After a pleasant day and good news about her studies, the evening was also looking excellent. Micro, Rachel's boyfriend had picked them up each in turn and dropped them off at one of their favorite bars. The weather was very nice so they had decided to leave their jackets in his car, especially since he would pick them up later in the evening. On the way out, they could finally admire each other's outfits... And their festive dresses were decadent.
RACHEL : Haley, Brooke, your dresses are so sexy! I love them!
HALEY : And yours, then! And your curly hair like that... It makes you even more of a femme fatale!
Haley stroked Rachel's arm then she turned to Brooke, looking her up and down with her mouth open.
HALEY : But I admit... Brooke, just wow!
BROOKE : Stop looking at me like that, I'm going to think it's me you're trying to hook up with!
RACHEL : She's not the only one who finds you gorgeous...
Rachel gave a big, indelicate elbow to Mouth who jumped, caught red-handed.
RACHEL : Shut your mouth too!
MICRO : Uh... Girls, you're all three really gorgeous... But take care of yourselves and be careful!
HALEY : You're afraid that we'll get hit on on the dance floor... There's reason to be afraid, indeed!
BROOKE : But don't worry, we're keeping a close eye on your beauty! Sorry, Rachel darling...
RACHEL : That won't stop me from dancing. And since that's all I'm allowed to do... I'm going to have a blast!
MICRO : Have fun, sweetheart. Call me when I'm supposed to pick you up?
RACHEL : We do it like this, my favorite taxi driver! See you later and have a great night with Skills!
Brooke and Haley gave them some privacy and were already moving forward in the small line that had formed on the sidewalk. A few minutes later, they were seated at a table with their drinks. The evening could really begin! Raising her glass towards her friends, Haley immediately opened the hostilities, impatient.
HALEY : So darlings, what are we toasting to!?
Rachel and Haley's playful and sparkling looks obviously turned towards Brooke. She raised her glass to answer.
BROOKE : I propose that we toast to my successful exams!
HALEY : Is that true? You got all your results now?
BROOKE : Yes! The last two came out today, I'm moving on to my final year!
HALEY : That's wonderful news and the best reason to celebrate with alcohol!
BROOKE : Although there might be something even more interesting... Something that you should like it! It's an incredible coincidence...
HALEY : Go ahead, tell us!
Her friends looked at her completely intrigued by her upcoming revelation.
BROOKE : Remember the night you gave me that stupid challenge to go get a cell phone number!?
RACHEL : Of course we remember! We even wondered if he gave you his real number...
HALEY : You called him, right?! Was it really him?!
BROOKE : But no, I didn't call anyone! It's even crazier than that... Do you remember his first name?
HALEY : Uh, seriously, not at all! They don't call me Dory for nothing!
RACHEL : Yes, yes, I think I remember... It wasn't something like Louis... or Lucas!
BROOKE : Bingo Rachel! Lucas... But you don't know his last name yet...
Brooke smiled mysteriously and her eyebrows rose several times to increase the suspense.
HALEY : Give birth, Brooke!
BROOKE : Ok! Well listen to this... His full name is none other than Lucas... Scott!
Haley and Rachel were speechless for several seconds, completely stunned by what they had just heard.
BROOKE : So, since Monday, he's also my new boss... Isn't that crazy!?
HALEY : It's not just crazy, it's almost divine intervention, an incredible twist of fate... Oh my god!
RACHEL : I still can't believe it! I agree with Haley, it's completely crazy!
BROOKE : The funny thing is that I realized it when I looked at a picture in her little girl's room... I started to panic, I hesitated to leave... And at the same time, Lucas arrived and... There you go!
HALEY : No, not there you go at all! How did you react? And him!?
BROOKE : When I realized that he recognized me, well I asked him if he still agreed to take me on a trial basis...
HALEY : Ok, but I want to know how your bodies reacted? Was he uncomfortable? Happy? Surprised?
BROOKE : A bit of all three I guess... Well, that was the case for me, anyway.
RACHEL : Ouuuh we know that little face! You really like him, right?!
BROOKE : Well he's not only hot...
RACHEL : What do you mean?
BROOKE : You should see him with Sawyer... He's so protective, they have a wonderful bond... It's touching!
HALEY : Warning! Brooke is completely crazy about her boss! It's obvious!
BROOKE : I'm not crazy about him... Well, I like him, that's true... But he's married, so that's settled!
Rachel narrowed her eyes as if trying to detect some hesitation in Brooke's voice.
HALEY : But did he try something? Would you like him to try something?
Brooke wanted to tell them every detail of her week but like with her mother, she couldn't. She knew she would have to tell them other things too that she couldn't talk about because of the contract she had signed.
BROOKE : Give me a little more time to answer all of that... I'm not saying no, but I'm not saying yes.
RACHEL : Oh, my god! This is crazy stuff that's happening to you and we're going to meet every week to follow it up!
HALEY : I hate these innuendos that mean everything and nothing at the same time! Tell me at least one thing... Just one...
BROOKE : It depends... Tell me!?
HALEY : Did he give you his real number that night?
Brooke looked at her, smiling proudly. She stood up and glanced at the dance floor just before answering:
BROOKE : Yes, he told me! Now let's go dancing!
She planted her two friends who remained stuck to their chairs and went to wiggle on the dance floor. She felt good and already lighter because she knew she was so well surrounded ... She felt beautiful too. Despite last night's episode with Lindsay and her discussion with Lucas, she thought back to their lovemaking, their intensity, her passion ... She still didn't understand how a guy like him was so interested in her ... This famous and handsome guy like a god who only had to help himself between the models or actresses to cheat on his wife. It was on her that he had set his sights ... And it completely galvanized her, she almost felt powerful! This state of satisfaction and all this adrenaline were evacuated on the dance floor, she undulated frantically and sensually. Several men were already looking at her and some tried subtle approaches.
RACHEL : You're a huge success tonight! You exude confidence, I've never seen you like that!
BROOKE : They circle around me but none of them go any further... I don't understand why!
HALEY : You must impress them... Most men are soft balls, remember that!
Brooke laughed but tried to catch the eye of a young black-haired man who was devouring her with his eyes. She smiled at him and he smiled back.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : Perfect, he's coming!
As he seemed to have found the courage to approach, a man stepped between them, his back to Brooke. By the time the same man moved and cleared his view, Brooke's little furtive crush had already disappeared.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : At this level, I don't impress them, I make them run away one after the other!
Brooke glanced over at the man moving around on the dance floor... He wasn't really dancing, either. After long minutes on the floor and no real approach from a suitor, Brooke went to the bathroom. In the dark, neon-lit hallway, she passed that same man, the one she'd seen on the dance floor... Not the one she'd hoped would approach her to dance with her, the one who'd gotten in the way before he'd disappeared.
MAN : Is everything okay, Miss?
It wasn't really her style but she understood that he could try an approach.
BROOKE'S THOUGHT : So that's why! Funny technique though!
BROOKE : I'm fine, thanks... But I don't really have time to chat, I'll just... Here.
Brooke pointed to the ladies' room door so he would understand that they were going their separate ways. She gave him a friendly wink and went into the restroom. But when she came out, he was still leaning against the wall. Brooke wasn't very reassured and found him really weird, so she quickened her pace while avoiding meeting his gaze. She snuck off at full speed to find the girls on the dance floorand never left their side.
Meanwhile, the man received a message and read it immediately.
MESSAGE FROM LUCAS : So!?
MESSAGE FROM FELIX : Nothing to report, sir. She's dancing with her friends, everything is under control.
MESSAGE FROM LUCAS : Thank you, Felix. At the risk of repeating myself, make sure nothing happens to her. And don't let anyone come near her... And then, make sure she gets home safely. I'm waiting to hear from you.