Page 81 of I Really Do

Brooke turned her head, probably too fast, to look Anna in the eyes.“It has been weird. Good, but weird.”

Anna nodded.“Agreed.”

“I just want pajamas,” Brooke groaned.

“B, Honey?”

Hmm?”

Anna reached over and let her hand rest on Brooke's forearm.“B, can I help you?”

“Yes.” Brooke nodded.“Can you get this thing to open?” Brooke nudged her suitcase with her foot.

Anna crawled out of bed and stood in front of Brooke.“I’m going to unbutton your shirt. Is that okay?”

Brooke nodded again.“You unbuttoned it earlier,” she pointed out. Brooke was almost too drunk to remember she should look away. She very pointedly looked anywhere but at Anna’s bare thighs.

Anna blushed a deep shade of red.“Yes, but you weren’t drunk then.”

“Am I in trouble?” Brooke frowned. She hated being in trouble, but more importantly, she would hate to disappoint Anna. Her eyes immediately searched Anna’s trying to gauge how the other woman might be feeling.“Are you upset? Or mad at me?”

Anna shook her head no.“No, B. I’m neither of those things.” She leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Brooke's lips. She easily worked down Brooke's buttons, undoing them one at a time.

“I’m sorry I left,” Brooke tried again as Anna pushed her button down off her shoulders and tugged it down one wrist and then completely off the other.

“Honey-B, look at me,” Anna said, cupping Brooke’s jaw. She smiled sweetly.“I promise to always tell you if I’m mad or upset. I won’t make you guess.”

Brooke's eyes widened. Brooke had spent so much of her life walking on egg-shells, especially in relationships. She had never been able to figure out where she stood. She wasn’t doing much better here, but knowing that, at the very least, Anna would tell her if she was mad really felt like a step in the right direction. Her mind slipped back to the bar.“I got hit on tonight.”

“I know,” Anna said, still cupping Brooke's face.“Thank you for handling Holly how you did. You made me feel…” Anna paused to think for a second.“Very secure. And I appreciate that.”

Brooke shook her head.“No, not Holly. At the bar.”

Anna’s eyebrows pulled together in a frown.“Oh?”

Brooke couldn’t stop the smile that started to form at Anna’s apparent distaste.“Yeah, but don’t worry. I told her I have an Anna. She got the message.”

Anna immediately melted into an easy smile.“You do have an Anna. Can I help you take your pants off?”

Brooke's eyes widened and her jaw dropped.

Anna shook her head.“No.” She chuckled.“Not like that. You’re a little drunk for that,” she teased.

Brooke deflated a bit. She knew that she was too drunk. She would probably be a mess if they so much as kissed again for real. So, instead she let herself focus on the confirmation that she had an Anna. She knew that didn’t really mean anything, it wasn’t really a title, but it was some sort of sliver of a confirmation that there was something there. Something beyond this trip and beyond this room. For tonight, while this under the influence, that was enough. She nodded.“That makes sense. But yes, you can help me.” She gripped Anna’s biceps as she stood, using her for support. Her fingers lingered on Anna’s arms though, ever after she had made it to her feet.“You have amazing arms.”

Anna blushed.“Thanks, B.” Anna’s fingers worked to undo Brooke's belt, first undoing the buckle, then sliding the leather through the loops.

Brooke couldn’t help but focus on Anna’s face as she worked.“You’re really beautiful,” Brooke whispered.

Anna chuckled.“You’re just saying that because you’re drunk.”

Brooke shook her head.“No, I’m just brave enough to say it because I’m drunk.”

Anna looked up, staring deeply into Brooke's eyes.“You’re one of the bravest people I’ve ever met.”

“No, I’m not.” Brooke's jaw clenched.“I’ve avoided my family for thirteen years.”

Anna leaned forward and kissed Brooke's forehead. When she leaned back she whispered,“but you were brave enough to come to this. And that is pretty fucking brave.”