Thank you for all of your kind words. I'm glad that you are all enjoying the story. It's something different for me to write, just as much as it is for you all to read.

Victim of a Foolish Heart
Chapter 5

Brooke pressed her lips together one last time before capping her lipstick. She stared in the mirror for a second and made sure that the redness from her eyes had disappeared. Sadness was not an excuse to look a mess; she had learned that a long time ago. Once satisfied, she turned off the bathroom light.

It had been almost two hours since she'd walked back inside and Ryan was yet to come in. She was grateful, but not surprised. He knew she needed space and as much as that fact had comforted her in the past, at the moment it was killing her. He knew her so well. He knew what this was doing to her. He had known before he'd done it, but he'd done it anyway and it was unsettling.

He couldn't sit out there forever, but he was more apt to do that then come to her. So, she made it easier for them both. Brooke turned the knob of the patio door and he turned to her immediately. "I'm going to shop, with Summer. I'll be back in a few hours." He simply nodded and she left.

Shopping. He knew that was coming. She always shopped when in emotionally charged situations. If it hadn't been for the current circumstances, he would have smiled. She'd once told him that shopping made everything good, great and everything bad, better. She couldn't explain it, but that's just the way things were. He'd laughed then, but coming to know her, he realized it was true.

Once he was certain that she had left, he went inside. He showered and ate and was on his way to see Seth, who he was certain, would have something to say about everything when there was a knock. He opened it and smiled when he saw Seth's figure.

"Oh, Ryan, I don't think you're in any spot to be smiling. Summer is ready to bust a cap in your ass." Seth let himself in and Ryan shut the door behind him.

"Is that what she said?"

"Something like that. It doesn't matter what she said, it's how she said it."

"And how did she say it?"

"Like she was ready to bust a cap in your ass. Are you not listening to me, bro?"

----

"You have got to get that dress, Davis. You look killer."

"You think?" Brooke studied herself in the mirror. The light purple Versace dress looked amazing against her skin and it did bring out her eyes, not to mention the fact that the uneven hem made her legs look killer. "I guess you're right."

"Of course I am. Now, let's pay for this bad boy and grab some lunch. I'm starved."

The girls opted for lunch at an outside restaurant and sipped Long Island iced teas as they waited.

"So are we ever going to talk about Chino and his relapse of stupidity?" Summer wasn't one for beating around the bush.

"He kissed her," Brooke replied calmly. Her eyes concentrating on the little girl

sitting on the bench across the street playing with her puppy, instead of Summer.

"And what did you say?"

"Nothing."

"Nothing. Are you kidding me, Davis? I would have told him to stick his wondering little tongue up his..."

"It wouldn't have helped anything."

"It would make you feel better."

"No, it would make you feel better. You and I are a lot alike, Sum, but we fight differently."

"You're right, it would make me feel better. Do you mind if I tell him? Somebody has to set Chino straight."

"Tell him what you wish." Brooke replied uninterested.

"Are you alright, Brooke?" Summer reached across the table and rested her hand atop her friend's. "I mean, I know you're not alright, but it seems like there's something else bothering you besides Ryan and his little "incident" with Marissa."

Brooke looked down and several moments of silence passed before Brooke responded, her voice barely a whisper. "What if he leaves, Sum?" When Summer's eyes met Brooke's, she could see the tears and the hurt in them and it broke her heart.

"He won't. Ryan loves you. He made a mistake. A stupid, asinine mistake, that justifies whatever butt kicking you decide to give him, but he's not going to leave, B."

"How do you know?"

"I just do."

"I wish I did."

Their conversation ended as the waiter placed their dinner in front of them. The topics from then on were light and meaningless.