Page 2 of Forever Love-Reimagined

“Noted.” I stared at him while he stood there unmoving. “Anything else, oh wise one?” I was trying not to let my annoyance shine through, but I had no time to deal with his antics.

“In my opinion, you better put on a hat. It doesn’t appear anything is going to fix that.” He tilted his head toward mine, and I pushed him out the door before shutting it. “I’m just saying,” he called, but I didn’t respond.

I rushed to my desk and pulled out some baby wipes. It wasn’t the best alternative to bathing, but it was my only option. I dabbed under my arms, reapplied deodorant, and spritzed myself with Prady Candy. It had hints of caramel and vanilla, and it would either mask or compliment the coffee smell.

After stripping out of my designer outfit that now more closely resembled rags, I slipped on my Versace skirt-suit that I thankfully didn’t have to wear a shirt with because the blazer was high buttoned. The only thing I didn’t have was killer shoes, but I was resourceful and broke off the heel of my other shoe, then proceeded to work on my hair.

I stared in the full-length mirror and realized Ty was probably right. There was no fixing these untamable curls. They were sticking out from my bun as if I had been electrocuted, which sent a shiver down my spine. I had a brief moment of déjà vu but couldn’t figure out what from. I brushed aside that emotion and moved on.

As I took down my hair, the ponytail holder snapped right in my hand, and, once again, I had no choice in what to do. I searched for something suitable to be used as a makeshift hair tie, but apart from a binder clip, I had nothing. My only option was to unleash the beast and hope I didn’t look like the hot mess express.

When I exited my office, Ty stood there chewing on the side of his finger and tapping his toe.

“What is up with you? Did you snort Pixy Stix again?” He had done that on a dare once when we were kids, and I couldn’t let it go.

“HA! You joke, but that caused permanent damage to my sinuses.” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “But anyway, this is worse.”

“Okay then. Spill it. I don’t have time to guess.” I tapped my watch, but he was tap-dancing like a child who needed to pee. “Ty!” I placed my hands on his shoulders to snap him back to reality.

“Well…” His chestnut eyes got wide as saucers, and I was trying to imagine what he viewed as worse than burning your nasal cavity.

“Out with it! Are you trying to give me a panic attack?”

“I’m sorry. But Greg is sitting in on your meeting.” He rushed his words so fast that I had difficulty processing the information.

Now it was time for me to think, what in the actual fuck? Greg was a senior partner who seemed to have it out for me, and I wouldn’t put it past him to try to sabotage me. Maybe that was a bit much, but not understanding his actions led me to expect the worst-case scenario. He didn’t even know my clients, and there wasn’t anything he could offer in this meeting.

Even though I could have blown a gasket, I pushed those negative feelings down, sucked it up, and plastered on a smile as I entered the conference room with confidence.

Chapter Two

Leia - Monday

“Leia! Matcha for Leia.”

I rushed to the counter to snag my to-go cup. I loved getting up in time to stop by Tea-Riffic, my favorite little cafe, to grab some fresh-brewed tea before work. It was one of the best things about walking to the studio early in the morning. I could drink my tea in peace and chart the course for my day without my assistant, Haley, trying to fill every minute of my time.

I shouldn’t complain because she was the best assistant I’d ever had. I truly appreciated how organized she was, but sometimes, I wished she could take it from a ten to a two. Her nervous energy was so infectious that I found the hustle and bustle of New York City more calming.

After exiting the tearoom, I took a long, deep breath, which wasn’t very cleansing because of the car exhaust, but it still cleared my head. The sun was shining, and the buzz of traffic was hypnotizing. As I exhaled, I let all the good vibes flow through my body.

With a little pep, I headed toward my studio, Full Exposure. Being a boudoir photographer was amazing because I made people’s fantasies come true. Seeing people go against societal expectations and be themselves was freeing. Even though I enjoyed my work, it wasn’t my biggest passion.

I wanted to put together classes to promote queer representation in art and culture. I needed to get a proposal written and find other queer creatives to see if we could offer more than photography. There was far too much underrepresentation in the artistic realm, and I wanted to get more people involved. But until I developed a game plan, I didn’t want anyone else to know about it, especially not Haley. If she caught wind of me doing something without her, she would flip her lid and then suck all the fun out of it.

She was so structured, but sometimes, with art, you had to let things get messy. That was how it worked. I mean, at least, that was what I did. I appreciated the freedom of not having to fit the corporate mold. I could do things my way without giving in to the man.

I scanned the crowd of people in their dresses and suits, and I enjoyed the fact that I could wear ripped jeans and sneakers. Life was too short to be uncomfortable.

As that opinion left my head, I heard someone say, “Make way, coming through!” It was a biker zipping through the sidewalk like he owned the place.

I quickly hopped out of the way and didn’t even spill my tea. But there was a flurry of people who weren’t as lucky in their high-priced clothes and torturous shoes.

As everyone scrambled to clear the way, someone backed into me, nearly knocking me down. Luckily, I managed to keep us both upright, even though her spiky heel pierced my toe and possibly did permanent damage.

I yelped as I stood her on her own two feet, but when my skin touched hers, it was like the largest bolt of static electricity shot through me. Everything in my body thrummed, but I wasn’t sure if it was from pain or excitement. Everything was a jumbled mess, and then she turned to me, causing the entire world to stand still.

She took my breath away when I locked in on those emerald eyes. It was like everything else faded into the background, and she and I were the only people around. I wanted to speak, but I was frozen in the moment. Then she jerked away and said something, but the pounding in my ears didn’t let me hear it. By the time I found my voice, she was gone.

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