Brooke sat getting her makeup applied early Saturday morning. She looked over at the clock that read an inhumanely early 6:43 a.m. At twenty-six, she was one of the co-anchors for the ABC New York news station. She studied her reflection, her long brown hair was pulled back for makeup application. Tired-looking hazel eyes stared back at her. She gulped more of her double expresso, attempting to conceal her tiredness as the camera missed nothing.
"Hold still Brooke, I'm touching up your blush hun," her makeup artist, Cally, insisted.
"Sure, sorry," Brooke said, feeling a bit jumpy for no good reason. Too much caffeine her mother would say. Too much caffeine will give you anxiety, too much caffeine will give you wrinkles, that was her mother, Victoria, full of wisdom. Victoria was a wedding planner and very much into aesthetic appearances. Brooke was her only daughter and her mother was very invested in her success. Brooke grew up in the best preparatory schools in Manhattan and her extracurriculars centered around being co-captain of cheer team and choreographing dance routines for the squad. The rest of her time belonged to her high school boyfriend, Chase, who was class president, on the debate team, and salutatorian. Victoria was pleased that Chase came from a respectable family and encouraged Brooke to be exclusive with him. However, he dumped Brooke before he went off to Harvard. He hadn't been sure she was the one anymore, even though they'd been saying I love you since they were sixteen and Brooke had dreamed they would get married someday. Victoria would still not admit she was wrong about Chase, just that Brooke should have put more effort into their relationship.
During Brooke's freshman year in high school, Victoria had remarried, William, a corporate hedge fund manager and stock broker. Brooke's biological father had left her mother for his mistress and had another replacement daughter with her in a suburb of North Carolina. At least that's how it looked in Brooke's eyes. When Brooke was around ten years old, her father had stopped communication with her altogether. His new wife had been diagnosed with cancer and ultimately died. Victoria had told her it was karma. That she and Brooke were the best thing to happen to Ted, but he threw it all away and got what he deserved. Maybe that was why Brooke felt ill at ease, this writer she was supposed to be interviewing in the "hot new books" segment, was born and raised in North Carolina very near where her father had relocated. It hit a little too close to home.
After high school, Brooke had wanted to go to Pratt institute of design to become a dress designer, but her mother would not hear of it. Brooke's stepfather, William, had connections in the local broadcasting network. Brooke had spent four years studying communications at NYU where she lived on-campus and then off-campus with her best friend, Rachel. Rachel had eventually moved in with her boyfriend, but they continued to work together and often during the same news broadcast as they were scheduled today. Rachel had been seeing her boyfriend, who was in the military, for a few years now and Brooke knew it was only a matter of time before they got married.
"You know Brookie, I got a glimpse of the gorgeous writer you're interviewing today. I dare you not to fall in love girl. He's my new blond-haired, blue-eyed fantasy," Rachel smirked. One thing Rachel and Victoria had in common was their love of meddling in Brooke's love life.
"Just stick to your department, the weather, not my love life," Brooke replied pointedly.
"I know but I snuck a peak in his dressing room, he's just so hot. I can't stand it," Rachell wailed.
"Who is so hot?" Julian, the news director, walked in. "Here's your script for the morning portion Brooke," Julian added.
His voice sent chills up Brooke's spine. As she reached for the document, Julian's hand brushed against hers. She met his eyes and could feel them darken with desire.
She found it hard to believe no one had picked up on the fact they were sleeping together at work. If they had, Rachel would be the first to tell her. Julian was very careful about the way he acted around her at work, in fact, he usually made it a point to flirt with other women in front of her. If she was honest, Brooke felt a little crushed by his attitude towards her around the news station. When they were alone together, Julian was so intentional in making her feel desired and needed, yet in front of others he was purely professional. Julian had explained his discretion was necessary to keep the boundary between work and pleasure.
"Thanks," Brooke said, scanning the morning line-up.
"Brooke can't wait to interview that writer, mmmm, he's so good-looking and he doesn't even know it," Rachel divulged to Julian.
"That's not true. I haven't even seen him," Brooke said, feeling the need to let Julian know she wasn't interested in anyone else.
Julian raised his eyebrows at her.
"He said hi to me and he has this sexy southern accent," Rachel went on.
"I'd offer to give you his number, but aren't you seeing someone?" Julian asked.
"Yes, but everybody deserves a hall pass right?" Rachel asked miffed.
"I'd say no," Julian said. "Not all of us start foaming at the mouth for a marginally popular author with a trending book. He probably never even went to college. His bio says he was raised by a single mother…what kind of upbringing is that?" Julian scoffed.
Brooke gaped at Julian. Had he just insulted her background by extension?
"I mean," Julian noticed Brooke staring, "a poor, single mother, she's like a waitress. How could he possibly have a shred of life experience?"
Brooke was surprised to see Rachel and the makeup team nodding along in agreement.
"I'm sure Brooke will give him a warm welcome. She's got a soft-spot for the less fortunate," Julian stated sanctimoniously, before heading off to continue his morning agenda.
Brooke pursed her lips as, her make-up stylist Cally applied lipstick. Behind her McKenzie skillfully flat-ironed her light brown hair.
"Balayage would be stunning on you Brooke," McKenzie stated, turning the conversation back to the realm of beauty.
"Brooke is afraid of change," Rachel said.
"I am not," Brooke argued. Though Rachel had a point there. Without Rachel, Brooke knew she wouldn't take many risks. She was much more accustomed to letting her mother, Victoria, drive her decisions. Her mother's approval always weighed heavily into Brooke's choices. The only bad habit she kept for herself was her secret affair with Julian. Her mother was never going to criticize or guilt-trip her for being with Julian. Julian was eight years older and she loved the way he made her feel. The way he always left her wanting more. She never thought Julian wanted her until the day in his office when he casually put his arm around her shoulders and whispered to her that he loved her smile. He'd brushed her hair back and kissed her neck and Brooke had fallen for him on the spot.