Page 21 of Forever Love-Reimagined

“Blake. Blake. What the fuck is going on? Are you sleeping right now?” Steph was furious and shaking me like a rag doll.

“No! No, I’m not sleeping. I swear. I think I blacked out. Babe, I’m not sure what happened.”

“Blacked out? That’s what you’re going with?”

I was flustered, but I couldn't find the words to describe it. “It’s like I’m not here but in another place. And there’s this person who keeps drawing me in.” Oh shit. That didn't sound good.

Her eyes turned to slits, and I tried to keep her with me.

“Wait. Please.”

But she, not so kindly, slapped my arm away and climbed off. She jumped out of bed and picked up her clothes on her way to the bathroom. She didn’t say one word before slamming the door.

I smothered my face in a pillow and screamed, “Fuck!”

It seemed like hours, but in actuality, only five minutes had passed before Steph emerged from the bathroom, fully dressed and still one hundred percent pissed.

“Steph, let me try to?—”

She cut me off with a see-you-never look, grabbed her pillow, and stormed out of our bedroom, shutting the door with enough force to shake the pictures on the wall.

I wasn’t sure where she was going, the spare room or the couch, but I wasn’t about to follow her. This was something that would have to wait until morning. I hoped she’d calm down by tomorrow and I could make it up to her, but I wasn’t sure if this could be fixed.

Chapter Twelve

Leia - Wednesday

After the lucid dream, Haley and I left the studio and headed our separate ways. We didn’t have any early clients, so I told her to take the morning off. Once I arrived home, I slept reasonably peacefully, considering everything that had happened. Even though the sensations in my dream were stronger this time, I wondered if the entire experience was a product of sleep deprivation.

Now that I was fully rested and no longer zombie-like, I decided to focus on something that was within my control—like my proposal to get a queer community of creatives together. Aria popped into my mind as I was trying to think of potential classes to offer and people to reach out to. She said she was an artist, and she had also given me her number. But would that be weird?

It wasn’t that we didn’t have a good time, but would seeing her again after a sexual encounter make her assume I wanted to have a repeat performance? I didn’t make a habit out of turning a one-nighter into something longer. Relationships required me to give parts of myself that I wasn’t capable of at the moment. I wanted to focus on my future, and right now, I didn’t see another person in it.

I’d revisit the Aria thing later. Since I didn’t have a starting point yet, getting her involved was unnecessary. I first needed clear-cut goals and budget information before I could even begin searching for potential grants.

I checked the time, and I had slept so late that this project would need to take a backseat for now. I had to get ready and head into the studio. Luckily, my just-out-of-bed look was my go-to, so I was fairly low-maintenance. I grabbed a black V-neck and a pair of light-colored skinny jeans. I was out the door after brushing my teeth and running my hand through my hair.

While walking to the studio, I tried not to let my mind wander and see if I could find the green-eyed beauty from my dreams, but it was challenging considering it had been in this vicinity when we first met. But as I got closer, my phone rang, distracting me from my thoughts.

“Hey, what are you doing?” Shanny’s voice rang through the speaker, and it was odd she called in the middle of the day.

“I’m on my way to work. What are you doing? Don’t you have to work today?” Shanny had a stressful job as a public relations executive, so I found it odd she would have time to chitchat.

“I’m on my way to meet a client, but it’s about a thirty-minute drive, and I wanted to check in with my bestie and see how the other night went. I saw you sneak out with some redhead, but when you didn’t fill me in yesterday, I was wondering what happened.”

Of course, that was the question of the hour for her. Shannon and I had similar lives, but we focused on different aspects. I was concerned with my job and doing things that would make an impact on the world, and she loved her job but loved the ladies more—especially the younger ones. But to be fair, they seemed very keen about her, too, so it wasn’t an issue.

“I don’t kiss and tell.” I rolled my eyes as if she could see me.

“You realize you just did, right? But I won’t press. I just wanted to see if you would be up for drinks tonight. I met someone on Flirt Magnet, and wanted to see if you’d come and make sure she doesn’t cut my skin off and wear it as a bodysuit.” She laughed, but she was always a little nervous using dating apps. She was more old school, but the younger women weren’t always cruising bars for hookups, so she had to get with the times.

“I’m certain you’ll be fine, but if it will ease your mind to have a bodyguard, I’ll try to get off at a reasonable time. Can I message you when I’m finished for the day?” As much as I didn’t think my assistance would be needed, I did feel a night out sounded like a good idea to give myself a break from everything.

“Thanks, Lay. I’ll catch you later.”

“Adios.” I ended the call and had a chuckle. “She is something else.” I shook my head as I entered the studio.

“Who is?”

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