Author's Note: Sorry for the delay everyone I was struggling with some ridiculous writer's block recently. I feel like I am back on track now. Thanks to all who are still reading this story and continue to review. I still haven't decided if this story will be brucas or brulian. I should know which way I'm leaning in a few chapters. :)

Thanks for reading!

Krystal

Chapter 6:

Brooke felt her phone vibrate in her hands, 'why does this random North Carolina number keep calling me?' She wondered before sending it to voicemail, 'eventually they will either stop calling or leave a message.' She unlocked the front door and dropped her things in the entryway. "Honey I'm home." She says in a sarcastic tone. "Oh yeah, I forgot it's just me." She removed her heels and let out a soft sigh. "I am destined to live alone, surrounded by dozens of cats." It was finally Friday, even though this week had been short for her it seemed to drag on and on with no end in sight. She opened her large reusable grocery bag and pulled out leftover ribs from the Taylor house. She opened up the corner of the lid and gasped, her mouth salivating in the process, "God Skills missed his calling. I need to tell Bevin on Monday that I will pay for him to open a restaurant in the city." Her phone sprang to life again and she growled before looking at the screen, "Hey Hales… What's shakin?"

"Did I catch you in the car?" Haley asked while Nathan looked on.

"No?" Brooke replied with a question, "Do I sound like I'm in the car? I just got home, this week has been completely insane at the office."

Haley shook her head and Nathan frowned before leaving the room, "It's almost 8:00pm your time, why are you just now getting home?"

Brooke rolled her eyes at the maternal tone to Haley's voice, "I was finishing up a few proposals, I have an important meeting tomorrow night."

"Oh, want to talk about it?" Haley ventured, being more nosy than anything else.

"Not really," Brooke yawned. "I'm going to have some dinner, then put my claw-foot tub to good use. I'm exhausted, remind me the next time I am in Tree Hill that I am too damn old for turn around trips. It takes me at least a week to get back into my routine, don't get me wrong it was worth every moment - but still." Brooke yawns again, "So tired."

"Well I won't keep you." Haley said with a smile, "I just wanted to check in. You hurried off the phone the other night, how did things go with Lucas?"

Brooke took a square cobalt blue plate from one of the birch cabinets in her fully restored craftsman kitchen, "Lord help me there's cornbread and collard greens."

"What?" Haley asked, perplexed by Brooke's last statement.

"Skills made ribs." Brooke inhaled again and her nose was once again filled with the pleasing aromas of honey and mesquite. "As far as me and Lucas are concerned, we were over before we even began. I have decided to take your advice and not mix business with pleasure." Brooke searched for utensils and added to herself, 'plus he thinks Julian and I are engaged. Did I mention I was suffering from delusions now?'

"I'm glad to hear it, hey speaking of relationships…" Haley bit her lip and cursed Nathan under her breath, "Julian would really like to get to know you. I'm surprised you two didn't exchange numbers before you left."

"We did," Brooke rubbed her temples, "I haven't heard from him."

Haley furrowed her brow, she saw Julian this afternoon and he swore he had been trying to get in contact with her, practically since the second she got on the plane to go back to California. "Maybe you should try calling him?"

"What's the use Haley," Brooke huffed, "he lives in North Carolina. It will never work, I tried… Obviously he wasn't interested. I need to go, I want to eat before my stomach starts chewing on itself. Talk to you soon, kiss the kids for me."

"She wasn't in her car," Nathan groans, "I'm not sure why she keeps sending you to voicemail man."

"Should I even bother contacting her after my audition?" Julian replied, trying his best not to sound discouraged.

"Yes, I think she's just been really busy with work." Nathan reasons, "She was telling Haley about an important project. Stopping by her office on Monday is a good bet."

Julian rubbed the scruff on his face, "Are you sure you can't just give me her address? I have all of tomorrow to kill, my audition isn't until Sunday morning."

Nathan laughed, "If I give you her home address - one, if not all of the women in my life will kill me. Besides you just landed, you'll be in LA for a few days. Haley and I think it's best if you lay low, get on California time man. Come on use that scientist brain of yours and come up with a cure all for jet lag."

"You know I used to be a chemist right? A scientist and a chemist are not synonymous with each other. I wouldn't even know where to begin with-" Julian stops when he realizes he's rambling, "I think the time difference is starting to get to me. I'm going to head to bed, tell Haley thanks for trying."

"Anytime Julian. Good luck," Nathan smiled, "We better be your first call when you kick ass on Sunday. I know you and Haley have been practicing hard."

"I will, thanks again Nate. Talk to you soon." Julian dialed Brooke's number again and held his breath, 'Hi you have reached Brooke Davis, please leave me a message and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.' "Damn," Julian shrugged his shoulders and disconnected the call.

Brooke placed a manila file folder into her briefcase and headed to the front door. She heard a gentle knocking and almost jumped out of her skin. She peaked through the peephole and rolled her eyes, "We discussed this Lucas, I don't have time for this. I will not compromise my relationship with Julian for you."

"I heard you," Lucas leaned against the door, "I thought you might want to take a drive with me before our presentation."

"Our presentation?" Brooke folded her arms across her chest, "JJ didn't mention you would be joining me this afternoon."

"Felix and Anna Taggaro are two of my oldest friends. We went through school together, in another life Anna and I were a pretty hot item." He smiled, "So I brought out the big guns to woo my friends' business."

Brooke kinked her eyebrow, "Is this some kind of a joke? Why won't you just leave me alone? I busted my ass on these proposals and somehow you are involved - yet again. This is all just a stupid formality isn't it?"

"Oh god no. Felix has intentionally kept his business away from me in the past. Anna is not happy with the press surrounding her latest book. So when she contacted me about it, she mentioned Felix might be interested in moving on too."

"So you're friends with your ex girlfriend and her husband?" Brooke asks, in a non believing tone.

Lucas chuckled, "Anna and Felix are brother and sister. She's a writer, he owns a fortune 500 company."

"Alright," Brooke replied, still not one hundred percent convinced this all wasn't some sort of a rouse. "I'm listening… Why weren't you included in any of the emails about it?"

"Easy, JJ didn't know about my relationship with the Taggaro's until yesterday."

Brooke pulled her shoulder length hair back into a messy bun, "And how did he come to discover that you were close to them Lucas."

"I told him." Lucas winked and gave Brooke a smirk. "So are you going to come with me for a drive or what? I know you're staying at the Beverly Hills Hotel tonight so you can enjoy yourself, I thought maybe we could drive down there together."

"Are you stalking me now?" Brooke wondered, before gulping hard. "I don't even think Bevin knew my plans."

Lucas shrugged, "No pretty girl, I just know you better than most people. If there is a meeting out of town you prefer to stay there for the night. We've been working together for a long time, now come on don't make me beg."

'What is the harm in driving down together?' She asked herself, "Alright Lucas, you win. Let me grab my bags."

"Can I come inside for a minute?" Lucas re-positioned his sunglasses, "I could really use a drink. It's so hot out today."

"I know," Brooke opens the door and let's Lucas pass, "I was thinking about bringing a swim suit and taking advantage of one of the pools the hotel has to offer."

Thinking of Brooke prancing around a swimming pool in a small bikini made his mouth water, "Exactly, that's a great idea. So is it settled then? We're driving down together?"

"I suppose." Brooke giggled, "I need to grab my bag, then we can get going."

"Take all the time you need pretty girl." Lucas watched as Brooke sauntered back towards her bedroom, "Take all the time you need."

So... Thoughts? Comments? Concerns? I know this chapter was short but I didn't want to end it with them at the hotel and leave it on a major cliffhanger.. So I broke it early and will be posting chapter 7 in the next few days.

Lucas's intentions aren't exactly platonic, will Brooke figure out what he's playing at or will the truth of her fake fiance be exposed? Stay tuned...

Thanks again for reading!

Krystal

P.S.: One final thing.. Recently I have started stepping outside of my comfort zone and branched out to explore other couplings and pairings. I know some of them are different and I received some reviews on a few of them that weren't pleasant. All reviews are welcomed, but let's try and keep the rudeness to a minimum. Thanks! :)