Page 9 of Where There's Smoke…
“No, you’re good,” I assure her, not wanting her to feel too bad. “It’s just that…I, uh, I didn’t really have parents growing up besides my grandma and…”
I stop talking, but she encourages me to keep going. I wasn’t sure why I felt so comfortable opening up to her like this, but I did. So, I told her all about what happened with my parents and how they were taken from me not long after my fourth birthday. I realized the more I told her, the more anxious she seemed. It made me anxious in turn because I thought maybe I was making her uncomfortable. I told her this, and she shook her head, telling me that that wasn’t the case.
“It’s just that your story is oddly similar to mine,” she states.
“What do you mean?”
Shetakes a deep breath before explaining how her parents and grandma were taken from her. The more details she revealed, the more I started putting it all together. I could tell the exact moment when she realized what I’d realized…we’d both lost our parents thanks to the same drunk driver. This was further confirmed when I asked what day they’d passed and the town's name.
I knew that the wreck my parents were involved in had six other casualties, but we’d moved away not long after that. Never in a million years did I think that I’d meet another person who lost family the same way I lost mine. I blinked back tears as I stared up at the ceiling. I let out a shaky chuckle as I shook my head. The universe had a funny way of doing shit.
“You okay, Sweets?” Phoenix asks, and I nod before looking back at her. “I know it’s a lot to take in…”
“I guess nothing so far has been a coincidence,” I state. “I don’t know if you believe in fate or not, but doesn’t this seem like one of those moments in the books and movies when the characters realize that no matter what happened, they were gonna end up wherever the universe wanted them?”
“So, you’re saying that the universe wanted you to end up near me?” she flirts.
“Maybe,” I shrug playfully. “I mean…I’m willing to see if that’s true or if it’s just a coincidence if you are.”
“Sweets, I’m down for whatever,” she assures me. “Now, how about we order some food?”
“Yes, please, because now I’m starving.”
Dinner was a success, and I loved getting to know Phoenix. She was so sweet and also funny as hell. We spent damn near three hours in that same spot talking about everything from our hobbies to our goals to what we wanted to do in the future. I learned that her grandpa was a firefighter, and she grew up wanting to be just like him, which I thought was really freaking cute.
I also learned that she loved to work out when she had time. I could tell from the muscles she sported that it was serious for her. She said working out helped her clear her mind and conditioned her to be a better firefighter. I almost passed out when she told me she could easily lift 350 pounds. I was a bit over 300 pounds, so the thought of her being able to pick me up with ease and toss me around was something I desperately wanted to experience.
After dinner, she brought me back to the bakery, and I invited her up for another round of drinks. I didn’t want the night to end yet, even though it was nearing eleven. I knew I had to work in the morning, but I couldn’t say goodbye. I loved spending time with her, and she seemed to feel the same about me.
“Welcome to my little slice of paradise,” I say as I close and lock the door behind us.
“It’s exactly what I was expecting,” she chuckles as she takes in the decor.
“I don’t know whether to take that as a compliment or not,” I chuckle nervously.
“It’s definitely a compliment,” she assures me. “I love your style, and I love that you can see it through everything in this room.”
I looked around, smiling to myself because I was proud of how everything turned out. Most of the furniture, appliances, and electronics were black, but colorful accessories, rugs, pillows, and curtains added pastel pops of color throughout the small living room that doubled as my home office, thanks to the computer set up I had in the right corner. She nodded as she admired my basket of crocheted zodiac-themed plushies. She picked up a small ram and held it up.
“Did you make this?” I nod. “It’s cute. I love rams.”
“Are you an Aries?”
“How’d you know?” she laughs.
“I had a hunch earlier,” I giggle. “I’m a Libra.”
“Niceee,” she nods as she sits, still holding the plush ram. I take a seat beside her. “I have no idea what any of that astrology stuff means, but I like what the ram symbolizes. It’s strong and bold, two things I pride myself on being.”
“You can have that if you’d like,” I tell her. She looks up at me with a smile, and I return it. “Crocheting and knitting are also hobbies of mine, as you can see. I even make my own sweaters.”
“Damn, mamas, you talented as hell,” she says as she looks at me with nothing but admiration in her eyes. She softly tugs at my sweater. “You can bake your ass off and you know how to make cute shit like this?Andyou’re fine as hell? You the whole package, Sweets.”
I giggled at her words as I turned my head. I’d never been complimented as much as she complimented me, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t enjoy it. Then the nickname she gave me?Sweets.I loved it so much. If any other person tried to call me that, I’d cuss them out, but she had been granted this privilege that no other person would ever get to enjoy.
At least that’s what my heart was telling me.
“You like it when I compliment you, beautiful?” she asks as if reading my mind. I nod but don’t turn to look at her. “Look at me, Sweets.” I do, and she smirks, leaning closer to me until there’s barely any space between us. My heart was beating dangerously fast. “I don’t think I’ve told you this yet, but I love the way you react to me.”
