31- FS Do You Salsa

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     The ride away from the beach house on Monday morning was bitter sweet. It had been a wonderful weekend in so many ways, but her brief hope that they could be more than friends had been tempered with reality. Looking across the car at Jacob, she tried to shove down the feelings she had let bubble to the surface for such a short time.

     "This worked out perfectly with Ben being the other guard on the trip, so Noah didn't have to ride to Orlando while you were dropped off at work and then down to Kissimmee. Thanks Keith, you didn't have to make the last minute trip, but I think it turned out to be a great mini break for all of us, wouldn't you say, Brooke?"

     Twisting back so she could see Keith, Brooke nodded. "It really was a blessing. Thank you so much. And it was nice having the extra help with Noah, so I could have some free time." She smiled thinking of her time in the soaking tub in her bathroom overlooking the ocean. She still couldn't believe Jacob had given her the best room in the house. The good feelings didn't last, though, when she remembered things would probably change now with Mari back. She had seen his phone light up a few more times with texts from her, and could only guess that was who she saw him texting other times.

     When they stopped in front of her office, she took a deep breath and turned to thank Jacob one final time. Keith slipped out with a quick goodbye. Jacob nervously smiled at Brooke and leaned onto the center console. Brooke reached over and hugged him. He stiffened, but then placed his arms around her, with one holding her head to his chest. It felt like time slowed down, and she wished it would stop altogether at this moment.

     "You're welcome. I hope you have a great day."

~~~

     "Tell me everything! How was the weekend? And by the way, I still can't believe what Tyler did," Elise pressed the moment Brooke walked into the office.

     Brooke guided her friend to the bathroom, checked that the stalls were empty, and the said, "I'll summarize. It was perfect, romantic, relaxing; then he got a text from Mari Sunday, called her, and it seemed everything changed."

     "What? I'll need more details than that! Don't leave me hanging."

     "I've got to work, and so do you. I'll tell you more when I take a break. I already feel bad for starting two hours late, so I really should get upstairs."

     "Okay, okay." Elise rolled her eyes. "I don't know which is worse: you saying nothing, or you teasing me with this."

~~~

     "I want you and Noah to come over Thursday afternoon to swim, and then have dinner. Everyone will be there," Jacob said softly as they walked away from Noah's room, once he was in bed later that evening.

     "That sounds nice. Will Izzy be there?" She enjoyed Izzy's company, but remembering their last conversation also made her anxious.

     Jacob nodded. "Yeah, and Mari will be there too. I want you to meet her."

     "Oh, okay." Brooke looked away as her heart sank. She had been dreading hearing more about her from Izzy, but that was nothing compared to having to actually see Mari with Jacob. Although, maybe this would be a chance for her to see if there was really something between them, or if she was just letting her imagination run away. Whatever Jacob said next got lost in the rush of thoughts working through her mind. Part of her wanted to avoid the dinner, but another part knew she should go.

~~~

     With Noah's nap and the Orlando traffic, they didn't get to Jacob's house until almost 3:30 Thursday afternoon. Ethan answered the door and it sounded like a party was in full swing by the pool.

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