Page 1 of Her Pisces Allure
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Get low, get low
To the window, to the wall
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Of all theways I want to spend my Saturday night, this ain’t it. I could be curled up on my couch watching mindless TV. How the hell did I let myself?—
“Come on, Sunshine. You sitting here like you have a ton of lemons in your mouth. It’s my mothafucking birthday.”
Rome’s face is lit up like a Christmas tree, standing in front of me while bobbing his head to the heavy bass thumping around the room. He’s been calling me Sunshine since I was a little girl. Despite me being thirty-one and over the nickname, he continues to use it whenever we talk.
“I’m resting my feet!” I attempt to lie before Rome’s lips twist, and twinkles of merriment shine in his light brown eyes.
“The lie detector test determines that is a straight-up lie. Come party with big bro. Between work and you being a homebody, we don’t hang out like I want.”
Roman, or Rome as I affectionately call him, is six years my senior and has been my rock during the highs and lows of my life. For that reason, I’m here pretending to care about partying when I’d rather be anywhere else. Placing the red Solo cup I’ve been nursing for the last twenty minutes on the table, I stand, causing all thirty-two of Rome’s teeth to show.
“Fine.” Plastering on a smile, I let Rome pull me onto the floor and do my best to get into the party vibe.
As I look around the dance floor and begin moving to the beat, my mind wanders to where Roman’s best friend is. It’s been a few years since I’ve last seen him, and I’m surprised he has?—
“Three, sis, nine, damn you fine.” A deep, smooth, silk-like masculine voice raps, causing me to nearly lose my balance when heat hits my back.
“What’s up, bro? I was wondering when you would get here. Back up off Sunshine though,” Rome says, causing me to look over my shoulder to see the man of the hour behind me.
Okay, the man of the hour is wild with this being my brother’s birthday party, but this man has had me in a chokehold for years. Quintyn Layton is Roman’s childhood best friend and the man who’s been occupying my heart since I was old enough to fully understand crushes. A warm glow flows through mybody, causing me to feel like I’m being wrapped in a silky cocoon of euphoria.
“Man, you’ve gotta lighten up. Fayth isn’t a little girl anymore, and before long, somebody is gonna come around to show her that you’re not the only one capable of protecting her,” Quintyn tells Rome, which causes his face to contort and a frown to replace his smile.
“Nah. I’m the only man Sunshine needs for protection. You’re tripping, bro. When did you get in town though?” Rome says.
Meanwhile, my mind reels from Quintyn’s statement because it sounds like he knows something Rome and I don’t. My body temperature rises to epic proportions when Quintyn’s domineering presence doesn’t shift. I love my brother, but now I wish he would relinquish his golden rule about me not dating his friends. From Quintyn’s heavy presence at my back, the idea of being his returns with a heavy vengeance. My pearl begins percolating instantly, moistening my panties, making it necessary for me to get away from Quintyn.
“I-I’m gonna go back to my seat since you two need to catch up.” My pulse is racing, and my feet quickly retreat from the two men I love for different reasons.
Quintyn’s return home instantly awakens my dormant feelings for him, and I’m not sure what it’ll mean. Once I sit at my table, my eyes lock on Quintyn and Rome staring in my direction. In Rome’s eyes is protection over a little sister, but in Quintyn’s eyes is the look of a man admiring something he shouldn’t be. Heat surges through my body the longer my gaze collides with Quintyn because maybe, just maybe, my fantasy will become a reality after all.
“Oh my God! Sassy! I-I thought I got her here in time, Dr. Miles. Wh-what happened?” Ms. Gentry cries before hugging me tight, causing water to drip from her eyes onto my lab coat.
My chest pinches, and my lips tremble as I fight to control myself. As a veterinarian, losing patients is not uncommon, but it never gets easier. Sassy was an old and cantankerous feline whose nine lives ended tonight. I did everything possible to help the kitty, but she was tired. Not wanting to see her suffer any longer, I had to put her to sleep after getting approval from Ms. Gentry.
“I’m so sorry. Sassy was a good girl. She was just tired, and I know she would have stayed longer for you if she could, Ms. Gentry.” My voice is shaky as my hands run up and down Ms. Gentry’s back.
“I know, but Sassy kept me company when I watched my shows at night. Who’s gonna keep me company now? My kids and grandchildren think I’m hateful. My friends are dead, and I’m alone 90 percent of the time. I’m gonna die alone in that house, and no one will know.” Ms. Gentry continues with her voice slightly muffled from her head being in my chest.
“Aww. I’m so sorry. I wish there was something I could do to ease the pain for you.” A lone tear slips from the corner of my right eye, and my hands are too occupied with consoling Ms. Gentry to catch it.
I love animals and went to school to become a vet so I could ensure they receive outstanding medical care. I love what I do, but this part of my job is my least favorite. It’s not often that Ihave to put one of my patients to sleep, but every time, it shifts me into a realm of pain I struggle to contain in the presence of the owners.
“Uh—Dr. Miles, I have everything taken care of. Do you need me to stay until you’re ready?” one of the staff members, Lashun, asks, causing my wet gaze to connect with her.
“No. No. Go on home. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Are you sure?” Lashun’s eyebrows hike, and her eyes squint.
Nodding, I give her a thumbs up as Ms. Gentry’s cries penetrate my ear canal, causing me to silently release tears at knowing she’s hurting. Being the owner of Pawsitive Miles Veterinary Clinic, I often allow my employees to leave before I do because I enjoy being alone and having moments of peace to do things such as what I was doing before my brief intermission. Tonight, I’ll need time to regroup before completing the surgical notes for Sassy. Ms. Gentry has elected to have the feline cremated and receive her ashes, so I also need to make sure everything is in order for that to happen.
