Chapter 2
Brooke was bored to death when she came out of the rest room. She crossed the ballroom and took a table at the bar. Finally, Ilana had a little break to talk to her friend. The whole week had been hell, and Ilana would have gone insane if Brooke hadn't been there to support her.
Ilana and Brooke had met almost five years ago, while working for the most important newspaper in New York. At that time, they were both assistant editors for different sections of the journal, and they soon bonded and became best friends.
During her college years, Brooke supported herself working as a model. She never did Calvin Klein or anything that big, just some photo-shoots and runways at malls and private shows. She always thought of modeling as a way to pursue her real goal: to write about fashion from a different point of view and then become a fashion editor.
Things had turned up well for Brooke. After graduating, she started writing as a freelance for some little magazines. Then she knew of an opportunity at the newspaper and applied for it. She got the job.
Now, after years of hard work, she and Ilana had been promoted. Brooke was at last the editor of the fashion section, while Ilana was in charge of the Books' Division, and they both were looking forward to become partners at the journal and later publishers by their own.
– God! These heels are killing me! I don't know how you people can walk on these things, really. –Ilana said, as she sat on the high chair of their table, facing Brooke and the ballroom's entrance.
Brooke gave a wide smile to her friend. – You look really good on them, you know? You should wear those more often.
– No way! I've been on them for like 20 minutes and I can't stand them anymore.
– Stop complaining. I'm the one with nothing to do. I don't even know why I'm here. –Brooke said, faking annoyance.
– You are here because you are representing your corporation; because you are an editor as well. You're here because you claim to know the author. And, above all, you're here because I'd beaten the shit out of you if you hadn't come. –Ilana replied.
– I don't claim to know the author. I do know him, very well. I just hope he remembers me.
– Well, I just want to be done with this launching and get back home. I'm sick of it. I never expected medical books would be so difficult to launch. The only good thing is these doctors are actually good looking, most of them, at least. –Then Ilana threw Brooke a smug smile.
– What? –Brooke asked, noticing the look on Ilana's face.
– Don't turn around, but there's a really hot guy checking you out right now.
– Where? –Brooke asked back, amused.
Ilana was about to tell her when Patrick popped up.
– Brooke Julian! Oh-my-God! What are you doing here? –Patrick said in disbelief.
– Hey! You remember me!
– How could I not remember you?
Brooke smiled. She and Patrick had been really close in college. He was like a brother to her. But as time went by and they moved along with their lives, they lost track of each other. When Brooke realized the first big launching of the division under Ilana's watch was a book written by Doctor Patrick Mayer, she felt really excited to reunite with him. That was the main reason she was there.
– So, you made it to med school, huh? Plastic surgeon… –Brooke said.
– Yeah, now you can have a boob job for free if you want.
– Are you saying I need a boob job? –Brooke replied, raising an eyebrow.
– I'm not… but if you ever feel like it.
Brooke was happy to see time didn't cool their friendship. – And you are a writer now? –she said, sarcasm in her voice.
Patrick laughed. – Well, I'm not sure about that. Let's just say I had some crazy ideas and someone put them on paper.
Then Brooke remembered Ilana, who had been watching the scene with a lot of interest.
– Oh! Right, well, someone is actually here. She's Ilana Kritzer, Senior Editor of the Books' Division and my best friend as well.
Ilana and Patrick shook hands. – I thought I'd never meet you in person. –Ilana said.
– I'm really sorry we had to put the book together by phone and e-mail. It's tough with you based in New York and me living here. –Patrick replied, a little ashamed.
Ilana smiled at him. – Don't worry. It turned out well after all, it seems.
– It did. Great party by the way. Thanks for making it happen. I have no clue of how to throw parties, and I had no idea I knew all these people. –Patrick said, kind of proud.
– Well, you probably don't know half of them, but anyways… Enjoy your big night. –Ilana replied.
– I am. –Then Patrick turned to Brooke and said: – I've got to go for a minute, but don't you dare to leave. I'll be right back, okay?
– I'm not going anywhere. –she said.
Patrick left the girls and walked to the ballroom's entrance.