Chapter 11
River was beyond happy that her talk with Brianna had gone as well as it had. Brianna had every right to hold this entire situation against her. All she could hope was that she could show Brianna that she intended to be as good a friend to her as she could be from this moment on.
It wasn’t as if Tiff was a consolation prize. She and Tiff had been happy for months in the beginning of their relationship. Tiff had come out of the gate strong when it came to her relationship with River. There had been fancy dates and lavish gifts. In recent months the glamor of their relationship had faded as the newness wore off. Even so, there had been plenty of talks about marriage. They had even gone to look at rings a couple months before her accident.
River had been waiting for Tiff to propose. She’d been sure that moment was waiting just around the corner. River had always been the type of woman who focused on the future. She looked towards what was next, versus what was happening now. Had that caused her to miss something important about her relationship with Tiff? Had she been so focused on what came next with the woman that she’d been ignoring red flags this whole time?
Tiff had swept her off of her feet. In the beginning of their relationship Tiff had been so romantic. They had met at a birthday party for a mutual friend of theirs. Tiff had been quick to flirt with River. River had immediately been drawn to Tiff’s confidence and the way she carried herself. Tiff had been impressed with River’s success in putting together several drop shipping storefronts. They had talked about business and goals and found that much of their aspirations lined up.
Tiff had been the first to say I love you . If River was honest, once she’d committed and said her own, I love you Tiff had pulled away. Once the chase had ended Tiff had seemed more interested in going through the motions instead of continuing their romance. Sure, Tiff had enjoyed the benefits of River being close. With River’s humor and good looks, Tiff had enjoyed introducing her to clients and colleagues alike. But now, River found herself wondering if Tiff viewed her more as arm candy than she did a girlfriend. Maybe that’s why she hadn’t been around as much since the accident. What good was River if Tiff couldn’t show her off?
River shook her head and tried to calm her thoughts. She didn’t like thinking the worst of her girlfriend. It was clear that they needed to have a conversation about where the relationship was headed. In the meantime, River had to focus on resetting her friendship with Brianna. River had a lot to make up for where Brianna was concerned.
When she heard Brianna come home, she came out of her bedroom. Brianna was sweaty and looked a little worse for wear. River chuckled to herself.
“Did you and Jordan have a good Krav Maga class?” River asked.
“How did you know that’s where I was?”
“You look like you’ve been put through the wringer,” River laughed.
A shadow passed over Brianna’s face, and for a moment her expression was unreadable. Brianna smiled and seemed to make her mind up about something.
“Actually, I did have a pretty great time.”
“Oh yeah, tell me about it,” River said with genuine interest.
“I got asked out on a date,” Brianna announced. It was clear to River that her friend was trying to reestablish their friendship. She wanted to observe River’s reaction. River knew this was her opportunity to show Brianna how much she cared for her and their friendship. This was her chance to be happy for Brianna. Even though the idea of Brianna going on a date with someone else sent an unpleasant feeling of jealousy traveling up her spine.
River didn’t like the unpleasant jolt that stung its way through her at Brianna’s announcement. She’d told Brianna that Tiff was her choice. Brianna had every right to explore her options. River needed to allow herself to be happy for Brianna. That’s what her friend deserved.
“That’s great news. Do you like her?” River asked.
She tried not to sound too desperate when she asked if Brianna liked Logan.
“Yeah. I think she’s probably going to be a lot of fun to go out with. I mean I won’t lie, I am a little bit intimidated by her.”
River was overjoyed to get her flow back with Brianna. It was nice to have her friend opening up to her, even if it was about a new crush. Apparently, Brianna moved faster than River had given her credit for. She scolded herself internally for that thought. She hadn’t given Brianna any reason to hold off looking elsewhere. She kicked herself a little.
“You, intimidated? Why would you be intimidated?” River hoped she didn’t sound too eager.
“Logan is in such good shape,” Brianna admitted.
“So are you,” River laughed.
“Compared to Logan I am in passable shape only.”
This Logan chick must be a beast if Brianna was worried about being out of shape.
“Brianna, you are in incredible shape. Besides I doubt that this woman would have flirted with you and asked you out if she didn’t find you attractive.”
Brianna tilted her head to the side, she was obviously taking River’s words in. Brianna had made that same motion a hundred times before, but for some reason today it seemed extra sexy. Stop it! River chastised herself.
“Maybe you’re right. Thanks, buddy. Are you ready to get out of here?”
“I am absolutely ready to go,” River laughed.
The two of them decided to go to Slim Pickens, billed as an upscale chicken restaurant. Once they arrived River took in the aesthetic. The walls were wood paneling, the tables were decorated with checkered tablecloths. For a moment River couldn’t believe that she had been the one to suggest this place. Still, Brianna seemed to warm up to it. River knew that no matter where they went Brianna could turn it into a good time. She couldn’t keep a smile from spreading across her face at the realization.
It was clear that the swanky bar was the only reason the restaurant was billed as upscale. Their server sat them at a corner table and took their drink orders, leaving them each with a glass of water to get started.
“I’m glad we did this,” Brianna admitted.
“Me, too.”
I know I messed up, but you are so important to me. I wanted to try and smooth things over.”
“It’s going to be a process. But you’re too important to me to ever let one slip ruin our friendship,” Brianna smiled.
The smile lit up Brianna’s entire face. She really was a gorgeous woman. The low lighting of the place cast a warming glow on Brianna’s features. River’s heart beat harder in her chest. She was pretty sure that the surrounding tables could hear her heartbeat, it was so loud in her own ears.
“Tell me more about Logan,” River prodded.
If they were going to get back to being friends River knew she needed to lean into the role. Briann eyed her cautiously at first, as if assessing her motives. A moment later her smile had returned. River knew that Brianna was leaning into the interaction as well.
“She’s the whole package. She’s athletic and toned. I mean Logan is so fit. But she also has a soft side. I can tell because of how much she cares about the people in her classes. She’s also hilarious. Which you know I have a soft spot for people who can make me laugh.”
“It’s true, humor does rank up there for you,” River laughed.
Their drinks seemed to be taking longer than River had expected. Her eyes naturally travelled to the bar, then froze. The lighting was low, but River would recognize Tiff anywhere. Her girlfriend was dressed in her best button-up shirt and black slacks. She’d trimmed her hair into an undercut. She looked good, stunning even. And she wasn’t there alone. River’s focus faded from Brianna as she zoomed in on Tiff and the attractive woman, she had with her. The woman was also dressed to kill in a deep red dress that didn’t match the establishment around them.
River’s mind worked double time to find the benefit of the doubt for Tiff. Maybe she and the woman were just friends. Or maybe this was a colleague or client. But Tiff’s hand rested on the woman’s knee. There was a sudden lurch in River’s stomach. She had texted Tiff earlier about getting together to talk. But Tiff had plans she couldn’t get out of. Was the attractive woman in the red dress Tiff’s plans? The room was spinning around her.
“Hey, friend. Are you okay?” Brianna asked. River focused on the sound of Brianna’s voice and allowed it to pull her back to shore.
“Not really. Look at the bar,” River said as nausea rose in her stomach.
Brianna turned to look at the bar. Her head snapped back to River in realization.
“Holy shit! Is that Tiff?” Brianna asked in a hushed whisper.
“It is,” River acknowledged. Something shiny glimmered on Tiff’s wrist. It was the expensive gold watch River had bought the woman for her birthday. That sent an unimaginable pang of sadness through River.
She and Brianna watched as Tiff leaned in and gave the woman a peck on the cheek. Anger replaced sadness and boiled inside of River.
“We should go. I can’t watch this,” River whispered.
“We can leave if you want. Just head to the front.”
Brianna was all smiles, but River sensed there was something beyond the expression on Brianna’s face.
“B, what are you about to do?” River asked.
“Nothing at all. I’ll catch right up.”
River was suspicious but she did as Brianna directed. Brianna on the other hand walked right up to the bar, glass of water in hand. When she was close Brianna made a show of accidentally tripping, spilling the whole glass of water down Tiff’s shirt. Tiff screeched as the cold water hit her. River almost laughed out loud. She watched as Brianna lifted a finger in front of Tiff’s face, accusing her. Brianna didn’t back down even as Tiff stood from her seat. For a moment River wondered if she should intervene. The woman that was with Tiff grabbed her by the arm, calming her down. This obviously wasn’t a first date for the two of them. Tiff threw her hands in the air as if frustrated. Brianna extended her hand towards the woman, palm up. River knew she was asking Tiff for something but couldn’t imagine what it could be.
River was shocked when a still angry Tiff unclasped her watch and handed it over to Brianna. River smiled. That watch had been Tiff’s pride and joy for three months. River had bought the piece for Tiff’s birthday. River had known that Tiff had always wanted a watch like that but would never spend the money. River frowned at the memory now. Brianna walked towards River with an unreadable expression on her face. Tiff watched her go, and her eyes eventually fell on River.
River willed herself not to cry. Not now. Not in front of Tiff. At least Tiff had the good sense to bow her head and avoid River’s gaze. Brianna handed the watch to River, and they walked out.
River was a swirl of complicated emotions. The anger and sadness she felt were evident, but below that was regret. Regret was the sinking feeling at the bottom of her stomach. She had chosen Tiff, while the woman was actively seeking other options. How long had Tiff been seeing that woman? When had she started looking for someone new? River probably wouldn’t ever get the answers to those questions. And if she did, it was unlikely to make her feel any better. They arrived back at Brianna’s car and loaded up.
Hot tears stung River’s eyes and fell down her face. Brianna pulled her in for an embrace, holding her close. The smell of Brianna’s shampoo filled River’s nose. Being in Brianna’s arms felt natural, and safe.
“I’m so sorry, friend,” Brianna said.
River was sorry, too. She regretted so many things about the past two weeks. But there was no going back now. Hindsight was twenty-twenty. If she just could have found out about Tiff two days or two weeks prior, River could have made a different decision. But Brianna was the woman comforting her, Tiff was off with another woman, and River was alone. How had she possibly chosen Tiff over Brianna? When it was clear that between the two of them Brianna cared for her more. Tiff hadn’t even tried to make their relationship sustainable. The honeymoon period had ended and so had Tiff’s interest. That was so clear to River now. Why hadn’t she seen that weeks ago? Brianna’s hand gripped her shoulder, holding her tight. River let herself cry, and she allowed it to be ugly. She had made her decision and now she had to live with it.