“When did this happen?” Brit tried to sit up but Erika’s gentle contact held her captive.
“We can talk about all that later. Right now, I want to show you how much I love you.” She kissed her deeply, and Brit couldn’t have been happier with her answer.
Chapter Fifty-seven
Erika woke to sounds of birds drifting through the open window. She shook off her disorientation and rolled to her side. Brit slept soundly next to her, and she gently slipped her arm over her and snuggled close.
“Mmm. I’ve missed this.” Brit mumbled and scooted back into Erika.
“Me, too.” She looked at the clock. “Do you have to work today?”
Brit turned to her back and stretched. “No, but I’m on call in case it gets busier than George can handle. I don’t expect it will. Most people were here for the grand finale, the parade, yesterday.”
“Good. I’d like us to talk and spend some time trying to figure out a few things.”
“Sounds like a good plan. Let’s make some coffee and talk while we eat breakfast.” Brit sat up and kissed her before swinging her legs over the side of the bed.
“Can I get in the shower first?” Erika asked.
“Sure. I’ll get the coffee started.”
She refrained from lingering in the shower to enjoy the scent of Brit’s body wash. They had issues to discuss. As good as it felt being with Brit, she needed to figure out what came next in her life. The only thing she knew for certain was that she wanted it to include Brit. She wrapped herself in her robe and found Brit pouring their coffee.
“Morning, honey.” Brit kissed her and handed her a coffee cup. “I suppose I ought to shower now, too, in case Ben calls me in.”
Erika sat outside sipping her coffee while she waited for Brit. The cloudless sky was blue and a slight breeze cooled the summer air. She considered what it would be like to live on this island with Brit. It was one of the things she wanted to discuss with her.
“You look lost in thought,” Brit said and sat across from her.
“I’m working on figuring out our future.”
“I like the sound of ‘our.’” She sipped her coffee and held up a finger before retreating to the kitchen. She returned a minute later with a platter of homemade scones.
“Yum. Did you make these?” She grabbed one and took a bite.
“Yep. Another hobby of mine. They’re cinnamon with apple. I also make blueberry and chocolate chip. I keep a supply in the freezer so all I have to do is put them in the microwave.”
“You’re full of surprises, and I want to find out all of them.”
“It might take a long time.”
“As long as it takes.” Erika grinned. “On a serious note. I want us to discuss our future.”
“I’m glad you want one with me. Have you thought about what you might want to do if you’re not modeling?”
“Not with any real planning. I’m still known in the modeling world. I have the face and name recognition, and I was thinking last night, that I have valuable knowledge of it. I have a lot of research to do yet, but what do you think about me doing something like a blog about the fashion world?”
Brit took a drink of her coffee. “I like it. Are you thinking of doing interviews of current models?”
“Probably, and offering makeup and fashion tips. Maybe feature a popular model and talk about what makeup she wears or designers she prefers or even little personal tidbits about her life she’d be willing to share.” She warmed to the idea the more she talked about it. “It would be something I could do either here or in New York. I’d just need a reliable internet connection.” She took a breath and a sip of coffee. It was the first time she’d gotten excited about doing anything for herself, and it felt good.
“I think you’d be great at it. You could use your years of experience to help the newbies.”
Brit’s enthusiasm spurred more ideas but she needed to find out what Brit thought of their future together. “Do you think you’d be happy living in Manhattan? At least part of the year? My apartment is really nice.”
Brit grinned. “If you’re there, I’ll figure out a way to be there, too. What would work for me would be to spend the winters there. I could still help Ben out at the Grand Hotel in the summer, and do a little part-time bookkeeping, too. I’d have to work out something during tax season, but my business clients could depend on our local CPA in the winter.” Brit sipped her coffee and looked deep in thought. “Does New York get a lot of snow?”
“Probably not as much as here!” She shuddered. “Why? Would you miss it?”
“I might, but we’re in the planning stage. I’d certainly be willing to try it for a year or two. We could reevaluate yearly. See where we’re at and how we feel.” Brit reached for her hand and squeezed. “I love you, and I want to make a life with you.”
“I’d like that, too. I think yearly reevaluations would be a good thing. And you know there’s plenty of money in New York. You could probably pick up finance work there easily.”
“Well,” Brit said quietly, “I think I’d like to try it. It sounds like a good compromise. And, I suppose that’s what relationships are about. Loving each other and compromising.”
“There’s something else I have to say, Brit.” She took both her hands in hers and held her gaze. “I never, ever, thought of you as a ‘quickie.’”
“I was hurting and angry. I’m sorry I said that, but I hope you understand that was how it felt when you were willing to just walk away.” Brit squeezed her hands.
“I do and it was tearing me apart to leave, but I couldn’t figure out another way. I was paralyzed by fear and uncertainty about my future. Remaining in the spotlight was all I could see for myself. But now I can see how restricted I was, and how free I am now. I can do anything, and I want you beside me all the way.” She moved to stand behind Brit and wrapped her arms around her. She had to touch her to convey her sincerity. “I want us to be together, sweetheart. In whatever way works for us and for as long as you’ll have me.”
Brit turned, pulled her into her arms, and kissed her. “Me, too. We’ll figure everything out as we go. It’ll be our best adventure yet.”
About the Author
C.A. Popovich is a hopeless romantic. She writes sweet, sensual romances that usually include horses, dogs, and cats. Her main characters—and their loving pets—don’t get killed and always end up with happily-ever-after love. She is a Michigan native, writes full-time, and tries to get to as many Bold Strokes Books events as she can. She loves feedback from readers.
Books Available from Bold Strokes Books
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Through Love's Eyes Page 23