Page 22 of Branded

“Only once since I’ve been here, and just a few here and there in the last five years.”

“And when was the last time you had sex?”

My eyes go wide. “I’m not even considering sex with him yet.”

“Ah ha. Yet. And no one said you had to, I’m just trying to make a point here. When was the last time?”

I take a moment, and really think back. I haven’t had sex since I’ve been in Sunset Valley, that’s for sure, so it would have to be in LA.

“Like… three years ago, I think.” Fuck, saying that out loud makes it seem even sadder.

“And why is that?”

“I don’t even know if I have an answer for that.”

“Yes, you do. Find it and let’s hash this out. Because from what I’ve heard through the grapevine, Isaac is a good man, and shouldn’t your first time back in the dating scene here be with a decent human, at least?”

She has a point there.

Dating has been difficult since my brother passed away. My life didn’t make sense for awhile. I couldn’t understand why he was gone and I was still here. I processed a lot of guilt with therapy. Then I was trying to find a place to live, dealing with insurance from the fire, so dating wasn’t exactly the first thing on my mind.

“After the fire and losing Jason, and everything that came with it, dating took a back seat. When I finally did try it out, everything felt empty. I owed it to him to live my life to the fullest because he didn’t get the chance. I wanted to live for him. Why waste my time on emptiness when I could wait for greatness?”

“How can you find greatness when you don’t try? You’ve spent enough time in your house on the nights and weekends. Go out, have fun, and live that life you want to live for him. I didn’t know him, but I know he wouldn’t want you to be a hermit, right?” She tilts her head to the left and regards me closely. “So I think it’s great you’re going to go out with Isaac. Even if just as friends, to have some fun, and get to know him. What’s the harm in that?”

“His job.”

“You can’t hide from every fireman you come across, Sawyer.”

I groan and put my head in my hands again. “So you think I should text him instead of waiting?”

“I do. Take the bull by the horns… or the fireman by the hose.” With a wiggle of her brows, she dives into her breakfast, confident she made her point.

Before I lose my nerve, I pick up my phone and fire off a quick text to him.

Me: Drunk me is clearly more vocal. LOL. Still interested in taking me out or did I scare you off?

I place the phone face down on the table so I can’t stare at it while I wait for a reply. I’ll finish breakfast, take the morning slow, cure this massive hangover, and then I’ll look.

An hour passes before I finally come back to the table and flip my phone over, revealing two texts have arrived on my phone.

One shortly after I sent the first text, then other fifteen minutes after that.

Isaac: It would take more than an adorably drunk woman calling me hot to scare me off.

Isaac: Absolutely still want to take you out. In fact, date #1, tomorrow night. Meet me at the corner of 5th and Main at 7 p.m. How does that sound?

My heart races at the idea of this actually happening, of me actually going out with him. The anxiety is real, so real I nearly ghost him completely, but I close my eyes and summon my inner extrovert, the one who existed in me years ago.

Me: I’ll be there.

Chapter 6

Sawyer

Whatdoyouevenwear on a first date with a man you really don’t know at all, when you don’t even know what you’re doing or where you’re going, and when you’re nervous as hell?

Apparently, you change outfits a dozen times before deciding on casual blue jeans, black flats, and a simple, pink flowy top. I wear my hair back in a sleek ponytail and slide in a pair of diamond studs my family gave me for my eighteenth birthday.

---