Hot Christmas Nights

by Farrah Rochon

  She was no longer Brooke Lynn Samuels, the shy, overweight coed who was invisible to the hunky linebacker. In college, Brooke had lacked confidence and social graces; aside from her dormmate Pepper who had taken Brooklyn under her wing, she’d had very few friends. Brooke had never partaken in any of the school activities; her only outlet had been music. Although she had been a premed student, she’d never had any intentions of becoming a doctor, which had been her parents’ dream. Brooke had had her sights set on stardom. And to achieve her goal of becoming a professional singer, Brooke had hired a vocal coach and studied with him when she wasn’t in class or cramming for an exam. By the time she’d graduated, she’d not only had a bachelor’s degree but enough confidence in her singing ability to head to New York. She had been Broadway bound.

  Living in New York had been an exhilarating experience for Brooklyn. Although she shared a cramped one-bedroom apartment with three other people, her spirits were high. Being in a city filled with people from all walks of life helped her to fit in comfortably with the masses. She was pursuing her dream and was no longer that shy college girl. Her focus had been on landing an agent, which she did. With her considerable singing talent, she’d had no problem finding representation.

  Her agent had set her up on auditions, and Brooke rushed through the crowded streets of Manhattan on a regular basis. Brooke had walked as a means of transportation and was oblivious to the miles she had trekked, which led to her gradual weight loss. The pounds had melted away until she was a svelte size six. Although Brooke never had a problem with wearing a larger size, she’d been ecstatic with her new figure. Brooke had then decided that she needed a complete makeover, starting with her name. She’d reasoned that her birth name didn’t seem glitzy enough for a singer, so she’d combined her first and middle names and legally became Brooklyn, forgoing a last name like some entertainers did. She’d then lightened her jet-black hair to auburn with honey-blond streaks and traded her baggy wardrobe for formfitting, sexy clothes. She’d looked and felt like a star.

  Following her drastic transformation, Brooklyn had begun booking gigs regularly. After years of singing in the chorus, she finally landed a lead role in a musical, which led to more leads, which led to a deal with a major recording label.

  Brooklyn’s overnight success had taken twelve long, hard years, and now she was a megawatt star, touring the country, selling out concerts and gracing the covers of magazines.

  Throughout the years, Brooklyn remained close to Pepper, never forgetting the close friendship they’d shared when she was an unpopular nobody.

  During their college days, Brooklyn and Pepper had bonded like sisters. Pepper had confessed one afternoon that she had no real interest in having a career. She had only gone to college to find a husband. Although Brooklyn had thought Pepper’s way of thinking was antiquated, she hadn’t judged her friend. Brooklyn had told Pepper that getting married was the furthest thing from her mind. Besides, the only guy that Brooklyn would ever consider marrying—Landis—had never even given her a second glance. Pepper had tried to set Brooklyn and Landis up on a double date with her and Michael, but it had never happened.

  When Pepper announced that she was getting married and asked Brooklyn to be the maid of honor, Brooklyn cleared her schedule and also offered to sing at her friend’s wedding.

  Michael, Pepper’s fiancé, and Landis were also buddies in college, and when Pepper told Brooklyn that Landis was going to be the best man, Brooklyn suddenly felt like that shy, overweight coed from years ago. Landis hadn’t given her a second look in college and had no clue that he was her secret crush. Brooklyn was curious to know whether or not Landis knew her new identity. Before heading to New York, she had called Pepper to find out.

  “Hey, girl, I can’t wait to see you in the flesh. Your picture was amazing on the cover of Essence,” Pepper had said.

  “Thanks. I can’t wait to see you, either. You have to come straight to my hotel suite once I arrive. I’ll order room service and champagne so we can spend a few hours catching up.”

  “I would love nothing more, but don’t you remember that I’ve planned a gathering for the wedding party?”

  “I’ve been so busy that I forgot all about it, but I’ll be there for sure.”

  “Instead of checking into a hotel, why don’t you stay with us?”

  “Sounds like a plan. Congratulations again on your new penthouse.”

  “Thanks. Now that Michael’s the managing director of the investment firm, we can afford our dream place in the city.”

  “I can’t wait to see you. So…will Landis be at the party?”

  “He most certainly will. He’s a part of the wedding party, and so are you. I can’t believe that you’re going to sing at my wedding!” Pepper exclaimed.

  “It’s nothing, really. I’m just singing one song,” Brooklyn said modestly.

  “And that one song will be amazing. You’re one of the hottest singers around with platinum-selling CDs, who just so happens to be my best friend. I still can’t believe that you’ve cleared your calendar for my wedding. Oh, and I’ve scheduled a rehearsal with the church’s pianist so you guys can go over the song.”

  “Thanks, and, Pepper, it’s my pleasure to be a part of your big day. So…does Landis know about my transformation from Brooke Lynn Samuels into Brooklyn?”

  “Nope. I had Michael tell Landis that our wedding is going to be quaint with family and old college friends, which is true. I made him promise not to tell Landis. Besides, I thought you would want to see the expression on Landis’s face when he sees how fabulous you look. The moment he lays eyes on you, he’s going to know you’re Brooklyn. You’re world-renowned now, so he’ll recognize you instantly.”

  “Yeah, but he won’t know that I’m Brooke Lynn from college. If I had gone to our ten-year college reunion, we would’ve seen each other and he would know that I was that overweight girl in his statistics class. I haven’t seen him since college. I’m sure he doesn’t have a clue about my transformation. To be honest, the thought of seeing Landis makes me nervous.”

  “Why? He’s still the man of your dreams and maybe now you guys will finally connect. Being in the same industry, I’m surprised you two haven’t bumped into each other over the years,” Pepper said.

  “I did see him once at a Grammys after-party, but I didn’t get a chance to speak to him. After all of these years, I wouldn’t even know how to approach him.”

  “Don’t worry. I have the perfect ice-breaking game planned for the gathering.”

  “Really? What type of game?”

  “You’ll see when you get here. Look, I have to run. I’m meeting Michael at the dance studio for our tango lesson. Have a safe trip. Love you.”

  “Love you, too. Bye.”

  As Brooklyn replayed that conversation in her head, she couldn’t help but wonder what type of game Pepper had planned.

  “Would you care for anything else before we land?” the flight attendant asked.

  “No, thank you. Maybe John would like something,” Brooklyn said, turning around and looking in the direction of her burly bodyguard.

  “Okay, I’ll check with him.”

  “Ms. Samuels, we’ll be landing shortly,” the pilot announced over the intercom.

  Anticipation gripped Brooklyn again as the plane made its descent into New York. Within a matter of hours, she would be face-to-face with Landis, and the thought of being in his presence made her stomach flutter. She was nervous and sexually aroused at the same time.

  Chapter 2

  The Keates Agency was located in a centuries-old three-level gray stone that overlooked Gramercy Park, a quaint private oasis on the east side of Manhattan. Landis stood at the window of his office and peered out at the park, which resembled a life-size snow globe with snow covering the manicured evergreens and tree bran
ches. Gazing at the pristine park usually had a calming effect on him, but not today. He was too wound up.

  Landis and his team were working vigorously trying to land an important contract and were having a difficult time pinning down the potential client. The star’s manager had reservations about signing with Landis’s boutique agency. In order to prove that his company was up to par with the larger, seasoned agencies, Landis had made an unorthodox move—he’d gone out on a limb and pitched Brooklyn for an endorsement deal with a major cosmetics company, even though she wasn’t his client yet. Her manager had been so impressed by Landis’s business savvy that he was ready to sign on the dotted line.

  There was one last hurdle to jump, and that was meeting with Brooklyn personally. Landis had seen her at a party once and had admired her from afar. She was beautiful in every sense of the word. Looking at her smooth skin, long, flowing hair and toned body had made Landis want more than just a business connection. He hadn’t been in a relationship in a while and found himself wondering what dating Brooklyn would be like. He had wondered if she was as sensuous as the soft romantic ballads she sang. His mind had drifted far away from business, and before he had a chance to introduce himself, she had left the event.

  Landis had been told by Brooklyn’s manager that the final decision was hers. There had to be synergy between Brooklyn and her potential new marketing team. Landis knew that once he met with Brooklyn, he would win her over with his charming personality and business acumen. Landis had worked hard over the past couple of months and was anxious for a formal introduction, but the meeting with Brooklyn was on hold. Her manager informed Landis that Brooklyn had taken a personal holiday.

  Landis moved away from the window and sat at his antique mahogany desk. He made a few calls, trying to get his mind off of the impending deal with Brooklyn, but his focus kept returning to the superstar. If his agency secured the contract with such a major talent, it would expand his business exponentially. He picked up the phone and dialed Brooklyn’s manager.

  “Hey, Malcolm, it’s Landis Keates. How are you?”

  “Good, Landis. What can I do for you?”

  “I know Brooklyn is taking some time off, but I’d like to set up a conference call. I was hoping to put this deal to bed before the end of the year.”

  “That’s not going to happen. Brooklyn was adamant about not being disturbed.”

  Landis sighed. This wasn’t the news he wanted to hear, but he would just have to wait until after New Year.

  “Okay. Thanks anyway.”

  “No problem.”

  As soon as Landis finished his conversation with Malcolm, his cell phone rang. He picked the phone off the desk and looked at the caller ID before answering.

  “Hey, Mike. Man, what’s up?” Landis said, greeting his best friend.

  “You didn’t forget about the party tonight, did you?”

  Landis paused for a moment. “What party?”

  “Oh, man, don’t tell me you’ve made other plans. Pepper is going to blow a gasket if you don’t show up! Didn’t you get the invitation?”

  “I’ve been so busy lately that I haven’t checked my personal mail. What is your fiancée planning?”

  “Pepper has put together a small gathering for the wedding party at the penthouse. Although Pepper and I are close to all of you, some of you guys haven’t seen each other since college.”

  Landis wasn’t in the partying mood. His mind was on the impending deal with Brooklyn, but until she came back from her personal holiday, there was nothing he could do. “I’ll be there.”

  The afternoon wound down to early evening. Darkness had settled over the city by the time Landis left his office. He flipped the collar to his coat up around his neck to ward off the winter chill. Snow muffled Landis’s footsteps as he walked the short distance to his condo. Along the way, he dashed into Dean & DeLuca to buy a hostess gift to take to the party. The gourmet retailer was decorated with gingerbread houses, candy-cane Christmas trees and fruit baskets. With his purchase in hand, he made his way home to change.

  Landis wasn’t in the mood to socialize; his mind was still on business. However, he knew that over the course of the next few days, little to nothing would get done. The holidays were in full swing and people were immersed in the traditions of the season—traveling to be with family, gift shopping, holiday dinners and office parties. Landis showered and traded his blue pin-striped Brooks Brothers suit for a pair of black gabardine slacks, a black-on-black-plaid Burberry shirt and a gray cashmere overcoat.

  In front of his building, he hailed a taxi and headed uptown for the gathering of his old college friends. Reminiscing with them would be the perfect distraction to get his mind off the impending deal with Brooklyn. On the taxi ride over to the party, Landis made a promise to himself to relax, have a good time and forget about business.

  Chapter 3

  Brooklyn had taken Pepper up on her invitation and canceled her reservations at the W hotel in Union Square. After she had settled in at their penthouse, Brooklyn exchanged her jogging suit for a slinky, red Tom Ford cocktail dress, and matching red stilettos. Her long hair was swept up in a sexy French twist, and her ears were adorned with teardrop-shaped diamond earrings. She went into the living room, where Pepper was putting the finishing touches on the Christmas tree.

  “Wow!” Brooklyn admired the decorations and marveled, “You sure outdid yourself.”

  In front of the floor-to-ceiling window was a six-foot-tall blue spruce decorated with silver, red and green ornaments. White lights were draped around the massive Christmas tree, and there were beautifully wrapped presents of various sizes underneath. Rolls of evergreen garland with bright crimson bows adorned the fireplace, and sitting atop the mantel was a miniature village complete with a general store, railroad tracks, snow-covered trees and tiny people strolling through the town.

  “Thanks. It took me an entire day to decorate. I’m glad you approve.”

  Brooklyn walked closer to the tree. “You have everything on the tree except tinsel.”

  “I have tinsel. It’s just not for the tree,” Pepper said with a sly grin.

  Brooklyn turned around and saw the mischievous expression on her friend’s face. “Pepper, what are you up to?”

  Pepper was always full of lighthearted pranks and games. Once in college, she painted their room in the school’s colors for homecoming and had painted it back to its original drab gray the next day without being caught by the dorm monitor.

  “Remember that game I was telling you about?” Pepper asked.

  “That game to break the ice between your guests?”

  “Yep. That’s the one. It’s called Tied Up in Tinsel, and…”

  Brooklyn wrinkled her nose. “Tied up in tinsel? What’s the premise?”

  “Two people, say, for example, you and Landis, will have one index finger each tied together with a long string of tinsel. You have to go through the entire evening together without breaking the tinsel. Doesn’t that sound like fun?”

  “It sounds like a game that I’m sure to lose. You know how clumsy I am. Remember back in college I was always bumping into the bed frame and would have huge bruises on my legs?”

  “Of course I remember. You were the only person I knew that would fall up the stairs,” Pepper said, and then let out a hearty laugh. “Don’t tell me you’re still all thumbs.”

  “I’m fine when I’m onstage performing. Now, I only trip over myself when I get nervous. And being around Landis after all these years is sure to have my nerves on edge. I’m sure I’ll break the tinsel within the first sixty seconds of the game.”

  “No, you won’t. What you need is a glass of bubbly to calm your nerves.”

  Pepper led Brooklyn to a cozy lounge adjacent to the living room. The room was painted a metallic gray with navy velvet drape
s. A lacquered wood cabinet covered one wall, and an oversize charcoal-colored sofa filled the space. Pepper went over to the wall cabinet where a silver champagne bucket sat on the lowest shelf. She poured two flutes of champagne and handed one to Brooklyn.

  “Here’s to the holidays!”

  “Here’s to you and Michael and your wedding!”

  The friends clinked glasses, took a sip and then sat on the sofa.

  “I’m so glad we finally have a chance to sit down and catch up. So…how’s your love life?” Pepper asked.

  “Nonexistent.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I spend half the year touring, and the other half in the studio. I just don’t have time to focus on dating.”

  “Brooklyn, I know you love singing and performing, but there’s more to life than working. You need balance.”

  “I agree, but I haven’t met the right guy yet.”

  “I have a feeling that after tonight, you’ll be singing a different tune.”

  “Why is tonight so special?”

  “Two words…Landis Keates.”

  Brooklyn took a sip of her champagne and exhaled. “I don’t want to get my hopes up. For all I know, he has a girlfriend.”

  “No, he doesn’t. I already checked. He’s a free agent, and so are you. Landis and Michael have remained close over the years, and I’ve been around Landis long enough to know that he’s a good guy. You two are perfect for each other.”

  Brooklyn was nervous about seeing Landis after all of these years and revealing her true identity. Although she had transformed into a beauty on the outside, sometimes she still felt like that unpopular, overweight teen.