15
BROOKE
Ifelt like such a phony as I tried to put a bright smile into my voice with every call I took Monday afternoon.
"You're all booked for your cleaning next Tuesday, Mrs. Stevenson. Looking forward to seeing you then!"
I hung up, then checked the clock wearily. Almost home time. I couldn't wait to get back to my room, where I'd spent most of the weekend alternating between staring into space, crying, and looking up details about dream schools and programs that I couldn't afford.
Once I told Dad that Warrick and I were finished, he let the matter drop, thank goodness. He didn't want to have the awkward conversation any more than I did.
I didn't want to leave Warrick. But if he could send me off to school so nonchalantly, maybe it was for the best.
A tiny part of my mind kept whispering that education was the most important thing, and if his guilt in letting me go so soon made him want to pay for everything with a few snaps of his fingers, I should let him. But of course I couldn't do that.
And a much, much bigger part of me was screaming that I couldn't let him go.
I was already in love with him. Every single thing about him. Not because he was rich, or powerful, or older. I loved the way he sniffed his coffee before he drank it. The way he was so curious about every detail of the world. That he'd drawn that silly heart and slipped it into my purse without saying a word.
Plus he was sexy as hell, and totally adorable. How often does that mix come along?
But he was a guy. Of course he didn't want to get serious right away. I hadn't even thought that far ahead, but I should have seen it coming.
Plus, he was powerful. Powerful men always did whatever the hell they wanted. They didn't ask for anyone else's opinion or help. That was just a fact.
After sending out a few last appointment reminder emails, I closed the computer and turned on the voicemail before waving to Dad on my way out.
Warrick was outside, leaning on a sports car that was identical to his, but light blue.
"On the night we met, you mentioned that you'd borrowed your mom's car," he said quietly. "I thought that you might like one of your own. What do you think?"
I was too stunned to speak.
"If you don't want this color, we can go to the dealership right now and change it," he said. "They're open until six."
"I love it," I said, slowly stepping closer. "But you didn't have to do this."
I tried to hold back the bitter words, but they burst forth anyway. "Is this to make it easier for me to drive around when I'm away at school?"
Warrick took my shaking hands and guided me into the driver's seat. Then he walked around the car and got in beside me.
"I figured out what I did wrong," he said cautiously. "Yesterday I organized a meeting with Colleen, Amy, and Gloria from work. Fed them snacks and had them teach me about being a better communicator with women. "
My mouth fell open. He called in help?
I couldn't quite believe it. It was the first time anyone had really gone out of their way for me, after watching people practically do backflips for Katrina my entire life.
"What did they tell you?" I asked.
"Brooke, I'm so sorry," he said gently. "I was so focused on thinking about which schools might be best for you, and all the ways I could help, that I forgot to say I would want to move with you to whatever city you needed."
Staring into those beautiful eyes, I couldn't make a sound.
"When I said get a home, I meant for both of us," he continued. "House, apartment. Whatever is most convenient for your education. But I always meant for us to go together, baby."
His fingers slipped through mine. Hope and love and lust flooded me all at once.
As I tried to calm my racing heart, I looked up to see Dad marching out the door. "I thought this was over," he snapped.