Hand in hand, Lucas and Brooke entered the apartment. It had been over a week since he had arrived and almost from day one, it was bliss. The days were dwindling down and they both knew it would soon be time for Lucas to head back to North Carolina.
"Pey, we've got Chinese food…", Brooke bellowed.
"Chinese? Well, I hope you got enough for me although you could have asked first. I had that last night. I think I'm more in the mood for Italian tonight."
Brooke smiled as a slightly annoyed Peyton rolled her eyes. It was none other than Tim Smith, her irritating but lovable agent.
"Tim, considering you didn't put in on this and Peyton and I have bought you dinner like the last three times in a row, if I were you, I'd sit down and shut up and hope for fortune cookies and scraps of fried rice. And get your feet off the coffee table, would you?"
"Hey, is that any way to talk to your agent? The Tim who loves you more than anything? The one that has come bearing great news?"
Lucas smiled as he put an arm around Brooke's waist. Tim stood, frown on his face, chest puffed out.
"And uh, just who are you?" Tim asked, with exaggerated bass dripping in his voice.
"Lucas Scott", he answered, extending his hand.
Tim shook it firmly.
"You a friend of Brooke's?"
"Yeah, I am."
"I see", Tim nodded. "Because you know I'm currently dating her and…"
"Tim!" Brooke yelled, swatting him with a newspaper. "Shut up! Luke, do not pay attention to the human stain over there. This is my agent who better have good news for me i.e. an actual paying job before both our asses are in the unemployment line."
"Actually I do", he said, handing her a fancy envelope.
"What the hell is this?"
"Open it and see."
Brooke did and her eyes skimmed the contents. She quickly put it down.
"Pey, can I steal some of your Sweet and Sour Chicken?" Brooke asked casually.
Tim picked up the discarded envelope and began reading.
"Girl, are you nuts? You should be jumping up and down for joy right about now, preferably naked. This is an invitation to the Soap Opera Digest Awards out in L.A. next month. You got nominated for Best Supporting Actress."
"I'm not going", she stated simply.
"Why?" Peyton asked.
"Why? So I get to be humiliated and talked about all night? No thanks. How long has Savannah been in a coma?"
"But what about your work pre coma, Brooke? It was brilliant. You're a genius. You deserve this nod and more."
"I'm not going", she said stubbornly.
"I think you should", Lucas spoke up. "I mean, I'm not trying to tell you what to do but Peyton is right. You're a great actress. Hell, you got me hooked. Don't let this contract dispute with the studio rain on your parade. You deserve this. You should go."
"Yeah", Tim pouted. "Whatever he said. Besides, I want to go too. That hot red headed chick from As The World Turns is so checking me out. She's in some need of some Tim time and I am not one to disappoint. And I can't get in the awards without you, Brooke."
"Tim…"
"What? It'll be fun. It's L.A. I'll go and you can even bring Curly Q over there. It'll be just like old times minus that jackhole, Felix. Don't you remember? Oh come on, Brooke. Pretty please…"
"Oh alright! Fine. Just quit your whining and definitely quit stealing my Beef and Broccoli. I will go, okay? Just shut up about it and make the arrangements."
"Yes! Whoo hoo! This is gonna be a blast! The Timster back in Hollywood taking over! All the big stars better recognize because I'm the hottest agent to hit the streets since Jerry Maguire."
"Yeah, yeah, yeah", Peyton rolled her eyes. "Think you can take all that back over the bridge to your place?"
"Fine", Tim scoffed. "I'll let myself out."
"Call me with the flight arrangements", Brooke reminded.
Lucas was closest to the door so he opened it for Tim.
"It's okay", he whispered. "You have to watch it…Curly gets a little hostile sometimes. It's because she wants me."
"Really?" Lucas smiled.
"Hell yeah. You can't blame her though. All the chicks want me. TV stars, movie stars, athletes, singers, models…hell, the other night you should have seen Giselle giving me the eye down at 54 behind Leonardo DiCaprio's back. Anyway, Peyton is on my jock and I keep telling her, 'Be patient, girl. There is enough love to go around…'"
"Tim, I hear you!" Peyton yelled, throwing her shoe. "And we all know that's crap! Now go home!"
"So bitter", Tim said, shaking his head slightly as he shut the door.
"That dude is a character", Lucas smiled.
"Tell me about it", Brooke rolled her eyes.
"So you're really gonna go?"
"I guess. You were right."
"I'm proud of you. I think you're doing the right thing."
"Luke, I just wish you didn't have to leave tomorrow."
"Yeah…me too. But we'll see each other again soon. I promise."
Brooke sighed. She wasn't so sure. She had this thing about people leaving her and never coming back.
"Promise?"
He gave her lips a peck and pulled her into his embrace.
"I promise."
She smiled and instantly relaxed. There was just something soothing about his voice. Something that could calm her nerves and greatest fears. When she looked in his eyes, she could see a happy, truth filled future.
