Page 79 of Brooke
She stepped forward when Nanine did not and kissed her on both cheeks, wishing a hug was part of the Parisian greeting. “You can ask me to come anytime, Nanine, and I will drop everything and be here.”
Her gaze shuttered for a moment. “Yes, I know that well. Come in.”
“Did you have a nice trip?” she asked, sensing the rare awkwardness between them.
“I had a wonderful time,” she said, her features transforming slightly into happiness. “Your father is a delightful companion, and he knows how to keep me occupied. We are well matched that way, having both retired from rigorous professions with long hours. But that is not what we must speak about.”
Brooke sent her what she hoped was an encouraging smile. “You can tell me anything, Nanine.”
She made a very French sound before clenching her hands in front of her. “I feel I have not been a very good friend to you and the others lately, staying away as I have. At first, I did it to force myself to grieve, something one sometimes must do alone. In some ways, giving up my place as a chef at my beloved restaurant was as painful, if not more so, than losing Bernard. Sit down, Third Course. I have much to say.”
Brooke walked with Nanine until they reached her couch.They both sat, Brooke perching on the end to face the mother of her heart. “I am happy to listen, Nanine. I’ve missed you.”
That produced a visible tremble. “Well… I have missed you as well. Brooke, I have struggled to find the right things to say to you. I know you are pleased about me and your father, but as it is still a shock to me, I imagined it was a shock to you.”
She edged a little closer to Nanine on the sofa. “A good one. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you both quite so happy. You know how much I love you. How worried I’ve been. Knowing you’ve found each other…it’s like the best gift ever.”
Nanine reached over and took her hand, squeezing hard. “I discovered there was still a part of me that wished to protect myself—and you and the others. I was worried about what might happen if your father and I only came together for a brief time, but now I know that will not be so. I cannot stand the thought of being without him now. I want you to know that, Brooke. He has become vital to me, in a way I have not felt since Bernard died.”
She gripped Nanine’s hand, her heart aching inside her. “I am so glad, Nanine. All these past years, I’ve wanted to find someone for you, but I knew you’d be insulted and angry at me if I tried.”
Her raspy laugh softened the tension in her face. “You would be right on that count. My heart had to be the one to tell me, and suddenly, after grieving every broken piece still inside me, old and recent, I could see your father in a new way. It was quite a revelation, Third Course, but like I told you when you caught us in the kitchen, he is so like you in going after what he wants. That is already a trait I love very well, as you know.”
Brooke bit her lip as tears burned her eyes.
“I admire the honesty even if I worried about the pace of events,” she confessed. “But now I am in full command ofmyself and my heart. I am here to tell you I am still your Nanine, and perhaps more, as I have accepted your father’s proposal.”
She gasped. “You have?”
“Why would I dither on something so wonderful?” She made another very French sound. “When I realized I was only acting from a place of fear, I was fed up with myself immediately. I might as well have drunk an entire glass of lemon juice. That is not how I live my life. So I faced it head-on and told your father how much I would love to be married to him. I hope you will be as happy for us as we are.”
“You know I am.” This time she leaned forward and embraced Nanine, a little concerned when she felt the racing of her pulse. “But we should both take some deep breaths. Stress isn’t good for you.”
Nanine shot her a look before inhaling shallowly. “I will only indulge you because you are right, Third Course.”
Her dear but slightly haughty reply was reassuring, but Brooke was still glad she carried aspirin in her purse. “Maybe this is a good time to tell you that I am also in love.”
Nanine squeezed her hand, her brown eyes shot with wonder. “You are? Oh, my Third Course. They say when the heavens shower you with rain, your life will bloom in unexpected ways. Who is he?”
She knew she sported a secret smile. “Axel Erikson, the interior decorator.”
Nanine’s usually sanguine mouth flew to a full smile. “Ah, but this is marvelous! You share a similar passion for work as well as love. I believe those are the bonds most likely to last. Oh, my dear Brooke, I am overjoyed for you.”
“Thank you,” she said softly. “I cannot wait for you to meet him tonight.”
Nanine’s eyes widened. “But your father does not know of this.”
She shook her head. “No, but he will tonight. I thoughtabout telling him beforehand, but I decided it might be better for him to meet Axel in person and see how much my roommates like him. Daddy always says you can see someone’s character in how they treat others. And everyone likes Axel. Including Madison.”
Nanine touched the corner of her mouth. “She told me she’d invited him because of the notes he gave her aboutLe Cirque.Hearing this made me even more anxious to meet him. You have done well then, to have found someone who lights you up as you are now, and one whom your friends also care about and approve of. Your father will be pleased by this. Of course, I will be sure to give him my opinions, which I trust will all be glowing.”
They shared a look, Nanine tightening her grip on Brooke’s hand. “I believe so,” Brooke said. “He’s one of the most incredible men I’ve ever met, Nanine.”
Then she proceeded to tell Nanine everything, like she always had in the past. By the end, they were both practically giddy with happiness.
“I admit to not always knowing what to do when I feel this happy,” Nanine admitted with a shaky laugh.
“I understand,” Brooke answered with a delighted sigh. “But I’ve just decided to run with it. As long and as fast as I can. I’ll only tell you this part for now, but I hope it lasts forever.”
