Part 20
August 2002 - Tempo Magazine
Brooke paced her office, her nose buried in an article as she twirled a red pen among her fingers. She was engrossed, not hearing a knock at her office door. After a moment, there was another knock and the door swung open slowly.
"Brooke?" Tad approached her, reaching out for her arm. Brooke jumped. "Woah," he said, steadying her as she dropped the papers to the ground. "Surprised to see me?" Tad bent down to help Brooke pick up the papers.
"You just caught me off guard," she said. "You should have knocked."
"I did," Tad raised his eyebrows. "Twice. Is something going on with you?"
"No," Brooke stood, pushing her hair back. "Why?"
"You're kind of... out there."
"I'm trying to get through all of this editing, Tad. That and the fact that it's probably 100 degrees in here."
"I noticed that," Tad said, loosening his tie. "Isn't it against the law to work without an air conditioner... or something like that?"
"Something like that," Brooke said. "We have somebody coming in later today to fix it. Look... Tad, don't you have a company to help run?"
"I just got here and now you're rushing me out."
"I'm kind of busy, Tad," Brooke said.
"You're burying yourself," Tad said.
"What are you talking about, burying myself?"
"It wasn't too long ago that your whole world fell apart. And now you're working yourself to the bone to help get over Edmund."
"I'm over it," Brooke attempted to convince him. "Thanks for your concern, Tad. Really, thank you but... I'm perfectly fine."
"I've seen you perfectly fine', Brooke." Tad said. "This isn't perfectly fine'."
Brooke shook her head. "What will it take to convince you?"
"Breakfast."
"You want me to buy you breakfast."
Tad shook his head. "We're worried about you," Tad said. "Dixie and I were just on our way to get breakfast... come with us."
"I really need to get this done," Brooke said.
"A few hours won't kill you. It's not like the work won't be here when you get back." Tad said as they heard the office door swing open. Tad and Brooke looked towards the doorway.
Brooke's eyes widen and her jaw dropped slightly. "Adam..." she said, shakily. "I'll uh... be with you in a minute."
"Why, Adam," Tad said. "If this isn't a surprise."
"Tad..." Brooke bit her bottom lip. "I'll take a raincheck, OK?"
Tad shifted his gaze from Brooke to Adam and then back to Brooke. He moved closer to her, lowering his voice. "I hope you're not getting yourself into something you're going to regret."
"I'll call you later, Tad," Brooke said, backing away from him.
"I'll be by to pick up Jamie." Tad said before lowering his voice . "Think, Brooke," He paused. "You have my numbers." Brooke nodded. Tad turned, walking passed Adam without giving him a second look, shutting the office door behind him.
Adam raised his eyebrows as Brooke put the papers down on her desk. Pushing a strand of hair behind her ear, she turned back to Adam and spoke. "Are you out of your mind?"