Chapter Forty-Four

THANK GOODNESS THEY AREN’T busy this morning, I think, sauntering up to the counter to place my coffee order, stressed out and trying desperately to get my nerves to calm down.

I look down; my hands are shaking.

“Let me guess, a French vanilla latte.”

Turning around to see who’s talking to me, I see Briana standing there looking extremely tired.

“You must be working late.”

“I am,” she says, placing her purse on top of the counter. “I’m showing a client a condo in your building, and they could only meet me this evening. If I hadn’t already had three other showings earlier today, I wouldn’t mind, but girl, I’m tired. And I never get tired. My mother calls me the human version of the Energizer Bunny.”

“Did you bring your gold pen?” I ask with a grin.

“My brother and his big mouth. I swear I’m going to have to remind him that I’m supposed to have brother confidentiality.”

“Isn’t it patient confidentiality?”

“Same difference,” she says with a slight smirk. “You’re here late and look stressed, what’s up with you?”

“I’ve had a long day.”

“Why? What happened?”

“I hit a dog.”

She gasps. “Are you serious?”

“I wish I wasn’t.”

“Is it still alive?”

“I rushed her to a vet, and she is, although barely.”

“I’m so sorry. How did that happen? Did you get distracted by some super cute guy crossing the street with his shirt off? Wait, you’re dating my brother, so forget I asked that.”

I laugh. “Thanks, I needed that.”

“After something like that, I’m sure you could use a good dose of laughter and a shot of Vodka in that latte you just ordered, but I’m sure she’ll be okay.” Sincerity radiates from her face as my hands stop shaking and my body relaxes.

“I really hope so. I don’t know what I’ll do if she doesn’t.”

“She’ll pull through.”

I give her a half-hearted smile.

“Things seem to be going great with you and my brother. It’s been a few months now, hasn’t it?” she asks with a sudden burst of energy.

“This month, August, will make it about that, give or take a week.”

“Girl, the way my brother carries on about you, anyone would think the two of you have been dating for years already. I haven’t seen him this excited since he dated this girl called Joanne when he was in college.”

A warning flag goes off in my head, but I try not to show it.

I’m not looking for a James redo. “What happened to them?” I ask, casually. “He hasn’t mentioned her.”

“They broke up right before graduation. Personally, I was happy about it. I didn’t like her, nor did my mother for that matter. She eventually married some guy who owns a couple of retail shops and properties in Atlanta.

“While I can’t stand her, I would love to get some of his business.”

“So, he’s gold pen worthy, but she isn’t.”

“Unless she’s the one writing that check.”

We both enjoy a laugh as I reach out to grab my coffee. “Speaking of your brother, I hate that he has to go back to work next week.” She gives me a broad smile. “What?”

“I see he’s not the only one walking around looking googly eyed.”

“Whatever.”

“I’m glad for both of you. Anyway, when is your office finally going to open?”

“Good question. It seems like the delays keep coming. They are still waiting for certain materials, but at least they’ve gotten started finally.”

“I’m sorry to hear that. Construction’s never fun and never goes as planned. I have a client who works in an office in that building. They’ve been down too, of course, but she doesn’t mind because now she gets to work from home.”

“Considering the delays, maybe I should consider having my team do the same thing, but most of them aren’t really set up for that. It’s something I could look into.”

“I’m sure your team isn’t complaining about the situation. They’re getting paid to sit at home and just wait. So, let them enjoy it. I’m sure everyone will be crazy busy once things get up and running.”

“Hopefully it won’t be much longer,” I say as she glances over the menu. “If so, I may have to extend the lease on my place or just go month-to-month.”

“Or you could just buy it.”

I grin.

“I would say that you could just move in with my brother, but he’s too old-fashioned for that.”

“I love that about him.”

“Did you just say love?”

“I mean…”

She reaches over and touches my arm. “Don’t worry girl, your secret is safe with me.”

I did use the word love, didn’t I?

I smile as she looks back up at the menu.

“I’ve been here a thousand times and usually get the same thing, but today, I think I want something different. Let me place my order, then you can tell me all about your dog situation.”

I look around. “I’ll grab us a table. How long before you have to meet your client?”

She looks down at her watch. “This must be a long story. I’ve got about thirty minutes, but he’s never on time, so let’s say forty-five. I’ll ask him to please text me when he’s on his way.”

“Great,” I say, then head over to a table by the window.

Outside, people move along with their day and suddenly, it hits me that I no longer feel the world is revolving all around but leaving me behind somehow. But now, I’m one of them—the happy people, the confident ones who know where they’re going, what they’re doing in life.

Never did I imagine being this happy again.

Is it real? And, how long will it last?

“You look lost in thought,” Briana says as she takes a seat across from me. “Still worried about the dog or something else?”

“Maybe a little bit of both.”

“Which one do you want to talk about?”

She takes a sip of her coffee and we both glance out the window for a moment. She’s waiting for me to begin, not wishing to push me. Eventually, she has no choice because all I do is continue looking at my hands clasped atop the table, no doubt looking miles away.

“So, what kind of dog is it?”

I appreciate the way she speaks of the dog in the present tense. “I believe she’s a golden retriever, or at least, that’s what she looks like to me. She’s a puppy, though.”

“So, tell me what happened.”

“I was heading to the office so I could check on things when this dog just came out of nowhere. If I’d swerved the car to the left, I would have been going into oncoming traffic, so I had no choice but to hit her. It all happened so fast. It was awful.”

“Sounds like it wasn’t your fault though.”

“Still, the sound I heard when my car hit her wasn’t something I’ll easily forget.”

“Did you tell Donovan about it?”

“I haven’t yet. I came here to try and calm down, but I’ll let him know.”

“You needed a little bit of Paris, huh?”

“I swear you should be on the stage.”

“Tell you what, I’ll start doing comedy if you’ll start writing again.”

I shrug. “You know, I’m not sure writing novels will ever be part of my life again.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Why not?”

“Because I’ve read every book you’ve written, and most people would kill for talent like that. No one with that kind of talent or passion for the written page quits completely.

“There’s obviously something in your past that’s holding you back, but once you allow yourself to leave it where it belongs, you’ll allow yourself to write from the moments that fill your life now. Or you could be like my girl Mary J. Blige and use your past as the inspiration for your craft. That woman knows she can speak about pain. When she puts out an album, every woman who’s ever been brokenhearted must be at home saying, ‘Speak to me, Mary!’”

I start laughing so hard the table rattles. “Girl, stop!”

“You know I’m telling the truth.”

I shake my head in agreement. “She’s been through some things.”

“Haven’t we all? One day, I’ll share my sad songs with you, but right now,” she looks down at her phone, “I’ve got to go meet this client.”

“Thanks for making me laugh, Briana.”

She reaches over and pats my hand. “Text me about the dog later and let me know she’s okay.”

“I will. I’m heading back to the vet to check on her after I finish this,” I say as she stands up.

“She’ll be okay, Sis.”

Did she just call me her sister?

I’m sure she meant that in a “raise the fist, girls have to stick together” kind of way.

Right?