Hi there! Happy Valentine's Day! Here 2 new chapters to celebrate, funny and romantic ;)
Thanks to Foxy4ever for the review.
Please review!!
Chapter 9
The next morning Brooke woke up early. She had a couple of meetings and some other things to attend. She was quite in a good mood, even though she had a complicated day. But all she could think about was her date with Jack. Having brought a million clothes with her, she still thought she had nothing to wear for the occasion. She wanted to look perfect and impress him in the best way. She'd figure it out later.
Meanwhile, Jack was also in a cheery mood. He woke up early as always and went on with his usual routine. He planned on leaving the hospital at 5:00 pm, go home, make the reservation and get dressed up.
He was checking some medical charts when Patrick stepped into his office.
– Dr. Shephard, may I come in?
– Since when you ask?
– I was trying to be polite. So, are you going to Varya's birthday party?
– When's the thing again?
– A week from today.
– I forgot about it, but yeah, why not? –Jack replied, smiling.
– Did you just say yes? –Patrick asked in disbelief.
– Yeah, why? –Jack shot back, amused.
– Are you on dope or something? I thought I had to beg you to come, as always.
– Well, not this time, I'll just go.
Patrick couldn't help but notice Jack was in a good mood, an excellent one actually, something totally unusual in him. Jack had never been Mr. Ha-ha, but since two years ago he barely smiled.
– Okay, what is it? –Patrick asked, completely curious.
– What?
– You're happy. And it's freaking me out. It's so not like you. Why are you so smiley today?
Jack giggled at Patrick's question. – Am I that pathetic?
– You're not pathetic man, you've just been having a bad time lately. But not today, so, shoot.
– Nothing.
– Right. Come on, tell me.
– Maybe I had a nice dream, I don't know… –Jack replied, still smiling.
– Oh you dog! You got laid, right? You've got to tell me everything.
Jack burst his laugh out. – I didn't get laid. I swear.
– But you will, right? You've got a date.
– Are you a girl? Because you sound like one with that kind of questions.
– Oh, come on, what's the big deal?
– It's not a big deal, it's just private.
– Right. So, when are you seeing this mysterious lady?
– Tonight.
– God bless her, whoever she is.
– Very funny. But tell me, how did your readings go? The book's sales and everything.
– They're huge, my editor's working miracles. I'm already number two in sales.
– How about that? Unbelievable.
– Hey! My book is actually good, you should read it sometime.
– I have, and I hated it.
– Son of a bitch.
– It breaks my heart, but… –Jack mocked, and then gave Patrick a long look.
– What? –Patrick told him.
– Can I ask you something personal? –Jack said back.
– Shoot.
– This friend of yours, the one at your party… –he asked, as if he didn't remember her name. Patrick didn't seem to know whom was he talking about. – The one who knows your editor? –Jack finished.
– Brooke?
– Brooke, right… you told me she was your roommate…
– Yeah. Why? –Then it totally hit Patrick. – Oh-my-God! She's your date? She's here? When she got here? I don't believe you both!
Jack stiffened and got tense, he never expected Patrick to be so sly. – Why you think she's my date? She doesn't even live in town. –he said, nerves in his voice.
Patrick found it completely amusing and played Jack's game. – Okay, so, what you want to know about her?
– You ever… you know… went out?
– Of course, million times.
– I mean in the other way.
Patrick was enjoying himself. – What way?
– Like in a date way.
– Why you want to know?
– I need to know.
– You need to know? Why? –Patrick had Jack against the wall.
– Okay, fine. Well… it turns out she's in town, I just ran into her at the airport yesterday, and yes, I asked her out.
– That is amazing! She never mentioned she liked you! –Patrick said, feeling really happy about it, especially for Jack.
– So, did you go out back in college? –Jack insisted.
– Is that a problem? –Patrick snapped.
– No… I mean… is it? –Jack replied, doubtful.
Patrick couldn't stifle his laugh anymore. – Kidding man, we never dated.
– You sure?
– Of course I'm sure! Why would I lie about that?
– Well, I don't know… –Jack said, hesitating.
– What? Why don't you believe me? –Patrick asked, laughing.
– It's just… I mean, you had this girl living under your same roof for God knows how long and you never tried anything?
– You mean because she's hot?
– Well, yeah. If she had been my roommate, I would've totally made a move on her.
– Really? What kind of move?
– Any move.
– Like jump her? –Patrick asked, smirking.
– Well, that too…–Jack admitted.
– Well, of course when I first met her I hit on her, but she's not that kind of girl, so we became friends and later we were roommates.
– She's not what kind of girl? –Jack asked, intrigued.
– The kind you just fool around with. She's for keeps, you know.
Jack gave Patrick another hesitant look, so he explained. – When I met her I was 19 and all I wanted was to screw as many girls as possible. We met at a party and we talked. Then it hit us both, she knew I was a fox and I realized she was on steady relationships, but we still liked each other. So, I didn't want to screw her, she wouldn't let me anyway, and we became best friends instead. She's been like a sister to me ever since.
Jack was listening with full attention and felt relieved after he heard the story. – So, It's okay with you if we go out? –he asked, for reassurance.
– It's beyond okay. Man, there's no way you can find a better woman. Brooke's amazing, she really is. Young, successful, committed, nice family, great job and outstanding looks. She's got it all. Really, I couldn't be happier for you both. I'm going to call her and fight her for not telling me about this. –Patrick affirmed, content.
– Don't make a big deal about it, it's not like we planned it. It just happened. She's here for work for two weeks.
– But you liked her since the party, didn't you?
– True. But I never called her and now I find her at the airport. Lucky me…
– You bet.
– So, what else can you tell me about her?
– You're asking for references? –Patrick shot back.
– You're really enjoying yourself, aren't you?
– I am. –Patrick replied with a smug smile. – Okay, let's see… she's got to be 27, 'cause she's a year younger than me. Excellent student, very popular at college. Daddy's a lawyer, she has a younger brother. No boyfriend, I assume. Oh, and she was a model back then.
– A model? –Jack asked, raising an eyebrow.
– It surprises you? She still looks like one, don't you think?
– She does.
– But don't you worry. She's everything but an airhead. She's not an easy girl, you know. She's the one that always gets away with it. When she wants something, she doesn't take "no" for an answer. She can be very stubborn, trust me.
– Totally my type.
– I can see. So, enjoy man. Hey, I can ask her to come to Varya's if you want.
– That's a good idea. But Marion, she won't get pissed?
– I'll handle Marion.
– Of course you will.
– Well man, I don't want to waste your time anymore, I don't want you to blame me for being late tonight.
– Fine.
– See you.
Patrick left the office and Jack smiled at himself. He had seen Brooke only two times, but he was already loving everything about her.
