Page 15 of Mind

Chase stares at the two, probably trying to find some blatant rationale as to how something miraculous like this could be possible. “Why? Is there something physically wrong with him?” I shake my head. “With her?” His eyebrows shoot into his hairline.

“No, god. He’s just gun-shy after Angela, okay. He wanted to take his time.”

“I see. Looks like that self-inflicted celibacy is going to end tonight. His hands have been all over her tonight, and she hasn’t been any better,” he finishes with a smirk.

I smile and watch two of my greatest friends fall for one another. It’s lovely and I couldn’t be happier. They both deserve happiness, and I really believe they could be a great match.

“What’s that look?” Chase asks.

“What do you mean?”

“You were staring at them with a smile as bright as the sun.”

Taking a deep breath then a sip of my wine, I stare at Bree and Phillip. Their heads are close to one another, his hand on her shoulder keeping her close, her making repeated efforts to touch him in simple ways. “I want it to work. They deserve it.”

“I think it will work. They look good together.” Chase offers.

I turn, fully facing him. “Mr. Davis, that was very romantic of you.” I goad, knowing that he usually doesn’t give his opinion on matters of the heart, unless it involves my heart, of course.

“Lately, I will admit to feeling a bit more on the sweet side,” he comes close and nips at my bottom lip. He loves sinking his teeth into me. Doesn’t matter where. I’m not complaining.

Maria heard the word sweet and pounces on it lightning fast. “Speaking of things that aredulce, what about ourgato’s“sweet cheeks!”” she points at Kat. Her face turns crimson, and she tosses her napkin at Maria.

“Can it, sister!” Kat bellows over the table.

“What, wha’d I miss?” asks Bree.

“Oh just that Carson here calls our girl ’sweet cheeks‘!” They’re pretty rosy right now,” I laugh.

Carson looks at her face then at the rest of us. “Those aren’t the cheeks I was referring to when she earned the nickname.” I didn’t think it was possible for Kat’s face to get any redder, but it did. The rest of the table howls in laughter. Even Chase guffaws a few times, letting go of his more conservative nature.

“You guys are terrible.” Kat complains then takes a big gulp of wine.

The rest of the dinner carries on with a lot more wine and an exorbitant amount of food. Soon dessert is delivered, and we all sing a drunken version of Happy Birthday. Though Maria singsfeliz cumpleañosrepeating the entire song in Spanish for the hell of it.

After dessert, the waiter serves an after dinner drink, which is really unnecessary because we’re all pretty lit, by the time it arrives. Chase has drivers and cars arranged for each of our friends knowing they were all taking taxi’s here. My guy thinks of everything, sparing no detail. Bree opens all her presents. On top of the statue—I wasn’t sure how we were giving it to her—I give her the bookEat Pray Lovein hardback and a copy of the movie starring Julia Roberts. The four of us are all closet Julia fans. We have all watchedPretty Womanmore times than we could count but we’d only admit to it under extreme duress, though, because cool girls didn’t have a thing for chick-flick stars.

Bree gives us all a round of hugs and thanks Chase for the dinner. He stands and walks over to an area that had an Asian-style shoji screen. It is opposite the wall that had the door the waiters were using, but this one wasn’t used all evening.

Chase steps behind it. “Go ahead and bring it in, boys,” Chase says into the darkened space. From behind the screen, a couple of gentleman in navy coveralls enter. They are maneuvering the statue, which is draped in something while they push buttons on a mechanical dolly/mini-forklift, type of thing. Whatever it is, it was pushing the heavy statue into the room. Everyone’s eyes are large, wanting to know what’s hiding under the sheet.

“Bree, Happy Birthday from Gillian and me,” he hugs me to his side.

She walks up to the large drape tentatively and pulls it off. It slides to the floor with a flourish revealing the ornate limestone Buddha statue.

“Holy shit,” she whispers as she stares at it. Her hand shakes when she reaches out seemingly almost afraid to touch it.

“It won’t bite you, and it’s pretty strong. Being made of stone and all,” I giggle and hold Chase while she inspects her gift.

Tears spill down her cheeks as she takes it all in. “What’s the matter? Don’t you like it?” Chase asks placing a hand at her shoulder. She burrows into his chest. He hugs her tight. They hug like that for a couple moments. Chase looks concerned. I’m about to cry myself at the beauty of seeing her connect with him. My bestie loves my guy. Something inside Bree clicked with this gift. That hug and those tears are from joy, only Chase isn’t used to consoling a crying woman other than me. His shoulders are ramrod straight and his hand movements on her biceps jerky.

Bree pulls away and Chase looks relieved as he tugs me back to his side. I go willingly, not to save him, but because I love touching him.

“Thank you guys. It’s the most beautiful gift I’ve ever been given. And, the message is loud and clear.” She sniffles, wipes her eyes, Phillip by her side, there to hold her.

“What do you mean the message?” I ask.

“Do you see his hand gesture with his finger and hand up like that?” We both nod. “That position is called abhaya mudra. It’s a gesture that means blessing, reassurance and protection. Literally, it translates to, ‘Do not fear’.”

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