Page 54 of Revive

“She did.”

“I just don't want shit to get even more fucked up for you.”

“There’s nothingshecould do to make it worse.” I bring the mug of hot coffee to my lips, embracing the scent of the hot liquid. “I feel good around her, and for the sake of just living in the moment, I'm going to see where it goes.”

“You deserve to be happy.”

“Then how come you fight me on every decision I make?”

He taps his fingers on the bench before saying whatever it is on his mind. “Honestly, I still can’t get my head around you and Sasha not being together.”

“Come on, bro. Even I’ve finally realised that ship has sailed.”

“I just thought you’d be able to get past everything we went through.”

“Me?” I run my hands through my hair in frustration. “When I lost the only family I had, grudges and heartache weren’t options anymore. It was a clean slate for me. A lesson learned. She’s the one that couldn’t make it work.”

“But why?” He’s not expecting an answer to the question, but I do it anyway.

“Because Sasha is Sasha’s worst enemy.”

Each holding a cup of coffee, we spend a few minutes lost in the past and everything we endured to bring us to this point.

“For what it’s worth, Taylah looks good on you.”

Not wanting to spend the rest of the day at loggerheads, I help him out a little. “She really does look goodonme.”

He nudges my shoulder. “Are we good?”

“Yeah, bro. We’re always good.”

16

Taylah

“Oh my god, you’re actually alive,” Emerson squeals. I roll my eyes at her theatrics, before leaning in and giving her a one-armed hug. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in forever.”

“Relax, drama, It’s been two weeks, and I’ve been busy.” Sitting down opposite one another, I place my handbag on the chair beside me, and start scanning the menu. “And, I’ve seen you at work.”

“Please don’t talk about that place,” She cries. “I’m not loving it right now and I don’t want to be reminded of it.”

“Fuck, if I don’t know that feeling too well.”

“Yeah but I feel like your regular dates with the dick has gotten you through.” She hides behind the menu, her eyes sparkle with mischief.

“Not gonna lie he makes the shitty days a lot better.”

“Him or his dick?”

An innocent shrug and an accompanying smile gives her my answer.

Pushing back our weekly breakfast, Emerson and I finally managed to carve time in our schedule and catch up. While I have been really busy, Hendrix Michaels has become my addiction, and I’m not even sorry. After a great first weekend together, attached at the hip is an understatement.

There’s no ruse, no rules, no games and no worries. We’re drowning, and neither wants to come up for air.

“You look like you’re in love,” she says, surprising me.

Shocked, I stay silent and ponder her statement.Am I?“I’m happy.”

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