“I’m gonna drop you and the tree off at the house, and then I’m going to take Cal’s truck back. After I drop it off, I’ll be back to help with the tree.” I pulled back into traffic and headed toward Emily’s House.
“Ok.” Brooke’s voice was quiet as she stared out the window. I wasn’t sure if something was wrong, but I wasn’t going to ask now. I knew it had been a crazy day for her, and I didn’t want to add to it. We’d talk tonight after we decorated the tree, and I’d find out what was up then. oooooooo
When we arrived at the house, one of the girls was sitting on the porch much like Brooke was the first time I arrived. She waved as I parked on the street and left the truck running. I waved back as I helped Brooke out. “I’ll be back in a bit. I’m going to stand the tree up on the porch. Donna can show you where the decorations are, and you guys can get them ready. Ok?” I bent my knees so I could look directly in her eyes. She smiled and nodded as she pressed her lips together. “Ok. Give me an hour, then I’m all yours.”
As she walked up the steps, I grabbed the tree and carried it on my shoulder up to the porch. I propped it up against the house, and turned to head back to the truck. Just as I was pulling away from the curb, Brooke turned at the front door and waved. She was chatting with the other girl, and I could only imagine what they were talking about. I’d hoped it was something happy. Brooke laughed and then glanced back at me and it looked as if she was blushing again. Part of me hoped she was reliving our kiss, but the other part of me was just happy to see her smile. As much pain as she’d endured over the course of the last several years, she deserved to be happy. I only hoped that I could one day be the source of that happiness.
Chapter 21
Brooke
When Blake dropped me off at the house this afternoon, Amy was waiting on the porch. As soon as I climbed the steps, she jumped up and began firing questions at me. “Are you two dating? Where did you go? What’s he really like? Has he kissed you yet?” She grinned at me, bouncing on her toes as she clasped her hands in front of her. You would think she was a teenager, not a woman in her late twenties.
I laughed as I waved at Blake pulling away from the curb. I could feel my face heating, and I wanted to get inside before he noticed. “Can we go in? It’s cold out here.” I shivered as I pulled the front door open.
“I guess.” Amy shrugged. “You aren’t getting off the hook that easy though.” She giggled and I turned to look back at Blake. He was down the road a bit, but I could still see the lights of the truck. “There is so something going on with you two.” She knocked my shoulder before I stepped through the door, and I knew she wasn’t letting this go until I told her something.
Once inside, I hung up my coat and scarf, and put my boots away. I was doing anything and everything to avoid Amy’s interrogation. When I stepped around the corner from the coat closet, Amy was standing there with her arms across her chest and tapping her foot. “What?” I shrugged.
“Could you take any longer?” She rolled her eyes. “I need to know what he’s like when he’s out on a date. I haven’t been on a date in years, not a real one. My ex won’t leave me alone long enough to have any kind of relationship.” She sighed.
“I don’t know if we’re dating. I mean, we’ve been hanging out. He says he wants more, but I don’t know what I want.” I shuffled over to the couch and sat down.
“Do you like hanging out with him?” Amy touched my knee.
“Sure. He’s sweet, and kind, and patient. I like the way he makes me feel.” I smiled dreamily as I thought about our morning on the beach, and then breakfast at the diner. The fact that he didn’t flip out when I told him about my dream was good too. “We’ve kissed…twice.” My face heated. I could feel my heart starting to race and my neck heating too.
“A real one?” Amy grinned as she leaned closer. I felt like a preteen sharing secrets with my best friend.
“There are fake ones?” I twisted my face in confusion. “How do you fake a kiss?”
“No.” She laughed. “I mean was it like the way your grandma would kiss you, or was it a kiss kiss.” She leaned back and stared at me, her eyes darting around my face in the process. “Oh,” she laughed. “I can tell by your face that it was a kiss kiss. Is he any good at it?” Her eyes widened.
“It was a kiss.” I tried really hard to down play it. I was never the girl who talked about her boyfriends with her friends. I kept things to myself.
“Your face says it was a good kiss. I’m so happy for you.” She leaned forward and wrapped me in a hug. “Good for you.”
“Thanks… I think.” I wrinkled my forehead.
“No thanks necessary, now let’s get the decorations down before he comes back.” She jumped up and clapped her hands together. ooooooooo
Blake arrived right before dinner. Donna had made homemade bread and tomato soup. It tasted delicious on a cold night. Amy had started a fire in the fireplace, and Blake was currently trying to get the tree in the tree stand.
“Maybe if you turn it
