Forbidden Love

“I honestly don’t know. But what can he do? We both want this. We’re both consenting adults. I couldn’t imagine my life without Lourde now that she’s in it.”

“Aww, I’m so happy for you, brother. You deserve all the happiness in the world and then some.”

“Thanks, Eve. Tell me, how’s the new physiotherapy?”

“It’s hard to tell, but I think I’m improving.”

“Good.” I sighed. “Why don’t you just come out to Manhattan?”

“Oh, you know me. I’m a creature of habit, and Boston’s my home. But you never know, I might someday soon.”

“I’d love that, Eve. I miss you. It’s been too long.”

“Miss you too, brother. So what’s the update with 21 Park?”

“It’s arson. But even though I’m no longer the owner, the detectives think it was a targeted attack on me.”

“What? Who would do such a thing?”

“When there is money involved, I don’t trust anyone.”

“Barrett, I don’t like the sound of this.”

“It’s fine. They won’t hurt me. They are just interested in hurting my company, my brand, and my name.”

“You’re all I have left,” she said, her voice thick and croaky.

“I’m not going anywhere, sis. Stop being dramatic.”

“Okay, okay.” She cleared her throat. “Please, just be careful.”

“I’m fine. Those fuckers ought to look over their shoulder. Anyway, enough of that. I’d love to see you. Get your ass here, all right?”

Out of the corner of my eyes, Lourde appeared. “Morning, handsome,” she said before noticing I was on the phone and mouthed the word sorry.

“Is that her?” Evelyn asked.

“Sure is,” I said, admiring Lourde in her camisole and wild brown hair.

“Put her on.”

“What?”

“You heard me, Barrett.”

I settled for putting it on speaker.

“Lourde, meet Evelyn, my sister. She wanted to talk to you,” I said, rolling my eyes.

“Oh, shush, Barrett. Hi, Lourde. Nice to meet you over the phone. I’m so happy you and Barrett are together.”

I put my hand to my forehead. How embarrassing.

“Hey, Evelyn, nice to meet you too, and I’m so happy we’re together too.” She sent me a smile that hit me between the feels.

“Barrett said you live in Boston. Are you thinking of coming to New York soon?”

“I’m leaning toward a trip, yes.”

“I could take you out if Barrett is busy, show you all the best places in Manhattan and have a girly day.”

“Ooh, I’d love that.” Evelyn’s excitement was palpable, and it warmed me, hearing the two most important people in my life talking for the very first time.

I took Lourde’s hand and pulled her onto my lap. She let out a squeal as she leaped forward, losing her balance. I caught her in my grasp and trailed kisses up her neck.

The piercing siren of the smoke alarm filled the room.

“Oh fuck, the oats!”

“Are you cooking?” I heard Evelyn ask, but I’d already shuffled Lourde to the side and ran into the kitchen.

“Got to go, Evelyn,” I yelled over the noise. The golden oats were now crispy black and charcoal. Dammit. I fanned away the smoke billowing from the pan and opened the nearby window. After a minute, the deafening sound of the alarm was silenced.

Lourde appeared by my side. “Were you toasting oats?”

“I’ve seen them on your yogurt breakfast. I thought you might like them.” She grazed her bottom lip with her top teeth. “You did this for me?”

Facing her, I raked a hand through my hair. “Well, it didn’t work.”

She pressed her body into me, wrapping her hands around my neck as she stepped up on her tippy toes. I wrapped my hands around her waist and pulled her closer to my chest.

“What are you smiling at, dollface?”

“I just love how you tried to make me breakfast,” she said, staring down at the two bowls of Greek yogurt, chopped strawberries, and blueberries. “No man has ever made me breakfast before.”

“It’s burned.”