Page 57 of Finding Love

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

Brook was standing in the kitchen the following day, making her and Willy grilled cheese sandwiches, when the doorbell rang.

She opened the door and instantly wished she’d remembered to check the security cameras first.

Edith Montague stood just outside the front door, running her eyes up and down Brook, judging her shorts and tank top and messy hair.

She’d spent most of the morning outside, playing in the water with Willy. The rest of the morning she’d enjoyed a good book while lying on the sofa. She looked sloppy and at home. There were probably creases on her face from when she’d fallen asleep reading.

Edith, for her part, was dressed in white flowing pants and a soft silver blouse that only had one strap, showcasing her perfect skin and breasts. Her belt and purse matched her heels and no doubt cost more than anything Brook would ever own.

The woman’s blonde hair lay over her shoulders perfectly. Everything about the woman screamed movie star.

“Can I help you?” Brook asked, trying to hide her frustration and embarrassment at looking so haggard.

Edith sighed and then shocked Brook by saying, “I’d like to apologize.”

“For?” Brook asked.

Edith’s eyes moved beyond Brook’s shoulder. Brook glanced over and saw Willy slowly making his way towards them.

“Is that really James’s dog?” Edith asked.

Brook turned back towards the woman. “Yes. His name is Willy.”

Edith surprised her even more by kneeling and holding out her hand towards Willy. The dog took one look up at Brook, who gave him a quick nod, then made his way cautiously towards Edith.

Edith scratched Willy on the head with her perfectly manicured nails.

“I’ve never really been around dogs,” Edith said, looking up at her.

“Willy’s pretty cool. Ryder rescued him. Someone had tossed him in a bag and thrown him in the water. He would have drowned.”

“Oh.” Edith frowned. “Who would do such a thing?”

Brook tilted her head, trying to decide if Edith was being sincere. When she saw worry and anger behind the woman’s eyes, she relaxed.

“We were just making some lunch. Would you care to come in?” she asked.

Edith stood and gripped her hands together. “I’d like that.”

The next half hour had Brook questioning everything she thought about the other woman.

While Brook ate her sandwich and chips, Edith chatted away as they sat on the back patio. She talked to her as if they were old friends, telling her stories of her ventures and of her friends.

When Edith asked questions, Brook was too cautious of the woman to give away much information. Even after Edith basically owned up to the fact that she’d never really felt anything stronger than friendship towards Ryder.

“It was really pressure from my parents that caused me to see James in the first place.” She leaned closer and lowered her voice. “That and, well, he’s very rich and extremely hot.” Edith let out a loud chuckle.

Brook forced a smile and took another sip of the wine that Edith had suggested they enjoy. Edith was on her second glass, but Brook held back and nursed her first drink. At this point, Edith seemed more than a little tipsy. The fact that she had gotten so on only two glasses of wine made Brook wonder if she’d had something to drink before coming over.

The longer she listened to Edith talk, the more she was sure of that fact. Her words were starting to slur, and it was obvious the woman was far more relaxed than when she’d arrived.

Suddenly, Edith stopped talking and frowned. “Would you mind if I…” She nodded towards the house.

Brook raised her eyebrows in question.

“It’s just, I’ve had two glasses,” Edith said with a smile.