Page 15 of Passionate Hearts

“The truth is I’m glad you’ve been here.”

River let the statement stand on its own.

“I’m glad I was able to be here,” Brianna offered a smile.

“But Tiff isn’t any busier than you are. It’s true she has a demanding job, but technically you have a day job, and you moonlight as a deejay. Your schedule is just as hectic. But you’ve been here every step of the way.”

Brianna allowed the words to hit her in the heart. She met River’s dark brown eyes and smiled.

“I mean I live with you, so I have to be there.”

They both laughed, diffusing the situation in a pleasant way.

“Okay. But even though we live together you’ve gone above and beyond for me. You moved your entire schedule around. You’ve been working from home. I can’t help but look at Tiff and be a bit disappointed by her lack of effort.”

“I’m sorry if I’ve sort of overstepped.”

“No. No. Thank goodness you did step up. I’ve really needed you. Remember when I tried to brush my own teeth that first time?” River asked.

“That was a disaster,” Brianna laughed, remembering the moment.

“I guess I can’t help noticing that Tiff has been absent.”

“Have you talked to her about it?” Brianna suggested.

Brianna didn’t like Tiff. Actually, she couldn’t stand the woman if she was being honest. But she wasn’t the type of woman to cause problems in another person’s relationship. Whatever problems River was having she needed to get them sorted out with Tiff.

“I have. I talked to her about it on the phone last night.”

“What did she say?”

“She just keeps giving me the standard line that she’s busy. But that she misses me and wishes she could come around more.”

Brianna felt her jaw clench. There was no way Tiff couldn’t squeeze out a little more time for River. Considering, the amount of time she was currently giving was almost zero.

“It’ll all work out the way it’s meant to.”

Brianna gave River a pat on the shoulder.

“Thanks, friend. I’ll invite her to come over for dinner tonight. If that’s okay with you?” River asked.

“Of course. I won’t be in tonight anyway.”

Brianna thought she saw River’s jaw tighten. Within a second her friend seemed back to herself.

“Oh yeah, where are you off to?” River asked, her tone playful.

“I met a girl at my dee-jay gig last weekend. We’re going to watch a band that her friend plays in tonight.”

“And do we like this girl?” River asked.

“Hard to say. This is only the first date. But I’m sure you’ll get all the updates regardless of how it goes.”

“Well, I better,” River laughed.

There was a difference in River’s tone, though Brianna couldn’t put her finger on it.

“You know that you’ll be the first person to hear all about it.”

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