Chapter 2 Brooke

Brooke Taylor smoothed the front of her sleek, emerald-green dress as she surveyed the ballroom. Every detail was flawless, from the elegant floral centerpieces to the soft lighting casting a warm glow over the crowd. She'd spent weeks planning this fundraiser, and as always, she'd delivered perfection. The guests were mingling, the music was just the right volume, and the hors d'oeuvres disappeared from trays as quickly as they were served. It was the kind of night that reminded her why she'd chosen this career-nothing thrilled her more than orchestrating a seamless event.

But tonight, she felt a strange undercurrent of tension simmering beneath the surface. Brooke had perfected the art of juggling appearances, hiding behind the glitz and glamour of her meticulously organized life. Yet lately, she could feel cracks beginning to form, and it was only a matter of time before something slipped through.

A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. She turned to find Andre Jackson, the man of the evening, making his way over. His charismatic smile was as magnetic as ever, and she could see why he was a rising star in politics. He exuded charm effortlessly, and tonight, he looked very much like a future senator in his tailored suit. His tall stature, caramel brown skin, piercing golden brown eyes, and million-dollar smile could melt the sun. His followers were part intrigued, part impressed; Andre was an Atlanta son determined to bring his city to its former glory, one vote at a time.

"Brooke, you've really outdone yourself," Andre said, his deep voice laced with genuine admiration. "I didn't think it was possible, but you've made me look even better than usual."

Brooke laughed, a light, practiced sound. "That's what you pay me for, isn't it? Besides, it's easy to work with such a polished subject."

He raised an eyebrow, leaning in slightly. "You give yourself too little credit. The people might be here for me, but they're staying because of you."

There was a spark in his eyes that caught her off guard. Brooke was used to compliments, especially from clients, but there was something different about Andre. She'd been careful to keep things professional, but tonight, there was a subtle electricity between them that felt impossible to ignore.

"Flattery won't get you a discount on the bill," she replied, deflecting with a smirk.

He chuckled, his eyes never leaving hers. "Who said I'm after a discount? I'm more interested in what it takes to get you to let your guard down."

Brooke felt her stomach tighten. She wasn't prepared for this kind of conversation. Not here, not tonight, and certainly not with him. She was good at maintaining control, but Andre had a way of slipping past her defenses with alarming ease.

"Well, you know me," she said, her voice light. "Always on the job."

"Even now?" he asked, tilting his head as if studying her. "Surely, Brooke Taylor has a little time to enjoy herself. You're the woman behind the curtain, making everything happen. Doesn't she get a night off?"

Brooke smiled, carefully tucking away the uneasy feeling creeping over her. He didn't know the half of it. No one did. For a moment, she wondered what he'd think if he knew her secret-if he knew about the side of her life that didn't fit neatly into the polished image she presented to the world.

"Well, Mr. Jackson, if I took a night off, who would be here to keep everything running smoothly?" She turned her gaze back to the crowd, desperate to regain her composure. She couldn't afford to let her guard down, not now.

"Maybe you don't always have to do it all yourself," he said quietly, his voice softer now. "Sometimes, even the best need a little help."

The words lingered between them, his voice heavy with unspoken meaning. Brooke knew he was right, but accepting help wasn't in her nature. She'd spent years building this life and wasn't about to risk it by letting anyone see the parts she kept hidden.

"Thank you, Andre. But I've got it covered," she replied, keeping her tone light and mask firmly in place.

He nodded, a slight look of disappointment crossing his face. "Well, if you ever change your mind, you know where to find me."

Brooke watched as he moved back into the crowd, shaking hands and flashing that charming smile that made people believe in him. She let out a slow breath, willing herself to stay focused. Tonight was about him, not her. She'd keep it together, just as she always did. After all, she'd learned long ago that sometimes the most challenging part of her job wasn't planning the perfect event-it was maintaining the illusion of a perfect life.