Shine Your Love on Me (14 page)

“I thought getting fired was the most
horrible day of your life.”

She cried into his chest then sniffled. “Oh,
thank you so much for remembering that.”

“I thought it might make you smile.”

“Nothing can make me smile today.”

Four pizzas arrived. The women and Hack went
into action setting up the food and drink on the table. Pres and
Brooke slipped into her room. Furniture, clothes, and dishes were
piled everywhere. He kissed her and stroked her hair. “What an
awful day.”

“It was. And this guy shoved me, and I fell
into a car, then on the sidewalk, and I was so humiliated. People
kept saying stuff about not paying your rent, but I always paid my
rent.” A fresh round of tears poured down her cheeks.

“I’m so sorry, kitten. I didn’t know, or I’d
have rearranged my lunch.”

“Would you? With producers?”

“Yeah. Of course. If you needed me.”

“I do” popped out of her mouth before she
could stop it. He smiled down at her. Brooke snaked her arms around
his middle. “I’m a mess. Now, I’m living with Nan. I’m twenty-eight
years old and living with my grandmother. The humiliation just
doesn’t stop.” She shut her eyes.

“It’ll work out. You’re smart. You’ll figure
it out.”

“I was stupid enough to trust Frank, dumb
enough to get into this mess. What makes you think I’m smart enough
to get out?”

He kissed her. “Because you are. Maybe it’s
time to rethink your life. What you want. Now, you’ll have time
with no money pressures.”

“Mooching off Nan? Great. Just great.” She
shook her head, moving out of his arms.

“Let’s go. I smell the pizza, and you need to
introduce me.” He took her hand.

They headed for the dining room. The sight of
the Dinner Club women and Hack arguing about who had done the most
work that day, chomping on pizza, and guzzling beer made her smile.
How can my life be over when I have such good friends?
She
took a deep breath.

“I saved the mushroom and meatball for you,”
Miranda said, shoving a plate toward Brooke.

“You guys, you’re the best.” She picked up a
bottle of beer and raised it high. “To the best friends anyone ever
had.”

At ten o’clock, Brooke opened the sofa and
fell into bed. She was asleep within seconds. But horns honking,
elevators running, all the different noises of her new location
woke her up at three. She rubbed her eyes and went to the window.
Central Park West was silent, for the moment. A few taxis drove by,
but the sidewalks were empty. She pushed the window open wider to
let in the cooler night air.

In the stillness of the city, without
distractions, nagging questions about her life loomed large.
Maybe Pres is right. Maybe I need a new plan.
Determined to
be the opposite of her laid-back, go-with-the-flow parents, Brooke
had held her life under tight control, providing a measured, almost
sterile existence. Rejecting everything they stood for exhausted
her. Had it made her happy? She’d thought so, but now she wasn’t
sure. Doubt crept in. She questioned her choices.
Even Lloyd was
a mistake.
What’s wrong with me?

A wave of loneliness swept through her. She
shivered at the cold quiet of being by herself. The room was as
unfamiliar as the view. She hadn’t unpacked because she’d been too
tired, and now all her memories were stuffed in drawers and boxes.
As a young child, Brooke had been close to both parents. Cooking
with her mother, Brooke had developed a taste for good food. Her
father often took her with him on errands to the hardware store,
and teased her about being so neat.

Framed pictures of her parents on her dresser
helped her keep them alive in her heart. Now those photos were
hidden. She sensed their absence, which added to the solitary
atmosphere.
Will I ever stop missing them? Probably not.
Another unfamiliar sound growing louder made her jump. The
click
click click
of claws on the wood floor startled her.

Freddy and Ginger had left Ruth’s bedroom to
join Brooke. She bent down to pet the pugs and got a kiss from
each. Their panting ended the depressing quiet of the room, making
her smile. She climbed back into bed. The dogs joined her. As she
settled on her side, Freddy cuddled into the curve of her back
while Ginger snuggled into the crook of her knees.

Before long, a soft snore emanated from each
animal. The soothing sound calmed Brooke. Loneliness evaporated
with the arrival of the cheerful pooches, and within a few minutes,
all were sleeping.

The next week passed quickly. Brooke spent
several days getting her room set up. She took over all the dog
walking from Ruth and joined Pres and Buddy for a romp in the park
every morning. They coordinated their schedules. Brooke looked
forward to the company of the pugs and Pres.

“How come you have a dog? Single guy. New
York City. Don’t you want your freedom?”

“From Buddy?” He shook his head. “I love
having a dog. I always wanted one growing up, but my parents would
never agree. Mom thought dogs were messy and smelly.”

“They are.”

“Yeah, so what? Dogs are great, and pugs are
the best breed. Buddy’s my best friend. I can’t imagine being
without him.”

“I’m getting there with these two.”

“Freddy and Ginger? I’ve trained them well.
Ruth doesn’t know crap about training. Hell, she’d set a place for
them at the table if I didn’t intervene.”

“I know! She totally babies them.”

“Do they sleep with you?”

“Sometimes. I like it. Kinda fun. I get how
dogs make you feel, well, not so alone.”

“Buddy sleeps with me. But there’s always
room left for another…bed companion.” He turned hot eyes to
her.

Brooke had been spending some evenings with
Pres. She’d walk the dogs then go to his place. They’d make
popcorn, watch television, and make love. They had a standing
Saturday night date. Pres would take her to a nice dinner and then
a movie, a concert, or a long walk topped off with mint chip ice
cream and lovemaking.

But Brooke was reluctant to spend the night
at Pres’s apartment because Nan would worry or think she was a
slut. Pres had asked her, begged her to stay. He had argued that
Ruth was less old-fashioned than Brooke thought. The young woman
wasn’t ready to chance losing her grandmother’s respect. But every
week it got harder and harder to leave him.

“Remember when you asked me if I wanted to
have a woman next to me when I woke up?”

“I know where you’re going with this.”

“So? Please stay over, Brooke. I miss you in
the morning.”

Pres joined Ruth and Brooke at least three
times a week for dinner. Sometimes, Harry would come along. Then,
Mary would join them. On Fridays, four or five of Ruth’s friends
from the senior center would show up.

One morning after walking the dogs, Brooke
sat down for a second cup of coffee.

“Enough!” Ruth said, joining her.

“Enough what?”

“Enough of you sitting around. While you’re
figuring out what to do with your life, you can help me.”

“Of course, Nan. Anything.”

“Here.” Ruth tossed a handful of recipe cards
on the table. “Pick something and cook it for dinner on Friday.
I’ve got five friends expecting dinner, and it’s too much for
me.”

“That’s seven of us, right?” Brooke shuffled
through them.

“And Pres, too. Isn’t he coming? He usually
does on Fridays.”

Brooke colored slightly. “Pres. Right.”

“I like you dating him. He’s a good guy.”
Ruth smiled.

“I agree.”

“Pick something. Buy the groceries and make
the meal.”

“But Nan, I don’t know how to cook.”

“Then, it’s time you learned. Crap, honey,
you’re twenty-eight!” Nan laughed, chugged the rest of her coffee,
and left the room.

Brooke sat, reading each card. Freddy curled
up in the small dog bed in the dining room. “Thanks, Fred. I need
the company.” Putting aside worry that had nagged at her, she
studied the recipes.
I’m picking the easiest one. Damn! Cooking
for eight when I can’t even cook for one. Mom did, guess I can,
too. Lots of dumb people can cook.
Brooke picked her mother’s
chili. “Okay, Nan. Chili for Friday.” She called out to her
grandmother, who was sitting on the living room sofa watching
television.

“Excellent choice. Plus a green salad and
homemade cornbread. Perfect. Apple pie for dessert?” Nan joined
her.

“I don’t know how to make apple pie, and
there’s no recipe.”

“Find one on the Internet.” Ruth went back to
her television program.

Bess!
Brooke picked up her cell and
dialed. “Help!”

“What?”

“I need to know how to make apple pie.”

“The Dinner Club meets tonight. We’ll take
care of it.”

“But I need it for Friday.”

“We’ll make the crust, you can freeze it, and
all you’ll have to do is add the apples on Friday morning.”

Brooke let out a breath. “Thank God. That
sounds okay.”

“I’ll show you everything. Bring a pen and
paper.”

“You’re the best, Bess. I owe you.”

“Bring a good Cabernet tonight, then.”

“Got it.”

Brooke packed up Freddy and Ginger and waved
goodbye to her grandmother. Once at Bess’s place, she conferred
with her baker friend. After dinner, Bess set up her demonstration
of how to make a perfect piecrust. Then, she handed Brooke the
recipe for the filling.

“This is a secret. Please don’t give it to
anyone else. It’s my private formula.”

“I promise.” Brooke crossed her fingers over
her heart.

Miranda filled the wine glasses, the pugs
napped on the sofa, and the lesson began.

“So, you’re cooking for eight on Friday?”
Bess asked.

“Yes, and I’m not even used to cooking for
one. I think Nan wants me to take over, and since I’m staying
there, I guess it would be the nice thing to do.”

“Who’s all coming?” Rory asked.

“Her friends from the senior center. Harry,
the big mouth. And Pres.”

“Pres?” Miranda cocked an eyebrow.

“So, he’s still in the picture? Nice. I liked
him.”

“Yeah. He’s been great.”

“Good girl. Nice guys grow on you. Never
liked the Lloyd set-up,” Bess said.

“Do you miss Lloyd?” Rory asked, taking a sip
of wine.

“I did in the beginning. But not anymore.
With Pres, it’s different.”

“He’s a sweetie,” Miranda said.

“He is. Not a corporate type. Doesn’t make a
six figure salary, but he’s sold a screenplay.”

“That’s pretty damn good,” Miranda said.

“That’s what I thought. And he loves
pugs.”

“Well, that seals it for me,” Rory chuckled.
“Would he like to adopt or foster?”

Each woman had made a piecrust and placed it
in a disposable, aluminum pie tin. Bess packed them up and handed
them to the ladies when they left. Brooke hung back. She hugged
Bess.

“Thank you so much. My mom was a great cook,
but I don’t know a thing.”

“Chili is a good place to start. Don’t make
it spicy, the older folks might not like it.”

“Good point.”

“You’ll be fine. Here are salad
instructions,” Bess said, tucking a white card in Brooke’s
purse.

“Salad? Lettuce, tomato, dressing from a
bottle, right?”

Bess shook her head. “Try this. You’ll
impress everyone.”

“This is wonderful. You’re a great
friend.”

“Happy to help. Good luck.” Bess hugged her
again.

Brooke left The Wellington smiling. She held
the leashes in one hand and the bag with the piecrust in the other.
Confidence grew inside her.
I can do this. If I can do a new
business presentation, I can make this meal.
She walked briskly
to keep up with the trotting pugs.

Friday morning, she awoke early and met Pres
at the entrance to the park. He leaned over to kiss her. Buddy
sniffed Freddy then Ginger.

“The Great Lawn?”

“Can we cut it a little shorter today? Only
one loop?”

“Sure. How come?”

“I’ve got to start on tonight’s dinner.”

“At nine in the morning?”

“Yep. A ton to do.” Brooke and Pres directed
the pugs to grassy areas in the shade, out of the hot, July sun and
disconnected their leashes. Even early in the morning, the heat
could be too much for the short-snouted breed. They met Spike and
Clara there. The five dogs sniffed, played, and relieved
themselves.

“So, what’s going into this magnum opus
dinner?”

“Aha, that’s my secret.”

“Do I need to wear formal attire?”

“Do you actually own a tux?”

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” He ruffled her
hair and ran to a tree when she lunged for him. She chased him a
bit, but he eluded her every time. She bought coffee from a street
vendor and plopped down cross-legged on the fresh grass. Freddy and
Ginger immediately joined her, checking for food.

“No, guys. Coffee. Not for puggies.” They
returned to sniffing the others.

Pres slid down next to her. “Can I get a sip
of that?” He raised his eyebrows in a pleading look.

“After running away from me? Don’t think so.”
She shook her head and shot him a flirtatious look.

“Take pity on a poor, caffeine-deprived guy.”
He stuck out his lower lip. Brooke leaned over and kissed it. He
slung his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.

“What’s the magic word?”

Buddy ran over and barked at them.

“Shhh, Buddy. Let a guy kiss his girl, will
ya?” Pres hissed at his dog before he brushed his lips against
hers.

“Kiss. That’s it. That’s it,” Brooke said,
laughing.

“Hey, Pres, get a room, will ya?” Sam,
Spike’s owner, teased, tipping his ball cap to Brooke.

When the others moved away, Pres whispered,
“I have a room. And a bed. And a shower stall lonely for company.”
He nibbled on her earlobe. Heat grew, sending a shiver shooting up
her spine. “Come home with me, tonight.”