Page 7 of Passionate Hearts

“River’s fine. All things considered.”

“Okay. Your message made it sound as though something serious was going on.”

“I think I might be developing feelings for River.” Brianna blurted the words out before she had a chance to overthink them.

“Let’s analyze that for a moment. When did these feelings start showing up?”

“Today, mostly. Since I picked River up from the hospital. But she has a girlfriend, and plus we’re really good friends. I don’t want to ruin how great things are between us.”

Mel laughed but quickly covered her mouth with her hand.

“I apologize. I just don’t think you should worry about this.”

“What do you mean? This could be a disaster.”

“Not if you keep it to yourself. Listen, your friend was in a pretty scary accident. It’s normal for you to be dealing with complex emotions. You’re trying to reason out how it would have felt if you had lost River, while being glad that she’s still here. It’s a lot to ask your brain to scroll through. And the easiest explanation for your brain is that you’ve developed feelings for River. But I think you just had a moment to realize how grateful you are for River. Give yourself a couple weeks and see if the feelings dissipate.”

Brianna nodded her head. Everything that Mel said made sense. There was a gentle ring as more people stepped inside.

“I need to get back to work. Do you feel a little better?” Mel asked.

“I do.”

Brianna watched as Mel began helping customers. Give it a couple weeks. She could do this. How hard could it be to not fall for River before then?

Chapter 3

River glanced down at her flannel pajamas like they were her archnemesis. With one arm and one leg in casts it felt impossible to get out of her regular clothes, much less getting into pajamas. River heard the door to the apartment open and close. She breathed a sigh. There were very few things Brianna wouldn’t do to help her, and River knew that. But how did she feel about Brianna helping her undress and redress herself.

River thought about it for a moment. She couldn’t spend weeks in the exact same clothes. She could call Tiffany, but she knew instinctively that her girlfriend wouldn’t love coming all the way over to help her change clothes. River tried not to let Tiffany’s hands-off approach to her injury bother her. But it did. A partner should be one of the first people at the hospital, and the first to offer to help after an accident. Instead, Tiffany had been MIA ever since her accident.

“Hey, B, are you home?” River called out.

“Yeah, I’m here. What do you need?” Brianna opened her door and came in.

River glanced down at her pajamas on the bed then back up at Brianna. Half of a smile tugged at one end of Brianna’s lips.

“Do you need some help?” Brianna asked. River groaned and nodded her head.

“It’s okay. I’m sure we can sort this out.”

River smiled wide at Brianna. She was grateful that her friend didn’t mind putting herself out for her.

“Thanks, friend,”

“Of course. No problem. Let’s get your pants off first since that’s probably the easiest part.”

River nodded her head. She watched as Brianna kneeled in front of her. The touch of Brianna’s fingers against the bare skin of her stomach was light. Brianna hooked her fingers into River’s pants and pulled them down. She was noticeably careful as she pulled the pants down over her cast. The palms of Brianna’s hands were warm against her legs. River felt a slice of heat rage through her. This wasn’t the time to grow sensitive to a simple touch. Besides this was Brianna she was dealing with.

Brianna stood up and met her eyes. River was almost positive Brianna was blushing. Great, she had succeeded in embarrassing her friend. Brianna rubbed the back of her neck with a hand.

“I guess we should do your shirt next.” Now Brianna was clearly blushing.

River felt as though she should say something to take the pressure off. But everything she thought of would come out sounding strange. Some moments were just meant to be awkward, she may as well lean in. Brianna’s fingers tucked under her shirt and lifted it over her uninjured arm and her head. She carefully pulled the shirt over her arm that was in the cast.

Brianna was not so subtly checking her out. River felt her own blush spread across her cheeks. She cleared her throat and waited for Brianna’s eyes to find hers. There was something profoundly intimate being this way in front of her.

River hated to admit it, but she was enjoying the moment. No one had looked at her in that way for a very long time. Tiffany found her attractive to be sure. But the days of Tiff truly appreciating what she looked like without clothes had long since ended. She didn’t just want Brianna to take her in visually, there was a large part of her enjoying the physical contact as well.She’s your friend, echoed in her brain.

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