Chapter 12
Brianna waited nervously for Logan to pick her up for dinner. She had offered to stay home with River, but the woman had refused to let her miss her date. River had been a blurry-eyed mess since last night. Guilt was an icy cold feeling in her veins. But Brianna pushed that aside. She wanted to have a fun night with an attractive woman that liked her. Logan had been upfront about asking her out. The intentions were clear, and that was refreshing. Brianna didn’t know enough about Logan to say whether they’d get along, but she was hopeful.
Brianna pulled out a can of soup and heated it in the microwave while she waited. When it was done she put it on the kitchen counter. Brianna knocked tentatively on River’s door before opening it. River hadn’t done much working today. That alone was enough to make Brianna worry. River loved work. She worked for herself, so every hour was an investment in her own projects. Today, River had spent most of her time in bed.
“Hey,” River said from underneath her blankets.
Brianna had to smile at the scene in front of her. She couldn’t even see River; she was completely hidden in her own little den.
“I made you some soup. Promise me that you’ll get up and eat in a bit.”
Usually, Brianna went out of her way to avoid sounding bossy. Today though, Brianna didn’t care if she came across as bossy. All that mattered was convincing River to take care of herself.
“What kind of soup?” River whimpered. This time Brianna couldn’t hold back a tiny chuckle. She walked over and sat on the edge of River’s bed.
“It’s chicken noodle soup,” Brianna offered.
“But I’m not sick,” River protested.
“You don’t have to be sick to drink chicken noodle soup.”
Brianna heard River give a tiny huff before sitting up in bed. River turned to look at Brianna, her eyes were red and blotchy.
“Why are you being so nice to me?” River asked.
“You’re my friend. Of course, I’m being nice to you,” Brianna laughed.
River only moaned and flopped back down. She pulled the comforter back over her head.
Brianna’s phone buzzed and she pulled it out to check her messages. River folded her blankets down just enough for one eye to be visible.
“That’s Logan. She’s waiting for me outside. Are you sure you’re going to be alright?”
“Of course. I’m just being dramatic. Go have an amazing night.”
River attempted a smile that looked more like a grimace, but Brianna appreciated the effort.
“Thanks, buddy. I’ll bring you some dessert from wherever we eat.”
That seemed to cheer River up, even if it was only slightly. Her friend smiled at her. Brianna patted River on the leg then rose.
“I’ll come say goodnight after I get in.”
“You mean if you get in,” River chuckled.
“Eh, I don’t think we’re going to end up in bed together. Not tonight anyway.”
“Whatever you feel comfortable with,” River said genuinely.
Brianna’s thoughts had been in a semi-constant loop since the previous night. The truth was that there was an elephant in the room that no one was acknowledging. Brianna and River still had feelings for one another. They had agreed to put those feelings to the side, but that was because of River’s relationship status. A status that as of last night had changed. The two of them hadn’t spoken about the feelings that still existed between them.
Did Brianna want another chance at something serious with River? If she were honest with herself, she didn’t know. Her feelings for River ran deep. But there were some things she wasn’t sure she could get over. River had been given the chance to choose Brianna, but she hadn’t. Could Brianna really be upset that River had wanted to work on things with Tiff? They had been together for nine months, surely that was a long enough time to devote some care to the relationship. Even so Brianna had been hurt by River’s decision. Which brought her right back to this moment, walking downstairs to meet her date for the evening.
Logan drove a sporty black Jeep; the color almost matched her hair. Brianna gave Logan a once over. She quickly realized that she’d always seen Logan wearing her hair up or at the very least braided. Tonight, Logan’s hair fell in dark feathery waves down her back. Her icy blue eyes were as keen as they always were. Once Brianna had sat in the passenger side, Logan pulled her in for a hug. The scent of sandalwood filled Brianna’s nose.
“You look incredible tonight,” Logan smiled and locked eyes with Brianna.
“Thank you. You look amazing, too.”
Brianna felt a surge of heat sun through her cheeks. Logan started up the car and began to drive. She asked Brianna about her day. Brianna hesitated for a moment, should she be completely honest? Considering that most of Brianna’s day had involved taking care of River. Honesty was the best policy, especially when it came to dating. She told Lauren all about her and River’s encounter with Tiff the night before, and how sad River had been that day. Logan didn’t offer much in the way of commentary, she simply listened to what Brianna had to say.
Logan took Brianna to a steak place called Firebirds. Brianna’s stomach ached with hunger. There was a sudden realization that she hadn’t eaten much that day. She’d been too busy taking care of River.
“Shall we?” Logan laughed; she nodded her head towards the entrance.
“I can’t think of anything I’d like more.”
As they walked Brianna allowed her eyes to move over Logan, fully taking her in. She wore a pair of worn-in blue jeans and an over-sized t-shirt. Her body was incredible, and Brianna could appreciate how much work it took to stay in that kind of shape. Brianna waited to feel a spark of desire, but, instead, she simply felt hungry. She had to laugh at herself. Here she was on a date with an incredibly beautiful woman, and all she could think about was food.
The server took them to a table and took their drink orders.
“How was your day?” Brianna asked. They had more than covered her day in length, and she wanted to reciprocate Logan’s interest.
“Not bad. I went to the gym for a couple of hours this morning. Then I trained with some other Krav Maga instructors. I ate lunch and did my second workout. Now I’m here with you, by far the best part of the day.”
“My goodness. You really went after it today,” Brianna smiled.
“Not really. That’s a pretty typical day for me.”
Brianna marveled. She enjoyed getting in a workout. Brianna even enjoyed going to Krav Maga classes. But to make those two things the bulk of her day was something she couldn’t imagine. Brianna wasn’t sloppy in the least, but what must it be like to be that structured. Inside of her, a knot began to form.
“Do you think your friend is completely done with her girlfriend?” Logan asked. She took a forkful of steak and waited for Brianna’s answer.
“I’m pretty sure she is. I can’t imagine River ever taking Tiff back. Not after catching her blatantly cheating on her.”
Logan nodded thoughtfully before taking another bite. Her sharp blue eyes pinned Brianna with a stare. Her look wasn’t mean, but she found herself shrinking from the intensity of the eye contact.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Of course,” Brianna offered.
“With River free for all intents and purposes what does that mean for you?” Logan asked.
“For me? What do you mean?”
Logan chuckled.
“Brianna, you are wonderful. And I think you have the makings of a great partner. That’s what drew me to you to begin with. You’re obviously kind, loyal, and funny. You’re not bad to look at either. But I think it’s good for you to accept that even though you might still be hurt by River’s decision, you aren’t done with her.”
“I don’t know if I would go that far,” Brianna interjected.
“I’m not saying that you’ll end up together. I’m just saying there’s more for you to resolve with River. Which feels like a dynamic I don’t want to be a part of.”
Logan’s tone was even, there wasn’t a hint of harshness in her voice. But her words hit home all the same. She was so matter of fact in her delivery that it almost threw Brianna off a bit. Logan offered her a warm smile.
“Listen, please don’t take any of that the wrong way. We’ve all been part of a complicated dynamic with a woman. I’m just looking for someone who’s ready to fully commit to me. And you clearly have some unfinished business.”
Brianna returned Logan’s smile and offered a nod. The worst part was that she couldn’t pretend that Logan was wrong. She knew Logan was right, there was more that she needed to figure out with River. But Brianna wasn’t sure what the timetable was on that. River had just caught her girlfriend cheating would she really be in the mood to discuss where they stood with one another? She needed to give River time. Not only that, but she also needed to give herself time.
“You’re pretty wise,” Brianna laughed.
“I have my moments. And I would love it if we could still be friends,” Logan said with a smile.
“Of course. I would like that.”
The rest of the night was spent making good conversation. Brianna found that Logan was easy to talk to and had a good sense of humor. All of which was a plus, not just for romance but for friendships as well. At the end of the night Logan dropped Brianna back at her place. She left Brianna with a hug. The night hadn’t ended exactly the way she’d imagined, but Brianna felt good about the outcome. It was never a loss to gain another friend.