Page 69 of Coincidentally Kismet

“Honey, you must have a magical lady cave because my boy here has been pining away for you as long as I’ve known him.”

This sends Lo, Bri, and me into a fit of giggles at her use of the termlady caveand makes Will look adorably shy, like he maybe just swallowed his tongue. I may want to hate this girl, but I think it also might be love at first vagina joke.

“This is greeeeat. I take back every nice thing I’ve ever said about her now. She is the worst and you two should not be friends. Come over here with me, Wright.” Will throws this lastbit in for good measure, which just results in more laughing from the three of us.

Will leaves us to our own devices, and the three of us spend time chatting about the guys. Bri, being the goddess she is, brought a couple of bottles of wine and a wine opener, so we find a spot to perch at Smith’s high-top table.

“So, how did you fall for that big lug?” Bri points at Smith, who is crowding Will and whispering, likely about us.

“It was love at first sight. I don’t know how it happened, but there was just something about him.” Lo has hearts in her eyes. It’s still insane to me how over the moon she is for him.

“More like love at first Jell-O syringe,” I quip.

“Well, I can see it. He’s a good guy, deep down. Maybe way deep down...I’ve seen that man pull some stunts, so I can’t give him too much credit.” Bri twirls her wineglass before taking a long pull, savoring it.

“Okay...I need you to tell me at least one story. He practically lives with us, I need dirt.” I say, as Lo and I both lean in conspiratorially.

“There was this one time . . .” Bri begins laughing to herself, struggling to get the story out. “He met this girl, and sorry if this is weird for you, Lo...but he met this girl, and we could all tell she was completely off her rocker from the second we met her. He went home with her and then what do you know, at three in the morning, Eric’s phone was ringing with the fire department calling us to pick him up. When we got to the station, Smith didn’t have any clothes on and he was soaking wet.” Lo’s eyes have grown ten sizes, and she’s carefully covering her mouth so as not to laugh or cry, who knows.

“Wait, why though?” I ask, I have to know.

“This girl wanted him to sleep over, and he was ready to leave, so she burned his clothes. Wadded them up, tossed them in her trash can, and lit it up. The sprinkler system in herapartment complex kicked on, and the fire department showed up. All they had to give him was a gray wool blanket.” We can’t help the cackling that ensues. I’m laughing so hard, tears stream down my face.

We continue chatting and swapping stories for a while longer. It’s mostly me giving them dirt on Will from when we were in high school. We’re all careful not to bring up the potential of an impending deployment. Bri because I’m sure she knows we are nervous and dreading it, and us because...well, she no longer has someone to worry about. Talking with her about it seems cruel, like it would be forcing her to walk back through very painful memories.

Awe-inspiring is the only way to describe Bri. She may very well be the toughest person I’ve ever met. I’ve spent the better part of a week dreading being away from Will for a month or two; she has to be away from Thatch forever. How is she so normal? How is she not crying, buried in bed?

“I have to get going soon. I have a volunteer event in the morning, and too much wine gives me a wicked headache,” Bri says.

“I get it. It’s been so wonderful to meet you. Thank you for coming and for being so nice.” I stand to hug her, bidding her farewell.

Bri places a soft hand on my arm, looking me straight in the eyes. “My Thatch and Davenport were close, like brothers. They are more emotional than the others, and yet like to act stronger, unbothered. Here’s my number.” She hands me her business card. “If you need anything while he’s away, you call me first. I know the drill and I will support you every step of the way.”

“I don’t know what to say. You’re being too kind to someone you hardly know.” Tears prick the backs of my eyes.

“I know all I need to. You’re it, according to him.” She nods toward Will, who is trying to not make it obvious that he’s totally eavesdropping on this conversation.

“Thank you, really. I mean it. I may just call you even when I don’t need anything,” I say, clutching her hands in mine.

“I would love that,” she responds, hugging me and Lo again, then walking off to say goodbye to all the others.

Lo and I exchange a look. We don’t need to say anything, but we both know that she just changed our lives somehow. She is going to be our friend, our confidant, and guide us through this military thing. For the first time in days, I don’t have such a heavy weight on my chest. Maybe because I feel less alone, or maybe because deep down, I know I have so much more than Bri, the nicest person in the world, and I’m grateful.

CHAPTER 31

CAM

“WITHOUT ME” - HALSEY

Will and I stayed at the party for a bit after Bri left, but not too late. To be honest, I couldn’t wait to escape and make the most of what was left of the night, wrapped up in him.

It was epically hot. Safe to say, Will spent a significant amount of time spelunking in every nook and cranny of my lady cave. Frankly, it’s a wonder I was even able to stand behind my chair today. Thank God it’s Saturday, and I only had to do it for a few hours.

My clientele is building rapidly, which makes me and my bank account happy. I only had to get through two color-and-haircut clients plus one men’s cut today. A few more sweeps of the floor at my station and sanitizing the brushes, then I’ll be off.

Will is meeting me for a redo lunch at Patty’s, and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t more than a little excited to experience the ambience, milkshake, and truffle fries again. My last experience was pure bliss until I thought Will was running a game on me. A redo is exactly what I need to get rid of any bad juju and reestablish the vibes I initially felt.

Making quick work of my close-out tasks, I check out at the desk, pull my tips from the drawer, and head to grab my bag. I’m not trying to sneak out per se, but I’m also not announcing my departure because Daveed will make me stay to chat. I feel bad about giving him the slip, but I know he wants details about last night, and I don’t have the time or mental energy.

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