Page 58 of March

Finally, on Bourbon, she made it past St. Louis Street and saw the sign for one of the two larger bars. She should have told Bryce to wait for her outside. Why hadn’t she done that? God, she was an idiot. She hadn’t even given the woman the name of the place before she got to town, knowing Bryce would need it. Sophie supposed they’d both been incredibly nervous and scared about meeting each other again, so their brains weren’t working properly.

When she arrived at the bar, she quickly pulled out her ID and handed it to the bouncer, who ran a flashlight over it and nodded. It took everything in Sophie to wait to get the damn piece of plastic back before she rushed inside. A quick glance at the bottom floor told her that the place was packed with people dancing and ordering drinks. Knowing Bryce wouldn’t be waiting for herthereanyway, Sophie found the hidden staircaseand walked up, feeling the stickiness under her feet, like all the other times she’d been here. As soon as she got upstairs, she scanned the crowd. No Bryce.

Sophie went to move through the group of people who were practically blocking the stairs. When she walked around the corner, there wastheirsofa. It was currently occupied by three women, none of whom were Bryce, though. Sophie swallowed hard then. She’d messed it up. She didn’t know what to do now. She’d thought she would find Bryce here, but she had a twenty-minute drive home, followed by a ten-minute drive in the Uber and then another ten-minute walk to the bar. She’d kept Bryce waiting too long.

“Took you long enough.”

Sophie closed her eyes at the sound because she knew that voice. She turned around, and there she was,herBryce.

CHAPTER 20

Sophie was standing there. She was in front of Bryce, a mere two feet away, and her smile was wide and infectious. Bryce just stared, taking her in. She’d waited well over a year to see this woman again, and Sophie did not disappoint. She’d had a terrible day at work, it had sounded like over the phone, but she looked absolutely perfect to Bryce. Her long dark hair was down and a little mussed, probably due to the constant humidity of this city or maybe the likely hurried walk to the bar. Bryce didn’t know. She also didn’t care. She just needed to be touching Sophie right now. No, she needed more than that. She needed to be kissing her.

“I know we agreed on a hug, but…”

Sophie’s eyes widened, and her smile disappeared as she licked her lips. That was the only permission Bryce needed. She reached out, cupped Sophie’s cheeks in her hands, and pressed their lips together. Sophie responded instantly. Her lips danced with Bryce’s as if they’d done this a million times before, and her arms were around Bryce’s neck, moving into Bryce’s short hair. Bryce’s own arms were around Sophie’s waist at the small of her back, rubbing over her shirt because she needed to feel Sophie pressed against her again. A hug wouldn’t have been enough.

“Wow,” Sophie let out when they finally pulled apart.

“Yeah,” Bryce echoed in agreement. “Sorry. I couldn’t wait.” She pressed her forehead to Sophie’s. “Good to know that still works, though.”

Sophie laughed a little and said, “Definitely still works.” Her hand moved to Bryce’s cheek then. “I am so sorry. I hate that I made you think I’d make you sit here alone.”

“You just kind of quit your job for me, so I’d say we’re even,” she replied.

“I quit forme,” Sophie said. “But you did provide the proper motivation to finally do it. I can’t believe you’re here.” She stroked Bryce’s cheek. “God, you’re here.”

“And we’re in our bar,” Bryce added. “It looks like our sofa is free now.” She looked over Sophie’s shoulder and saw all three women stand up at the same time. “Want to sit? I’ll get us drinks.”

“Will you make sure to come back?” Sophie asked. “If not, I’m going with you.”

Bryce kissed her quickly and replied, “I will definitely be back. And you have my number now, too, remember?”

“Yeah,” Sophie said. “Sorry; still a little worried about losing you again.”

“I’ll be right back. What do you want to drink?”

“Something light. I haven’t eaten since lunch,” Sophie shared.

Bryce nodded and said, “Let’s get you some food, then. We can come back here later or another day.”

“No, this is our bar.” Sophie tugged.

Bryce looked down and noticed that Sophie’s fingers were in her belt loops.

“It’ll always be our bar, Soph,” she said. “But I wouldn’t mind getting you some food and sharing a glass of wine or something over a late dinner. It would be easier to talk, too.”

Instead of a response, Sophie just wrapped her arms around Bryce’s neck again and pulled her in for a hug that Bryce never wanted to end. She held on to Sophie like her life depended on it and breathed in the faded scent of grapefruit. That only made her close her eyes and tighten her grip around Sophie’s waist.

“I’ve missed you so much,” she said against Sophie’s neck.

“I’ve missed you too,” Sophie replied.

“Why does this feel so damn good?” she whispered into Sophie’s ear.

“I don’t know, but I don’t want to let you go.”

“I don’t want that, either, but I can actually feel your stomach growling,” Bryce said with a laugh. “Come on. Let’s get you something to eat, and you can tell me about your day.”

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