6
Last night had been amazing. Although she learned more about Tabiq in a few hours than she had in the past ten months, the best part was her time alone with Gareth afterward. It wasn’t like they did a lot of talking; they just sat in the lounge and listened to music. She enjoyed his company most of all.
How could sitting and not speaking be so nice? What wasn’t pleasant was the headache she was fighting this morning. The staff knew she didn’t drink alcohol, so they’d brought her virgin frozen Hopeless In Love drinks both times. Absolutely delicious, they were a mix of coconut and pineapple. Unless someone knew what extra cherries around the fancy umbrella meant, they’d never know the difference.
Yet the pounding in her temple wasn’t going away. She knew it was from lack of sleep. Brooke had intended to only spend an hour with him listening to music. Somehow the time slipped away, and before she knew it the clock showed two in the morning. For someone who had to get up at five, that really sucked. But here she was, dressed and at least looking ready to wait on whoever was hungry while all she wanted to do was crawl back under the covers and sleep all day.
If her morning wasn’t starting rough already, Janet was there and not looking too pleased either. She didn’t normally arrive until seven at the earliest, so this had to be bad. The fact she was headed in Brooke’s direction was a good indication it had to do with her.
I knew there was going to be a price to pay for last night.
“Good morning, Brooke. Could you please come with me to my office?”
Brooke nodded and followed her out of the dining area and down the hall. She sensed all the staff staring. She knew she would be the topic of gossip today. Not that any was ever shared with her, but she knew it would be about her. And well deserved too.
Once inside, Janet closed the door and said, “Have a seat.” Brooke did as she instructed and waited. Once Janet sat down at her desk, she said, “You put me in a very difficult situation. I have no choice but to bring you into my office.”
“I understand. The policy is in place for a reason.” Brooke felt horrible. In all her life, she’d never had the smallest blemish on her record. This wasn’t an accident. She had full control over what she did and didn’t do with Gareth. She fully knew and understood what could happen by ignoring the rules.
Janet leaned over and peered at Brooke. She waited to hear she was suspended or fired or had to sign a written warning. But Janet just kept looking at her instead.
“I wish I could say more. I’m guilty,” Brooke confessed.
“You better believe you are. And do you know what gets me the most?” Brooke shook her head. “I had to overhear the staff talking about it. I would’ve thought you’d have mentioned something about it to me.”
Brooke blinked. Janet’s expression wasn’t angry. So what was it? “I guess I wasn’t thinking about that at the time.”
“No. And now I’m forced to drag you into my office and keep you here for a bit so everyone thinks you’re being reprimanded.”
“I’m not?” Brooke asked, fully confused.
“You think I’m going to write you a warning for sneaking off New Hope and having dinner with one of the owners and his family? I might as well fire myself.” Janet laughed.
“I’m not in here to get . . .”
“You’re in here to make it look like you’re in trouble. And maybe to spill some of the good details I’m dying to hear.”
Brooke smirked. “Details? I believe you already know the Hendersons.”
Janet rolled her eyes and picked up her pen. “It’s not too late, you know,” she teased. They both knew it was an empty threat.
“Oh, you mean Mr. Lawson.”
“Of course I do. And with the dress you wore, I don’t think you call him Mr. Lawson any longer. I heard you turned quite a few heads last night. You’ll have to tell me where you got it.”
“It’s so old, I can’t remember. But I brought it along just in case there ever was an occasion I needed to—”
“Sexy it up?” Janet asked. She nodded. “And did Gareth like the dress?”
“Oh yes. And if I had known he was taking me to Alex and Ziva’s home, I would’ve worn something else.”
“Are you kidding me? Ziva was the one who texted me last night about the dress. She loved it too. By the way, they really liked you. Ziva’s exact words were: You need to find a way to get her to stay in Tabiq.”
Brooke laughed. “You better pick up that pen again, because that’s not happening. It’s nothing against Tabiq or anyplace. I just enjoy traveling. That’s why I wanted only a one-year contract with New Hope.”
“I get it. You’re single and young, and it’s your time to live your life. But don’t you ever think about settling down? You know, getting married and having a family?”
“Of course I do. But I work so much and with my lifestyle, I can’t see that happening any time soon.” And she wasn’t looking for it either. Her parents might be thrilled, but she wasn’t so sure about that either.