Page 52 of Thunder

As we set up and start painting, it becomes painfully obvious that my mind isn't entirely on the task, and not only because I haven’t had nearly enough coffee to cope with this crazy hour. Every stroke feels uncertain, every color blend feels off. My 'sunrise' looks more like I’ve accidentally spilled paint on the canvas.

Sera glances over, eyebrow raised. "Babe, that’s... a unique take on a sunrise."

Flushing, I defend my smudged mess. "It's abstract?"

She grins, not fooled in the slightest. "You're a million miles away.What'sgoing on?"

I sigh, defeated. "It’s Marcus. I might've mentioned the 'L' word to him."

Sera’s eyes sparkle with mischief. "Love or loathe?"

I playfully swat at her with my brush. "Love, you dork!"

"Really? That’s a big word. Well, this calls for a celebration." In a flourish that can only be pure Sera, she produces a bottle of wine and two glasses.

I blink, astonished. "On a hike? Really? And this early in the morning?"

She pours the wine with a smirk. "Expected anything less from me? Lia, after all this time, how little you know."

We clink glasses, letting the moment wash over us: the rising sun, the surrounding beauty, and the sheer joy of being alive. Despite the wine and the early hour, everything feels clearer.

Sera’s eyes sparkle with genuine curiosity as she sips her wine. "So, this Marcus... it seems like you took this detective thing to heart. Tell me everything. And I mean everything. Every detail. Every, uh, pertinent inch."

“You’re awful.”

“I’m your best friend and I give you free access to my art studio and all the supplies you want. You owe me.”

“Just because you give me free paint and canvas?”

“Do you know the price of paint and canvas?”

“No, because you give it to me for free.”

“Well, now you get to learn: the price of paint and canvas are details about my best friend’s new boyfriend. Spill it.”

I take a deep breath, my mind flooding with memories of our time together. "I hated him at first. Can you believe that? We were like oil and water, always clashing. I mean, I literally punched him multiple times.”

“Love it. You have to show them who’s boss right from the start.”

“Sera!”

“It’s true. It’s the way it works in nature—establish dominance, or whatever those bullshit manosphere people say,” she chuckles, finishing her wine and pouring herself another glass. “I’m kidding. And jealous. Please, continue.”

"But then," I continue, "I started seeing the layers beneath the surface. Because, one minute, he’s completely ruining my day and making me question everything about my career, and the next, he’s like, making me feel like I’m a queen sitting on a throne.”Or my man’s face,I think, pausing for a moment to take a calming breath. “The bravery, the selflessness. He loves so fiercely, Sera, and he'd go to the ends of the earth for the people he cares about. He's got this unwavering conviction, a sense of right and wrong that I can't help but respect, even though it’s made me so mad sometimes."

Sera's gaze is fixed on me, taking in every word. "He sounds wonderful. So, what does this paragon of virtue do for a living?"

I feel my cheeks warm up, and I look down at my wine, twirling it a bit. "He's... well, he’s a mechanic." I pause for dramatic effect and add, "And an outlaw biker."

Sera chokes on her wine, laughter spilling out between her coughs. "Oh, Lia! My straight-laced, master's-degree-wielding, career-driven friend, falling for a rebel mechanic and biker?" She smirks, her eyes full with amusement. "I never saw that one coming."

"Hey!" I feign indignation. "There's more to him than that, you know. And he makes me happy.” My smile, my love, they make my voice so warm I can hear it. “He makes me feel safe in a way I’ve never felt before. And believe it or not, he respects me. Truly respects me."

Sera nods, her teasing demeanor replaced with a sincere smile.

"I can see that. And I'm genuinely happy for you, Lia. Everyone deserves a love that makes them feel that way."

“Thank you. It means a lot hearing that from you, Sera.”

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