"This chicken is absolutely delicious!" Brooke gushed.

Karen Scott smiled.

"Why thank you."

"Yes, it is. Dinner is exquisite as always", Dan added.

Karen's smile faded quickly as she ignored her husband's feeble attempt at an actual compliment.

"Well, Brooke the secret to the recipe is marinating the meat in a special lemon and pepper sauce."

"I really like it."

"I'm glad. And do make yourself at home."

"Actually, would it be too much trouble to ask for more asparagus?"

Karen smiled again as she passed the dish to Brooke's side of the table.

"You sure you're okay?" Lucas leaned in and whispered.

For the life of him he couldn't understand why she had insisted on meeting his family. Weren't the horror stories enough?

"I'm great", she winked. "They're all pussycats."

"So, Brooke", Mae smiled. "Tell us how you met my handsome grandson."

"We…"

"Brooke works over at Deb's Den", Dan couldn't wait to volunteer.

"Oh", Mae answered flustered. "How nice."

"Mrs. Scott, I moved here a few months ago and Deb was kind enough to rent me a room and give me a job."

"Well, I hope that you're getting settled and enjoying your time here in Tree Hill, dear."

Brooke smiled.

"I am. I love it. It's a really nice town. It's by the water and it's so quiet and beautiful and the people are just great. I've made a few good friends", she looked right at Lucas.

"So", Royal began as he cleared his plate. "Why did you choose Tree Hill?"

Brooke shrugged.

"I don't know. Sometimes it seems like Tree Hill chose me. But whatever it is, I'm glad I'm here. It just feels right."

"Where is your home?"

"Excuse me?"

"Your home, gal. Where'd you come from?"

Brooke was taken aback as all eyes fell on her.

"Up north", she cleared her throat.

"Where about?"

"Um, like the Northeast part."

Royal gave a skeptical look.

"Did you attend college?"

"Yes, sir."

"Well, which one?"

Lucas put down his utensils and wiped his mouth.

"Grandpa, can we please stop with the cross examination?"

"Nonsense, boy. I was just talking to your friend, trying to get to know her."

"That's fine and good but we came here for dinner, not an interrogation."

"Well, excuse me for asking simple questions. Brooke didn't seem to mind, now did you, honey?"

"I, uh…"

"Dessert is ready", Karen suddenly stood. "Brooke, would you care to help me in the kitchen?"

"I'd love to", she followed.

Brooke breathed a sigh of relief when the two women were finally alone and secluded.

"I thought you could get away", Karen said.

"Thanks", Brooke rolled her eyes. "Tough crowd."

"Just ignore Dan and trust me, Royal Scott's bark is far worse than his bite."

"So I figured."

"So", Karen ran her fingers through her short curled locks. "How long have you been seeing my son?"

Her tone abruptly changed and it became more than apparent that Royal wasn't the only family member that barked.

"Not long. Just a couple of months."

"And?"

"And…it's been good so far. Lucas is great and we're having a good time, taking it slow and really getting to know each other."

"But you are living together?"

Brooke's face burned.

"Technically, if you mean being under the same roof but I sleep upstairs and Luke has the basement apartment to himself."

"So I heard. Nathan has moved out to live with Lucas' wife."

"Ex wife", Brooke corrected.

"And I take it Deb approves of all this?"

Now Brooke really didn't like her tone or where the conversation was obviously headed.

"Deb doesn't judge people and she doesn't get in the middle of anybody's business. She just wants everybody to be happy."

"How sweet of her. Well, please be sure to tell her I said hello."

"I will do that."

"Oh and also tell her that if she's still behind in payments for her little diner slash bar, to please give me a call. I am always looking to expand and I've had my eye on that location for years. The space would be perfect for my next café."

Brooke couldn't believe what she was hearing. What a bitch!"

"Deb's business is better than ever and besides, I'm not really into message relaying. Sorry. If you want her to know something, you're just gonna have to tell her yourself."

Karen smirked.

"I see. Well, let's not keep everyone waiting. Marble cake is Lucas' favorite."

The women returned to the dining area.

"Brooke, dear, you are going to fall in love with the Marble cake", Mae smiled. "The recipe has been in my family for several generations."

Brooke smiled politely.

"I'm sure it is, Mrs. Scott but I can't stay."

"Oh?"

Even Lucas looked puzzled.

"I apologize. I feel like I've been coming down with something all week and now I have the most dreadful headache. Lucas, if you don't mind?"

"I'll take you right home", he stood.

"Oh my. Must you kids go? And before dessert is served…"

"We'll have to take a rain check, Grandma", Lucas kissed Mae.

The family matriarch stood and began slicing the cake.

"Here. You kids should take this to go. Brooke, have a piece when you're not feeling under the weather."

"Thank you, Mrs. Scott."

"We'll have to do this again, young lady", Royal stood as he always did when a woman exited or entered the room.

"Looking forward to it, Mr. Scott."

"Lucas."

"Grandpa", Lucas nodded.

"The game against Pinkerton is coming up on Friday", Dan reminded everyone. "I hope to see you there, son…you should bring Brooke, too."

"Thank you for the invitation, Dan", Brooke acknowledged courteously while Lucas simply grunted.

"It was nice to see you again, Lucas", Karen straightened her blouse. "And it was nice meeting you, Brooke."

"Likewise."

The couple headed out the front door to the truck.

"Are you okay?" Lucas asked.

Brooke smiled at him.

"I'm good. It was just getting a little stuffy in there."

"Did the pussycats start purring too loud for you?"

"Well, Mama Lion can really roar, that's for sure."

"I knew it. What the hell did she say to you in the kitchen?" Lucas demanded to know in an agitated voice as he opened the truck door to get out.

Brooke grabbed his arm to stop him.

"Don't. It's okay. It was really nothing. Besides, I know how to take care of myself, Luke."

Lucas shook his head.

"I knew this was a bad idea…"

"No, it wasn't. I wanted to meet them and I did. I'm glad I did. No regrets, right? We came, we saw, we conquered."

"Conquered?"

"Okay, more like survived but I was having a moment there so try not to ruin it, Boyfriend."

"We barely survived."

"But we got cake out of the deal, right? I mean, what could be better than that?"

Lucas grinned as they bumped fists.

"We got cake."

They unwrapped their slices and he fed her a piece before stuffing his own face.

"Mmmmm", Brooke teased. "Simply orgasmic."

From the window inside the house, Dan Scott squinted his beady eyes to try and get a better look at what was going on inside his son's truck.

"Oh Danny, don't be a spy", Mae scolded. "You leave those kids alone and come away from that window at this instant."

"So", Karen sipped her coffee. "What did everyone think?"

Mae smiled.

"I think she's a lovely, lovely girl. So charming and fresh and beautiful."

"She won't last", Karen said sharply.

"Oh Karen. Dear, that isn't very nice. You mustn't say such things."

"Why? It's the truth. I know my son. A pretty face attached to a cute little body with the bubbly cheerleader personality. When Lucas gets bored, which he undoubtedly will, she'll disappear like all the other tarts of the month."

Dan shrugged and poured himself a drink at the home bar.

"She's easy on the eyes. Nice rack. Very sexy. Definite upgrade from Haley."

Royal cleared his throat.

"I definitely liked that wife of his better."

"Well, never fear, Dad. Haley's still around, she just traded one of my boys for the other."

"Nathan and Haley?" Mae asked, shocked. "Well, what happened to that little red haired girl he was seeing? The tomboyish one with the freckles who liked cars."

Dan chuckled as he sipped.

"You mean Daytona? He got rid of her. And compared to that, Haley is a definite upgrade."

Royal shook his head.

"There's something about this Brooke…"

"Oh she's harmless", Mae dismissed it.

"She's hiding something, Mae. You saw her tonight. The girl couldn't even answer simple questions like where she came from. Something isn't right."

"Maybe she's just shy."

Royal lit a cigar.

"This one's trouble. Mark my word, that's what she is. Trouble."