Page 29 of Where There's Smoke…
“You know I love pampering you,” she smirks, wrapping her arms around my waist. “Now, come on, and let me spend the day spoiling you.”
I nod, giggling as I let her lead me out of the room. After grabbing my purse and locking up, we headed down the stairs. It doesn’t take us long to make it to the main road that leads to the main highway out of town, and soon we are cruising toward New South as the soft sounds of her jazz playlist fill the car. Every so often, we’d talk about something, but for the most part, we were just enjoying being close to one another. I loved how easy it was to be at peace around her. It was comforting.
After an hour of driving, we’re greeted by the hustle and bustle of the city of New South. I couldn’t help the excitement that bubbled up inside of me. Even though I loved Tucker and all its small-town quirks, I was a city girl through and through. I’d spent damn near all of my life in the city, and it held so many fond memories. I pointed out certain places that were still there from when I was in high school.
My friends and I would frequent the downtown area every weekend and practically lived in the bowling alley where a few of them worked. It had been closed for a few years now, but the building still stood, and as we passed it, I swear, I could still smell the floor polish and pepperoni pizza. I could still hear the sound of pins falling over and the beeps of the games in the arcade that never seemed to work right. I was giddy just thinking about all of the fun times we had, and Phoenix chuckled beside me.
“You’re really excited,” she teases. She glances over at me with a smile before turning her attention back to the road. I excitedly admit that I was. “So, where to start? This day is all about you, Sweets.”
“Is it my birthday or something?” I joke, and she chuckles. “Uh, okay, well I’m hungry, so how about we go to one of my favorite restaurants?”
“Sounds like a plan,” she nods.
I squeal before rattling off the directions toMama Mildred’s Soul Food Kitchen. It was a Black-owned restaurant that had been around for years. It was my brother’s and my go-to spot for home-cooked meals whenever our grandma couldn’t make them. I last visited about three years ago, so I was excited to visitagain.
When we pulled up to the parking lot, it was partially filled, but we managed to snag a spot near the entrance. As we entered the restaurant, a familiar smell greeted me…and a familiar sound. My head snapped toward the voice calling my name, and I gasped. Standing a few feet away from me was someone I hadn’t seen since college.
“Autumn?” I ask, not believing my eyes. We both squeal, and I pull her in for a hug. “I haven’t seen you in YEARS! How have you been? Oh my god, you look good!”
“You too!” she exclaims with a bright smile. “I’ve been good. Just adulting at its finest. You?”
“Same,” I nod. “I’ve had some ups and downs, but I’m still here, so I’m counting that as a win.”
“As you should!” she nods. “I relate so much with that, too. It’s like life…”
Her voice trails off as she looks past me at Phoenix, noticing us holding hands. Her eyes grow wide before a smile stretches across her face. She bumps her shoulder against mine and makes her eyebrows jump. All I could do was cover my face with my hands as I hid my flustered expression.
“She’s cute,” she whispers, and I look up at her, playfully rolling my eyes. “Not you blushing!”
“Autumn, please,” I groan before looking at Phee. She winks at me, and I feel my heart jump once I remember I hadn’t introduced them yet. “Oh my god, where are my manners?” I pull Phee forward a bit. “Phoenix, this is my good friend, Autumn Noble. She and I were roommates during our first two years of college. And Autumn, this is my girlfriend, Phoenix Preston.”
“Nice to meet you,” Phoenix smiles as she extends her hands. Autumn shakes it. “And I’m her future wife, not just her girlfriend.”
I gasp at the same time Autumn gasps, my head snapping towards her. She smirks at me, and I swear, I almost faint right then and there. Autumn looks between us, and I can feel the excitement radiating off of her. She was probably thinking about the many nights she and I spent talking about our future partners. She was the first person I ever came out to, and I always felt comforted by the fact that she accepted me. I also enjoyed the fact that she was queer just like me. I wish we could’ve stayed connected after I moved away, but life got in the way for both of us. Seeing her here again had to be the universe telling us to rekindle our friendship, right?
“Wait, y’all are engaged?” Autumn asks, taking my hands in hers. When she doesn’t see a ring, she looks between us, confused. “Or am I reading this wrong?”
“Not yet,” Phee chuckles lightly as she steps behind me and wraps my arms around my waist. “Give us a couple more months. I’ll make sure she sends you an invitation to the wedding, though.”
“Please do!” she nods excitedly as she pulls out her phone, handing it to me so I can put my number in. I do without hesitation, and she offers me a soft smile before regret flashes across her face. “Damn, I wish we would’ve run into each other a few months ago. I would’ve loved for you to come to my wedding back in May.”
“Wait, you’re married?” I ask, shocked but excited for her. She nods as a smile stretches across her face.
Before she can say anything, one of the most attractive women I’d ever laid eyes on walks up with a little girl about eight years old. Autumn introduced them as her wife, Winter, and their daughter, Sydney. I was at a loss for words as I took in the beautiful family before me. She looked so happy. They seemed so happy, and my stomach flipped. I pictured Phoenix and me in that same spot, being happy and in love. Married and maybe on the way to starting our own family…minus the children, but maybe we could adopt another fur baby so Nori could have a sibling.
We stood there and chatted a bit longer before Autumn said that they had to be on their way. Before she left, we planned to meet soon to catch up, and I told her that she should visit our small town. She agreed, and then we went our separate ways. Phee and I enjoyed a delicious meal while discussing my time in the city. She wanted to know everything, and I was happy to tell her.
11
Where There’s Heat...
Phoenix“Phee”Preston-August 7th, 2025
When are you coming back home?
Nori misses you so much ??
I miss you too...
