Page 69 of Lost Love Found

“I do that? Fuck.” Apparently, subtlety isn’t my thing.

“So, did you tell her or not?” he pushes, even though he likely knows the answer already.

I straighten and look at the drink in my hand. “Not really. Not completely, that is. But we’re not just pretending anymore.” I look at him as I say this, attempting to gauge his reaction. A small smile plays on his lips.

“Well, it’s about time. She knows you’ve been celibate?” His face is serious. Despite never being shy about his busy sex life, Raf has never made me feel bad about my choices. I nod my answer. “Good. And she told you about her… ugh, fuck…” He runs a hand over his face. “She told you she has a hard time… finishing… with guys?” I feel the blood drain out of my face as I nod. How the fuck does Raf know about this? “She blurted it out one night years ago when she was a little drunk. Believe me, I wish I didn’t know.”

He finishes his drink. Talking about this is clearly difficult for him, considering Elaina is like a little sister to him.

“And you’re all shaken up over the fact that she didn’t with you either? Because this isn’t about you, you know?” Raf refills his glass and mine. We both need a little liquid courage for this conversation.

“No. That’s not it.” His eyes narrow at me and when I don’t say anything else, his eyes widen as realization hits him.

“Holy. Fucking. Shit.” He places his glass down on the table loudly.

“We, um… we haven’t had sex. That’s all I’ll say about that.” I shoot him a sympathetic look and I can see the appreciation on his face. “It’s not the physical I’m worried about. She’s…incredible. Everything I could ever want. Better.” He clears his throat, clearly uncomfortable.

“You’re worried about how she’ll react when you tell her you’re in love with her.” It’s not a question, and this says everything about how well Raf knows both me and Elaina. When I don’t respond, he keeps going. “Honestly, I’m not sure when she’ll be ready to hear a man say that to her.” He scratches his head. “She freaked out when I told her I loved her for the first time, and our relationship is one million percent platonic. She started having crazy nightmares afterwards.” I jerk my head up at the mention of nightmares and Raf doesn't miss the movement. “Fuck. She’s had them about you.”

“The night I took her home when she had too much to drink. She had one that night and she told me she’d been having them again.” I huff out a breath, not knowing what to do with this information this late at night and this many glasses of scotch in. "She doesn't seem to be having them anymore though, thank god."

“Just...tread lightly, Adam. I know you're a patient guy. And you are in love with her, yeah?” Raf’s glare is tenacious. He knows the answer, but he wants to hear me say it.

“I’m fucking crazy in love with her, man.” I run both hands in my hair, a little discombobulated at the fact that I just said it out loud. “She’s the best person I’ve ever met.”

Raf’s smile stretches from ear to ear. “Fuck, yeah, bro!” He slaps my shoulder and shakes me a little, drawing a small smile out of me as he laughs. I don’t feel much better about where things with Elaina will go, but it at least felt good to talk it out.

* * *

I’ve been prepping for the meeting with Elaina and Judith tonight. The author of the books we want to buy the rights to seems interested, so we’re booking a meeting with her when we’re back in LA. Things are looking good. I just need Judith to believe in this story as much as L and I do.

Elaina lands at 5 pm and when she texts me, saying she’s headed to my place, I know I won’t get to see her before dinner. Fuck. The magazine interview Sandra squeezed in today ran long. Now I’m in Brooklyn, Elaina is at my place in Tribeca, and Judith is supposed to be there in an hour.

Raf and I walk into my apartment and, like always, the sound of Elaina’s voice and laughter hits me square in the chest. She comes around the corner and runs to me, wrapping her arms around my neck. I kiss her shoulder and our lips come together in a chaste kiss as Raf clears his throat next to me.

Elaina laughs and quickly goes to hug our friend. “Hey, Raffy. I’ve missed you!”

“I’ve missed you, too, baby girl. You look beautiful.” A fleeting smile dances across her face as she runs her hands down the sides of her skirt, a figure-hugging black pencil that ends just above the knee. She adjusts the hem of her thin cashmere sweater, a light gray that clings to her curves and shows off her silhouette. Her shoes are at least three inches high and the red bottoms match her lipstick. She looks downright edible.

We walk further into the apartment as Kelly finishes setting up dinner. Once Judith arrives, Kelly takes off and Raf makes himself scarce, taking his dinner upstairs. We eat first so Elaina and Judith can get to know one another and I can tell Judith immediately likes her.

“You know, River has said some really nice things about you, Elaina. But I have to say, I already knew who you were before he mentioned you.” Elaina’s blush carries to her chest when Judith compliments her on a recent project.

“Well, Judith, if we end up working together, it’ll be a dream come true. Woman to woman, you’re such an inspiration in this business and I’m just so glad I’m even getting to meet you.” They smile at one another, sharing some secret female communication I’m not privy to.

After we finish the last bite of dinner, I lead us to the living room. We take our places on low armchairs and couches as Elaina pulls out her iPad from a nearby desk. She shows us the sketches she’s been working on and they’re stunning. She uses just a few lines to outline the heroine’s home and bring the space to life, and each stroke is perfect. As Elaina talks about the heroine’s bravery, I glance at Judith, and I can tell she’s enraptured. To reassure Elaina, I give her knee a gentle squeeze.

We end the evening all feeling optimistic about the potential of this movie. I still can’t believe Judith actually agrees with me on this one, but I’m not fooling myself here. I know that Elaina was the one to sell this to her. Between the way she told the story and the sketches she had to show, Judith was hooked.

We make plans to meet back in LA in a few weeks once we have the green light from the author and we can get started on a script. The meeting couldn’t have gone better.

The second the door clicks shut, my hands are on Elaina. “Are you fucking kidding me with this skirt and those shoes?”

“Oh, you like them?” She mocks.

“Goddamn, Elaina, that ass has been taunting me all night.” I wrap one arm around her waist as my other hand tugs her ponytail, gently bringing her lips up to mine. She whimpers into my mouth, and I feel her body relax into mine as her fingers grip my shoulders.

“Wobbly knees,” she breathes as our tongues mingle and I taste wine and strawberries. “Hey, so the meeting—” I kiss her again, my hands traveling to grip her ass. “I was just thinking—” I pinch her nipple through her sweater and she yelps.

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