Page 24 of In the Works

Once I was settled, Bri lifted her veggie slice to mine, and we cheersed. “To getting closer.”

I giggled as our slices collided. “I wouldn’t expect you to start with a veggie slice.”

“Well, then the boring bit is out of the way. I can indulge in the savory and know that I ate my vegetables.” Bri winked.

We both knew the small amount of veggies piled on top of a pizza hardly met the FDA’s recommended portions. But life was for living.

I took a bite of my own slice, digging into the sausage and peppers first. It was steaming hot, so much so that I almost burned my tongue. But it felt like heaven: hot food and peaceful quiet. I could still see the steam drifting off the pie.

A moan escaped my lips as I chewed. “Fuck, that’s good.”

Bri laughed. “This is genuinely so fun to watch.”

Suddenly self-conscious, I could feel her eyes watching my lips. I tossed down my slice on the plate and grabbed a napkin, wiping the grease from my mouth.

Bri put her hand on my forearm and lowered her voice to a low rumble. “You don’t need to clean up for me. I like you just as you are.”

A lump the size of Texas filled my throat, making it hard to breathe.Has Bri always been this charming?

I set down my food and smiled, trying to stop the pulse of excitement running through my body. “So, you wanted to talk about the table.”

“Boring.” Bri teased as she wiped her own hands. “I honestly don’t even know what I want to ask.”

Giggling, I finished chewing my bite of pizza. “Well, what’re your hesitations?”

Bri looked away from me, her eyes scanning the room. I could tell that she was taking in the family pictures on the walls, the thrifted art, and the mess buried under every piece of furniture.

I tried not to get self-conscious as she looked around.

Eventually, Bri broke the silence. “What if it’s not what she wants?”

“It will be.” I had to stop myself from laughing. Bri was oblivious to how desperately Victoria wanted a custom piece.

Rolling her eyes, Bri nudged me. “But how can you know that?”

I looked up at the ceiling, trying to find the words. I knew if I looked at her, I wouldn’t ever figure out what to say. “Because she’s obsessed with your work. She likes the unattainable. Even if it sucks, she’ll like knowing thatshegot you. Honestly, if she hates it, she’ll just buy a new one.”

As soon as the words left my lips, my brain was connecting the dots.Is that why Vic wants me?

“But I haven’t made a piece in so long. What if I can’t?” Bri bit the inside of her cheek, an unusual insecurity washing over her.

Resting my head on my hands, I chuckled. “I don’t think you know how to fail.”

Silence fell over us.

After a minute, I turned toward her. “Why did you really quit before?”

Bri smirked, her dimples creating stunning caverns on her perfect face. After licking her lips, she caved. “Only Sarah Greenwood can make me confess.”

I winked at her. “It’s my specialty.” Shifting my body closer to hers, I watched her carefully.

Meeting my eyes, Bri sighed. “Honestly, it was exhausting. I felt like no matter how well I did, there was always something more to strive for. Sculpture was competitive. The galleries had incredibly limited space for floor pieces. It was too much. And somewhere along the way, I lost my drive to do it.”

I scoffed. “Hard to imagine that you would have struggled to find a muse.” Just looking at her, it felt impossible that anyone would turn her down. Hell, I wouldn’t.

Shrugging, Bri broke our eye contact. She grabbed both of our plates and walked to the sink. “None of them were what I was looking for.”

Before I could get to it, she started to pack up the pizza into baggies, stacking them neatly on the counter. I stood and sauntered after her, unable to keep my eyes off how good her ass looked in those jeans.Have I ever looked at an ass like this?My throat tightened at the thought of how it would feel pressed against me.

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