Page 72 of Brooke
“Thank God!” came a harsh utterance from somewhere outside the room.
“Sawyer!”She stalked over to the source, finding him hovering against the wall beside the bathroom door. “Are you eavesdropping again?”
He winced, pushing his gold spectacles up. “Sorta. I came to see if you needed any moral support because Thea and Dean looked like they were on a mission when they headed up here. I decided to hang out to see how the conversation went.”
Suddenly Dean was standing between them. “I told Thea something was up with you last week! I thought you might be getting— I’ll stop right there. Brooke, I’m happy for you.”
“Me too!” Thea gave her a quick hug before pointing at her. “I knew it was a guy since you’re wearing your lucky earrings, the ones your dad gave you when you turned twenty-one.”
She touched the simple diamond drop earrings. “That’s what did it?”
Thea pushed her chestnut hair behind her ear. “Well, I was suspicious when you got your hair cut and didn’t say anything.”
Another spontaneous item not in her day planner that had preceded a secret rendezvous that also hadn’t made it into the book. “It was only a trim. No one noticed.”
“I did,” Sawyer said, pointing to his head of black curls. “Little touches change the lines. I noticed it when I was drawing you.”
“I didn’t.” Dean made a comic face. “Unleash your typical man comments.”
“No need,” Brooke said, her insides jumping. “You already called it out.”
“You said your schedule was manic this week.” Thea plucked at the sleeves of her pink sweater. “I figured there was a good reason you didn’t mention it or ask me to go to the stylist with you. Dean assured me you weren’t still mad about the wedding dress.”
“Of course I’m not.” She put her hand on Thea’s arm. “You’ve been busy too, finalizing bread recipes with Madison for D-Day and the reopening. Besides, I can get a haircut on my own.”
Thea lifted a quick shoulder, her hurt clear. “But it’s fun spending time with you and going for things like that—especially since it keeps my mind off of D-Day and Nanine’s reopening.”
Brooke’s heart started to ache. “I’m sorry, Thea.”
“I know.” She sniffed quietly, prompting Sawyer to dig out his handkerchief, which only made Brooke think aboutAxel. “I even texted your dad if he knew what was up with you after you kept quiet about your hair. But he only replied that you have a lot on your plate.”
She almost laughed, wondering if her father had attributed her behavior to him and Nanine getting together. But no…
Her father knew her well enough that he’d realize she’d gotten her hair cut off-schedule because she was dating someone.
“Terrific,” she muttered. “Now he’ll be worried I’m dating. At least he hasn’t called about it from wine country.” She knew why, of course. Nanine hadn’t called either.
“So who’s the lucky fellow?” Dean pressed.
She caught Sawyer’s gaze before glancing away. “Like I said, it’s early. I’m not sure I should say anything.”
A ripple of hurt crossed Thea’s face again, and Brooke’s heart gave another squeeze. They always told each other things. Like sisters of the heart would. Shit. Then she shifted her gaze to Dean. They always told each other dating deets too. He didn’t look hurt per se. He looked…tenacious.
“You’re being way to close to the vest here.” Dean stalked forward, tipping her chin up. “Tell good ol’ Dean the truth. It’s someone we know, isn’t it?”
She gave a dragon breath. “Yes.”
Sawyer muttered something under his breath that sounded a lot like, “I’ve been really patient…”
Dean swung around and pointed. “Sawyer, if you know who… Oh, wait! Oh God! Why didn’t I get it before?”
“Who?” Thea practically shouted.
Dean started to laugh, abending over at the waistlaugh. Brooke wanted to punch him. “Stop! You do not know.”
“I do!” he wheezed. “He looks like Ivar. Oh, jeez. My side is hurting.”
“Who is Ivar?” Thea asked, her slender brow knitting. “You’ve never mentioned an Ivar. I would remember a name like that.”
