“Hey.” Her voice is light and lifted. She sounds like she’s smiling.
Why would she be smiling?
“What are you doing?”
I look down at my towel, then around the darkened room. “Nothing. Just took a shower.”
“God, I took so many showers. I used an entire thing of body wash,” she giggles.
I run a hand through my wet hair.
She’s giggling? Why the fuck is she giggling? Is she happy right now?
“So, Mason . . .”
“Yeah?”
“That goodbye sucked. It was awkward and really fucking weird. I didn’t like it. You need to do better than that, okay?” A slurping sound comes through the phone. “Mm. Are you coming over?”
“What?”
“Billy is making his famous martinis. They’re so, so good. I’m on my third one so I can’t drive. You have to come to me.”
I sit down on the edge of my bed. Am I dreaming this phone call?
“You want me to come over there? After what happened today?” I ask hesitantly.
I almost don’t want to shatter this illusion. This Brooke still likes me.
“Yes, hello! You wanted me for the whole weekend, right? I mean, that was the original plan before that bloody tick showed up and ruined everything. It’s Saturday night. Still the weekend, mate,” she laughs again. “You’re so funny, Mason.”
“I am?”
“Yes. So sweet and funny. A little strange, yeah? I like it.” She pauses, humming a bit. “Now hurry up and get over here. I want to kiss you before I’m drunk and don’t remember it.”
The call disconnects. I bring the phone away from my ear and stare at it.
What just happened?
Brooke isn’t upset anymore. She isn’t mad or acting like we’re through and she’s done.
She wants me to come over. She hated that goodbye as much as I did.
She wants to kiss me before she’s drunk.
Too fucking right. I want that. I hated that bloody goodbye. I didn’t even want one.
I dart off the bed and attack my dresser like a man possessed. Clothes are flying. I pull on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and stumble into my runners, grabbing my keys and my phone.
My mood is jubilant. There’s that runner’s high I was hoping for earlier. Only this is better. Leave it to Brooke to shock me back into my usual pleasant self. She can’t do or be anything predictable. It doesn’t suit her.
Traffic is mild and I arrive at her building within a few minutes, pulling underneath and parking in the garage.
I take the elevators to her floor. I knock twice and step back, scowling at the water I collect off my neck. I didn’t even bother running a towel over my hair before leaving. My collar is damp.
The door swings open and Brooke’s bright face appears. She squeals and lunges at me, wrapping her hands around my neck and tugging me inside.
My back hits the wall. Her full lips form to my mouth.
“Hey. Hi. Your hair is wet, goof.” She filters her fingers through my hair and tugs on the ends. She kisses me slowly. Deeply. Pressing her small body against mine. Her tongue swipes across my lip and she moans. “Mm. My face is so warm right now. Feel.” Stepping back, she grabs my hand and presses it to her cheek.
I look at her, at that wild, devilish smile twisting across her mouth. The dimple sinking into her cheek and her brilliant eyes, round and eager.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispers, smiling so goddamn big. Her cheeks lifting and flushing pink.
My heart thunders in my chest.
Christ, I’m so in love with this girl.
A throat clears in the room. I look up and spot our audience, Billy and Joey, hovering a few feet away by the sofa. Both of them looking more than pleased at what they’re witnessing.
“Hey. How are ya?” I choke out, straightening off the wall.
“Evening.” Joey tips his glass, arching an eyebrow. “She’s been pacing around waiting for you. I almost had to sedate her.”