5. Briar
Briar
M y heartbeat thunders in my ears as I swallow hard, the gray jacket blurring in front of me.
What is wrong with you? No wonder you have no customers.
But he asked. Right after offering to help me advertise a business I’m failing miserably at running.
And in that moment, I felt seen .
“Briar?” His voice is a quiet, deep rumble behind me. Just for a moment, I close my eyes and soak it in. Imagine what it would be like to have someone like River to lean on.
Someone who supported me. Someone who sees me as a person instead of an object to be owned, or an opportunity to be bartered. Someone who doesn’t constantly dismiss my hopes and dreams as an inconvenience. Someone who doesn’t see my personality as optional.
“Hey.” I jump as fingers carefully, lightly brush my shoulder before withdrawing. He’s already stepping back as I whirl around, giving me space. “I’ve upset you.”
I shake my head. “No. At least – not intentionally. You haven’t done anything wrong.”
It’s hard to argue when my eyes are damp. Sniffing, I take a deep breath. “God, I’m sorry. This is ridiculously unprofessional, but I promise—,”
“I don’t care about that.” River is still studying me intently, and his gaze is so penetrating that I almost feel naked. His brown eyes are dark enough that they’re almost black; his blond, longer hair tied back in a messy bun that should clash with his suit but somehow makes him look even more… perfect. He’s much broader than I am, his white shirt not hiding any of the sleek muscle beneath. It’s glaringly obvious and right in front of my eye-level.
And… he’s wearing braces. Tan braces that put thoughts in my head that definitely don’t belong there. I rip my eyes away with effort, very aware that he’s still watching me. Heat suffuses my cheeks. “I need to finish your jacket. You have better things to do than hang around in here, I’m sure.”
Preferably without my hands shaking.
“No rush.” He runs a hand over the golden stubble on his lower face before slipping his hands into his pockets, not looking away. “I can come and get it tomorrow. I actually have some other clothes that probably need looking at, if you have the time.”
My traitorous heart leaps and twists inside my chest. “I… yes, I have time.”
Nothing but time. And for him… I would make time.
His smile threatens to unravel my insides. It shows off a dimple, a hint of boyishness that hints at trouble. And it makes my stomach flip. “I’m very glad to hear that.”
It’s only when he steps back that I realise I need to breathe. I suck in air quickly, and River offers me another overwhelming smile before pulling the door open. “Until tomorrow, then, Briar Rose.”
And then he’s gone.
I stare at the door for long minutes after, until my phone buzzes. Dazed, I fumble it in my hands, pressing the screen with shaking fingers.
Change of plans. Dinner moved to tonight. Will collect you at four.
It’s the hard, cold dose of reality I needed.
Even if River comes back tomorrow… this is my life. It’s my father, and Philip, making their plans and expecting me to fold to them like a piece of paper. Insubstantial. Unimportant.
A piece of paper can only fold so many times before it reaches its limit.
I wonder when I’ll reach mine.