Seconds ticked by. I held my breath.
“Okay,” he said quietly into the line.
I fell asleep with a smile on my face.
19
CADE
Istarted calling Brooke each night when I wasn’t at the station house, and we kept up a steady stream of texts throughout each day. Bolstered with confidence on how well things were progressing, I bought my plane ticket for her birthday weekend in May.
She picked me up from the airport, and I was relieved to see she had filled back out since winter. Her clothes no longer hung shapelessly from her body.
She looked good. Happy.
I slung my arm around her shoulder and kissed her cheek.
“Hey, birthday girl.”
We walked arm in arm and she smiled up at me, almost shyly. “Hey yourself. Thanks for coming.” She bumped my hip with hers.
We exited the airport and climbed into her old Honda. As she drove, I scanned her face for clues it would be safe to broach the tough topic we hadn’t discussed in our text exchanges and phone calls.
“So you’re doing good?” I asked to start.
She hit me with a wide Brooke smile. “I’m doing really great. I’m all—healed,” she explained.
“Everything is resolved with the whole Brock situation?” I ventured.
“One hundred percent. You being there for me meant the world to me, Cade. I’m so grateful.”
“Are we going to talk about—the kiss?”
She stiffened slightly, but didn’t shake her head. “We can,” she said tentatively.
I tried to lighten the mood. “Well I was into it,” I told her, catching the shy smile that spread back across her face and the sweet blush that covered her cheeks and trailed down her neck.
Little by little, I hoped to drop a few bread crumbs this weekend to see if she’d pick them up. Being friends with her was great, but my pathetic heart still hoped there was a chance for more with Brooke.
The party wasa small gathering in the tiny backyard of her and Whit’s duplex. I recognized Brooke’s mom, Deborah, and gave her a wave. I gave a genuine hug to Owen and met his new girlfriend, Meg. There were a couple nurses from Brooke’s new unit there as well, and I made my introductions. And of course I met the infamous Loretta, who was every bit the character I knew she’d be from our phone interactions. Maple ran from person to person, sniffing and hoping for treats. I rubbed her fur affectionately, allowing her to sniff my jeans thoroughly. I wondered if she could smell essence of Echo.
After I made the rounds I sidled up beside Whitney, who was standing a bit to the side of the group and rocking slightly back and forth. On her chest was some kind of intricately wrapped baby carrier.
“Ah, the famous Whit. We meet again. And who’s this beauty?” I motioned to the dark-haired bundle sleeping peacefully.
“Cade, meet Ivy Jane Clayton. Fresh off her debut. First party,” she told me conspiratorially.
“First of many, I’m sure. She’s beautiful,” I told Whit sincerely. “How’s the nurse life?”
Whit shifted and looked slightly uncomfortable. “I actually left Boston General.” She noted my surprise. “I’m working on a new venture now—contract graphic design. It allows me to stay home with Ivy, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to pursue.”
“No way! That’s awesome,” I said encouragingly. “Kudos to you.”
Brooke came up to me and tucked her arm through the crook of my elbow.
“Come here.” She pulled me into her small kitchen, eyes twinkling. “I have a surprise for you.”
She opened the freezer. On the top shelf sat a box of popsicles. I grinned so hard my face hurt. That was so Brooke, going out of her way to make everyone else happy, even on her own birthday.
