Page 98 of Brooke
She wiped her nose again with the handkerchief as more emotion poured through her. “But I don’t have any cred, Madison. So I have some academic credentials and some articles under my belt. I know people. But that’s not enough. Not to be an A-list designer. Axel was supposed to help with that. Quitting the project with him now… Talk about rumors. God, it wasn’t supposed to go down like this. I should have?—”
“I think you need to ask yourself if you want Axel and not beat yourself up so much about what other people might think,” Thea whispered softly. “Youcanfind another job. In fashion or interior design or whatever you want. Brooke, you can do anything.”
Their eyes met, Thea’s brimming with tears for her. Her heart pulsed at the love and belief she saw there.
“I believe that too,” Sawyer said from his position on the floor. “I didn’t tell any of you this, but I arranged a secret meeting with Axel.”
“You what?”Brooke cried. “He didn’t say anything.”
“Exactly,” Sawyer exclaimed. “Dude kept it to himself. And I…respect and like him for that. Brooke, I think you and Axel can figure things out. If you want. He loves you. The question is: do you want that?”
She pressed her hands to her eyes to stop the renewed flow of tears. “The thought of losing him hurts as bad as thinking I might lose my dad or Nanine when they had their heart attacks.”
“That’s significant.” Kyle pulled the chair from Brooke’s vanity table in the corner and brought it closer, sitting in front of her with Sawyer. “When things went south with Paisley, I was hurt at first. But only because I felt like she’d lied to me about who she really was. About loving me. When I sorted through it all, I was relieved. If you’re not feeling that, it means something.”
She inhaled a shaky breath. “I love him. More than I imagined ever loving anyone. But I’m not sure we can reconcile this. The reasons I felt the need to keep our relationship secret from my work still stand—even if I don’t continue in fashion. God, that thought makes me sick.”
“He’ll understand if he loves you,” Thea said, wiping her own eyes with her sleeve.
“Maybe he and I should take the weekend to think about things like he said.” She shrugged her shoulders and told herself to get a grip. “Today is all about the reopening and supporting you, Madison. How about we power walk our hearts out? God knows, I could use a vehicle to expend the rest of this energy. I’m tired of bawling my eyes out.”
“You’ll be taking up kickboxing again,” Sawyer joked, pushing off the floor.
“Already in my day planner,” she said with a laugh.
“Good,” Sawyer replied, “then you’ll be even scarier.”
“Never as scary as me, though.” Madison held out her fist to Brooke. “I want to be clear on that point.”
Brooke touched her fist to her friend’s. “The throne is all yours, Madison. And thanks.”
Madison lifted a shoulder, suddenly looking uneasy. “Forget it. It’s what friends do.”
She studied the beautiful group of people around her. “It is. I love you guys.”
“Okay, I’m outta here on the mushy stuff.” Madison started toward the door before pausing. “Brooke, I’ll be waiting for you downstairs.”
“I’ll change and see you shortly,” she responded.
“Probably a good move.” Sawyer pointed to her. “You look like you’re going to a funeral wearing all black. Today’s a party. For NanineandNanine’s and all of us.”
Kyle clapped him on the back. “Sawyer’s right. We’re going to have a great day despite your stuff. Already it’s a win. I told Madison not to start prep until ten this morning. And she actually listened.”
She shot him the bird, but her smile was a wicked curve on her face. “Only because you were right about me conserving my energy for tonight. The first night back with full meal service is going to take everything I have and then some. Let’s go, Brooke. Time is clicking.”
“Coming!” She turned to Thea and gave her a hug. “I’m going to figure things out.”
“I know you are.” She sniffed as she pulled back. “I just hate seeing you hurting.”
Kyle touched her arm before putting an arm around Thea. “Brooke’s got this, and she knows we’re here for her. Do you want me to call Dean and fill him in?”
She nodded shakily. “Yes, thanks. I don’t want to rehash it all right now. I’m focusing on being positive. I am going to figure it out. Count on it.”
“We know you are.” Sawyer grabbed her for a quick hug. “If you and Madison are up for company, I’ll power walkwith you by the Seine. I could pop into Sennelier. I need some more varnish.”
“We’d love that,” Brooke responded. “Right, Madison?”
“You bet.” Madison tapped her watch. “But I’m serious. Change fast, Brooke. I’ve got a shit ton of prep ahead, and I plan to start at ten on the dot.”
