2X The Heat (2X The Pleasure 1)

She got plates and cups out, I helped myself to three slices and a full cup of iced sprite.

“Weekend after next. The rehearsal dinner is this weekend. They said I could bring someone, so you want to come?” She shot me a look as she sat with me on the couch.

“Sure, but you have to tell me what’s going on.”

I sighed, I guessed I should start from the beginning, so I did.

“How could I have missed all of this in a week?” She exclaimed

I just shrugged. I never told her about seeing him again because I thought it would make it too real. But she had been busy this week anyway, so I hadn’t actually seen her.

“But when I saw him today we had sex again, despite what I said. I could not resist him…but he left angry. With good reason. He doesn’t want to get played again. I don’t know what to do.”

“Well it’s obvious you like him. So, you should consider his feelings, you don’t know what you want so don’t go to him again until you do.” She really was the voice of reason.

“I know. But I know I want to be professional though, but I want him too. And I don’t want to choose.” She nodded, understanding as she thought more.

“But this wedding won’t last forever? What about after?”

That would be ideal. But I still had to stay focused. On getting a new shop, getting my funding for it. Growing my client base. I still had Sasha. But she could not float me forever. And I had my walk-ins. But I could have even more if I was in a better part of town. There was too much to do that could not involve the natural distraction a relationship would bring.

“No but I still have to stay focused.”

“But you like him. He won’t stick around forever.”

I nodded in agreement. He wouldn’t.

“So, you need to figure out how much you really like him. Maybe you’re even…”

“No, don’t say it. Please.”

She held her hands out in defense, dropping the subject.

“Well I’m here for you.”

I nodded, thanking her. I really needed that. Even when she brought it up I could not entertain it. It would be too real and way too hard.

So, we just ate pizza like pigs and watched trash television. It was perfect. My hands itched to talk to Tristan. To at least apologize. I hadn’t realized how much I was hurting him and confusing myself. But it would just open the floodgates. He even said to only call him when it’s about the wedding. It hurt, but it’s what I wanted.

Isn’t it?

Chapter Twenty Four: Emilia

A week felt like an eternity. I kept busy packing new orders, and talking with Gabriella a lot. But I heard nothing from Tristan.

I supposed I should be relieved, it was what I wanted. He did not speak to me at all, and I had gotten used to his morning texts and daily antics. I had gotten used to him.

I thought not being involved with anyone would make my work better, but it seemed my arrangements were only getting worse. It was like I met him that first night, and my work got better. Then I decided I could not be with him, and my arrangements lost their luster. I heard some customers talking about it in hushed whispers around the flower shop.

And Gabriella sent back four of my wedding ideas. We were going back and forth for the past three days over email. She finally told me she would just discuss it with me tonight when I drop off the flowers for the bridal shower. She was having it at her mother’ house.

Anything relating to the wedding made me think of Tristan, but I was somehow relieved I wouldn’t see him tonight since it was the bridal shower. I was even curious to see what kind of friends she had, and wondered if she was as picky with them as she was with me.

I thought I would be the same way with my wedding anyway, it was her special day after all. So, everything should be perfect. And I was happy to oblige to help her with that.

I walked to the bus station to go down to the rental place where I rented a truck out to transport all the flowers. Gabriella confirmed she paid the retailer, so I picked up everything I needed and headed her way.

The truck was full when I arrived at her mother’s estate. And I do mean estate. It was huge. The front of the house looked like a castle with its pillars and semi-circle outputs. It was an old cream color, lined with darker trim. The van looked out of place even at the service entrance—they had a service entrance.