Page 78 of I Really Do

Anna Fourchette (12:10 am):

I had fun tonight. I’m

really glad I came with you.

Brooke Kent (12:10 am):

I’m glad you came, too.

Anna Fourchette (12:11 am):

Okay, I’ll quit bugging you.

Have fun with Nate. I

can’t wait to see you when you

get back.:-*

Brooke Kent (12:11 am):

♥?

“Everything okay?” Nate asked as Brooke slipped her phone back into her breast pocket.

Brooke nodded and took a sip of her beer.“Yeah.” She smiled a real, genuine smile.“Everything is kind of perfect.”

“Are you still any good at billiards?” Nate asked, a sly grin tugging up the corners of his lips.

It had been a long time since Brooke had actually played, but she had always been good. Surely she couldn’t be that rusty. She shrugged.“Not sure, want to go find out?”

“How are you this much better at billiards than me?” Nate groaned after their second game and fourth too many beers.

Brooke just let her head fall back with a laugh and shrugged.“I’m your older sister, I’m supposed to be better than you at stuff.”

“Not this much better,” Nate said a bit too loudly as he gestured wildly at the green felted table.

“At least we’re not betting anything.” Brooke finished off her drink and held it up to him.“Want me to buy you a beer as an apology?”

Nate sighed.“Yeah, that will probably make me feel better.”

Brooke nodded and headed back over to the bar while Nate re-racked. She slid onto an empty stool and waited patiently for the bartender’s attention. While she waited a stunning Black woman with long curly hair, slid onto the stool next to her.

“Hi there,” the woman said, offering Brooke a warm, easy smile.

Brooke was not a fan of small talk. It had always made her uncomfortable. Instantly, she thought of Anna again, wishing she was here.“Hello,” she managed.

“What are you drinking?” The woman asked.

Brooke shrugged.“Just beer.”

“I’d be happy to get that for you,” the woman’s smile turned a bit sly.“I’m Lauren.”

Brooke blushed, uncomfortably turning red.“Oh, that won’t be necessary. I’m supposed to be getting a beer for my little brother, too.”

Lauren bit her bottom lip.“If I offered to buy him one too, would it get me an invite to watch your billiards game from up close?”

A frown tugged at the center of Brooke's eyebrows.“Why would you want to watch us? Neither of us are any good.”