It Started with a Book

This is my first attempt at a story, so I apologize for any mistakes. I am in Brulian withdrawal and decided to attempt my own story. This is an alternate way that Brooke and Julian meet... so far in my mind, Julian doesn't have a past with Peyton. This is going to be set around the beginning of season 6, but I'm not sure how much of season 6 would still hold true at this point. Thanks to those of you who take the time to read and review!

Chapter 1

Too plain… too thin… too scary… too thick… too sexy… hmmm… she paused for a closer look. A quick glance of the front, but after a more thorough observation of the back, Brooke Davis knew that The Life of Pi was definitely not for her. She forcefully returned the book to the shelf and gave a loud sigh. Nothing. Brooke gave a sideward glance to her best friend and shopping companion, Haley James Scott, who was completely engrossed in the back cover of a book. Brooke stared at Haley and gave a louder exaggerated sigh. Nothing.

Brooke threw her hands up in defeat and stormed away towards a table filled with books specifically selected for "summer" reading. Brooke examined the books, but rolled her eyes at the selections and muttered, "Who actually reads during the summer? We could so be at the beach right now or at least shopping for clothes." She began to randomly pick up books and discard them back to the table with little more than a glance. She almost missed the masculine chuckle behind her.

Startled, Brooke quickly glanced over her shoulder and silently thanked Haley for being an English teacher and not some math nerd. She lifted a perfectly sculpted brow and gave the gorgeous stranger her trademark smirk complete with a dimple. She knew it'd impress and should secure her a date with the mystery man.

"You know you're not suppose to judge a book by its cover," he almost laughed at her with a grin that blew her smirk out of the water.

Brooke was momentarily quieted and felt her cheeks warm with what was sure an obvious blush. "Damn it!" she cursed to herself. Her mind immediately began to spin. What is something witty? Sexy comeback… Crap! Say something, anything! You're Brooke-freaking-Davis! "Well, if they didn't want us to judge the cover, why spend millions of dollars making them distinct from each others?" Ha! She was finally able to retort in her infamous raspy voice.

He was pleased with her question and was quiet for a moment as he made no attempt to hide the fact he was currently judging and appreciating her beauty. He continued to grin and Brooke felt weak in the knees. As much as she hated to leave his dark eyes and bright smile, she turned back to the table and silently counted down to herself. One… two… three… four??? five???

He stepped closer to her and she felt his arm brush against hers. Brooke gave an inner grateful sigh, almost doubting her decision to have him pursue her. He leaned down close to her ear and in and almost whispered, "Well, that is just to entice you, but you won't really know just how good it is until you take it home with you."

Brooke's head quickly shot up at his brazen statement. Her eyes narrowed to a dangerous glare and met his eyes that were shining with amusement. She took a breath to respond when she noticed the thin paperback he was holding in his hand near his chest. She smiled sweetly, expertly showing both dimples, as she trailed her fingers along the book's spine. Brooke made sure she grazed his finger in the process and was satisfied to watch his smile grow wider with anticipation. Brooke grabbed a copy of Atlas Shrugged with her other hand and placed it in his. She leaned in seductively, licked her lips then said, "Hmmm… no matter what girls say, size matters." She patted his hand and slowly walked away (making sure to give an extra sway to her hips), but not before she saw his smile falter and his eyes widened. As she walked back to the area to find Haley she could hear him laughing.

Brooke wandered around the area she had last seen Haley only to find a couple of older women quietly looking at the various titles. Brooke made it to another aisle and saw Haley on the floor with a pile of books on either side of her. "Tutor mom, I know you get a teacher discount, but please! We were just going to buy one book for you to read at the beach!"

Haley shot Brooke an apologetic smile, "Sorry Brooke I just can't make up my mind." Before Brooke could respond she hear a familiar voice say, "If it helps your decision making process, someone recently told me that size matters." Haley scrunched her nose in disgust and loudly proclaimed, "Eewww! Pervert!" and tried to crane her head to get a glimpse of the offensive guy behind Brooke. Brooke spun around to be greeted by that grin, the same grin that made her knees weak minutes before and made her stomach tingle now.

Brooke crossed her arms and flicked her long brown hair from her face, "Well, if it isn't micro-book boy? Did you turn psycho stalker in the past five minutes?" His smile never faltered, "Feisty!" He bent closer to her face and said in a seductive, but thankfully not sleazy way "I like feisty." The guy straightened up and ran his long tan fingers across his chin. His eyes held hers and she wasn't sure how to respond. Haley was the first to speak, "Brooke do you know this guy?"

Brooke shook her head while turning to Haley, "I ran into him a moment ago while trying to keep from dying of boredom in here." She returned her attention to the guy who had just finished writing something on the inside cover of a book. He looked at her with another grin and handed her back the copy of Atlas Shrugged she had thrust into his hands a few moments ago.

"Did you… you just totally wrote in this book!" Brooke angrily hissed. He laughed and opened the cover for her to see a phone number and name. He held out his hand for hers, "Julian," and looked down at her with eyes that glimmered with a teasing glint, "Nice to meet you Brooke."

Brooke tried to hand the book back to him with a laugh, "Ok buddy, I am so not buying a book to get your phone number!" He softly shook his head and chuckled, but refused to accept the book back from her. He reached into his pocket and handed Brooke a receipt, "Don't worry Brooke. The book is bought and paid for, I didn't want to give you any excuses."

Brooke rolled her eyes, "Excuses for what?!" She really wished he'd stop grinning at her or that her body would stop responding to each time he curved his lips.

"Well, for one, calling me so that I can see the most gorgeous woman in Tree Hill again – no offense," he leaned around Brooke to acknowledge Haley. "And so that you can read my favorite book. You're right size does matter," He leaned in close and down towards Brooke so that he was almost eye level, "and it is amazing." Brooke couldn't help but to look down his torso as he straightened to his full height, and Julian smiled when she met his eyes again. He leaned forward again and whispered, "The book, pervert," then Julian slowly turned and walked away. Brooke stood speechless as he walked out the store with a couple of backward glances.