"You two, some of us eat in here, just for your information," I make myself known in the kitchen where a heavy makeout session is going on. Jesus. Rory jumps back and Braden groans out in displeasure. It should be me being displeased when my brother is making out in the middle of my kitchen, thank you very much!

"Jesus, Brooke, you really know how to choose a moment," Braden says, closing his eyes.

"Excuse me? This is my kitchen, Braden, and I would like to eat here without remembering you two doing whatever stuff you like to do alone," I say with a disgusted voice, scrunching my nose up, pointing out the last word and looking at Braden.

If Rory blushes any harder, she's going to look like a tomato. "Sorry, Brooke," she mutters.

"No, Rory, don't apologise. This is your flat now, too," Braden says, pointedly staring at me.

I lift my eyebrow. "Well, damn, if that means you two can have a makeout session in the kitchen I share with Rory, then let's see how kindly you'll react when I start making out with someone in the middle of your kitchen the next time, Braden."

Braden glares at me as an answer and then looks away. 

"I think we'll just have to move to your room, then. What do you say, baby?" Braden says close to Rory's ear, but clearly loud enough for me to hear.

I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. "Ugh," I make a disgusted sound and stomp loudly out of the kitchen, going straight for the door. That glass of water is going to have to wait until I get to Aaron's place. 

Aaron's waiting for me in a towel and nothing else, coming straight out of the shower. If he was wearing a bow, I'd believe it's a Christmas Eve. "Why, hello," I greet him with an enormous grin, biting down on my bottom lip. 

"Hi, babe. I've been waiting for you," he tells me, pulling me into a heart-stuttering kiss. "I hope you ate already because we're going straight to bed."

I pretend to be shocked. "What a gentleman, really. Don't you want to feed me first before we indulge in bed activities?"

Aaron is already pushing me backwards, a dirty smile playing on his lips, his eyes dancing with the need for me. "Nu-uh," he says, shaking his head. "I want you too much to waste the time with food now."

I want to say something, but he throws me on the bed suddenly and when he throws the towel down on the floor, I forget completely what I even wanted to say, so I shut my mouth and stay quiet. But Aaron makes sure it's not for long.

   ◊  

Next morning, I go to work straight from Aaron's place and then after back to my flat. I'm in a very good mood, even more so when I come home and a table is set with lunch waiting for me. 

My smile instantly widens when I see the food. "Ooh-la-la!" I sing out dramatically, making Rory laugh. "The perks of not having anything to do during the day," I joke. Then I go to her and give her a friendly kiss on the cheek. "I could easily confess my undying love to you right now. God, I'm starving!" I gratefully dig into my food.

Rory watches me in amusement, laughing. "I could survive without your confessions of how deep your love runs." She winks at me.

I laugh. "No, but seriously. If Braden ever breaks up with you, I'm cutting his balls off," I say half-jokingly and half-seriously.

Rory shakes her head at me. "Shame. They're great balls," she mocks me.

That comment almost takes my appetite away. Almost. I never understood how people could stop eating when someone said something they found inappropriate or gross. You can say anything in front of me, but that doesn't change the fact that I'm hungry. So I'm going to eat. I still shudder at Rory's comment, though. "Gross."

We continue eating in silence. I can't help but eye Rory's plate to see if she's eating normally today. I don't want to have a repeating of yesterday. 

Rory tilts her head to the side when she catches me doing it. I look at her with a careful and innocent expression, playing coy. "What?"

Rory smirks. "You can tell Braden I'll be a good girl and I'll eat everything on my plate," she says.

My eyes widen and then I look away, breaking out in an awkward laugh. Caught. "Uhm ..." 

She pointedly looks at me. "I know you've been texting him instead of Aaron yesterday."

I give her my most apologetic look. "I was worried about you, Rory. Don't be mad, yeah?" I ask quietly.

Rory gives me a soft smile. "I'm not mad. But you didn't have to lie to me, you know ..." she mumbles. 

"I won't the next time, promise." I grin happily. "Actually, I won't have to, because it won't happen again." I stare at her, completely serious. 

Rory laughs and shows me her tongue. "Sure," she says truthfully. 

After out lunch, Rory curls up on the couch to read the book. I head out to Aaron's place again. We've been texting all day today and he didn't want to leave me alone. Not that I was complaining. But he was a distraction. 

He was also getting under my skin too soon and too fast. And I'm afraid I'm going to get burned again when flying too close to the fire yet again. 

  ◊  

Days go by really fast when you get yourself a new man that makes you insanely happy. Okay, that was a bit too much, but still. When you like someone and they like you back, days just get a little brighter.

On Saturday, I take the time to help get Rory ready for the gala Braden invited her to. I'm going through the dresses Braden bought for her, oohing and aahing at what a good taste my brother actually has. "I think this gown would be perfect. Yes, you have to wear it, Rory!" I exclaim excitedly, looking at the long wine red gown.

It's going to go very well with Rory's dark hair. It's a bit daring with a long cut on the side, but it's also classy and sexy. It's got a low back cut, too. Sexy, I'm telling you.

Rory inspects it, biting her lip subconsciously. "It's gorgeous, but don't you think it's a bit ... too daring?"

I look at her in pure disbelief. "Woman, you're going to put this on even if I have to do it myself. You're wearing it. It's perfect, Rory, and Braden got it for you just for occasions like this. Trust me, he knows what he's doing," I say. "Besides, you're going to drive him completely insane in this." I wink at her and smile knowingly.

She drives my brother insane if she wears a pyjama, sweatshirts, dress or she's completely naked. I see the looks he gives her. 

Rory flushes. "Okay, then. But what will we do with my hair?" she asks, hopelessly tugging at her hair.

I purse my lips, studying her hair and her face for long moments before I finally decide, "We're going to let them down, but slide them back, away from your face and straighten them."

Rory is momentarily surprised by my suggestion, but I already imagine the look in my head and it's going to make Braden fall on his knees. I hope it won't be literally, at least. And I hope it won't be in front of me. 

Rory baths, shaves and rubs a lotion on her skin that I give her. I start doing her make-up. And one hour and fifty minutes later, I transform Rory into a princess. Literally. Especially when she puts on her dress and shoes. 

I stand behind Rory who's looking herself in the mirror, feeling like a proud mother when I see her stunned face. She smiles back at me. "I actually think of you as a magician right now. Thank you, Brooke." She embraces me in a tight hug.

I pull back and I just can't stop smiling. "Go conquer the world," I say. 

Rory looks at her feet. "There's only one person I want to conquer," she adds quietly. 

I stare at her but choose to stay quiet. Rory already won Braden over. He's completely smitten with her, she doesn't have to worry about that. "Don't let him wait," I comment and Rory spurs into action. Rory strolls out with confident and powerful steps. I follow her out.

When there's a knock on the door, Rory stops walking suddenly and I have to push her forward, waiting in excitement. 

Rory opens the door and I step aside, giving them both a private moment. I hear a silence for long moments before I hear Braden's, "Holy ... wow." I have to roll my eyes at that. But a smile marks my face because, for once, Braden stayed speechless. And it's all because of a woman he possibly loves. "You look ... completely and unbelievingly stunning," he adds with admiration.

I see Rory smiling at him. 

I hear Braden groan appreciatively. "If you tried to kill me, it's working," he says under his breath.

I shudder a bit. But Rory likes his sweet talk, judging by the smile she gives him. "No, I'd like you to stay alive very much."

Braden offers Rory his arm. "Shall we?" She takes her coat, wrapping her hand around his bicep. She casts one last look at my smiling face. She mouths Thank you to me and my grin only widens. She smiles back and lets Braden lead her downstairs.

Ah! Just like a fairytale. Speaking of fairytales, I search my phone to text Aaron, only to find he already sent me a text before. 

Aaron: I'm taking you out tonight. Be ready at 7.

I look at the clock on the phone. It's only 6.15, so I still have time to get ready.

Me: And where are you planning to take us?

Aaron's response comes in just a few minutes. 

Aaron: Somewhere nice.

Me: *rolling my eyes*

Aaron: Roll your eyes all you want, I'm taking my girl out in a nice place to eat and then watch some movie.

Me: *unrolls my eyes*

I smile at the phone screen, biting down on my lip. Who knew this man can be this cute? 

Aaron: Thought so. Get your ass ready.

I skip-jump to the bathroom, grinning from ear to ear. Could this be it? Did I find the one who'll make me happy and never leave? I know it might be too soon to talk about forever, but as for right now, he makes me happy. I think that's really important. And I hope it'll stay like this. 

I don't want another repetition of my past. Flying so high and then painfully crash down on the floor when the-man-who-shall-not-be-named cut my wings off without any warning. 

I'm not in the mood to wear a dress, so I stay with skinny light rose jeans and an elegant blouse, finding the outfit acceptable enough to dine in a fine place. I also pick my rose high heels that really create the best effect. 

I do feel like putting on some make-up, though. I blast music on my phone, dancing in front of the mirror and singing in my hairbrush when Aaron suddenly appears behind me and I see him in the mirror. I scream and jump, instinctively throwing the hairbrush at his shocked face. 

It hits him right on his forehead because he wasn't ready to catch it. "Fucking hell, Aaron!" I yell, my heart beating. "Did you really have to do that?" 

Aaron raises his eyebrows, still a little bit scared. "I'm happy to see you, too, babe. Why aren't you ready yet?" 

"I just had the performance of my life and you disturbed it." I pick the brush from the floor and wrap my hair up in a quick ponytail, waiting for my heart pace to drop back to normal.

Aaron looks unsure for a moment. "Should I ... go?" he points his thumb back. 

When I'm happy with my appearance, I turn around to Aaron and easily peck his mouth now that I'm wearing heels. "Nope. You promised me food. Besides, I'm also hoping for some phenomenal sex later." 

I go to the bedroom to take my purse, putting my phone in it. "I'm happy to see I can be convenient for you." 

I chuckle. I feel Aaron's fingers on the belt loop, harshly pulling me back to him suddenly. He turns me around so I'm facing it and without any further warning, he puts his hand on my face and presses his mouth to mine in a long, thorough kiss that sweeps my feet off the floor. 

Aaron pulls back with a grin. "That's the greeting I was kind of hoping for." 

I lick my lips to clean the remaining traces of the lipstick. "I have to re-apply my lipstick now," I tell him, escaping his embrace to go back to the bathroom with a smug smile on my face.