She sighed and pushed her chair back. She grabbed her purse, tossed it over her shoulder, and pulled the door to her office closed behind her. The smell of food wafted down the hall towards her and she smiled. All the recipes she had spent years perfecting were now being served to strangers who seemed to love them.
“Girl, you’re lookin’ fine tonight.”
Brooke turned and winked at Jose as she walked through the kitchen. He whistled and she giggled.
“You’re crazy, Jose,” she said.
“One of these days you’ll go out with me.”
His eyebrows rose suggestively and Brooke shook her head, laughing. “In your dreams. Now, how are you doing on getting things ready to close?”
“Always bursting my bubble,” he said, with a shake of his head. He sighed dramatically. “I’m good. I got most of it done already. You go home and enjoy the rest of your night.”
“Okay, I’ll see ya in the morning, Jose.”
“Love those ruby red slippers, my little Dorothy,” he called out.
She stopped and clicked her red high heels together and said, “There’s no place like home.” She gave him a little wave and pushed through the doors to the main restaurant.
Ethan watched the next guy step up. He smiled at the skinny, awkward guy, wondering what kind of prose he was going to spit out. He didn’t look like a poet, but looks could be deceiving, as the saying goes. The guy shoved his hands into his front pockets and leaned in to the mic, tapping it with one long finger. The noise vibrated through the speakers and a few people winced before returning to their food. Suddenly a deep baritone voice slid throughout the restaurant, its soothing tone washing over the harshness of the chatter and bringing a quiet stillness to the restaurant. And suddenly, no one cared about their food.
“When the stars align, it’s our love that shines,
With a flash of light, leaving everyone blind,
You’re my everything, my destiny, until the end of time.”
There was more, but a loud gasp to his left caught his attention. He turned, and just a few feet away, standing in the doorway with her hand covering her heart, was Brooke. Her bright red lips were parted as she stared directly at Ethan. In the background, the guy continued, his deep voice a musical backdrop of poetry as their eyes continued to stay locked on one another.
Ethan couldn’t look away. Part of him feared if he did, when he looked back, she’d be gone. Like a ghost of his past. The other part was trying to figure out if what he was seeing was real or not. Was he hallucinating? Seeing something he desperately wanted to see? But then she tilted her head to one side, a confused look shadowing her face, and spoke. It wasn’t much, just a whisper, but he heard it.
“Ethan?”
He stood and slowly walked towards her silhouette, which hovered within the door frame, hiding—just as she’d done for the past year. There, but always on the verge of disappearing completely. As he inched closer, she slowly came into view, piece by piece, limb by limb, until he was standing in front of her, taking in the beautiful shocked expression on her face, her hands that were slightly trembling as they clutched her chest, and her red lips, which were parted in surprise. He looked down at her lips, wanting to taste the peach flavor that hid beneath the facade of cherry color.
“Brooke,” he breathed, as he stopped inches in front of her.
“Ethan, what are you doing here in New York?” she asked.
“I’m pretty sure I came here to meet you,” he said, repeating the line he’d said from a moment that felt like a lifetime ago.
Her face softened into a warm smile as she finally relaxed, reached up, and pulled him into a hug. He tightened his arms around her and closed his eyes as a million memories fluttered into his mind.
She pulled back and studied him. “But, really, what brought you here?” She wrapped her arms around herself protectively and self-consciously at the same time.
“Well, I got a call about an open position at St. Mary’s hospital where I had applied before I came to Sweet Haven.” He shrugged and added, “There wasn’t anything left at Sweet Haven, so I took the offer, and here I am. But, I never thought I’d run into you in such a big city like New York.”
“But, what happened to Jamie? With how things seemed, I figured you guys had gotten back together,” she said.
The comment stumped him for a moment. He and Jamie had never gotten back together. “I’m not sure why you would think that, but we never got back together,” he finally said.
He watched her face fall and her eyes divert away from his. “Oh, I guess I just assumed.”
Ethan took a step towards her, one hand resting on his hip, the other rubbing the back of his neck. “Why would you think that?” he asked.
Her eyes flew to his and she pulled her bottom lip in before saying, “Well, everything seemed to be falling into place for you, after losing her for three years. I figured with how much you had missed her, grieved for her while she was gone, that you were happy to have her back.”
Ethan sighed, not believing this whole thing was all because of miscommunication and misunderstanding. “No, Brooke. I told you we did talk and meet for coffee, and that she did want to get back together, but I don’t love her anymore. I love you. I realized that as soon as she showed up. It was always you.” He took another step towards her, unwrapping her arms and taking her hands into his. “Why didn’t you just let me explain?” he questioned softly.
Her eyes glistened with regret. “I was so stressed and overwhelmed, Ethan, you have no idea. And I just couldn’t take any more problems. I didn’t...” she paused and looked away. “I didn’t think I could handle being left again, at a time when I needed you there. It was easier to make the decision myself rather than have you push me aside.”
“Brooke,” he sighed, pulling her into his arms. “I think we need to sit down and clear things up.”
Chapter 35
BROOKE
Brooke had read stories about fate and serendipity, but she never thought she’d experience it firsthand. Yet, here she was, staring up at the man she loved, the man she had walked away from, only to have him walk right back into her life as if he belonged there. And maybe he did. Maybe this was the universe telling her that this sexy, uptight doctor was the Yang to her Yin. Because isn’t that what she had wanted all along. A sign? For fate to step in, push all the barricades away, and give her no doubt? This was the past mistake that was supposed to resurface today, from her horoscope. This was her chance to make things right. She knew it, felt it deep inside her bones.
She took a seat across from him at his table and for once in her life, felt shy. She rested her elbows on the table and then put them back in her lap, uncertain what to do with herself. She had never been one to second guess herself, but she’d never screwed up so much in her life, either. Now, instead of not trusting Ethan, she was hesitant to trust herself.
“The place looks nice, Brooke. You’ve done a great job. I’m proud of you for reaching for your goals. I know owning your own restaurant was one of your dreams,” he said, taking a sip of beer as he studied her. “And, the food is amazing. Just like I remember.”
The proud smile he gave her made all of her uncertainty fade for the moment, and she was suddenly back in her small, Sweet Haven kitchen, dancing in high heels as she prepared dinner for Ethan for the first time. She smiled at the memories. “Thanks,” she whispered. “It’s been a lot of work, but I finally did it.”
“How’s your sister doing?” Ethan asked.
“She’s doing good. She’s finally in remission and is back to running her own restaurant, now. I worry about her overdoing it, but she’s adamant that she’s okay.”
“So, you’ve rekindled your relationship?”
Her expression softened as she thought about how far they’d come in the past year. She nodded. “Surprisingly, yes we
have. I couldn’t imagine life without her, now. She helped me get this restaurant going. She said she owed me for everything I gave up to help her when she needed me. I told her she didn’t have to, but she wouldn’t hear of it.”
Ethan smiled wide and said, “That’s good to hear.”
“So, is this your first time in here?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes, there was a, um, weird string of events that led me here.”
Brooke’s eyes widened. “Ah, fate,” she stated with a smile.
Ethan ducked his head and said, “I have to say, I think I’m a believer, now.”
She squealed and slapped his hand. “It must’ve been a dramatic string of events to make you a believer.”
“Yes, they were. Let’s just say it started off with a fifteen-hour-long, hectic day. And then, once I was finally on my way home, a crazy old lady wearing a loud flowered skirt and a green beanie on her head almost knocked me to the ground so she could steal the cab I had waited on for twenty minutes. Only to then wave proudly at me through the back window as she drove off. And then, when another cab finally pulled up another ten minutes later, it went a whole three blocks before breaking down in front of your restaurant.
Trying not to laugh, she said, “Wow, Ethan, that sound like one of my old days.”
Smiling, he said, “I miss hearing about your crazy days, Brooke.”
“Well, I’m happy to say that things go a lot smoother now. I’m finally where I should be... career-wise, that is.” She made sure to add in the last part, not wanting him to think her life was better now without him in it, because that was far from the truth.
She let herself get lost in his green eyes as she remembered the time they had spent together. All the days he had shown up to make her feel better when she’d had a rough day at work. He had always been there for her. He had listened to her crazy stories of things that had happened to her and never once made fun of her. Instead, he had tenderly told her how good a nurse she truly was. Her heart ached with how much she had missed him.
She tore her eyes from him and looked around to see the place now empty. “I guess time has slipped away.”
Ethan scanned the place as if just now realizing where he was. “Oh, yeah, I guess I’d better let you close up,” he said, as he stood.
She noted the hint of disappointment in his voice and felt the same. She wasn’t ready for the night to be over yet.
“I’ll walk you out,” she said, as she followed behind him.
They stepped out onto the sidewalk, the finality of the night echoing with the sound of the door jingling shut.
“Well,” he began, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I’m really glad we ran into each other again.”
“Me, too, Ethan.”
He took a step towards her and pulled her into a hug. He breathed in the warm honey scent of her hair and closed his eyes at what they’d lost in the past year. At what could’ve been. He pulled back, kissed her forehead, and said, “Please tell me it’s not too late for a second chance? Tell me we can continue where we left off. Things were good with us, and if I dare to say, they were near perfect.” He held his breath as he waited for an answer. Praying it was the answer he wanted to hear.
She looked at him, her eyes shimmering with an emotion that was unreadable. Was she seeing someone? “I’m sorry, I should have explained everything better as soon as Jamie showed up. That was my fault.” The look on her face told him that was the truth and his hands fell from hers as the realization hit him. Her expression told him everything. He’d missed his chance to handle things the right way.
“Brooke.” He meant to whisper her name but it came out more like a plea.
She bit her lip and looked away. Would things actually work out between them this time, or was she fooling herself into believing she could have a lasting relationship with Ethan? But as she stood there and looked at him right now, she realized it was something she wanted more than ever, and she couldn’t believe he was willing to give her a second chance after she had walked away from him.
“You would give me a second chance?” she finally asked.
“A woman I love made me believe second chances do exist.” He barely got the words out before she was pulling him in for a kiss.
She felt his arms wrap tightly around her, and with the softness of his lips pressing against hers in the cold night, she let herself relax in his embrace. Every kiss they had shared a year ago came into her mind, but none of them could compare to this one. This kiss felt different. It felt final, but in a good way. It felt like home, mixed with second chances, and topped off with forever.
She opened her mouth for him, meeting his tongue with her own and letting all her insecurities fall with each snowflake that fell on them as they stood on the busy sidewalk.
Ethan finally pulled back and kissed the tip of her nose. “I was hoping I would find my way back to you, again.”
Her smile faltered for a moment as she asked, “Ethan, do you think it’s finally our time now?”
“Or do I think we’re just passing through each other’s life again?” he asked. He shook his head and said, “No, I think it’s our time now. We waited a year for this. We deserve each other, now. I didn’t happen into this restaurant by chance, Brooke. It’s what we call fate. Our love was whispered in the stars and they aligned.”
He gave her a wink and she kissed him, praying he was right. “Ah, there’s my poet in shining armor. I’ve missed him,” she teased. “Or maybe it was the red string pulling you behind me,” she whispered.
He pulled her hand into his, intertwining their pinkie together. “Like I said, it may tangle and stretch, but it’ll never break. Are you walking home?”
She nodded and pointed to the direction she was heading. “My place is only a few blocks from here.”
He kissed her hand and said, “Let me walk you home.”
“I’d like that.”
They walked hand in hand down the busy New York sidewalk, with snow falling down around them and the stars shining down on them, twinkling as if their work here was done.
Chapter 36
ETHAN
Ethan pulled open the door to Brooke’s restaurant and made his way to his usual seat. It was a busy Friday night and he always came here after work. Besides the food being amazing, he enjoyed listening to the poetry slams that always happened on Friday and Saturday nights. And, of course, the amazing and beautiful woman who owned the place.
He slid into his seat and smiled at Dolores as she came to take his order.
“Ethan, how was your day? Did you save a lot of people today?” she asked, smiling brightly as she adjusted her glasses.
He smiled up at her and said, “Always, and it was good. How are things going here today? Are you staying busy?”
She sighed, and pretended to dramatically wipe sweat off her brow. “Lord, it’s been nonstop today. Business is really picking up.”
“That’s great.”
“Do you want your usual?” she asked, not even bothering to take out her pen and paper.
“You know me too well, Dolores.” He grinned at her, showing dimples.
“How can I not, when you’ve come in every Friday night for the past year and ordered the same thing every time,” she said with a wink. “I’ll be right back with your dry red.”
“Thanks, Dolores.”
He leaned back in his chair and watched the next person come up to the mic. He listened to the guy for a while, silently letting his own poem run on repeat through his head. He wasn’t about to follow through with his plan until he had a glass of wine in him, or possibly two. He’d been on edge all day, even though he knew the words by heart now. With six months of writing and reciting them, they were burned in his memory.
“Here you go,” Dolores said, as she sat a glass of dry red in front of him. She squeezed
his shoulder and said, “You’ll do fine,” before giving him a smile and walking off.
Dolores had known for three weeks what his plan was. He had even run things over with her just to be sure what he planned wasn’t too much. Her eyes had lit up when he had laid out his idea, and then she had thrown her arms around him and hugged him. He was amazed by the older woman’s strength, but he had been on the verge of tapping out.
He looked at his watch and let out a tense breath when he saw it was almost eight. Brooke would be joining him in just a few minutes. He ran his hand along his pocket, making sure he had everything he needed. He had the words memorized, but he was nervous, and he was always prepared.
“Hey, you,” Brooke greeted, as she leaned down and kissed him before sliding into the chair across from him.
“Hey,” he said, giving her a nervous smile.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you okay?”
“Mmhmm,” he said with a nod.
“Your lip is twitching. You do that when you have something to tell me.” She tapped her red nails against the table as she studied him suspiciously.
“I do not,” he argued, waving her off with his hand.
“Yes, you do. Every time you’ve had big news to tell me or when you’ve done something wrong, your lip twitches.”
He frowned at her. “I’ve never done anything wrong.”
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