“Fishing.” Kat patted the dashboard and Briley nodded. “What are we waiting for?” They’d woken early and had breakfast at a local diner, then sat by the river and watched the boats pass by. Kat had picked Turn the Page for another visit and Briley had sprung Bass Pro Shops on her.
“It’s not that I don’t like fishing,” Briley said.
Kat arched her brow. “Bri, you don’t like fishing.”
“Come on, Kat.” Briley ran ahead of her and stopped her with a hand on her chest. “I couldn’t say no. She was so beautiful and she wants us all to go together.”
“God, you’re whipped.”
Briley straightened her glasses. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“Let’s get this fishing pole.” Fifteen minutes later and they were still standing in front of the fishing poles. “Just call her and ask what kind of fishing pole you need.”
Briley planted her hands on her hips. “That feels like defeat.”
“Oh, good grief. Then Google it.” When Briley showed no move to do anything, Kat snatched Briley’s phone out of her hand.
“Kat, don’t.”
“Leah, hi, it’s Kat. Briley’s good. Listen. Briley was too chicken to call you, but she left me no choice.” Kat paused. “I know, but that’s how she is.” Kat chuckled. “You’ll learn. What kind of fishing pole does she need? She dragged me to Bass Pro Shops and we don’t know what to buy.” Kat rolled her eyes. “True. Okay. I’ll do that. Thanks.” She handed the phone back to Briley. When she didn’t take it, Kat wiggled her hand. “Here.”
“Why did you do that?” Briley grabbed her phone. “We could have figured it out.”
“She laughed and said she thought it was cute. You were cute. Quit freaking. Although, she did say she might have found something she can beat you at besides air hockey. And before you say it, no, we cannot go fishing today.”
“I wasn’t.” She bounced on her feet. “Okay, I was.”
Kat called over a worker and explained what they needed. He led them to a section and pointed at several poles.
Briley scanned the shelf and was drawn to the purple and black one. She picked up the Bass Pro brand Megacast rod and reel baitcast combo. The worker helped them pick out the right length.
“That’s one of our most popular models. Are you going to be needing anything else?” he asked.
Kat waved him off. “No, her girlfriend said she’d take care of the rest.”
“Have a good day,” he said, walking off.
“You as well.” Briley grabbed the pole and held it securely in her hand. “Let’s look around.”
“As long as we’re here, I’m going to look at the hiking boots.”
“I saw a few flannel shirts when we came in that I liked.”
“Lead the way.”
Two hours and several hundred dollars poorer, they huddled back into the truck. “Well,” Briley said. “That was pretty productive.”
“I agree, but I’m getting hungry.”
“Your wish is my command. How about that new biscuit restaurant?”
Kat turned slowly to look at her. “Biscuit?”
“Almost every dish is centered around biscuits. My mouth is watering just thinking about their biscuits and gravy or their chicken biscuits. So good.”
Kat punched Briley on the arm. “That sounds awesome. Why am I just now hearing about it?”
“Oh, it is and I don’t know why.” She put the truck in drive. “Don’t hit me again.”
Less than an hour later, they were seated and waiting for their food. They had both ordered the biscuit and gravy platter, with a chicken slider. Kat had opted for the sweet tea, and Briley, water.
“Everything okay, Bri?”
“It’s going to be weird not having you around.”
“I’m just moving across the street. Besides, you’ve spent the last few days with Leah. You probably didn’t even know I wasn’t there.”
Briley flinched. “I’ve been neglecting you.”
“No.” Kat touched her hand. “I was just kidding. I’m looking forward to my first night in my house.”
“Saturday?”
“That’s the plan. The rest of the furniture I ordered will be delivered Friday morning. It’s exciting.” Kat rubbed her hands together.
Briley lifted her glass of water and clinked it with Kat’s. “To being a first-time home owner.”
“And business owner.”
“That too. How are you doing, though? I might have fallen in love, but you’ve moved halfway across the country, bought a house, and started a new business.” Briley frowned at Kat staring at her with wide eyes. “What?”
Kat leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table. “Do you realize what you just said?”
“Moving, buying a house, starting a business.”
“Fallen in love.”
“Huh?” Briley sipped her water and tried to remember exactly what she’d said. “Oh.”
“Yes, oh.”
“It just slipped out.”
“That’s a good thing. You’re dating now. I believe you jumped around the kitchen telling me she’s your girlfriend. This is just the next step.”
“When the moment’s right, I’ll tell her, but I think it’s a fine line I have to walk with everything that’s going on with her.”
Kat patted her hand. “You’ll work it all out. Don’t overthink it. You’ll know when it’s time.”
Briley moaned when their plates were set in front of them. “Love talk later. Right now, let’s focus on our food.”
“Damn straight.” Kat took a bite of her food. “Oh, my. These biscuits are so good.”
“I know.” She picked up her chicken biscuit and took a big bite. The flavors danced on her tongue and the flaky, buttery layers of the biscuit were a thing of beauty. “Wow. They always outdo themselves.”
Kat pointed to the little card in the middle of their table. “That chocolate biscuit looks good too.”
“It is.” When the restaurant first opened, Briley had eaten the dessert for three days straight. “I’ll have to bring Leah here,” Briley mumbled around a mouthful of gravy.
“You do that.”
After their plates were cleared, Briley motioned the waitress back over and ordered two loaded chocolate biscuits and two more to go.
“Really, Briley.”
“What? Leah likes dessert and the kids will love it.”
“I’m sure they will.” Kat reached across the table and grasped Briley’s hand. “I know I’ve said it before but I am really happy for you.”
“It feels good.”
“When we get home, deliver the dessert to Leah, then come home. I’ve already picked out the movie we’re going to watch.” Kat thanked the waitress when their dessert was set in front of them. “This place is heaven.”
“Of that I’m sure.”
Since the restaurant was in the city, it took them a little over twenty minutes to get home, but it was still only a little after eight. Briley knew Griffin would be in bed, but she knew from experience the dessert kept well over night in the fridge.
“Go, give her the dessert, but don’t be long,” Kat said.
“I won’t.”
Leah had the front door open even before she could knock.
“I can only stay a few minutes, but I brought you and the kids dessert.” She handed over her biscuit bag.
Leah lifted the bag so she could read the name of the restaurant. “Evan has been hounding me to go to this one.”
“I’ve what?” Evan said, coming up behind her, until his eyes latched onto the bag. “What’s in the bag?”
“The best dessert you’ve ever had,” Briley said.
“Sweet.” He took the bag from Leah.
“There’s one for both of you. I figured you both could save Griffin some of yours.”
“Sure thing.” Evan winked at her, then bounded into the kitchen.
“The dessert is awesome, but so is the f
ood. We’ll have to go sometime. Be prepared. They’re usually is a bit of a wait time, but it’s worth it.” Briley rubbed her stomach.
“You look nice,” Leah said, reaching forward and straightening Briley’s collar.
“Thanks.” She stuffed her hands in her pants. “Why is this weird?”
Leah lifted her brow. “I don’t know, but we can easily remedy that.” She grabbed Briley by the collar, pulled her forward, and kissed her. “Much better.” She smacked her lips.
“Yes, yes, it is.” Briley lifted her up, and kissed her again. “You taste like strawberries.”
“Ice cream.”
With one last brush to Leah’s lips, Briley set her down and backed away. “I would stay if I could.”
“No, go spend time with your sister, and I’ll enjoy my biscuit.”
“It is so much more than a biscuit. You’ll be blown away.” Briley mimicked explosives and Leah laughed.
“Goodnight. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Was there really any doubt about that?”
As soon as she walked through her backdoor, Kat handed her a glass of wine.
“Let’s get this party started.”
“After you, my liege.”
Kat laughed and patted the spot beside her on the couch. For the first time in a long time, Briley felt content with all areas of her life.
Chapter Thirty-three
The following Saturday, Briley paced in front of the couch with her hands clasped behind her back, with a glance thrown at the occupants sitting on said couch. “I know I’ve been over the game plan twice, but I just want to make sure you all get it.”
Leah, who sat on one end of the couch with Griffin in her lap, rolled her eyes. Kat lifted a throw pillow and threw it at Briley, hitting its mark, and Evan sat back with a contented smile on his face.
“You’ve taught us well, Briley,” Evan said. “Let us make you proud.”
“This,” Briley pointed at Evan, “is the commitment I expect from you two.” She looked from Leah to Kat.
“Go. Go.” Griffin clapped her hands together.
“In due time, Griffin.” Briley ruffled her curls. “Now, I’m glad everyone dressed per my guidelines.”
“Like we had a choice,” Kat threw out.
“It was number one on your list, Briley. In capital letters outlined in a glitter marker.” Leah shifted Griffin on her lap.
“Which was a nice touch,” Evan added.
“Thank you, Evan. At least someone appreciates all my hard work getting us to this point. You’re dressed properly; all the items on our list have been checked.”
“Twice,” Kat said.
“With all three of us watching.” Leah shared a look with Kat.
Briley grinned, knowing she was starting to irritate both Kat and Leah. It was fun, but a quick glance at the clock let her know they would need to leave in ten minutes. Today was the Meerkats’ fan appreciation day at the ballpark. On top of the players having a signing, there were games set up, demonstrations with the players, food trucks, and a local band was set to play.
Briley took a few pictures of the couch, then slipped her phone back in her pocket. Everyone was wearing their jerseys, and had shorts on. She and Evan were wearing their ballcaps, and Griffin held tightly to her stuffed meerkat. “Let’s do this.”
“Bout time,” Kat grumbled, shoving Evan back when he shoved her.
“Take her, Briley.” Briley lifted Griffin into her arms and accepted the kiss she freely offered. “Do I get a kiss?” Leah slipped her arm around Briley’s waist.
Briley grinned. “You get all the kisses.”
“There’s time enough for that later,” Evan called out from the front door. “Let’s go.”
“The boy has spoken,” Briley said.
“Then we must listen,” Leah said.
Almost thirty minutes later, they were standing in front of the stadium. Leah gripped Griffin’s hand tightly. “It’s bigger than I was expecting.”
“That’s why,” Briley said, opening the passenger door, and lifting out a backpack, “I bought this. It has a leash on it that any one of us can hold, but it will allow her the freedom to walk around.”
“Madison has one of those for Henry,” Evan said, taking it from Briley’s hand and helping Griffin into it. She stood still while he adjusted the straps, and he slid the handle onto his hand. “I’ll take first go.”
Briley adjusted the tote on her right shoulder, then offered her other arm to Leah, who planted a kiss on her cheek, before taking her arm. “Kat, get a picture of us.”
“Sure.”
“Thanks.” A moment later, Briley received the photo Kat had sent. She and Leah hung back while the other three walked ahead of them. “I’m writing this down on the calendar as a date.”
Leah squeezed Briley’s arm. “Have you written all of our time together down?”
“Yes. It helps me keep everything balanced in my life. I can look at the calendar and know when I’ve spent too much time at work and not enough with you or Kat and now it will allow me to set up some time that Evan and I can spend together, and Griffin, of course. And it reminded me tomorrow is nursing home day.”
Leah squeezed her arm. “You surprise me every day, Briley.”
“I hope that’s a good thing.” Briley waved at a few people she recognized.
Leah pulled her to a stop. “It’s a very good thing.” Leah leaned into Briley’s personal space. “I hope I do that for you?”
“More than you know.” Briley tucked the hair behind Leah’s ear. “It’s the little things. Knowing you care enough to make me lunch, and put cool stickers on the bag, is everything. The way you look at me is indescribable. Plus, all the post-it notes I find everywhere that you leave for me makes my heart sing. I’ve kept them all. Just knowing you’ve thought enough about me to take the time to write a note and put it in my lunch, or in my purse, or on the bathroom mirror…I’ve never had that before.” She frowned. “I don’t do those things for you.”
Leah smoothed the crinkle between Briley’s brow. “The foot rubs, spontaneous hugs and kisses, the impromptu dance sessions, the way you look at me, the way you treat my kids. Briley, I don’t need fancy nights out, or expensive gifts; all I need is you.”
Briley hugged her tightly, and felt an overwhelming surge of protection run through her. Leah was someone she could spend the rest of her life with. A woman she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. Briley moved her head so she could whisper in Leah’s ear. “I love you, Leah.” Leah didn’t answer, but she fisted her hands in Briley’s jersey. “With all that I am.”
Leah buried her head in Briley’s neck. “Oh, Briley.” Leah looked up into Briley’s eyes. “I love you, too.”
A smile split Briley’s face. “Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She ran her finger down Briley’s cheek. “I couldn’t not love you.”
“As it should be.” She grinned and rubbed their noses together. “I love you.”
“I love you.”
“You two love birds done?” Evan asked.
“Evan, I told you it was something you’d have to get used to,” Kat said.
Briley and Leah turned their heads at the same time. Kat had Griffin on her shoulders, and Evan had his arms crossed.
“How much did you hear?”
“Enough,” Evan said. “I’m happy for you both, but the longer we stand in the parking lot, the shorter the fun we’ll be able to have inside. Let’s move.” He clapped his hands.
“We’re coming.” Briley groaned.
“What’s wrong?” Leah asked after they turned away.
“I had this whole date planned out where I was going to wine and dine you then tell you I loved you.”
“I’m glad it happened today. Like I said, you’re spontaneous and I love you for it.”
Briley chuckled. “I see what you did there.”
“We’re good together. Let’s enjoy our time with our family, then tonight yo
u’re all mine, Briley. From head to toe.”
“Try and keep me from holding you tonight.”
“Holding, huh? I can think of a lot more ways we can occupy our time and Evan wanted to spend a little one-on-one time with Griffin. I think it would be good for them. He’s been missing Kathy and Lilith something terrible the last couple of days. So, Briley, how about we have our own sleepover at your house?”
It would be the first time they’d spent alone at Briley’s house. “I think that sounds like the best thing I’ve ever heard.”
“Another bath would be nice.”
“Done.”
Leah chuckled and pecked Briley on the lips. “Let’s go catch up with everyone. I’m pretty sure it will only get better from here.”
“I can guarantee that.”
Chapter Thirty-four
A week later was date night with Leah. They hadn’t had very many formal dinner dates and she wanted to make this one special. Even though Leah said she didn’t need fancy, Briley knew that’s what she deserved from time to time. More than once during the week, Briley had been fidgety and voiced her concerns something would go wrong, but Leah would always shut her up with a kiss. It was a good plan on Leah’s part.
“Are you listening, Briley?” Kat said over the speakerphone.
It seemed like a good idea at the time to call Kat to help with the nerves she was feeling, but so far, it was a bust. “I’m listening.”
“What did I say?”
“I…something about flooring.”
Kat snorted. “I was talking about maybe buying a ferret.”
“Oh,” Briley frowned at the phone. “Are you sure? I could have sworn you were talking about flooring.”
“I think you have Leah on the brain.”
A goofy grin crossed Briley’s face. “When am I not thinking about her?”
“I can hear the smile in your voice. There is nothing to be worried about. You’ve gone out countless times. Why so worried now? You love each other. You’ve got this and if something does go astray, Leah won’t care.”
“I know.” Briley flopped down on the bed and picked her phone up, switching to Facetime. “I just want everything to be perfect.”
“Oh, Briley. Nothing’s perfect. Get dressed and have a good time. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
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