AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Shaking his head, he began to sway to the music, moving their bodies in time to the rhythm. She let her head fall against his chest as she closed her eyes, feeling the crisp cotton of his shirt on her cheek. It did nothing to disguise the heat of his body, or the hardness of his chest muscles. She felt him press his lips to her temple, and it sent a shiver down her spine.
“Nick was asking about us,” she told him as they swayed slowly toward the middle of the dance floor.
“What about us?” There was no shock or worry in Aiden’s voice; more idle curiosity.
“Whether this was a date.”
“What did you tell him?”
She looked up at him, the action crushing her breasts against his shirt. “I told him the truth.”
“Good. That always works.”
It was impossible not to smile. “That’s what I said. I know we said we’re going to tell him about us together, but I didn’t want to lie to him.”
“You don’t have to explain it to me. I want everybody to know.” His glance slid over toward where her parents were sitting, waiting for the dancing to end and the auction to begin.
They were looking right at her and Aiden.
“They’re next,” she murmured. “As soon as I find the gumption.”
“You’ve got the gumption, Brooke. You always did. But you have to believe in yourself, too.”
Maybe he was right. Whatever it was, she felt more sure of herself than she had in a long time.
When the music ended and the MC gave a five minute warning for the auction, Aiden led her back to the table where her friends were all milling around. Ally reached for her hand, grinning. “I’m heading to the bathroom. You coming?”
“Wait, I’m coming, too,” Ember said, blowing a kiss at Lucas who was shaking his head. “What? You think I’m going to miss out on the gossip? The bathroom is always where the real party’s at.”
There was a huge line for the restroom. The three of them stood and waited patiently, trying not to look enviously at the lack of queue for the men’s room.
“Have you managed to speak to your parents yet?” Ally murmured as they inched their way toward the front of the line.
“Not yet, but I’ve had plenty of eye contact from them. I’m planning on speaking to them once the auction is over.”
“Good idea. Let them spend their money first. That way they’ll be more generous.”
Ember laughed. “You’re mercenary.”
“Hey,” Ally protested. “I’m a business woman. Anyway,” she turned back to Brooke, “you and Aiden looked amazing out there. Like you’re made for each other. I swear I saw electricity flowing between you.”
“Your parents will accept him eventually. The same way they’ll accept Nick being related to him.”
Brooke pressed her lips together, thinking about the conversation she’d be having in less than an hour. “You know what?” she said. “It doesn’t matter how they react. I have no control over that. What matters is I tell them the truth. That I’m happy Nick is Aiden’s nephew, and I’m delighted Aiden and I are dating. Either they deal with it or they don’t. That’s up to them.”
“Wow.” Ally’s mouth dropped open. “I’m so proud of you. What happened to quiet little Brooke?”
“She became a raging river,?
?? Ember said, grinning.
They’d made it to the front of the line, and one by one they went into the stalls. When Brooke came out, Ally and Ember were already at the sinks, washing their hands as the MC announced the auction was about to begin. “Okay, we’re going to need a debrief tomorrow,” Ally said as the three of them made their way back to the table. “Meet me at the café at nine.”
“Um, I may be having breakfast in bed with a certain fiancé of mine,” Ember said, shaking her head with a smile.
“Hey, if I have to get up for work the least you can do is come and entertain me. Just for a half an hour, okay? We didn’t get quality bathroom time in there, and I need my girl talk.”
“Okay, okay. I’ll see you at nine.”
