Page 58 of Be Your Forever
“Yes, of course I do.”
“Well, lately I’ve been regretting that decision.” Sadness and regret pour out of her with the likeness of a fire hydrant test. I watch as her throat works while she tries to collect herself before continuing. Pain stings behind my eyes, but I blink it back. Now isn’t about me. I remain silent, knowing sometimes she just needs a moment to collect her thoughts.
“It was a decision I made when emotions were a mess for me. Now that I’ve been working through things, I’m kicking myself. I miss reading. I miss getting lost in a book and falling in love with the characters.”
“I’m sorry, baby. I wish there were something I could do about it.”
Fuck. I hate lying to her, but I’m glad we’re having this conversation. I feel a plan beginning to percolate in my mind, but I need to let it marinate some more before I move forward.
“It’s okay. You asked me about a dream of mine. Ever since I was young I wanted to open my own bookstore. I love giving people recommendations, and when they come to me for more? It makes my heart happy.”
“Why don’t you do that? I know you love working at the salon, but if this is your passion then go for it.”
“Honestly, this is something I’ve only shared with Max. He’s even helped put together a blueprint of what it could look like. I was so excited to finally do it, but then everything happened with Max and I, and I don’t know. Now it just feels like a silly daydream.”
I whip my head in her direction so fast that the sheet mask slides down my face. Silly daydream? How can she think her dreams and goals are that insignificant? Face mask aside, I grip her chin in my hand and force her eyes to meet mine.
“Bear. I don’t want to hear the wordsillycome out of that sexy mouth of yours when it comes to something you are passionate about. I think that dream of yours is perfect for you, and I hope you consider doing it.”
My serious expression burns so fiercely that I bet if I peeled off her mask, she’d be blushing. Her vulnerability is infectious, and before I realize it, I’m blurting out what’s been on my mind for a while, hoping it’ll help her in some way.
“I know for me, I’ve been trying to figure out what’s been missing from my life. Like, I love the bar and everything I do there, but I’ve been trying to search for something more.”
“Maybe we should put our passions together. There’s nothing like being booked and boozed.”
My head snaps in her direction, and I feel that final piece click into place. She laughs it off, dismissing it as a far-off idea, but it feels right.Booked and Boozed. I let those two words rattle around inside my brain. The more I think about it, the more I feel like this is it. That this is what’s been missing. My mind is reeling with ideas.
“Brianna, you are a genius. I’d kiss the fuck out of you right now if we didn’t have these masks on. Booked ‘N’ Boozed. We can take books and pair them with cocktails. You can be in charge of the book recommendations, and I can create the drink that pairs with the book.” Bri’s face beams underneath her green face mask.
“I love that idea. Do you think you’ll have enough time to do both?”
“I can step back from the bar a bit. Let Gage take over. We’ve been meaning to hire someone for a while. Let me talk to him about it, but I think we really need to do this.”
Bri peels both of our masks off before kissing me on the lips and offering me an ear-splitting grin.
“Let's do it.”
“You’re sexy when you're excited about something. We need to hurry up and dry our faces off because I’m in the mood for dessert.”
I rocket off the bed, bringing Bri with me into the bathroom. We discard the face masks and rinse ourselves clean. Bri’s barely finished drying her face when I sling her over my shoulders, reveling in the feel of her body pressed against mine. The feel of her round, full ass in my hands has my cock twitching in my sweats.
I prowl to the bed, placing her down, taking a moment to appreciate the woman spread before me. Her chestnut hair spreads wildly against her blush sheets, making the perfect contrast of dark and light. I spend what feels like forever in between her thighs, lapping up her sweet honey. My own personal heaven. Bri will always be the balm that heals me every single time.
Brianna
Healing isn’t linear
I’ve been so wrapped up in my Asher bubble that I haven’t really hung out with my best friend. And I plan to rectify that ASAP.
Me: Hey Aves, you busy?
Avery: Ah, so she is alive lol. I thought you had abandoned me for Asher.
Me: Ugh shut up haha. Wanna grab lunch?
Avery: Bristol Cafe?
Me: See ya there.
