Page 54 of Soaring Free
That’s right. I’m sure she will forgive you… so long as you send her the new model after its launch.
Van
After? No, she’s already on the pre-launch shipping list.
Me
You don’t have to do that; she can get the new headphones when everyone else does.
Van’s tech company does a little bit of everything, but they revolutionized the wireless headphone scene, specifically with how comfortable the earpiece is to wear, as well as the battery longevity on a single charge. He has been wildly successful but tends to get a little lost in his work, forgetting to lift his head up every now and then for things like socialization or meals.
Van
Funny thing about owning the company? I get to do what I want, and if I want to treat my niece like the VIP she is, no one gets to tell me no. So with all due respect, fuck off lol.
Me
Ok, ok. She’ll appreciate that. Maybe look at your schedule and let me know when it would work for her to FaceTime you quick to say hi? She misses you. And while you’re at it, put Pippa on your list of people to call.
Van
Fuuuuuuck. Is everything okay?
Me
Yeah, she’s fine overall, same stuff going on.
Van
Is there an emergency exit to this guilt trip or is it going to land soon so I can get off it? I didn’t wear the right shoes for it.
Me
No exit, no guilt trip intended. Pippa mentioned yesterday that you hadn’t called her back, despite her calling you three times in the last week.
Van
Got it. I’ll call her before end of today—may be midnight my time, but before end of day. Promise. I’ll find a time to call Gigi too in the next day or two.
Me
That’s all I ask, just make some time.
Van
Yeah, yeah, yeah. I need to pop into another meeting. Talk later.
The soft jingle of the bell over Java Jive’s front door grabs my attention as a divine vision walks inside. Savannah’s hair is in a soft braid pulled over to the side and off her shoulder, and the blue gingham sun dress hugs her generous curves in all the right ways. I’m sure the sleeve style has a name but I’m not even sure I know my own name right now. With the sun behind her, she looks like she walked straight out of a music video from the eighties and the coffee shop is the set for her to strut into with her wedge heels. The dress highlights my favorite feature of her body, and the ample cleavage likely isn’t even intentional. She would have to wear a turtleneck to not show any cleavage with how incredible her tits are, and I’m not mad about it at all. Like always, her faceis beautiful, but when she sees me, her entire face lights up as she walks toward me. She says hey to a customer sitting at the counter as she passes by, making her way to me.
“Hi!” she squeaks and I meant to give her a kiss on the cheek, but once she was near, I was engulfed in her vanilla orange blossom perfume. Before I can even think about it, I wrap one arm around her waist and pull her snug to me as my other hand runs along her jaw and angles her head so I can kiss her hello properly. She quietly hums in agreement as her plump lips meet mine and I taste her cherry lip gloss as we pull apart.
I run my tongue over my lip to taste the lip gloss she left behind. “Hey, I missed you,” I tell her. Full court press, no bullshit, all cards on the table. She seems momentarily surprised by my statement but quickly recovers as a slight blush graces her delicate cheekbones.
Savannah leans in with a quick shrug of one shoulder. “Yeah? Well, that makes me feel better about missing you too.” Is she shy right now? What in the world is this version of my feisty kitten? I lean in and kiss her forehead before pulling out a chair for her. I also intended on having her sit across the table from me, but it’s a four top so she can sit right next to me instead. Unless she wants to sit on my lap, I’d be good with that too.
Cami brings over two oversized fresh cinnamon rolls, but instead of avoiding Savannah, this time she meets her eye right away. “Hey, Savannah. I didn’t even see you sneak in. Thanks for waiting on these, I can’t seem to keep them stocked today. I can’t really blame anyone though. I think I’ve gained five pounds in the seven months I’ve worked here!”
Savannah smiles at the barista. “I can’t believe you’ve been in Forrest Falls that long already. How are you liking it? Does it feel like home yet?” Savannah’s question causes Cami’s smile to fall, not all the way, but enough that Savannah and I share a look as Cami stares and fiddles with the bracelets on her wrist.
