Chapter 13 Remiel #3
“Then I hate to break it to you, but not all people are that way. And may I add that you can’t buy a home, clothes, or food with good relationships and whatever bullshit you think brings you wealth beyond money.”
“I won’t deny you need money to live or that I have access to money, but I do not believe that’s all you need.”
Greer’s eyes narrow at me as I put her business card in the pocket of my pants then pick up my tea. I stare at her over the brim. Her bleak aura pulses gray, but I also see a slight edge of red that’s similar to that of passion. But this is a bit darker, muddier, showing me she’s pissed.
I’m about to look away from it when I notice a tiny bit of blue. Sadness.
I exhale and put my cup down after I take a drink, the now-warm tea settling in my churning gut. I didn’t think our conversation would end up going down a serious path so soon. We’ll have plenty of time for that when I visit her tonight.
“Let’s change the subject.” I steeple my fingers. “I’d rather we not argue.”
She clears her throat. “I don’t know; sometimes arguing can be fun.”
When I see the corner of her lips turn into a smile, my stomach flips. “You sound like Kai.”
Greer shifts in her chair like she had earlier, the anger and sadness expelling from her aura as a lighter red returns that has a pink edge—passion and some lust.
“He seems like the type to argue for fun.” Her eyes glaze over, and I wonder if she’s thinking about what she saw in my office last night. When more passion pulses from her aura, I think that’s a yes.
I lean forward in my chair a bit, voice an octave lower. “He can be a proper little shit when he wants to be.”
Greer puffs a low laugh, gaze drifting to my lips before she meets my eyes again. “And you?” she asks.
“Do I think arguing can be fun?”
“Yes.”
“Depends on what kind.”
“And what kind is that?”
I lean a bit closer. “Wouldn’t you like to know, love?”
Her eyes dart to my lips once more, and she leans in closer. We may have been in a bit of a heated debate moments ago, but now there’s a different kind of heat between us, one that makes the hunger in my stomach grow despite the food I just ate.
Greer licks her lips as if she’s had the same thought, and I draw nearer to her from across the table.
Remi. You’re just as bad as Kai. What are you doing?
The rough sound of Sam’s voice in my mind makes me blink and pull back. Greer is still leaning across the table, almost frozen in place. We’d both been much closer than I thought, nearly about to kiss.
I swallow hard, my skin prickling as if I’d been in some kind of magnetic trance, one that was pulling me toward this enigmatic woman.
Seeing what happens, I answer back.
This is not the time to live in the moment. She needs—
I’ll decide that for myself, Sam.
Remiel—
I shut down my communication line with Sam before he can finish but still feel him close, like he’s watching me. I turn my head toward the window to find him standing outside the bakery with a harsh scowl.
“I should let you go,” Greer says. I look back at her, and she nods toward Sam. “I’m sorry if I caused any issues,” she adds.
“Why would you?”
“Aren’t you all together?”
I dip my chin. “It’s complicated.”
She lets out a laugh. “Interesting. That’s what Kai said yesterday when I asked him if he was with him at the bar.”
“What else did Kai say?”
“He said he was in an open relationship with him.”
I nod. “That’s the best way to describe what the three of us have.”
Usually someone would be a little shocked to find out three men are in an open relationship with each other, but Greer isn’t. It’s almost as if I just told her the sky is blue.
She turns her focus to the window again, and I follow it, but Sam is no longer there. I’m sure he’s gone to his bookstore to brood.
“You should go after him,” she says.
I shake my head. “I’ll see him later, and we can talk then.”
“I hope I didn’t—”
I place my hand over the one she has on top of the table, a flutter of happiness in my chest at the fact that a woman who acts so detached from her emotions is thinking of Sam’s feelings. I knew she wasn’t hopeless, but this is another thing that shows me she’s not.
“You didn’t do anything, love. I meant it when I said it’s complicated.”
“He looked jealous.”
I nearly laugh. The three of us don’t get jealous. But I can see how she would think that with the current situation.
“He’s not; he’s just grumpy.”
“Another Scrooge, maybe?” She smirks.
My lips turn up in a smile. Sam isn’t technically a Scrooge, but he can come off that way. “Could be.”
“Maybe it’s the Christmas decor.”
I chuckle. “I’ll be sure to ask him later. But we’ve had a disagreement, that’s all. We’ll work it out.”
Her eyes look down at my hand on top of hers. I squeeze it gently, enjoying how warm it feels under mine. “Are you finished?” I ask.
She blinks and pulls her hand away, putting it on her lap. I can’t deny I already miss her touch and want her hand back in mine.
“Yes,” she says.
“Good. Do you have plans this afternoon?”
She almost shakes her head before she remembers something. “Work, actually. But I want to find Wi-Fi to use. I was going to ask the owner here, but you distracted me.”
I grin as I say, “It’s out in the whole town, I’m afraid.”
“Even the bar?”
I nod. “The storm pretty much took everything out except the power.”
She frowns. “Really?”
“Yep.” Little does she know, the last thing I want is for her to access the outside world. Her focus is to be on her alone from now on.
“I guess I have no plans then.”
“Good. How do you feel about ice skating?”
“Ice skating?”
“Yes.”
“I don’t know…”
“Come on, love. When was the last time you did something spontaneous?”
She takes in a breath and then shrugs. “I don’t really do spontaneous.”
“I think now is the perfect time to start.”
She eyes me warily, and I give her my most charming smile. “I’ll even throw in a hot cider after.”
She snorts. “Will it have alcohol in it?”
“I think I can swing a hot toddy.”
Greer thinks it through some more, even pulling out her phone to make sure she isn’t connected to any service. Eventually, she puffs out a breath and dips her chin in agreement.
“Alright, I’ll skate with you. But no laughing when I fall on my ass.”
I stand and hold out my hand. “I promise, Greer. I won’t let you fall.”
She stares at my extended hand, and after a long pause, she nods and puts her palm in mine. I squeeze it, knowing this woman is going to change everything. Even if I’m not exactly sure how yet.