"Let's eat.We can talk over our meal."
I breathe deep and try my best to act as if I'm not scared shitless.
* * *
Aurei
* * *
We sitIndian-style with the plate of food between us.As soon as I begin talking, she eats, but the longer I share with her what I have been working on, the less she eats and the more she stares at the food.Finally, she's heard enough, holding her hand up to stop me."Are you fucking serious?"Her incredulous tone is evident.
"I'm dead serious," I answer.
"Have you lost your fucking mind?"She asks.
"No, I haven't."I shake my head and laugh.
She looks away into the darkness, "Bart and Cat agree?"She looks back at me, but before I can assure her they do, she answers the question herself.
She throws her arms out."I can't image whose left?"She drops them dramatically, and they smack her thighs."Even James knew before me.No wonder he's walking around like he's on crack!"
I smile."Well, it's something to be excited about for sure."
"So what you're telling me is."She holds out her fingers and counts off the points I've made."You had an epiphany, formed this crazy ass idea, raised the venture capital to fund it, then called Bart to run it by him.He took it, ran with it, and convinced everyone else to do it."
I smirk, "He said it wasn't hard.They jumped all over the idea."
"And now I have to decide if I want to or not?"
"Affirmative."
She draws her legs up under her and studies her feet."I can't believe you sprang this on me without warning."
I take a breath to offer my explanation, but she stops me.
"Let me think about it."
"What's there to think about, Siri?"I reach for her hand, but she doesn't give it to me.Instead, she stares at me.
"I don't know if I want to do it.I love dancing."
"Of course, but you can't dance forever.This, you can do until you decide you don't want to.You won't be limited by time."I move the plate out of the way, open my legs, and beckon her to come to me."Come here, Wild Thang.Please tell me what you are thinking.I thought you would be excited.Blown away by the opportunity."
She frowns."I don't know if I'm hurt or happy, Aurei."
"Well, either way, you look like you need a Sugar Bare hug."I coax her."Come here, baby girl.It's your decision, and I will support you either way."
She scoots into my embrace but draws her knees up to her chin and hugs them, so I wrap my arms around her and hold her, kissing her hair.
She inhales deeply, then says, "I feel so safe here in your arms."
I nuzzle her neck and cover her shoulder with soft, reassuring kisses."Talk to me, Siri.Don't shut me out."
She sighs, "Fuck you, Aurei.You and your damn secrets!How could you keep this from me?"
I shrug, "I wanted to surprise you."
"Well, you sure as hell have done that!I'm gobsmacked!"She states emphatically.
