I nodded at Jordan.
We spent the next few hours telling stories about Pops and enjoying each other’s company.
Everyone lived their lives, so it was nice to spend time with each other and not worry about anything else.
It would take some time, but I was sure we all would get through our grief, as long as we were together.
There wasn’ta single day that passed that I hadn’t thought about my dad. I missed him so much, but I was coping. Two months had gone by, and it had gotten a little easier. I knew he wouldn’t have wanted me to give up on my life just because he was gone. Coye had been so helpful in helping me work through it. My brother and I had gotten closer too. He called or at least texted me every other day to check on me. We’d been leaning on each other because we were the only two who could understand how the other one felt. Coye felt it too, because my father was such an integral part of his life, but it still wasn’t quite the same.
Never would I have thought Coye and I would be a thing, but we had been going strong for a minute. I loved how he cared about my feelings. If I needed time to cry, he would hold me if Ineeded him to, or he would leave me alone when I wanted him to. My days weren’t as sad as they would have been if he weren’t around.
On my days off, I would go to his store and help or just sit there with him while he taught me about different stones. He would do the same when he had the time. I loved when we baked together, because it gave us a chance to talk and continue learning about each other. He’d even gotten me to like those protein shakes he liked to drink every day. Some mornings, he would be outside of my store, waiting for me with a protein shake in his hand and a smile on his face.
We’d been spending so much time together, and surprisingly, neither of us got tired of the other. It was actually fun. He had a trip to Tanzania planned to get some new gemstones, and I took some time off work to go with him. I wanted to live more in the moment instead of drowning my sorrows in my work.
“Here you go, baby.” Coye passed me a protein shake as I sat on the edge of his bed.
“Thank you.” I held the cup in front of me and frowned. “Why is it so green?”
Coye chuckled and sat down next to me. I could tell he must have taken a shower while I was sleeping, because he smelled like fresh soap.
“It has a banana, spinach, lime, and apple juice, and protein powder. It’s fulfilling, but it may make you shit.”
I almost spit out the sip I took from the straw. “Why would you give me this when we are supposed to be leaving?”
“Because it’s good for you. You probably won’t have to go, though.”
The smoothie was good, but I hesitated to take another sip.
“We shouldn’t even be having this conversation right now, or ever, for that matter.”
Coye laughed and kissed my cheek. “Shitting is normal, and I will still love you, shitty and all.”
I put the cup on the table near the bed.
“You know what, I’m not drinking this.” I got up from the bed and headed toward the bathroom, when Coye grabbed my wrist and pulled me in front of him.
He ran his hands up my bare thighs. I didn’t have anything on except one of his shirts.
“Don’t waste my hard work, River. I was just fucking with you. You’ll be fine.”
I looked down at him and squinted. I didn’t believe him.
“Don’t play with me. You know how much I hate pooping in public.”
“It’s funny that you say pooping like you’re six.” He chuckled. “For real, you’ll be fine. If you have to poop, we can leave.”
I shook my head. “I can’t believe we are really talking about this.”
“It’s because you feel comfortable with me. Finish your smoothie, then get dressed.” He kissed my stomach and released me.
I picked the cup up and sat back down. The smoothie wasn’t that big, so it didn’t take me long to finish it.
“I do feel comfortable with you, but let’s not talk about poop again.”
Coye agreed and took the cup from me when I was done. While he went downstairs to do whatever he had to do, I got in the shower to get ready for the day.
He told me we were going to a jewelry trade show or something. I never heard of one, so I looked forward to going. I always found it interesting when Coye talked about different stones and gems. I never knew so many of them existed.
