Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 81113 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81113 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 324(@250wpm)___ 270(@300wpm)
“So,” Brooke said once we were at the bar. “What’s the issue?”
I flagged down the bartender and put in our order. I didn’t want to be drunk for this conversation—I wanted to be able to watch what I was saying and not give too much away—but I had a feeling that I’d want to get good and drunk once this conversation was over. “Ah, it’s nothing, just stress from work. Things aren’t turning around as fast as I want them to.”
“Nobody can blame you for that. I mean, already you’re doing so much more than any of Theo’s other replacements did.”
“I… guess that’s good. But we need something major, Brooke. I promised Michael - your dad - that I’d restore this place to what it used to be and I have to make good on that promise. You know I keep my word.”
Brooke rolled her eyes. “Dad loves you, he’s not gonna kick you out or anything. And like I said you’re doing so much better than anyone else has. Just give it time and stop being such a perfectionist.” She paused. “I know it’s not just work, though. Work makes you just… work harder. This is making you… I don’t even know.”
Shit. Diversion tactic failed. Okay. “I’m… considering… getting with someone. Maybe. A little bit.”
Brooke’s eyes lit up like her birthday had just come early.
“It’s complicated,” I added quickly, before she could start jumping up and down.
Brooke had been after me to be with someone since… holy shit, since freshman year of high school. Even before I’d had feelings for Michael, though, I’d known that I wasn’t going to get with some idiot teenage boy who didn’t know what the fuck he was doing in the sex or the relationship department. And then in culinary school I’d been way too busy, even if I had wanted someone, and I hadn’t.
I’d just wanted Michael. I still did.
Brooke nodded sagely. “I know why it’s complicated. It’s someone from the restaurant, isn’t it?”
…oh fuck.
“I thought this might happen,” Brooke went on. She put her hand on my shoulder. “It was obvious that it was only a matter of time. Honestly, I’m surprised it’s taken you so long to say something.”
Oh fuck, oh shit oh fuck she knows she knows about Michael and me and she’s going to be so upset, how was I so obvious? Oh my God…
“It’s Cameron, isn’t it?” Brooke asked.
…oh.
Well that was. Unexpected. Or maybe not. I thought that Cameron was annoying as fuck but I’d been trying to be professional so I’d just politely smiled or nodded in response to him. Y’know, trying not to encourage him but also trying not to make it awkward for everyone by causing a scene. My strategy was that eventually he would get bored and move on when it was clear I wasn’t going to really do anything.
But to Brooke, it must’ve looked like I was glad for the attention but just not properly responding. Maybe she thought I was shy. Who knew?
I didn’t know if I was grateful for her misunderstanding or not. I just smiled at her, not answering.
Brooke apparently took this as a yes. “He’s cute!”
“Yeah, but he’s my coworker. It’s not smart to get involved with someone from work.”
“As long as it doesn’t affect your work performance, why would it be a problem? You two can be professional, right?”
“Uh…”
“Cameron is always going on and on about how he can please women,” Brooke added. “Maybe he’ll be a good candidate for your first time.”
Oh Lord. I could feel my face heating up.
Brooke lost her virginity on graduation night, to her high school boyfriend, and they had sex a few more times after that but then he went to college out of state and Brooke was busy helping her dad with the restaurant and so she wasn’t exactly any more experienced than I was.
“You don’t get to talk,” I pointed out. “You might have had sex a few times but it’s not like you’re an expert.”
Brooke laughed. “Okay, okay, you’re right. But I thought it was fun! I’d have more if I could just… but after… after Mom and Dad I… you know.” She shrugged. “It’s hard to trust people.”
“I get that, trust me I do.” I put my hand over hers, squeezing.
Brooke sighed, then brightened up, downing the rest of her drink. “Let’s get out on the dance floor. Who knows? Maybe we’ll meet a couple of guys who can… help us out.” She winked at me.
I laughed. That was one thing about Brooke: she was always good for lightening my mood. “All right, all right, let’s go.”
Dancing was fun, but I wasn’t looking at any of the other men. I didn’t want to try and find someone. I already knew who I wanted: Michael.
I was pretty damn sure that he was the only guy for me.