“What?”

“Billy is making his famous martinis. They’re so, so good. I’m on my third one so I can’t drive. You have to come to me.”

I sit down on the edge of my bed. Am I dreaming this phone call?

“You want me to come over there? After what happened today?” I ask hesitantly.

I almost don’t want to shatter this illusion. This Brooke still likes me.

“Yes, hello! You wanted me for the whole weekend, right? I mean, that was the original plan before that bloody tick showed up and ruined everything. It’s Saturday night. Still the weekend, mate,” she laughs again. “You’re so funny, Mason.”

“I am?”

“Yes. So sweet and funny. A little strange, yeah? I like it.” She pauses, humming a bit. “Now hurry up and get over here. I want to kiss you before I’m drunk and don’t remember it.”

The call disconnects. I bring the phone away from my ear and stare at it.

What just happened?

Brooke isn’t upset anymore. She isn’t mad or acting like we’re through and she’s done.

She wants me to come over. She hated that goodbye as much as I did.

She wants to kiss me before she’s drunk.

Too fucking right. I want that. I hated that bloody goodbye. I didn’t even want one.

I dart off the bed and attack my dresser like a man possessed. Clothes are flying. I pull on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt and stumble into my runners, grabbing my keys and my phone.

My mood is jubilant. There’s that runner’s high I was hoping for earlier. Only this is better. Leave it to Brooke to shock me back into my usual pleasant self. She can’t do or be anything predictable. It doesn’t suit her.

Traffic is mild and I arrive at her building within a few minutes, pulling underneath and parking in the garage.

I take the elevators to her floor. I knock twice and step back, scowling at the water I collect off my neck. I didn’t even bother running a towel over my hair before leaving. My collar is damp.

The door swings open and Brooke’s bright face appears. She squeals and lunges at me, wrapping her hands around my neck and tugging me inside.

My back hits the wall. Her full lips form to my mouth.

“Hey. Hi. Your hair is wet, goof.” She filters her fingers through my hair and tugs on the ends. She kisses me slowly. Deeply. Pressing her small body against mine. Her tongue swipes across my lip and she moans. “Mm. My face is so warm right now. Feel.” Stepping back, she grabs my hand and presses it to her cheek.

I look at her, at that wild, devilish smile twisting across her mouth. The dimple sinking into her cheek and her brilliant eyes, round and eager.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispers, smiling so goddamn big. Her cheeks lifting and flushing pink.

My heart thunders in my chest.

Christ, I’m so in love with this girl.

A throat clears in the room. I look up and spot our audience, Billy and Joey, hovering a few feet away by the sofa. Both of them looking more than pleased at what they’re witnessing.

“Hey. How are ya?” I choke out, straightening off the wall.

“Evening.” Joey tips his glass, arching an eyebrow. “She’s been pacing around waiting for you. I almost had to sedate her.”

“Whatever. I was not,” Brooke snaps over her shoulder. She tugs on my hand. “Come on. Do you want a drink? We have beer.”

“And martinis,” Billy adds, nodding his greeting and then gesturing across the room. “Liquor cabinet is over there if you want something stiff.”

Brooke spins around. Her mouth slowly falling open and then spreading into a knowing smile. “Oh, my God. Do you get it? Something stiff?” She gets up on her toes, hand beside her mouth as she whispers, “like a cock.”

Tipsy Brooke doesn’t know how to whisper.

Her eyes pop wider when everyone enjoys a good laugh. Joey and Billy remark about only wanting stiff ones as they move about the condo.

I grin down at Brooke, scratching my jaw. “Yeah, sweetheart. I get it. I’m good with a beer, yeah?”

Her little nose twitches. “Yeah,” she chuckles, pushing on my chest. “Go sit. I’ll grab you one.”

I do a quick take of my surroundings as I pad toward the bar.

The condo is spacious and elegantly decorated. Expensive looking art covers the walls.

“Nice place,” I comment, sliding out a stool and stretching my arms out on the cool marble. “I’m still working on getting all of my stuff unpacked. It’s been a bit of a slow process. Other things have been occupying my time.”

Brooke smiles over her shoulder as she grabs me a beer.

“Oh, this is all Billy. I can’t decorate to save my life.” Joey comes to stand at the bar with his cocktail. “It’s strange how fabulous I am with my own fashion sense, yet when it comes to color schemes for a room I’m a hot mess about it.”

Billy steps up behind him and kisses his shoulder, laughing a bit. “It’s a good thing I love you for other reasons. Remember when you tried to wallpaper the bathroom?”

“Christ, don’t remind me,” Joey groans in embarrassment. “I have no idea why I thought that was a good idea.”

“Because you had just moved in and you wanted to surprise me with something. It was sweet.”

Brooke runs her hand across my back and places the beer in front of me. She kisses my cheek.

“I’ll be right back.”