Slow Burn (Heads on Fire Book 2) by Elora Ramirez

Author:Elora Ramirez [Ramirez , Elora]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Awake Indie Press
Published: 2023-08-07T16:00:00+00:00

20

“Am I happy.” I repeat, unsure if I heard correctly. His question turns into a statement because I’m so taken back by him asking.

Is he serious right now?

“Yes,” he says. He watches me, waiting for an answer.

Barb walks up and hands me my drink and I look at her and smile, grateful for the interruption.

“I’m assuming this goes on the open tab?” she asks. When I nod, she offers me a thumbs up and looks at Brandon long enough for him to hold up his drink and shake his head.

“Y’all let me know if you need anything else,” she says before turning her attention to someone else waiting to order.

I sigh, trying to figure out what to say.

Am I happy? I mean. What kind of question is that? Is anyone happy right now? He places his hand on my arm resting on the bar and I jerk it away, the shock of his fingers on my skin too much for the moment. He holds his hands up in surrender.

“Sorry.” He rubs the scruff on his chin and then adjusts himself on the stool so he’s facing me. Our knees touch, our legs basically entwined. I swallow, reminding myself that I have a boyfriend. That he’s sitting a few feet away. Not only that, Brandon has a girlfriend.

We’re both taken, and not by each other.

I straighten my shoulders, a renewed resolve making its way into my words.

“I’m happy,” I say. “This year has been hard, and it’s felt impossible at times to get my business off the ground with the pandemic, but the virtual consultations I’m doing with people to create menus for their families have been really inspiring. I’m getting to use my creativity in a way I never thought I would be able to as a chef.”

He studies me for just a moment before leaning in slightly.

“I meant with Corey. Are you happy with Corey.”

I knew what he meant. And I very purposefully left him out of my answer because it’s just none of his business.

“Sure, I’m happy.” I look at Corey and catch his eye. He looks between me and Brandon with a question on his face that I know I will have to answer later, but I smile at him and offer a small wave before he takes another sip of his drink and starts laughing again with Jax.

“We haven’t been together as long as you and Mari, but it’s working. I like him a lot.” I hope my voice sounds confident. If anyone can hear between the tone of my words, it’s Brandon. I add a smile, one that I hope looks like someone who is completely smitten by their boyfriend.

I do like Corey. He’s rough around the edges, but that’s nothing that can’t be adjusted as we continue to learn more about the other person. Right? Love grows. It’s not supposed to be easy. It takes work. And all of the other pithy statements about relationships being harder than you initially imagined.

What Brandon doesn’t need to know I still think about him every single day.

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