes just shows up with a cup of coffee, making sure that we know we’re on the same page even though our schedules don’t always align.I mean, I work with dirt for a living, I’m messy, my hands are never beautiful.I am hell on a manicure.And he loves it.”
“And you love him,” I said, my heart practically sighing at the look of happiness on her face.
“I think I do.I mean, I think I really do.And well, I’m really glad that you and him are both coming to dinner tonight.Because I want him to be friends with my friends.And I realize that a couple of work friends are coming as well, so it’s not just a double date, but going out on Christmas Eve is nice.”
“You sound so freaking happy.”
