Page 40 of Passionate Hearts

“I was not okay. That breakup nearly destroyed my self-confidence. Then I met Taylor and things slid right into place. I tell you this, because sometimes the other shoe doesn’t drop. Sometimes you get to have your happily ever after.”

Allison smiled widely at her. Brianna rose from her seat and came around to give Allison a hug.

“I can get up to hug you,” Allison laughed.

“Nope you’re pregnant now. You shouldn’t move. Not for the next nine months,” Brianna teased.

“That is not how pregnancy works,” Allison laughed.

“You’re probably right. But this one time I don’t mind coming around for a hug.”

Lulu had grown accustomed to Brianna in the recent weeks. But accustomed was not the same thing as liking her. Lulu gave a yowl of displeasure as Brianna trespassed across her line of comfort.

“Sorry, Lulu,” Brianna laughed. The cat gave a tiny hiss to show how little effort Brianna was worth to her.

“Tough crowd,” Brianna teased.

“Sorry about that. She’s ready for Taylor to come home. We both are.”

“Once Taylor comes home what happens to Lulu?” Brianna asked.

“She is Taylor’s little buddy. So once Taylor gets back Lulu will be super happy that she gets to hang out with her all day long.”

“Lulu, that’s kind of precious,” Brianna said in a soft voice. Lulu barely spared her a glance. Instead, she strutted over to Allison’s window to give death stares to the birds outside.

“What are you going to do for the rest of the day?” Allison asked.

“I think my next stop will be Wilson’s Flower Shop. I need to buy some flowers for my beautiful girlfriend.”

Brianna knew the smile on her face was huge. She couldn’t help it. The idea of surprising River with flowers had given her heart a jolt.

“Have the best day, friend,” Allison smiled.

“You, too, friend.”

Brianna practically skipped out to her car. She was excited to see the look on River’s face when she showed up with a huge bundle of flowers. Brianna pulled out of the parking lotwith a screech of her tires. She couldn’t wait to get back home to River.

Chapter 17

River had spent her day piddling around the house. She’d gotten plenty of work done but she’d mostly kept herself busy with little tasks. There was a noticeable absence with Brianna gone. Not that River would ever admit to anyone that she missed having Brianna around when she left for her weekly coffee dates with Allison. She wasn’t the kind of woman to get so attached this quickly.

Things with Brianna were different than any other woman she’d ever been around before. Brianna owned a significant piece of real estate in River’s heart. There was no way to deny her feelings. Loving Brianna was as natural for River as breathing was. Everything was coming together in such an organic way.

There was a knock on the door. River laughed to herself; this would mark the third time Brianna had forgotten her house key this week. She practically ran to the door.

“Babe, did you forget your key again?” River laughed as she swung the door open.

“Actually, I don’t think I ever used the spare key you gave me.”

Tiff stood flowers in hand and a smug look on her face. River experienced that moment of shock, when something is supposed to be one thing but then it ends up being another. River had been convinced that this would be Brianna, instead, here stood Tiff. River drew back, unable to keep a disgusted grimace from curling her lips.

“What are you doing here?” River sighed, already exasperated before the interaction had a chance to begin.

“You weren’t answering my texts. I had to take matters into my own hands.”

“But why?” River asked, growing more annoyed by the second.

“How are we going to work things out if you can’t stop pouting long enough for us to talk?”

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