Love Comes Softly

Chapter 1

The next morning….

Brooke wakes up to the sound of her cell phone vibrating. She just lets it continue to ring. After a few moments, she slowly sits up. She has to look around for a moment, not really sure where she is. Then she sees him. A shy smile slowly appears on Brooke's face.

Owen is in the kitchen making coffee. He hears light footsteps walk into the kitchen. A small smile appears on his face. He turns around the greet her.

Owen: Good morning, Sleeping Beauty.

Brooke: Good morning to you too, handsome.

Owen: Coffee?

Brooke: Yes, please. For some strange reason, I feel like I have a slight hangover.

Brooke sits down at the island bar and starts rubbing her temples. Owen hands her some coffee.

Owen: This should do the trick. It's a specialty of mine.

Owen winks at her. Brooke takes a sip.

Brooke: Wow! This is really good.

Owen nods and starts to preoccupy himself by cleaning off the counter.

Brooke: I'm really sorry about last night. I didn't mean to show up at your door and end up crying on your shoulder.

Owen shrugs.

Owen: It's no big deal, Brooke. Everyone needs someone they can talk to from time to time.

Brooke: Well yeah, but we haven't even known each other that long.

Owen: Does that matter?

Brooke: No, I guess not.

Owen continues to clean. Brooke watches him, curiously. Was he trying to avoid something?

Brooke: So…you and Chase were roomies?

Owen: So…you and Chase were an item?

Brooke: Hey! (points finger at him) You can't answer a question with a question.

Owen: Why? Are there rules about that sort of thing?

Brooke: Okay, smart guy. How long were the two of you roommates?

Owen: About 2 years.

Owen stops what he's doing and stares right at Brooke.

Owen: How long did the two of you date?

Brooke: When did this turn into 20 questions?

Owen: (points finger at Brooke) You can't answer a question with a question.

Brooke smiles.

Brooke: Almost a year.

Owen: So what happened?

Brooke: You know. (pause) After graduation things change. Life gets in the way.

Owen props himself up with his elbows across from Brooke, listening.

Brooke: I really cared about Chase, but I started getting really involved with Clothes Over Bros. In a way, it sort of became an obsession to me. I really wanted to make it a successful business and…I guess I was eager to show my mom that I was worth something. (she shrugs) It wasn't long before Chase and I realized it just wasn't going to work. We really wanted to try, but it wasn't in the cards for us.

Owen nods taking it all in.

Owen: Do you…uh…still have feelings for him?

Brooke: I'll always care for Chase. (pause) But I don't see us ever getting back together.

Owen feels a sense of relief wash over him. Why? It shouldn't matter to him.

Owen: That's…cool.

That's cool? Owen, what are thinking?

He goes back to cleaning, trying to forget what he'd just said.

Brooke watches him with a mischievous smile.

Brooke: Why, Owen. Are you…jealous?

Owen: (rolls his eyes) Please, Brooke.

Owen leans down to face her.

Owen: I'm not the jealous type.

Brooke smiles and gets up.

Brooke: Well, I better get going. I'm sure Millie is running around like crazy at the shop.

Owen walks Brooke to the door. She wraps her arms around him and he does the same with her.

Brooke: Thanks again, Owen. (pause) For everything.

After a few more moments of holding each other, Brooke lets go and walks out the door. As she's making her way down the steps, she hears Owen.

Owen: Hey Brooke!

Brooke turns around to see Owen leaned against the top of the railing with his arms crossed.

Owen: Just for the record (pause) You are worth something.

Owen smiles and walks back inside. Brooke stands there thinking about what he said. A sweet smile appears on her face as she makes her way down the steps.

Back at Brooke and Peyton's house…

Brooke walks in to find Peyton in the living room, phone in hand. Peyton sets down the phone when she sees Brooke.

Peyton: Brooke Penelope Davis! Do you have any idea what you put me through last night?

Brooke: I'm so sorry, Peyton!

Peyton pulls Brooke in for a hug.

Peyton: You had me worried to death! I was fine when you were gone for a few hours. But all night? I called you like 10 times.

Brooke: I kind of ignored the calls this morning. Not really intentionally. I was just kind of out of it.

Peyton: Where the hell were you?

Brooke: You really didn't get any sleep last night did you?

Peyton: (sighs) I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get all motherly bitchy on you.

Brooke walks over to the couch and sits down.

Peyton: But seriously, Brooke. Where were you?

Brooke: Owen's.

Peyton eagerly sits down wanting to know the details.

Peyton: Okay, spill.

Brooke laughs.

Brooke: There's nothing to talk about.

Peyton: Brooke! I know I may seem psycho sometimes, but I'm not stupid.

Brooke: You know, you're right. Do you think maybe Psycho Derek really was your brother?

Peyton slaps Brooke on the shoulder and laughs.

Peyton: Not funny! Come on! I want details!

Brooke: Fine. I ended up at his apartment. I told him about Rachel and firing my mom. He said some sweet things and then I ended up falling asleep on his couch.

Peyton: That's it?

Brooke: That is it.

Peyton: Wait…you fired your mom?!

Brooke nods.

Brooke: I really don't want to talk about that right now. I'd like to get Victoria as far from my mind as possible.

Peyton: Aw, Brooke.

Peyton pulls Brooke in to hold her.

Peyton: I'm really sorry. (pause) Seriously though…nothing happened between you and Owen?

Brooke laughs and shakes her head.

Brooke: Why is that so hard for you to believe?

Peyton: Oh, I don't know! Maybe because he's one of the hottest guys in Tree Hill and I would've jumped him in a second?

Brooke: Peyton!

They both laugh.

Peyton: Nah, he's all yours. I'm just making a point…

Brooke: Point taken! (pause) He's just not like that. I find myself learning more and more about him every day. I must say he's quite the gentleman. I mean, we haven't even kissed yet.

Peyton: Okay, that's got to be a record for you!

Brooke laughs.

Brooke: You know usually I would feel weird about it and not go any further, but…there's something different about Owen. I really like how things are progressing. It's slow…definitely the slowest I've ever taken things…but it works.

Peyton smiles. It was very rare to hear her best friend talk like this.

Peyton: Did you ever think, Brooke Davis, that maybe you're ready to stop hiding behind all the clothes and actually find happiness in someone else?

Brooke looks at Peyton, curious. Peyton kisses Brooke on the head and gets up.

Peyton: What's underneath all the clothes, Brooke Davis?

Peyton winks and walks away.

At Clothes Over Bros…

Brooke is straightening up a display. Millie walks up.

Millie: Hey Brooke. Macy's called and they would like to meet with you next Tuesday. They want to know if you have any new designs.

Brooke: Okay. Go ahead and set up an appointment. I'll start some sketches tonight.

Millie nods as she writes everything down.

Brooke: Did you and Mouth have a nice time at the party last night?

Millie: (smiles) Yes. It was great.

Brooke smiles. There was nothing like new love to put a smile on someone's face. It had been quite some time that she had felt what Millie was feeling right now. Would she ever feel that again?

Millie: You know, I was a little unsure at first when Mouth went to see Rachel. But now I know that I can trust Mouth completely. Him and Rachel have a history and I can understand that.

Brooke: Wait…wait a second. Mouth went to see Rachel last night?

Millie: Yeah. Why? What's wrong?

Brooke knows she needs to talk to Mouth. She needs to find out what Rachel's state of mind was when he saw her.

Brooke: Nothing. I just…never mind.

The door chime rings. Brooke looks up to find Owen walking towards her. This definitely perks her up.

Brooke: Well hey there, handsome!

Owen: Hey!

Millie looks out and back from Owen to Brooke, trying to figure out why she was getting a certain vibe between them. Owen looks at Millie.

Owen: Hey Millie. How's it going?

Millie: Uh, good! Thanks for asking. (pause) Brooke, I'm going to go call Macy's back and set up your appointment.

Brooke: Thanks, Millie.

Millie: Excuse me.

Millie walks away. Brooke walks over to another display. Owen follows.

Owen: So, uh, you left this at my place this morning.

Brooke looks over at her cell phone in Owen's hands.

Brooke: Oh, thanks! I didn't even realize it was gone.

Owen: Seriously? I figured a high class fashion designer would have her cell phone glued to her ear.

Brooke: Have you not learned anything about me yet?

Owen smiles.

Brooke: I'm glad you stopped by. There's something I want to tell you.

Owen: What's going on?

Brooke: Millie mentioned a few minutes ago that Mouth went to see Rachel last night.

Owen: How was she when Mouth saw her?

Brooke: I don't know. That's what I'm going to find out. I just really need to know. Because, honestly, Owen…I really don't think it was all Rachel. I can't let go of this horrible feeling that my mom sent her away.

Owen: Are you sure you want to know?

Brooke: Yes. I'm sure.

Owen nods.

Owen: Let me know what you find out. And if you need anything, I'm here.

Brooke smiles and rubs his arm.

Brooke: I know. (pause) Actually, there is something I'd like to ask you.

Owen: Are we playing 20 questions again?

Brooke laughs.

Brooke: No. Lucas and Lindsey's wedding is tomorrow and I was wondering if maybe…I don't know….we could go together?

Seriously, what is wrong with you, Brooke? That's the longest it has ever taken you to ask a guy out. But lately she's realized that Owen isn't just some guy.

Owen: Like a date?

Brooke: Well, I mean, it doesn't have to be a date. We could go as just friends.

Owen: Sure. (pause) I'd like that.

Then why is there a feeling of disappointment dwelling inside of him? Was he hoping for a date?

Brooke: Great! It'll be fun. Tree Hill weddings are always entertaining, especially if it has to do with the Scotts.

Owen laughs.

Owen: I can't wait. (pause) Well, I better head out. I've got some things to do at Tric.

Brooke: Thanks for bringing my phone back.

Owen: Not a problem. It gave me an excuse to come see you.

A small look of shock appears on Brooke's face.

Owen: Later, B. Davis.

Owen winks and walks out the door.

Brooke stands there, watching him leave.

Brooke: (to herself) What are you doing to me, Owen Manganiello?

Maybe Peyton was right and it is time for her to get out from beneath all the clothes. Would Owen be the guy to pull her out? Brooke knows one thing is for sure, Owen is in her life for a reason. Hopefully soon, she will find out what that reason is.

To Be Continued…

Be sure to check out another Brooke/Owen Fanfic "Better Than Love" by JennVanessa.