Page 21 of Cabin Mate

She considers my words for a moment. “So you think it’s Todd trying to win you back?”

“It has to be Todd. I can’t think of anyone else.”

She studies the note again. “I’d think it was Brooks, but this isn’t his handwriting.”

Briefly, I wonder if it could be Brooks. But the thought passes quickly. Brooks has known me for years and has never expressed romantic interest. Even when Todd and I broke up, he only ever treated me like a friend. He doesn’t try to be physically affectionate with me, and he dates women by the dozen. Gorgeous women.

I shake my head. “I’m sure the spoons will stop arriving once Todd realizes I won’t give him any more chances.”

She hands the note back to me.

Brooks pops his head inside my office. He looks like he just got here. “Good morning, ladies!” he says cheerfully. “What do you have there?” He looks at the red box, his expression completely neutral.

“Another antique spoon,” I say evenly, watching his face for any clues that it could be from him.

“No way. You’re still getting those?” He huffs out a small laugh.

Yep, definitely not Brooks.

“Yeah … if Todd is the one sending them to me, I hope he’s not expecting me to crawl back to him.” I eye the spoon admirably once more. “Although this is the prettiest spoon yet, I have to admit.”

Brooks takes a few strides into the room and takes the spoon from me. His large masculine hands make the spoon look minuscule. Like King Kong carrying that blonde lady … one of the many films I was introduced to by Brooks.

His eyebrows raise slightly. “Wow, this one’s nice. I wonder how old it is?”

“It looks like maybe the Art Deco time period?” Layla says, looking straight at Brooks like she’s trying to get a read on him.

He nods in agreement and hands the spoon back to me. “Yeah, you’re right I think.” He gives a small, one-shoulder shrug.

I tuck the spoon inside its box before putting it in my purse. “I’m going to need a new spoon rack,” I tell them. “Which gives me a great excuse to go antiquing. Brooks, let’s go in Vermont! They have some great shops.”

Brooks is always up for antiquing with me. Actually, he’s always up for anything.

He glances awkwardly toward Layla and I laugh. “It’s okay; Layla and Hope know all about our ruse.”

He huffs out a relieved sigh. “Okay whew. I wasn’t sure who all was in on this whole conspiracy.”

Layla narrows her eyes at Brooks and crosses her arms. “You better take good care of our girl. I know where you work.”

“I’ll be the best fake boyfriend I can be,” he says seriously before grinning and walking toward the door. “Well, I’m off to my lair. Have a good day, ladies.” He sends me a sweet smile once more before walking to the lab.

Layla looks at me. “How can you friend zone that poor man?”

I scoff. “You’re ridiculous. Get back to work.” I snap my fingers, but then give her a playful smile.

She rolls her eyes and heads back to her desk.

She’s just trying to get a reaction from me. Surely she can see that Brooks didn’t seem the least bit guilty when he saw the spoon. His expression was neutral, maybe slightly amused. If Brooks had feelings for me, I would’ve realized it sometime over the last six years.

Layla has obviously been watching too many romantic Christmas movies.

Chapter 10

Brooks

Friday after work, I’m walking outside to my truck when my phone rings in my pocket. I answer, already knowing it’s my mom. I set a special ringtone for her: Glamorous by Fergie. She would hate it, but it makes me laugh every time she calls.

I answer the phone as I walk. “This is the Kansas State Penitentiary. Press one to receive a call from your loved one.”