Page 42 of Brooke's Bliss
Gemma shuddered like that was the worst plan ever.“Whywould you do that?They sicced a PI on you.They need to apologize.”
They weren’t known for apologies.They would think they werein the right, and the fact that she was in trouble proved it.“So I can have aplace to stay.”
Gemma leaned forward, putting her other hand over Brooke’s.“Oh, no.You have a place to stay.You have the foreman’s house.”
“But it’s not mine, and I don’t want to put Beth and Hopeout.”
“I need you to think about why Beth leapt on the opportunityto steal you right out from under Rachel.She didn’t have to offer that houseup.They use it as their playroom.I assure you they’ll cut back with the threeof you living there.So why would she do it?”
“To help out Shane and Bay.”Oh, she was being dumb.“Sheknows I’ll babysit.”
Gemma chuckled and sat back.“And there we are.She’s notplanning on taking advantage, but Hope’s in her last months, and they depend oneach other to help with the kids.I need to emphasize that she is not bringingyou in as an unpaid nanny, but I know she’ll feel better if there’s a competentwoman she can leave her babies with if she needs to take Hope somewhere.”
She actually felt better knowing she could help.“Well, Iwill have to split my time then because I think that’s why my sister-in-law wasexcited to have me here.The good news is the G is a great place to hold a playgroup.Between that and my theater job, I’ll have plenty to do.”It felt goodto make some choices.It felt good to get rid of that stupid timer on herrelationship with Bay and Shane.“Could you please ask Seth to send someone tomy old place and do the paperwork?”
“I’ll need a formal interview, but not today.”She closedher notebook.“Today we’re going to talk about sex and kink, and how there’snothing shameful about it.”
“I am here for this talk.”Lucy Carson was suddenly at thetable, and she hadn’t come alone.
Brooke had texted her when Gemma changed the meet spot tothe lodge.She couldn’t walk into Lucy’s workplace without at least giving hera hug.Apparently Lucy had called River Lee, because she was here, too.
Brooke got up and got those hugs.“I’m so glad to see you.”
Lucy held her close.“We’re happy you’re home.”
River got in on the affection.“So happy.”
River sniffled as she stepped back.“Now Luce texted me andtold me you were coming, so we’re crashing your lunch.And I heard somethingabout an engagement.”
Lucy snorted.“I told you.She got caught with her hands inthe ménage jar and her brothers were obnoxious, so she tossed that out thinkingall the men would run, and now she’s caught in her own trap.”Lucy waved down aserver.“Hey, Val, we’re going to need some rosé.”
Gemma looked them over, and a brow cocked over herintelligent eyes.“See, I told you.Threesomes.Even in friendships, and Tydoesn’t count.Those two have been down a friend for a long time.”
“Well, I was down to me and Ty while River here followed Jaxall over the world.”Lucy took a seat.
River sat down across from her.“He was on the run from acrazy lady who took all his memories.I made vows.In sickness and health andin case of supervillain trying to kill us.”
“Well, I’m glad that particular villain is dead and gone.”Lucy pulled her napkin over her lap.“So did you see the latest paparazzi shotsof Georgia?”
Georgia Stark-Warner didn’t care what the world thought.Shewent all over the city with her husbands, Logan and Seth.Seth being thebillionaire he was, the press was fascinated.
Georgia handled it all with her usual aplomb, though Sethhad upped their security since they had their first kid.
“They were all over her at the airport.Seth was pissed.”She leaned over to look at River’s phone and winced.“I look like the nanny.And like the really sad nanny.Yikes.”
The picture was of them walking toward the airplane.Georgiawas smiling and holding hands with Seth.Logan was on her other side, carryingtheir infant son against his chest.Brooke trailed behind carrying her sadsuitcase with a backpack on her back.
Awesome.She was in the society pages and she looked likethe world had kicked the hell out of her.
Because it had.She sighed and turned back.“Well, it wasworth it for the free ride.”
River nodded.“Now tell us everything.”
The server brought the rosé, and Brooke relaxed with herfriends.
* * * *
Bay looked around the place and wondered if theyshouldn’t make it…prettier.Even that tiny place Brooke was in last night hadsome decorations.Not much, but there had been flowers.Should he go get someflowers?Brooke liked pretty things.
