Текст книги "Animate Me"
Автор книги: Ruth Clampett
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Текущая страница: 8 (всего у книги 26 страниц)
She puts her hands on her hips and tilts her head. “What did you do?” she asks in a playful admonishing tone. She reaches for the bag and peers inside. She looks back up at me with big doe eyes.
“Nathannnn,” she sighs and I can feel the emotion in her voice. She pulls out the lunch box and admires it, then clutches it to her chest. “You’re too good to me.”
I smile. “I could never be too good to you.”
She steps close and wraps her arms around me and presses her cheek against my chest. “Thank you, you’re the best.”
I wrap my arms around her too and note that I’m no longer awkward and stiff when I hug her like this. It just feels right.
• • •
“So you grew up in Pasadena?” she asks, while we load up the car. We managed to scope over half of the flea market in just under two hours.
“Well, actually Calabasas, but it was the land of the evil beautiful blonde people. The kids really bullied me there, so my parents thought I’d fit in better in Pasadena. Besides my dad loves living so close to Caltech-nerd nirvana.”
“So was the bullying better in Pasadena?” she asks having a hard time containing the distress on her face.
“A bit, but really only by a matter of degrees. The confident jocks can make high school rough place for artists who love cartoons and comics.”
As we pull up to the house I give her one more out. “Are you sure you’re up for this? They can be very odd.”
She turns towards me, and smiles. “They sound like my kind of people, Nathan…let’s go.”
She seems a little taken aback as we head up the walkway. “This is quite a house,” she says. “What does your dad do again?”
“He’s an inventor.”
“Did he invent the Post-it Note or something? This is pretty grand.”
I look up at the Greene and Greene craftsman style home and see it with a new perspective. “I hadn’t thought about it, but I guess you’re right.”
I lead her around the side of the house, into the back and towards the tennis court. Right as we approach the gate I hear Curtis moan loudly.
When we step inside we see that he’s playing against Dad and Billie, and they appear to be winning. Billie is doing some type of victory sashay across the court.
Dad sees us first. “Look,” he calls out and points, “Nathan’s here with his date.”
Ugh.
“Dad, this is my friend Brooke, not my date.”
He ignores me and steps up to shake her hand. “Nice to meet you Brooke, Nathan told us about you.” He turns towards me. “You’re right son, she’s very attractive.”
Can I die now? Can’t a meteor fall from the sky and nail me, turning me into tennis court dust? I look over at Brooke and she’s smiling, but right then Billie and Curtis approach us.
“So this is Brooke,” Curtis booms. “Nice to meet you. Have you and Billie met?”
“Hey, I know you,” Billie says surprised. “You’ve shopped in our store, right? It’s Billie’s Outer Limits on Olive near Buena Vista.”
Brooke smiles. “Yeah. I almost went in last week to buy Nathan’s book. He won’t give me one.”
“Don’t be a dick, dude. Give Brooke a book,” Curtis demands.
Billie’s eyes light up as she studies Brooke. “Hey, I just realized…you look just like B…”
Panicked, I jump in and cut her off. “Can we talk about this later? I haven’t introduced Brooke to Mom yet.”
Billie gives me a look as I quickly lead Brooke back to the gate. Once safely inside the house, I can derive comfort in knowing that my Mom is the only one that won’t humiliate me. When we step into the kitchen she turns and smiles.
“Hi Mom, this is my friend Brooke.”
Mom comes over and warmly shakes her hand. “So nice to meet you Brooke. Welcome to our home.”
“Thanks for having me, Mrs. Evans. Your house is amazing.”
Mom smiles at her. “Thank you, and please call me Diana.”
Wow, that was fast…I can already sense that she likes her.
“Nathan will have to show you around later.”
“Can we help you get lunch ready?” Brooke asks.
I’ve never seen this side of Brooke. It’s a revelation.
“That’d be great,” Mom replies, as she pulls out some fruit. “Would you two mind cutting this up for me?”
I turn towards Brooke. “Do you mind getting it started? I just have to ask Dad about something. It’ll only take a minute.”
I hurry back to the court and when I step inside Billie comes right over and punches me in the arm.
“Hey, what’s that for?” I grumble.
“Cheating on Dani, you swine.” She gives me the ultra-bitchy Billie look. “And am I right, is B-Girl modeled after Brooke?”
Curtis joins us shaking his head. “I warned you dude, that this could get messy.”
“Yes Billie, B-Girl is Brooke but please, you have to keep that a secret. Brooke doesn’t know about it….she has no idea. Besides, she has a boyfriend already.”
“Your bosses, bosses, boss, right, dude?”
Curtis is so damn helpful.
“Yeah, he’s president of Sketch Republic,” I admit defeated.
“Are you fucking kidding me?” she spews. “What are you going to do when she finds out about the drawings and that you’re so in love with her? Cause from the looks of it that could be soon. Then her boyfriend will find out and you’ll find your ass on the street like a cheap hooker.”
I clasp my hands over my head and groan.
Billie pushes me. “And how could you do this to Dani, asshole?”
Dad steps up and joins us looking totally confused.
Curtis pulls her back. “Calm down, baby. Dani is in on this.”
“What do you mean in on this?” Billie’s face and neck are getting red. I notice her tattoos take on a different look as a result.
“Who’s Dani?” Dad asks me, while watching Billie with a frightened look.
I take two steps back and fold my arms. “That’s it…we’re leaving. I should’ve known it would be a mistake to come here.”
“Who’s Dani?” Dad asks louder this time.
“Dani is Nathan’s pretend love interest, that Brooke, his real love interest, is helping him hook up with,” Curtis explains.
“What?” My Dad says with a faraway look as if he is calculating a complex math problem in his head.
Yeah, good luck with this one Dad.
“What, are you fucking kidding me! Nathan, I thought you were a smart dude,” Billie says, shaking her head.
“Evidently not,” I offer as I start walking towards the gate.
“Don’t leave, Nathan,” my Dad insists, trying to be the voice of reason. “Consider the ramifications, son. Leaving under the effects of provocation is only going to make things worse. How will you explain the deviation to Brooke? It defies logic which is intrinsically unsettling.”
“Huh?” Asks Billie.
I can’t blame her. You have to hang with dad awhile to get his particular form of geek speak.
He turns towards Curtis and Billie. “Let’s just all agree to have a nice lunch and give Nathan a chance to recalculate and reformulate his strategy with Brooke another time, somewhere more appropriate.”
“Dad’s right,” Curtis nods. “Besides, Mom’ll be really bummed if you leave now.”
I turn it over in my mind. “Okay,” I agree. “But only if you promise.”
They nod and so I go back in the house to rejoin Brooke where she and my mom are chatting away like long lost friends. Despite all the drama we just dodged, for a moment I allow myself to imagine Brooke and I in the future. I picture us as a real couple hanging out here on a Sunday with my parents, and I get a warm feeling in the pit of my nervous stomach.
Luckily lunch is uneventful other then my mom’s obsessive staring at Billie’s tattoos. Everyone is polite and talkative. Brooke seems particularly enchanted with my dad’s stories about ideas he’s pursued with his inventions. After lunch Curtis gives Billie a feral look and they disappear somewhere in the house while dad offers to show Brooke his work studio. I decide to stay behind and help Mom with the dishes.
“Oh, Nathan. She’s lovely, really lovely. She’s just the kind of girl I hoped you would find.”
“But Mom, she’s just a friend. She has a boyfriend already, and he’s the president where I work.”
“Perhaps,” she states in that cryptically female way. “But clearly you two are meant to be together. She’ll just need some time to work it out.”
“You really think so?” I ask, not hiding the hope in my tone.
She firmly nods. “You’re crazy about her, aren’t you? I can see it in the way you look at her.”
“I’ve been crazy about her for a long time,” I admit. “But I never thought I’d have the opportunity to talk to her, let alone become friends. It’s like the impossible doesn’t seem impossible anymore.”
“Like it’s meant to be,” she says with a dreamy look. My mom is such a hopeless romantic. I found a bunch of those erotic romance stories in the back of her closet once, leading me to believe that she can be well versed in suspending disbelief. That could explain her complete faith that Brooke will end up mine.
Brooke seems deep in thought on the drive back to my place. I try to relax and go with it, but finally I can’t take it anymore.
“You’re so quiet. What are you thinking?” I ask nervously.
“Just now I was thinking how much I miss having a family. I’m an only child, but before my parents got divorced we hung out a lot like your family does. And your parents are so cute together; they genuinely adore each other, don’t they?”
“Oh yeah, they make a good pair. I’m sorry that your family is split up but you can be a member of my family. My parents both liked you a lot.”
“Thanks.” She smiles warmly. “Your Dad’s pretty amazing Nathan. I’m knocked out by all the stuff he’s invented.”
“I’m impressed you got him to talk and open up so much, but I guess I shouldn’t be. Look how much you’ve gotten me to talk.”
She grins. “You’re both really similar you know? Both of you have super creative minds.”
“Well, we’re both geeky and awkward. That’s for sure.”
As I pull up to the house Brooke looks out the window.
“So your Mom talked a bit about Rachel when we were making lunch.”
“Really?” I’m not sure I want to hear this.
“So she told me that Rachel is living with a woman up North. You never mentioned that.”
I pull into the driveway. “It didn’t occur to me to mention it. I’ve only met her roommate once. Why?”
Brooke looks at me curiously. “Just wondering.”
I open the trunk to my car and pull out our stuff.
“Do you want to come in and hang out?” I cringe at how stupid that sounds but I’m desperate. I’m so addicted to her that it pains me to think about her driving away and going back to Arnold.
She steps closer and runs her hands along my shoulder. “No, I’ve got stuff I need to do—girl stuff.”
“Girl stuff? Anything I can help with?”
“Not unless you’re good at mani-pedis.”
“I could try,” I offer. I’m an artist…so how hard could it be?
She wraps her arms around me and holds on tight. “No, I think we will leave that to the little woman with the sharp scissors. But thanks for offering.”
I pause and look down at her lips with longing. “I suppose I used up all my practice kisses this morning, huh?”
“Yeah, mister, that was about a week’s worth, but who’s counting.”
She surprises me by reaching up and pressing her lips against mine. It’s a sweet slow kiss, her tongue barely grazing mine. When we part I pause for a moment with my eyes closed not wanting it to be over.
I feel her pulling her bags out of my hands. “That was so much fun. Thanks, Nathan.”
“Will you come with me again?” I ask, hopeful.
“How about next month? It’s the second Sunday every month.”
“Yup, it’s a date then.” I grin widely.
“So, see you tomorrow?”
I nod and watch her get in her car.
Inspired, I spend the rest of the afternoon drawing without restraint. Pose after pose, naked and clothed, stretched out and curled up. Laughing, pensive, smiling…every kind of beautiful.
Brooke.
Animate Me / Chapter Eleven / Man With a Tux
“We’ve been framed, Gumby. Never trust animated people.” ~Pokeyx
At four in the morning I wake up suddenly and lay there stunned until it is time to drag myself to work. I watch the clock until the afternoon, when our group finally heads to Starbucks. Now I am minutes away from seeing Brooke again, signifying the impending conclusion of my restlessness.
I walk right past Morgan and into Brooke’s office. Brooke is working at her computer, so I go straight up to her desk and sit down in the one of the visitor chairs. She looks up when I set down her coffee.
“Well, hello.” She laughs but then stops when she notices the look on my face.
“Are you all right?”
I lean forward on my elbows. I gaze at the grain in the wood of her desk and finally ask the question that has tormented me for the last twelve hours.
“So that’s it, isn’t it…Rachel’s gay?” I exhale long and slow, finally letting the air out of my chest. “It hit me in the middle of the night, and I’ve thought of nothing else since then.”
She gets up and closes her office door, then returns to her chair. She pulls up close to her desk and leans in towards me.
“Well, that would explain a lot, wouldn’t it?”
“I’ve wondered if that were the case from time to time. I even asked her once but she insisted that she wasn’t.”
Brooke has a sympathetic look on her face. I’m shaken even though I’ve agonized over the idea since four a.m., complete with visions of Rachel with other women dancing in my head.
“She must not have felt ready to admit it to you.”
“Is that what my mom thinks too?” I ask anxiously.
“Shouldn’t you ask her directly?” she gently suggests.
“I need to know right now. Come on, Brooke…”
She slowly nods, and I sigh.
“But please talk to her about it. I feel bad telling you.”
“Why didn’t I trust my instincts? Do you think Rachel was always gay, or did I make her that way?”
“Oh God, how could you think that? Of course she was born that way, but she must have cared about you enough to want to try men anyway.”
“Oh, lucky me!” I say sarcastically. “So remember how I told you that she loved me, you know…giving her oral sex? I was thinking about that all day and how she would always have her eyes closed. Do you think she was imagining I was someone else…a woman?”
“Maybe,” Brooke says sadly.
“Yeah, and her current roommate is kind of a tomboy. I swear, I’m so damn slow!” I press my fingers over my forehead in frustration.
“You just didn’t want to see it. Didn’t you say she was the first girl that you had a strong connection with? All things considered, I’m not surprised you didn’t pick up on it since she had indicated to you that she was straight.”
“You’re just trying to make me feel better,” I say quietly.
“No, I’m not. Give yourself a break; you aren’t only attracted to gay women. Like what about Dani? I know she isn’t gay. And you seem to enjoy me, and I’m not gay.”
“But you’re just helping me. That doesn’t count.”
“Sure it does, I’m not just helping selflessly. I always get really turned on with you,” she says matter of fact, like she’s talking about the weather.
“You do?” Suddenly it’s like the clouds have parted. Rachel, and all her gayness, fades out of my mind.
“What? You can’t tell? I thought it was rather obvious at your place yesterday morning. I’ve been very tempted to accelerate the education into advanced studies.”
I blush and immediately feel my pants tightening. “Wow, I’d really love to sign up for that.”
Oh, you’re such an idiot! I shift in my chair, embarrassed that I opened my big trap.
“Damn…sorry, I’m just so clueless. I wasn’t completely sure you really felt like that…”
She laughs. “Well then, you’ll just have to take my word for it.” She looks down at her coffee and lifts it to examine it more closely. “Now, what do we have here?”
“Brooke Berry Shortcake,” I respond, smiling.
The drawing is of her perched like a sexy pin-up on top of a huge strawberry with a strawberry hat on her head. She’s wearing yoga pants and a fitted T-shirt.
“Oh, this is awesome. I love it!”
I smile at her and then look down at the pile of projects strewn over her desk. “Well, we should get back to work.” I slowly push away from her desk.
“Are you okay?” she asks, watching me carefully.
“I guess so. But I think I’ll drink the hard stuff tonight.”
• • •
Dani nails me near the break room.
“So I hear you and Brooke went to the Rose Bowl. What am I, chopped liver?”
“No, you’re just not Brooke.” I point out, confused that this isn’t obvious.
“But I’m your pretend girlfriend. I need attention too.”
I suppose she’s right since she’s the one trying to help me. “Okay, when should we go out again?”
“Well, a bunch of us are going out tomorrow night. Why don’t you take me?”
“Is Nick going?”
“Yup,” she says happily.
“I’m onto you, Dani.”
“Screw you, Nathan. I’m onto you too.”
The next day, just after lunch I get a frantic call from Brooke.
“Nathan, thank God you’re there. I’m so screwed. I have a presentation in an hour, and my damn computer’s frozen. I have documents I have to print out. I’d call the IT guy but he’s a raving idiot.”
“No problem. I’ll be right up.” I’m so excited she needs me that I take the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator.
She looks completely stressed when I arrive. She pushes away from the computer and offers me her chair.
“Thanks for coming so fast.” There’s relief and gratitude in her voice.
“Don’t worry, I’ll get you fixed up in no time.” I settle in and get to work with complete focus. I need to make this work for Brooke.
About ten minutes into it, I’ve unfrozen the computer and located the documents, when Arnold comes into her office. I look up and see him regarding me with scorn.
“Do you ever work, man, or just come in here and bug Brooke?”
Stunned, I sit up tall and start to respond when Brooke jumps in.
“Lay off, Arnauld,” she says harshly. “For your information my computer froze before I could print out the treatments for the meeting. He’s helping me recover them.”
“But I thought he was an animator. Why didn’t you call IT?”
He directs his glare back at me. “Let me guess; are you one of those super geeks that stays up all night playing with computers too?”
He reminds me of the jocks that used to bully me in high school, and I can’t let him do that to me in front of Brooke.
“No, I’m an animator who happens to be good with computers.”
I hear Brooke snicker softly.
Arnauld rolls his eyes and turns to Brooke. “Whatever. Look babe, I’ve got a problem.”
“What’s that?” she asks impatiently.
“I’ve got a conflict now with Emmy night, and I’m not going to be able to go.”
“What are you talking about? It’s this Sunday! You’re supposed to take me. This is a big deal.”
I can’t help but listen, and I take a glance. I’m surprised at how upset she looks. She must really want to go to the Emmys.
“I know this is your big night…after all, you are the one who discovered Lazlo and helped him develop Danny Deletes, but I’ve worked things out. Roger’s offered to take you instead.”
“I don’t want to go with Roger,” she all but shrieks. “He is the dullest man I know. He’ll want to talk projections all night.” She puts her hands on her hips and juts her chin out. “So, what’s so damn important that you can’t take me?”
He looks down and I know before he opens his mouth that it’s bad.
“Zach got us ticket for the big fight in Vegas. Third row seats.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? You’re blowing off my big night for a fight?”
“Do you have any idea what it took for him to get those tickets, babe?”
“I don’t give a damn what it took! I’m not going with that loser Roger so you better rethink your plans.”
“Roger is CFO of this company Brooke.” He turns and points at me. “What? Would you rather go with this dweeb?”
I turn around pissed off. Did that asshat just call me a dweeb in front of Brooke? “Hey,” I challenge him, absolutely amazing myself.
“Don’t worry, toon boy, she’d never go with you.”
“Screw you, Arnauld. I’d love to go with Nathan.” She turns to me. “Will you take me to the Emmys Nathan?”
Things are suddenly looking up. “Sure, when it is again?”
“Wait just a damn minute,” Arnauld rages. “You can’t go with him. Just look at him with those goofy glasses and floppy hair, you’ll look ridiculous. I bet this geek didn’t even go to his prom. Have you ever even rented a tux, man?” He folds his arms over his chest assuming victory.
“Actually I own one,” I state calmly.
“What?” they both ask in unison.
They both look shocked. I can’t begrudge Brooke for her surprise. It’s unusual for someone like me to own a tux. But my dad dislikes renting anything. It’s against his religion or something. So we all got tuxes for the black tie event when he won the National Award for Outstanding Innovations. He told me at the time that I would wear it for my wedding one day. I bet he never imagined that I would wear it to the Emmys too.
“Is it a Halloween costume or something?” Arnauld asks warily.
“No, actually it’s an Armani. I got it at Barney’s.”
I’m sure that little tidbit impresses him, Mr. Hip Fashion guy. Screw you, hairy back. I hope one of those boxers gets knocked out of the ring and lands on you, crushing that stupid look right off your face.
Brooke’s grin is priceless. I can tell she may break into a happy dance any moment.
“Well then, that’s all settled. So if you’ll excuse us Arnauld, we have some plans to make.”
He gives me a death glare and I shrug my shoulders. He storms out of her office.
She walks over to me and kisses me on the cheek.
“What’s that for?” I ask puzzled.
“That was priceless…I swear I love you, Nathan. You really perform well under pressure. How did you ever think up that tuxedo thing…and Barney’s! That was brilliant!”
“But I really do have an Armani tuxedo from Barney’s, Brooke.” I explain, suddenly worried that she doesn’t intend to actually go with me. “Can I still take you?”
She throws her head back laughing, and it makes me smile to see her so happy.
“Hell yes! Believe me, there’s no one else I’d rather go with.”
The next day I tell Brooke that I’m considering contacts.
“Is this about Arnauld mentioning your glasses? Don’t think you have to change because of what he said.”
“I know. But remember when you took off my glasses that time and told me what nice eyes I have? I actually started thinking about it then. I even talked to my ophthalmologist about it last week at my check-up.”
“Okay, if you’re sure. As long as you’re going why don’t I come and we’ll pick up some stylish frames as back up. Lot’s of girls love guys in glasses if they’re cool ones.”
“You’ll come help me pick them out?”
“Sure, let’s see if we can get into L.A. Eyeworks this evening. Arnauld gets all his glasses there.” She scans through her Blackberry until she finds the number. “Do you have your prescription?”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure it’s in my book bag.”
• • •
The highlight of my week thus far is Brooke picking out frames and gently easing them on me. Each time, she brushes my hair up off my forehead and steps back for a better view.
“Your green eyes are so gorgeous. They were hidden under your heavy old glasses.”
I smile as she slowly pulls the third pair off. They’re a sleek European design like the hipsters wear.
After the fourth pair, she shakes her head and mutters something to herself.
“Is something wrong?” I ask, pushing the new frames further up my nose.
“No, you just look really hot. You’re going to have the girls lined up.”
“A line of girls? Well, then…let’s buy this pair. If you think I look hot, that’s good enough for me.”
She goes and talks to the technician while I study myself in the mirror. I don’t see the big difference, but I’m used to ignoring my reflection unless I’m shaving.
She returns, stepping up behind me to study how I look again. I can’t help feeling nervous; it’s so important to me to look good for her.
“Well?” I question. Has she changed her mind?
“Very hot,” she confirms.
“You think so? Would you be one of those girls in line?”
“Hell, I’d be first in line.” She makes a dramatic Dream Girls-like arm motion. “I’d be all, watch out, bitches…he’s mine.”
He’s mine? Oh God, that’s making me wild inside.
I swallow as I watch her in the mirror’s reflection. “How soon will they be ready?” I ask anxiously. I need these glasses now.
“You can take the contacts tonight. They’ll deliver the frames to you tomorrow.”
Thursday I suffer through the contacts only a few hours in the afternoon so Brooke can see me wearing them. It’s as long as I can stand them, and that’s with repeated eye drops. As it is I spend half of my lunch hour trying to get them in, after being too chicken to try in the morning.
I can’t tell what’s more painful, adjusting to the little discs stuck to my eyeballs or all the attention my new look is garnering. I have to wonder, why didn’t anyone tell me I looked like a super geek in my old glasses? I always thought they were cool.
All the girls seem to be intrigued with me now. Even Morgan gives me the look when I go to Brooke’s that afternoon.
“Hey handsome,” Brooke says as she reaches for her macchiato. “Are you coming over tonight to help with the website? I’ll show you my dress for Sunday.”
“Sure,” I say enthusiastically. “Do you want me to pick up dinner?”
“Nope, I’ve already ordered us a sushi platter.”
“You were that sure I was coming?”
“Have I mentioned that I’ll be wearing my yoga pants?” She teases.
I grin. “Well then, I’m coming for sure.”
Brooke suddenly looks up and I turn to see Morgan in the doorway.
“Sorry Brooke, but Arnauld just called and he needs you in on this call. They are in the conference room across from his office.”
She stands up and grabs her Blackberry and notebook. “Okay, thanks Morgan.” She touches my shoulder as she steps away from her desk. “So, I’ll see you later.” She winks, and I nod, smiling.
On my way out of Brooke’s office I pause at Morgan’s desk.
“Morgan, can I ask your advice?”
She looks surprised, but nods. “Sure.”
“As you know, I’m escorting Brooke to the Emmys Sunday.”
She jumps in. “Yeah, before I forget, do you want the limo to pick you up at your place, or Brooke’s?”
I have no idea how to answer that, but it occurs to me that at the end of the night I don’t want to just have the driver drop her off. “Well, why don’t I go to Brooke’s and then they’ll just have one stop?”
“Okay, then be there and ready to go at five. Oh, and you do know it’s black tie, right?”
She must really think I’m an idiot, but I remember I need her help so I remain polite and calm.
“Yeah, thanks Morgan, I’m set with a tux. But Arnauld said my hair looks stupid and I don’t want to embarrass Brooke. Do you know of a good barber I could go to that would make me look all right?”
I can tell that my question has pleased her. “Great idea. Let me do a little research, and I’ll email you within a half hour. It’s kind of late notice for the top people though.”
“Well, I could do it any time tomorrow late afternoon, or Saturday.”
Morgan makes notes on her pad.
“Also, I have no idea about these things…do I bring her a corsage or something?”
Morgan snickers. “No, this isn’t the prom.”
I blush, feeling humiliated. “Okay, so no flowers then.”
“Well you could bring her flowers when you come to her place…you know, to congratulate her for her achievement. That would be sweet.”
“Do you think roses?”
“Actually Brooke loves peonies. She orders herself an arrangement once a month because they’re her favorite. I’ll call her favorite florist, Mark’s Garden on Ventura Blvd., and have them put together an arrangement. You should pick them up at four-thirty Sunday. I’ll email you their address as well. You can pay for them there.”
“Wow, thanks Morgan. You’re amazing.”
She glows with the compliment. Maybe she really isn’t that bad.
“You’re welcome. Take good care of Brooke. Okay, Nathan? This is a big night for her.”
“I’ll do my best.” I assure her.
• • •
When I get to her house that evening the sushi’s just been delivered, and I bristle at the young delivery guy checking out my girl in her yoga pants.
I’m wearing my new glasses that make me look “really hot” and to seal the deal I’m wearing a size large narrow black Gap T-shirt that I previously would have never considered wearing. Normally I wear extra large because I like my clothes loose and comfortable. But the contacts and new glasses have got me feeling bold, like it’s time to break new ground.
“Hey, Brooke,” I say stepping inside.
“Oh my,” she says when she sees me and gives me a hug.
She steps back and nods. “I would strongly suggest you wearing that shirt and those glasses more often. They really show off how handsome you are.”
I love how she says that so matter-of-fact.
“And look at you.” I grin, gesturing to her outfit.
“Yes, my yoga pants have made another appearance just for you.”
I sigh. “It’s the simple things that make me happy.”
She pulls me towards the kitchen. “Come on, I bought Sapporo beer to go with the sushi.
After dinner we clean up and start to head into the studio.
“Hey, before we start can I show you the two dresses I’m trying to decide on for the Emmys?”
“Sure,” I agree. I may not know anything about women’s clothes but I’d look at Brooke in anything. Who’d have thought I’d ever be judging fashion?
She disappears into her room and comes back out a few minutes later in a long black fitted gown of some velvety looking material. It’s elegant and makes her look older than she is.
“What do you think?” she asks, sounding uncertain.
“You look beautiful, Brooke. It’s really fancy.”
“Fancy?” she smiles at me, her fashion idiot friend. What was she expecting?
“You look great. But you’d look great in anything.”
She makes a face at me. “All right Mr. Picky, let me show you the other one now.”
She’s gone a longer time and she comes down the hall even more tentatively.
This dress is a deep red, almost wine colored and it makes her pale skin glow. The fabric sweeps over her curvy hips and thighs. I look at her long neck and then down to where her breasts nestle in the top folds of the dress.
“Wow,” I say quietly. I can’t stop looking at how pretty she looks, soft but sexy, shy but provocative. “Wow.”
“Right?” she questions. “I like this one too. Here can you help me with this zipper?”
She steps close, turning around and I freeze as my gaze trails over her.
Her back is exposed all the way down to the top of her bottom, the softest white skin I’ve ever seen. My mouth actually waters as I fight the urge to run my tongue all the way up the length of her. I want to softly kiss her across her shoulders and then wind my hands around her until they are cupping her breasts.
“Zipper?” she asks looking over her shoulder to see what’s holding me up.
