Yesterday's lunch was definitely at the forefront of Brooke's brain today. She couldn't stop analyzing every little detail and piece of exchanged information. What should of been a business lunch felt more like a first date...Which is wasn't - couldn't be.
Yet, they'd talked about anything and everything that had nothing to due with their impending partnership. To say Brooke felt uncomfortable about the whole affair was an understatement. However, it wasn't the feelings that stirred in her chest when she was around Eric that made her uncomfortable. She was more uncomfortable with how well the "non date" went then anything else.
Eric was extremely laid back. With a back log of corny and sometimes borderline dirty jokes that had Brooke laughing most of the time. Not to mention the fact that he seemed to enjoy her company as much as she did his. A fact that was proven by his failure to pay attention to their very needy overbearing waitress. As he drove them back to Brooke's car they couldn't help but laugh as they recalled the waitresses semantics to gain his attention.
The poor girl went so far as to "trip" on her way to our table. Conveniently landing in Eric's lap. At the time I wasn't sure who I felt more sorry for, Eric or the girl.
By the time Eric deposited Brooke at her car she was feeling disappointed the afternoon was over. However, it was short lived when he made plans to meet her Friday, three days from now, to sign their contract.
Brooke had hoped typing up the contract this morning would keep her busy and distracted. Surprise, surprise it didn't! Every time she typed in Eric's name she couldn't help but think about the way his chest muscles would bounce as he laughed at her jokes. Or how wonderful it would feel to run her hand through his brown wavy hair that was long on top and cropped close to the sides and back. She kept a running of the way his voice sounded as he'd say her name on constant loop in her thoughts. Ashamed of herself and her wayward thinking she rushed through the contract. Only giving it a once over before she emailed a copy to Eric for his approval. She had to get him out of her head before she let these feelings of hers get out of control.
To push him and his fine ass body from her thoughts she headed into town to cash the check Eric had unexpectedly handed her yesterday. It wasn't much just a little thank you for coming to his rescue. Eric would pay her more once their contract was finalized and signed.
However, the five hundred dollars would be enough to add a little cushion to her bank account. Which meant she could pay a few smaller bills she'd been putting off.
As she finished up the last of her errands Brooke decided to treat herself to lunch at her favorite diner on Peach Tree Street. Then wondered a couple blocks over to Bath&Body Works to indulge in a new bath set.
After all a girl needed to celebrate her accomplishments. Her career had taken a sharp turn but it'd all wound up putting her back on the right path. Maxine had never been overly interested in helping Brooke get her own clients. In fact she'd kept Brooke so busy she'd had no time to get her own. Yet, now here she was, Brooke sports agent to Eric Matthews! She was over the moon with joy. So much so that she even picked up a couple of candles to help set the mood when she took pleasure in getting all sudsy with her new bath set.
The lines at checkout where pretty long but Brooke didn't mind the wait. That is until she spotted an all to familiar face sashay up into the line adjacent to her.
Evelyn Myers, Maxine's "bestie", gave Brooke the stink eye. "Well if it isn't the little snake who wandered into Maxine's hen house." Brooke inwardly rolled her eyes but plastered on a fake smile for the nasty woman, "Nice to see you too Evelyn."
"Oh please," Evelyn snapped, "We both know this nice girl routine of yours is just that, a routine." She snivels her nose up, "You're a snake who waited till for the right opportunity to strike. Bighting the hand that fed you. How distasteful!"
"I beg your pardon? I didn't do anything to Maxine. I simply stood up for a client she was trying to back into a corner."
"Of course you were. You know what they say about people who play the hero. They're always looking for what's in it for them." Evelyn gives Brooke a once over with a look of disgust on her face. "Surely you weren't thinking that heroic display of yours was going to open any doors for you with Eric? Cause honey someone like Eric Mathews is way out of your league."
Much to Brookes disappointment the comment stings more then she would have liked for it too. "My relationship with Eric Matthews has always been strictly a professional one."
"Sure it has." Leaning in real close to Brooke she whispers in her ear, "Just between us gals you can only spread your legs so many times before it stops getting you ahead." Rearing back she smirks, "Your goods loose their appeal after a while."
It takes every once of self control Brooke posses not slap the evil witch right there in front of everyone. Before the tears pooling in her eyes could streak down her cheeks, further embarrassing her, Brooke discards the bath set and candles to rush out the store and to the safety of her car.
No sooner then her ass cheeks touch her front seat the tears overwhelm her. She knew Maxine would bad mouth her but she hadn't expected her to twist the story in such a perverse way. Why couldn't she stick with a simple she got stabbed in the back bit? There was no need to make Brooke out to look like a harlot. Especially since it's the other way around.
The tears eventually slowed, though. While her sobs turned into hiccups and she was able to make her way back home. Where she hoped to seek sanctuary on her couch with a good book for company and nice cup of hot tea to soothe her frazzled nerves. However, the fiasco at Bath&Body works was nothing compared to the shit show that awaited her at her apparent.