Chapter 30 Brianna
Brianna
Drink every last drop
I wake up feeling a little more like how I’ve been these past few weeks. My arms stretch out only to find the other side of the bed empty. I feel my inner monsters trying to make something out of nothing, but I mentally push them off the cliff. I’m not going to give in to their demands today.
I pad over to my ensuite bathroom to wash my face and brush the knots from my hair. I give myself a onceover, and once I’m satisfied, I head downstairs. I don’t know where Asher’s gone, but I love having him here with me. There's something about waking up in the arms of the love of your life.
The moment I step into the kitchen, I see the familiar coffee shop logo and my heart stutters inside my chest. The closer I get to the table, I see a black, velvet, rectangular box, and I open it with giddy excitement.
Inside is the most beautiful sterling silver chain with a book charm attached to the end.
Next to the coffee is a single pink rose with a red bow wrapped around it and a note attached.
Drink every last drop, Bear - Asher
Fucking Christ. He just had to reference what he said to me when he fucked my face. And now I’m all hot and bothered. I grab my phone, put the straw in my mouth, and snap a picture to send him.
Me: *image* Thank you for the beautiful gifts. I love you.
Asher: You’re welcome, baby. I’ll be home soon to take you somewhere. Love you, too.
I puncture the top of the coffee with the straw before taking a long pull. The cold liquid rushes down my throat and I let out a happy sigh.
He’s just so thoughtful. Between taking me to and from therapy and helping me become more comfortable driving, it’s overwhelming how incredible he is to me.
Speaking of being more comfortable with driving, I’ve been able to drive around the block by myself without having a freak out.
And now, I think it’s time to get myself a car.
I can’t rely on Asher being my personal driver for the rest of my life, even though he’s never once complained.
This next step is necessary for me to get back to myself again.
Asher isn’t here to take me car shopping, so I use the Carvana website, grateful that they deliver the car to you.
I scroll through every make and model, looking for the perfect car for me.
I end up getting a 2021 silver Nissan Rogue, and pick the three hour delivery option.
I can’t wait to see Asher’s face when he sees what I’ve done.
Two hours later, my car is being delivered at the same time Asher pulls into the driveway.
I watch with bated breath as his eyes rake over the shiny, silver sedan.
He circles around it, looking up, down, left, and right like a mechanic would.
Asher folds his arms over his chest, and when his eyes meet mine, he offers the most panty-dropping grin known to man.
"I'm so proud of you. And this is perfect for you."
His gaze darkens, flicking to the delivery guy waiting for my signature.
"I can’t wait to christen the fuck out of this car."
My face heats at his words and a pulse throbs between my legs as I shove the papers back into the delivery guy’s grip with shaking hands.
"You folks enjoy." He snickers as he saunters back to the truck.
"Asher!" I hiss as he pulls me into a happy dance, our bodies flushed together, not a single thing between us.
“Look at you kicking your list’s ass.”
I’m grinning like a fool while breaking out into a happy dance.
Look at me. Doing hard shit and taking my rediscovery list by the horns.
I’m in the middle of one of my many happy twirls when Asher grabs me by the hand and spins me in a circle before pulling my body flush against his.
I let out an involuntary oof right before we begin to sway.
“What are you doing?”
“Dancing with my girl. I have a question to ask you, and it feels right to do so while holding you close.”
“But there’s no music.”
“It doesn’t matter. Music or no music, I want to dance with you.”
“You’re ridiculous, but I love it. I love you. What do you want to ask me?”
“We’ve been hanging out for some time now, and I don’t think I’d want to do life without you. You’ve become one of the most, if not the most, important person in my life. I want to take the next step and ask you to be my girlfriend, officially.”
“Took you long enough to ask, but yes. Of course I’ll be your girlfriend. Wow, we sound so high school.” Asher kisses and nips the sensitive spot on my neck, and I squeal.
“Well, I’ve wanted to do this since high school, so that tracks. Anyways, we have plans. Let's go.” Asher drags me by the hand toward his car, and surprise, surprise, there’s a bouquet of tulips.
“If you keep giving me flowers, I might need to open a greenhouse. They’re lovely, thank you.” I lean over the seat and kiss him. “Are you going to tell me what we’re doing?”
“Nope. You’ll see when we get there.”
“No blindfold this time?” I ask just as he’s pulling it out.
“Of course. It makes it more fun that way.” I roll my eyes before placing the fabric over my eyes. The drive feels short, and I assume we’ve parked, because the car has stopped. Asher opens his door, and within seconds, the passenger door is opening and he’s pulling me out of the car.
“Okay, you can take it off.” When I do, I realize we’re in the parking lot of our local independent bookstore.
“EEEK. Are you taking me book shopping?”
“Kinda. I have a challenge for us. When we get inside, we have ten minutes to search for a book for the other person. The only rule: it has to be the craziest, most insane book you can find. So, bear, are you up for the challenge?”
“Oh, hell yeah, I am. This is gonna be so much fun.” We stand outside of the store and my body buzzes with excitement.
I quickly glance at Asher before bolting inside.
People look at me, but I don’t seem to notice nor care.
I am on a mission. I hear him call me a cheater behind me, and I can’t help but laugh.
I’m already scouring the aisles when I get a text from Asher.
Asher: Choose wisely, bear.
Me: You’re talking to the queen of book recs. I got this…do you? *winky face*
Being in a bookstore again feels…right. It’s my home away from home.
My fingers brush across the smooth spines of a plethora of books.
I see some of my favorites from Kennedy Ryan to Shantel Tessier to Lyla Sage.
I know we’re here to get a book for each other, but I’m struggling to not leave with at least five books.
..okay, ten. What can I say? Book buying is an addiction.
Back in high school, whenever I wasn’t in class, I could be found in the library, nose deep within the cream-colored pages, getting lost in a story.
A piece of my heart slots back into place while I stand amongst thousands of stories. I lost my love of reading while darkness held me captive. But now that I’m back? I’ll be holding it within my clutches like a lifeline.
I’m scanning the aisles both for an idea as well as making sure Asher isn’t close by.
As I’m scouring my surroundings, something grabs my attention.
My footsteps are muffled against the carpet as I make my way over to the cover that draws my attention.
The moment my fingers grip the glossy cover, I feel my face stretch out in a wicked grin.
This…This is perfect. I tuck the book under my arm in case I bump into Asher.
I’m looking every which way, making sure he’s not nearby.
I make it to the checkout, and the moment the book is inside the bag, I walk outside and wait.
I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he sees what I picked out.