Chapter 513: Roasters Coffee Shop
Saturday, February 18th, Afternoon
Walking into the coffee shop, she looked around and smiled. This shop, Roasters Coffee Shop, was relatively new, only four or five years old. It was local and not a national chain and served good coffee. It was also within sight of the Scott Building. The decor was tasteful, and the tables and chairs had a classic look.
Brooke Davis walked over to the counter and put her order in. Stepping away, she looked around the place. Looking over to a corner, she smiled at the painting that hung there. Once her coffee was ready, Brooke walked over to a table and took a seat.
Haley James-Scott looked up at Brooke and gave her a weak smile. Brooke smiled back and took a sip of her coffee.
"How was fashion week?" Haley asked.
"It was normal, fabulous," Brooke said.
"How'd your show go?" Haley asked.
"Awesome, it was very well received, like always," Brooke said.
"That's great, Brooke," Haley said, "How did Bobbi-Lee's show go?"
"Better than we hoped, very well received, and still having orders coming in," Brooke said, "I shouldn't be surprised she's always been one of my best designers."
"Was it much of a risk to give Bobbi her own show?" Haley asked.
"It was a risk," Brooke said, "But Bobbi earned her chance; her designs have always been greatly received and sell well."
"After all is said and done, it is a business, and it's about making money," Haley said.
"That's the truth," Brooke said.
"Even at the expense of passion and doing right by the customers," Haley said.
"It's a razor's edge you have to balance on," Brooke said.
Haley nodded and looked down at her coffee. Brooke studied her friend with a considered eye. Brooke took a sip of her coffee, put it down, and looked at Haley.
"So, you had a big week," Brooke said.
"You can say that," Haley said.
"Where do you want to start?" Brooke asked.
"Ashlyn's mom died this week," Haley said.
"I heard, but I couldn't get back for the funeral," Brooke said.
"I just don't get how things are going down," Haley said.
"What do you mean?" Brooke asked.
"Ashlyn doesn't seem to be mourning. Brett is just confused. James is running around trying to keep things together," Haley said.
"Well, Brett is in the playoffs. Remember how it was when we were in high school?" Brooke said.
"Yeah, on top of it, a lot of focus is on her," Haley said, "It's what Brett wants."
"I've always thought our granddaughter should be worried less about being her mom, or as she calls her Auntie Tall, and should be more Brett," Brooke said.
"I don't disagree," Haley said, "Anyways, she plays Huck's game."
"Who is the one feeding her that nonsense?" Brooke asked.
"I don't think it's Ashlyn and Angela," Haley said.
"Yeah, Ashlyn never wanted her to play," Brooke said.
"I don't know," Haley said.
Brooke nodded and sipped her coffee. She looked around the coffee shop, finally looking at the painting in the corner. Finally, Brooke looked back at Haley.
"So, what about the Brian drama?" Brooke asked, her voice taking a tone of disgust.
"We got the results back," Haley said.
"What were the results?" Brooke asked.
"Nathan hasn't talked much about it," Haley said.
"Is he normally like this?" Brooke asked.
"No, but this all came about in the middle of Ashlyn's mom dying," Haley said.
"Hmm," Brooke said.
"We have a lunch meeting with her next week," Haley said.
"What is her name again?" Brooke asked.
"Miléna, Miléna Venczel," Haley said.
"What was she doing? Or better yet, how did Brian meet her?" Brooke asked.
"She was an exotic dancer in Los Angeles when Brian met her," Haley said.
"Say no more," Brooke said.
Haley nodded, took a sip of her coffee, and looked at Brooke. "Why are you so down on Brian?" Haley asked.
"Hales, I know he's your son, but what he suggested for himself, Gabi, and Trin was completely unacceptable," Brooke said.
"I know, and I agreed," Haley said.
"So, why do you give him a pass?" Brooke asked.
"Why does it matter? Trin got out and is raising an amazing son," Haley said.
"Because he went and did it with other women after Trin got out," Brooke said.
"I know, but he left and was out of my reach," Haley said.
"So, why do you give him a pass?" Brooke asked.
Haley grunted, "Why are you so agro over Brian?" she asked.
"I'm not agro; I have a good reason," Brooke said.
Haley grunted again, "Because, Brooke, he's my son, and as you know from first-hand experience, you forgive your children," Haley said.
Brooke nodded, "Yeah, you're right; I know that all too well," she said.
"I never said I forgot what Brian did, but you forgive," Haley said.
"Peyton used to say there could be no forgiveness if you can't forget," Brooke said.
"Yeah, but she could hold a grudge," Haley said.
"That she could," Brooke said.
"You're looking at the painting again," Haley said.
Brooke sighed, "Yeah, I am," she said.
"She gave it to them because she liked the coffee," Haley said.
"I've heard of stranger reasons," Brooke said.
Haley nodded, "Me too; we should get together for dinner next week; I got some big news," she said.
"Okay, call me, and we'll set something up," Haley said.
"Sure," Brooke said.
The two friends finished their coffee and went their separate ways.
