Cowboy's Chocolate Roses (8 page)

The next morning Bri sat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen, thinking back to the night before. She had been proud of herself and Josh for standing their ground with her father, and more than happy to have her mother’s support. She knew her father would take a bit longer, but he would be fine. Once again she found herself thinking,
poor man should have had sons
.

"What are you smiling about?" Josh murmured, stepping up behind the stool she sat on and wrapping his arms around her expanding waist.

"Hmm, just enjoying the breakfast you made me," she replied, snuggling back into the embrace.

"Mmm, glad you like it." Josh trailed his lips over the junction where her neck and shoulder met, nibbling lightly.

Bri shivered. She loved how close they had grown, and how Josh seemed to know just what buttons to push.

"You keep that up, cowboy, and you won't be going anywhere," she whispered, shifting herself back against his very prominent erection.

"Damn," Josh grunted.

"Damn is right, cowboy," her voice laced with need.

Moving her hand behind her, she slipped it between them, rubbing his bulge. Josh thrust his hips forward, moaning when she clamped her hand tighter on his prick.

"God, I can't get enough of you, woman," he groaned.

His voice went husky and he began to pant. Sliding his left hand up, he cupped her breast, zeroing in on her pebbled nipple. He strummed it like a guitar through the thin cotton, while his right hand traveled down the front of her sundress. Bri didn't hesitate to part her thighs, allowing him to push past her panties and press against her sensitive nub. She was so wet. Just the very idea that someone could walk in and find them both thrilled and terrified her. She had never been so bold and daring, but she liked it. Arching her back, pleasure coiled through her body. Bri let out a choked cry when he suddenly slipped first one finger, then another into her damp heat. Her head fell back onto his shoulder and she moaned, riding his fingers, her breath coming in soft, quick bursts.

"That's it, honey. Take it. Enjoy it," he rasped, continuing to thrust forward into his hand.

She was close, so damn close. Flames licked up her skin, and she wrapped her arms back around his neck, needing something to hold on to. Suddenly heat engulfed her, lighting up her entire body. Crying out his name, Bri felt her walls clamp down on the digits inside of her. Behind her, Josh reached his end, shuddering and groaning. Bri moaned at the loss when he dragged his fingers out.

"Christ, what you do to me."

"I could say the same," she whispered, exhausted now.

He turned her to face him, the stool scraping along the hardwood floors. Josh cupped her cheek, and Bri reveled in the affection she saw in his eyes.

"Why don't you go back to bed for a while? I'm sure little Justin or Justine would enjoy it, too."

"I told you, I'm not naming my child Justin. I prefer Jacob or Jayden," she laughed.

They had discussed baby names, and Josh told her about his family's tradition giving the first child a name starting with 'J'. Bri thought it a lovely idea. She only had the name Brianna because her parents had been expecting a boy, and her father wanted a Brian Jr. They had no handed down customs. Still, she and Josh couldn't agree on one name.

"And I told you I wasn't naming my son Jacob," he grumbled. "It's too damn Twilightish."

"First of all… Twilightish?" she asked, raising her eyebrow. "And second, please tell me how you know that?" She smirked.

"Kinda hard not to, that damn kid is everywhere," he grunted, his brow furrowed.

Bri laughed. "You know you're adorable when you pout."

Admitting that earned her a swat to her butt, and a gentle nudge to the bedroom.

She pushed out her bottom lip. "All right. As long as you promise to join me for lunch today."

"It's a date, honey." He smiled, giving her a quick peck then leaving.

Snuggling under the blanket, she looked up in surprise when the door opened again and Josh stepped back in, blushing slightly. At her frown, his flush deepened and he walked over to the dresser, grabbing another pair of jeans. "Need to change," he mumbled, before rushing out the door again.

Confused, it took her a second to catch up. Oh. Change. Mess. Bri giggled. No wonder he turned a little red.

He really was adorable.

Damn, she had fallen for the cowboy hard.

*****

Josh rode alongside his brother on Whitney, the horse he had bought and trained himself a few years ago. Beside him, Caleb chatted animatedly about something or another, yet Josh found his thoughts continuously travelling back to his raven-haired beauty back at the house. He couldn’t help it. He was mad about her, no two ways about it.

“And then I flew in on a monkey and took out an elephant.”

Josh startled, throwing a look at his brother. “What?”

“You haven’t been listening to a word I have been saying, have you?” Caleb smirked, proving he wasn’t offended.

Josh fought hard not to blush. “Ah, no. Sorry.”

“So, how are things going with you two?” Caleb chuckled.

“Good.” Josh didn’t pretend not to understand his brother and couldn’t contain the grin that spread from ear to ear. “Really good. We had dinner with her parents the other night.”

Caleb let out a low whistle. “And how did
that
go? I mean, you’re alive, that’s a good sign, right?”

Josh chuckled. “Yeah. Things got tense, and I don’t think I’ve been called a bastard so many times in my life, but…”

“But?” Caleb made a gesture for him to continue. “Come on, you’re killin’ me.”

“But... Bri stood up to him, defended us, and, it was really frickin’ hot.”

Caleb raised a brow. “Hot?

“Oh yeah.” He waggled his own brows. “Seriously hot.”

Caleb threw his head back and laughed. “Well I’ll be damned. Sweet little Bri a bit of a spitfire, huh?”

Josh shot him a warning look, but nodded. “A lot of spark there. I think her father was even a little...proud to see it. I have a feeling she always used to be like that, and maybe the old her is shining through.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“More than.”

“Good. If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s you, big brother,” Caleb said, reaching over to slap him on the back.

“Speaking of happy...or not so, what’s going on with you a Mel? Things seemed extra tense between you two.”

Caleb grimaced, turning his gaze out over the field. “That woman hates me, I’m telling you. She said something the last time she was here...I think I might know what her problem is, but I also know that she has gotten it all wrong.” His brother shook his head. “Just don’t know how to convince her of that.”

Josh considered his brother and his words for a moment. Things had been hostile, at least on Mel’s part, for a few years now. Josh had never been able to work out exactly what happened. At first he thought maybe Caleb had slept with her then treated her like the rest of the women he bedded. Light, easy and no strings. But he knew his brother and that thought was quickly squashed. Caleb had true feelings for Mel, try as he might to hide them, so Caleb wouldn’t have done that.

Contrary to popular belief, Josh wasn’t blind either. He had seen the same tension between Mel and their friend Noah. Given Caleb and Noah’s history of spending the evening with the same woman he could only presume that maybe they had both pursued her, but again, with Caleb’s feelings for her, why would he?

“This problem between the two of you. It wouldn’t have anything to do with Noah, would it?” he asked Caleb.

The other man stiffened, jerking in his reins lightly. “Leave it alone, Josh.”

That had his eyes narrowing on the younger man. “You have feelings for Mel, I know you do. So why would you and Noah play games?”

“We’re not,” Caleb bit out, but otherwise remained quiet.

“Oh really? You can’t exactly have something serious with her if you’re inviting Noah into her bed as well.”

Caleb growled. “Josh.”

“Then explain it to me.”

“I just.” Caleb swiped a hand down his face, still refusing to meet Josh’s eye. “It can be serious. With Noah, I mean.”

It hit Josh square in the face then. His brother’s tone whenever Noah was mentioned. The looks Josh would catch between them yet not understand.

“Mel isn’t the only one you have feelings for, is she?” he whispered quietly.

Caleb shook his head.

“And Noah has these feelings for both of you as well?”

Again, his brother said nothing, but this time nodded.

“Oh.” Josh didn’t know what to say to that. He sure as hell wasn’t bothered that his brother had feelings for another man, they weren’t raised as bigots, but it still came as a shock. And yet...it didn’t. “Well, perhaps you and Noah should try talking to Mel, instead of letting her assume the worst.”

Caleb finally looked at him, mouth gaping over. “That’s all you have to say? I tell you that I’m bi and in love with two of our friends, and all you say is talk to them?”

Josh grunted. “Only one making a big deal out of this is you. Besides, if you are about to tell me you expected me to kick your ass for it, then I might just be so inclined.”

“Ah, no? No. I mean—”

A sharp lancing pain shot through Josh’s shoulder before his brother could finish. He cried out as he fell to the ground, nothing cushioning the impact as his head smacked hard into the earth. Bile rose in his throat as his vision began to dim, Caleb’s shouts to him sounding further away. He could do nothing as he slipped in to the blackness except hope that whatever happened, Caleb made sure Bri was okay.

*****

A few hours after Josh had left her in bed, Bri climbed her way out and went to the kitchen, preparing a nice lunch for her cowboy. Josh worked hard all day, and there were times the man would get so carried away he forgot to eat.

Bri's head snapped up as tires screeched and a whole lot of shouting followed. Glancing out the window, she gasped when Caleb and two other hands pulled an unconscious Josh from the back seat of a truck. Racing outside to meet them, she blanched at the blood covering Josh's shirt and hair. Propping the door open, Bri raced to clear the table, grabbing a cushion from the sofa. She watched in despair when they laid Josh down, but jumped forward the moment everyone moved back and put pressure on his wound. Bri opened her mouth to shout for help, but Mel burst through the door, along with another woman, their arms full of supplies.

"Okay, everyone move back," Mel ordered.

Stepping up to Bri, she said more gently, "Bri, I'm gonna need to get in there and see what I'm dealing with, okay, sweetie?"

Nodding, Bri stood back and let Mel work. The other woman followed Mel's instructions to the letter, never missing a beat.

After what felt like a lifetime, Mel finally announced, "All right, everyone can calm down. It looks like the bullet grazed his shoulder, but I promise it's nothing these few stitches can't handle. I'm more concerned with the concussion, but I think he'll be okay. He's already coming around."

"Bullet," Bri gasped.

An arm wrapped around her shoulder, and Bri turned to look at Caleb.

"It's all right, hon. If Mel says he'll be okay, then he'll be okay."

A groan from the table drew their attention. Josh's eyelashes fluttered, popping open abruptly as he lifted his head and searched desperately for something. When his eyes met hers, she saw him do a quick check of her body, as if searching for any injury, before relaxing with a sigh back onto the table. "Christ, what happened?"

"That's what I'd like to know." Noah walked into the room.

Placing a hand on Josh's uninjured shoulder, he added, "Good to see it's not too severe."

"I'd say the situation is pretty damn severe, Sheriff. Someone
shot
him," Mel snapped then turned to Bri. "I'd like you to keep an eye on him for the next twenty-four hours. I'll leave a list of things to look out for, and my number. And if you can, make sure you get this big lug to come in to have a scan."

Scowling at the sheriff one more time, Mel packed up her things and left with the other woman.

"She acts like that with you, too?" Caleb asked Noah.

"Yep," he replied.

The two men shared a look, one Bri couldn't decipher. Figuring she had more important things to attend to, Bri ignored them and stepped forward, taking Josh's hand. "What happened?"

Caleb cleared his throat, gaining everyone's attention. "We were out in one of the back pastures when a shot rang through the air. I looked up just in time to see Josh fall off his horse. A few more shots went off, but I didn't see where they went. I was more interested in getting to my brother. I called Loch and Brent to bring the truck, and then called Mel. Once we were settled in, I called you, Noah. When we got here, we got him on the table and Mel arrived. You know the rest."

Muttering under his breath, the sheriff stormed into the living room. Bri heard him talking to someone else, but didn't care. All her thoughts were on the man in front of her.

"It was Timothy," she stated.

Sitting up slowly, Josh pulled her into his arms. "We don't know that."

Leaning back enough to look at him, she said, "Yes, we do."

And she could tell that as much as he wanted to deny it, he couldn't. Instead, he just held her tighter.

Lying in bed the next morning, Josh reached over, dragging Bri closer. The damn woman had been so paranoid of hurting him last night. She suggested she sleep in one of the guest rooms. Josh quickly vetoed that plan, but did it stop her from practically sleeping right on the frigging' edge? Nooooo. While he hurt, he ached more when he didn't have her in his arms, especially after what happened yesterday. Josh may have denied it had anything to do with Timothy, but they each knew who shot him. She hadn't called him on it and didn't hand him his ass for lying—a testament to how much she feared for him. She had proved on more than one occasion what a spitfire she could be, and damned if he didn't love it just as much as it often pissed him off.

Drawing her against his chest, Josh buried his nose in her hair, breathing in her scent again. She always smelled of cinnamon and vanilla. Not able to get enough of her, he ran his hand over the bump where their child rested. He wanted to pinch himself to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

His mother's ring sat in the safe enclosed in his wardrobe. An heirloom given to her by his pa when had asked her to marry him, Josh planned to present Bri with the ring before they had dinner with her parents that evening. He checked with his brother to make sure he had no objections. Caleb had gone one step further, saying he couldn't think of a more deserving woman.

Josh peered down at the ring that lay on her finger now. After the dust up with Kelly, he'd picked a simple solitaire and asked Bri to wear it. He'd stopped pretending a long time ago, and Bri felt the same. Neither had said the words yet, but he planned on rectifying that as soon as he woke her up properly. He grinned when he thought of his definition of 'proper'.

Being careful of his injured arm, Josh rolled Bri over to face him. Leaning forward, he pecked lightly at her lips, tracing the bottom one with his tongue. She stirred at the tentative touches, her eyes blinking open, and she smiled. Lifting his good arm, he plucked at her nipple. Bri gasped and her lips parted. Not hesitating, Josh swooped in, claiming her mouth, continuing to tease her perky nubs.

Pulling away, she rasped, "Your arm. Your head. We can't do this."

"I'm fine, I promise," he grumbled, cutting off anything she planned to say by thrusting his tongue back into the cavern of her mouth.

Josh needed her. After yesterday, he felt this overwhelming need to reaffirm how strongly he felt for her. The possible outcomes were excruciating; the thought of not being able to protect her from that bastard sent his senses into overdrive. Josh moaned in appreciation when he felt the press of her hot silky skin against his. Bri yelped in surprise when he dragged her across him to straddle his hips. Her damp heat saturated him and she gazed down, wide-eyed, from her new position. Her lavender eyes reflected his own desire, spurring him on. Pulling her down to his chest, Josh quickly raised her hips, lowering her down onto his throbbing shaft. Feeling her warm juices slide down, coating his cock, Josh stilled, willing himself not to come. The pain in his arm virtually non-existent, he savored the intense heat surrounding him. Never had he felt like this. The connection he made with Bri every time they were together, always took his breath away. And he knew…he'd fallen in love.

*****

Sitting astride Josh, with him buried deep inside her, Bri shook with desire. Her pulse raced and she gazed at the man who owned her heart. Nerves clamored, until he smiled—just a quirk of the lips, but enough. Placing her palms on his expansive chest, Bri raised herself slightly before dropping back down. Groaning at the sensations, she did it again, over and over. She cried out, completely taken off guard when Josh unexpectedly thrust his hips up to meet hers, sending shock waves of ecstasy coursing through her. God, how incredible.

"I love you," she gasped.

Bri froze and panicked when she realized she uttered the words aloud. She hadn't meant to. Searching his face, she calmed, he didn't appear upset, but quite the opposite.

Josh's eyes met hers, shining with undisguised love. "I love you, too, Bri."

His softly spoken words snapped something inside him, and Josh lost his restraint, gripping her hips tightly as he drove into her. Bri held on for dear life, no longer in control and relishing it. If it weren't for his injury and fear of hurting the baby, she had no doubt he would have already flipped them over, and pounded his way into her. A tingle started at the base of her spine, and when one of his hands left her hip to tweak her swollen clit, Bri imploded. Her entire world splintered into a thousand pieces. Crying out her pleasure, Josh joined her, roaring out his release.

Bending forward, Bri leaned in for a kiss.

When she eased back, Josh slide a hand behind her neck, keeping her in place. "I meant what I said. I love you, lavender."

"I love you too, cowboy," she whispered, her heart full of joy.

"We're gonna do this for real, yeah?" he asked, staring intently at her.

Bri nibbled on her bottom lip. "Yeah. I want that."

"Good. 'Cause there is nothing I want more," he whispered, nuzzling into her neck. "It's time to start planning a real wedding, honey."

*****

The phone blaring loudly beside the bed started them both awake. Josh blinked rapidly against the harsh light of the screen as Noah’s number flashed across it. Noah? Suddenly more alert, Josh sat up, his heart thumping as he answered the call.

“Noah? What’s happened?”

There was no way his friend would call at this time of the morning if it weren’t important. And he was right.

“Randy and Adele’s place is up in flames,” the Sheriff grunted through the phone. “Doing the ring around.”

Fuck. The ring around meant calling every able man and woman to help. It wasn’t often their town had something drastic happen, but when they did, the residents pulled together.

“On it.”

He pressed to end the call before shoving off the blankets and springing out of bed. Stumbling around in the dark, Josh cursed when he slammed himself into the bedside drawer.

“Josh? What is it?”

Bri’s panicked voice broke through his fog and he shot up from where it was frantically looking for his jeans. Shit. Bri sat, trembling on the edge of the mattress, arms wrapped around herself and her eyes wide with fear, no doubt from the assumption that his call had to do with Timothy.

“It’s not him, honey,” he told her, cupping his hand to her cheek. Her slim shoulders fell in relief, which only served to make him feel more like a heel for not reassuring her quicker. “Randy and Adele’s place is on fire. Can you call Caleb and tell him to round up the men? We’re heading out there.”

Bri took the offered phone. Josh could hear her talking to someone he presumed was Caleb. As she began dressing, he frowned. When she hung up and caught the look he was giving her, she shrugged. “What? I’m not staying here while you head out there to fight a frigging fire, Josh.”

He grimaced. “Part of me wants to drag you out there so you aren’t out of my sight, and the other part of me knows that being near a fire is no good for you and the baby.”

“So I’ll stay back. It’ll be fine,” she insisted, tugging at him to follow her.

They made quick work of throwing on their shoes and jackets before racing out to his truck where Caleb and Lachlan stood waiting.

“The others have already headed off and there wasn’t enough room for all of us,” his brother explained as they piled in. If either man was surprised to see Bri glued to his side, they didn’t comment.

Josh let out a sigh of relief when they arrive to see the fire mostly under control. His eyes darted to a tent already set up across the street where Mel and a few others were set up and already treating some of the Inn’s guests.

Mel caught his eye, then noticed Bri and called out. “Bri, I need your help over here!”

Bri rushed over and began helping. Josh met Mel’s eyes again and gave her a brief nod of thanks, knowing she would stay with Bri and keep her safe.

“Josh!” He swung his head around in time to catch the Nomex jacket and helmet sent his way. Noah grinned. “Let’s go, man.”

With one last glance back to make sure Bri was safe and sound, Josh shrugged on the jacket and followed the other man to the burning home. With any luck there wouldn't be too much damage.

*****

Bri applied cream to the small burn wound in front of her, apologizing when the patient winced. “Sorry. I don’t really know what I’m doing.”

“No worries. I appreciate the help,” the man chuckled, holding out his hand. “I’m Sin.”

“Sin?” Bri raised a brow but used her free hand to shake his.

“Yeah. Well, Sinclair, but everyone calls me Sin.” Sin shrugged, his blue eyes flickering with pain when the movement jolted his leg. “Damn. That hurts.”

“Mel should be here in a second to help you. She was just treating someone else first.”

Sin waved her concern away. “Nah, I’m good.”

She glanced back over at the burning home in front of her for the hundredth time, desperately looking to see if she could catch a glimpse of Josh.

“Josh will be fine.”

Sin’s abrupt comment startled her and she narrowed her eyes on him. “Excuse me?”

Nerves skittered up her spine. How did he know she was looking for Josh? Bri was sure she had never met the man before. For the first time she realized how much of a threat he could be. Probably as tall as Josh, just a tad wider, Bri felt extremely uncomfortable all of a sudden and very vulnerable.

“No need to worry. I guess Josh hasn’t gotten around to introducing you to everyone, but I promise we are friends.” As if sensing her distress, Sin held his hands up in a gesture of peace. “Besides, I only got back to town a few days ago. Shocked as hell to hear he was settling down and all, but I’ve got to say, it’s damn good to hear. If anyone deserves to be happy, it’s that man.”

“You’re friends?”

Sin nodded, dark hair flopping in his face as the large man grinned. “Yeah, we go way back. Josh, me, Noah, and a few others. We all went to school together, grew up together, that sort of thing. I’ve been working in the city for the last few years, hadn’t made it back home as often as I should, but I’m here now.”

The sad smile he wore tugged at her heart. “What brought you back?”

“My stepdad,” Sin whispered. “He passed away. Heart attack. I returned to bury him a few months back and found out mum wasn’t doing so well. My little sister isn’t coping either so I’ve come home.”

“I’m sorry,” she consoled him, not sure what else to say.

Sin’s laugh was weak. “Thanks. It’s fine though.”

“You’re not causing too much trouble for Bri are you, Sin? 'Cause Josh will have your balls.” Bri startled at Mel’s sudden appearance, panicking a little. The other woman smiled gently. “Sorry. Thought you would have heard me coming. You okay?”

Bri cleared her throat and blushed when she caught Sin’s scrutinizing gaze. “Yeah.”

“Something I should know?” Sin asked, his eyes harder than they were before.

Mel looked from her to Sin. “Probably would help. You need to talk to Josh and Noah later, I think.”

Bri bristled. “I don’t think everyone needs to know my business.”

“No, but anyone capable of taking out a man with his bare hands or leading a squad of highly trained men in Secret Ops missions should be considered handy to have around,” Mel drawled.

Bri gaped, her gaze shooting from Sin back to Mel, then back to Sin before she finally said, “Then why the hell were you complaining over a boo boo?”

Sin snorted. “To have a pretty lady worry over me of course.”

“A pregnant and very
taken
lady,” Mel added, giving Sin a quelling look.

The man just rolled his eyes. “Don’t worry, sugarplum. The moment I realized she was the infamous Bri, my flirting stopped being serious.”

“Infamous?”

“Oh yeah. Everyone knows about you, darlin.” The wink Sin sent her made her laugh.

“Greaaat.”

Stepping back to let Mel have a look at a wound Bri was no longer that concerned about, her eyes drew immediately back to the home. She let out a sigh when she finally saw Josh making his way toward her. The flames for the most part seemed extinguished though she was the first to admit she knew nothing about fires.

“Everything okay?” she asked as he got closer.

“Yeah, honey.” He gave her a small smile, and she could read how tired he was in his eyes. Covered in soot, blond hair darker than normal, Bri still thought he was the most handsome man she had ever seen.

Damn, she was a goner.

“Sin,” Josh greeted the other man. “I see you’ve met my Bri.”

“You could say that,” Sin snickered.

Josh shook his head with a chuckle. “Ladies man as always.”

“The town seems to be full of them,” Mel muttered.

Laughter echoed from over near the inn, where Bri could see Caleb horsing around with one of the other men. “Looks like things are settled for the most part.”

“Yeah, those with more training have taken over, things should b—”

A panicked shout cut off Josh, drawing their attention over the building just in time to see Noah come running out of nowhere and ploughing into a startled Caleb before a massive explosion consumed the air. Josh covered Bri even though she was in no danger. She barely had time to gain her senses when she heard Mel screaming out Caleb and Noah’s names, racing forward, headless of what could happen. Even Sin leaped up from the stretcher he had been resting on and darted across the distance.

People were scrambling and Bri’s heart beat furiously as she waited. Josh tensed beside her, she could tell he was desperate to find his brother, but unwilling to leave her side. His relief was almost palpable when Caleb and Sin dragged a slightly injured Noah over to the temporary medics set up.

“Caleb, what happened? Are you okay?” Josh asked, rushing forward when they were finally in reach.

“I...yeah. I d-don’t...Noah.” Eyes wide and frantic, Caleb never looked away from the sheriff.

Grabbing a blanket, worried about shock, Bri wrapped Caleb up in it, tugging the material tightly around him. “It’s okay,” she soothed.

“Noah?” Caleb croaked out.

“I’m okay,” the older man reassured them. Noah glanced up at Caleb. “I’m just glad I got there in time. You were standing too close to that spark.”

Beside her Josh frowned. “There shouldn't have been a spark. That area had been cleared.”

“Obviously not,” Noah grunted as Mel treated him.

Bri peered over at the small flames now being stubbed out, shuddering at the scorch marks thinking that had been too close. Caleb could've been killed.

“Like Noah said. It’s okay,” she repeated, wrapping her arms around both Josh and Caleb. “It’s okay.”

The back of her neck tingled, as if someone was watching her. Turning her head, she caught Kelly staring over at their group, a weird mixture of concern, and annoyance on her features. When she noticed Bri, her scowl deepened before turning on her heel and storming off. Bri shook her head. What was the woman’s problem?

When Mel had finished patching Noah up, with the man muttering under his breath about her overreacting, the men left Bri and Mel to check on the progress. Bri noted that Mel seemed hesitant to let either Noah or Caleb return across the street and felt she could relate. The further Josh was away from that building, the better.

“You okay?” she asked the doctor.

Mel seemed startled by the question, perhaps even a little guilty, but covered it up quickly. “Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”

Bri smirked. “Oh I don’t know, maybe because if every fiber of my being is screaming to grab Josh and drag him away from that place, I can’t imagine what you are feeling with both of them.”

Mel flailed, dropping the used gauze she had been cleaning up. “I d-don’t, I-I mean...what?”

Snorting with laughter, Bri said, “Don’t even. I see the way you look at both of them. And the way they look at you, not to mention each other. I may have issues, but I’m not blind.”

“I...no...that’s not...” Mel visibly deflated. “Crap.”

“Wanna talk about it?”

“Not much to say really.” The other woman shrugged. “Yeah, there is something there. But how would I choose...and would either of them choose me over the other.”

Bri tilted her head, considering. While to her the answer was pretty simple, Mel appeared to really be beating herself up over the situation. Bri had gotten to know Mel well in the last few weeks, discovering they had a few things in common, but most of all just enjoyed each other’s company. She felt Mel could be the kind of friend Bri had only ever had in Charlotte. It hurt to see the woman so torn.

Cutting her new friend some slack, she offered, “Why choose at all?”

“What?”

“Well...you care for both of them, and they care for you. I can tell they have feelings for one another, so…”

Mel’s eyes bugged, and Bri fought hard to keep a straight face. “W-what? You can’t be seriously.”

“Oh, I am absolutely serious.”

Her friend seemed outraged at the suggestion, and yet...thoughtful.

Bri chuckled to herself, wondering how long it would take them all to pull their collective heads out of their asses and realize this complicated situation...didn’t need to be so complicated. So much had happened to Bri over the last few years, and if there was one thing she was certain of, it was that life was too short and too complicated on its own. No need to go making it worse. Just enjoy the ride when you can.

Glancing over at Josh, a smile tugged at her lips, growing when he saw her and returned it with one of his own. She was definitely enjoying herself now.