I turn the rock in my hand, liking how that sounds and feels much more than I ever thought I would. Staying here with her also meant I’d have her family in my life, too. Nash and her sisters, Theo and Tommy, even Lu and Birdie. The Crownefamily is as intimidating as families come, but I like being around them. I’ve gone so long without having any family, and then even when my dad was alive, it was only the two of us.
I push a long, rectangular bracelet box from the top drawer, across the top of the desk toward her. A sense of pride rushes through me as she lifts the top and takes a moment to look at the newly shaped leather. I reach forward and take it out. “This will fit your wrist better now.”
“I wasn’t sure you were actually going to give it back to me,” she says as she holds out her hand. The fingers on her other hand brush along its edge, the same way I had noticed her doing before, as I fit it around her wrist.
I made the leather thinner and sized it so it would fit tighter. The piece still takes up space along her wrist, a reminder that it was once mine, but small changes make it more like hers now.
Smiling, she watches as I fasten it.
I run my fingers along the textured leather edges, the place I noticed she touches often, and I kiss her palm.
“I don’t think you realize what it did to me to see you still wearing it,” I tell her as she runs a finger over the gold stitching details.
Her eyes flit to mine as she smirks at my words.
“What do you think? This space and me here, permanently?”
I look around and can picture it. The windows cleared, and a rotation of artists’ pieces on display in addition to my own. The upstairs loft would be ideal to work in, and if I need more space, the building is big. I’m ready to purchase the entire thing.
“I want to see you make all sorts of beautiful things here”—she looks around at the open and empty space—“in this space.” With an exhale, she runs her fingers along the bracelet’s edge, admiring it like she’s missed the feeling. “I think a new beginning sounds scary,” she says, looking up and around. “I’vedone it a few times.” She leans forward, tucking her hands beneath her thighs.
I pull my chair closer, wrapping my arms around her ass and resting my head on her legs.
Her fingers glide into my hair and it forces my eyes closed. Every time she does it, I stop holding my breath without realizing I had.
“So, considering I’m what you would call a professional at it, my advice?” she asks playfully. “Find someone, preferably a badass scientist who has a penchant for cake and your cock,” she laughs out. “Fuck around, maybe even fall in love—” Her fingers pause along my hairline, as if she wasn’t prepared to say that. Butfuckam I ready to hear it.
“Personal recommendation? From experience, is to fuck around and fall in love?” I ask, lifting my head and sitting up so that we’re eye level.
“In my experience,” she says softly and with a nod, “it makes starting over so much more fun.” Her eyes stay locked with mine when she whispers, “I like this bubble we’re in right now.”
“So do I, baby,” I say, standing. I tilt her chin up so I can bring my lips to hers and kiss her. Her hands cup my face as my arms wrap around her, pulling her closer. When her phone chimes, she pulls her lips back, resting her forehead against mine.
“Reality reminders,” she exhales. “I have so many papers that I need to review before my end-of-the-week classes. I never loved this part of teaching, but the idea of getting back into my lab and standing up in front of students used to be such a high for me. And I’ve been waiting to get that feeling again—to want to do this job I worked so hard for...” she says as the rest of her words drift off.
I don’t want to read between the lines. She’s a smart woman, probably the smartest person I’ve ever met, but I’m starting tolearn what she looks like when she’s happy. Returning to the university doesn’t seem to make her all that happy.
I look across the table at the solder and buffering tools. It’s nowhere near all of the equipment I use, but it’s some of the basics, and as much as I haven’t felt inspired, I still love doing it.
“Want to ditch responsibilities for a little while? Go somewhere with me for a night or two?”
There’s somewhere I know she might feel inspired. And I have a friend who I plan to collect a favor from.
She takes a moment to think. Maybe she won’t want to, maybe she’d rather stay close to home and gain her footing after the last day. But when she looks up at me again, her green eyes crinkle at the sides as she smiles wide.
“When do we leave?”
The beautyof having friends in plenty of places with endless means is that getting what you need when you need it is as simple as asking. Atticus Foxx is the head of Foxx Bourbon in Fiasco, Kentucky. Anyone who knows anything about the bourbon business knows Ace, if not personally, then from his reputation for impeccable taste and the ability to build a brand and somewhat of an empire.
JULIAN
I’m heading up your way tonight. Any chance you’re free to show someone around the distillery and have a drink?
ACE
I stopped giving tours decades ago.
JULIAN
