33. Blake
Blake
Imoved into Luke’s apartment three weeks ago.
We have officially, as of last night, had sex on every surface in here.
The last place being the one he has been saving.
He insisted he wanted to remember the first time he fucked me there, ending our first time marathon, right smack dab in the middle of the pantry, where he could enjoy his favorite “snack.” Who knew there were so many uses for gummy bears?
That’s where my mind is right now, as I wait on hold with my commercial real estate agent.
I’m drifting back to thoughts of Luke, nibbling the edges of various gummy bears and sticking them in a trail across my body, eating each one off me, until he got “distracted” by the body parts they were sticking to.
When we finished, we were both a sweaty, sticky mess, and continued the fun in the shower.
The booming voice of Chase, my realtor, abruptly interrupted my thoughts.
“They accepted your application, but you’re going to need a business loan by the weekend for the rest of the down payment!” he all but yells through the phone.
“For real? I thought they had several applications come through?” I ask, barely able to contain myself.
“The owner of the space is and I quote, ‘A woman’s woman.’ She loved your business plan and how liberating it was going to be for women in this town,” he explains. “All the other applicants were either chains or businesses that lacked the appeal you had.”
“Holy shit! When can I get in to set it all up?” I ask.
“You sign in two weeks, but she said you can start scheduling contractors to come on Monday.”
Owning a bar has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember. After exploring several concepts, I went with my favorite idea: a spicy book bar. Lit and Libations will officially be open for business, soon!
Last week, Luke and I were on a walk and I noticed a little storefront in town I absolutely fell in love with. It’s a few blocks from our apartment and is the perfect place to start up my small business. I think back to the day and smile.
“Luke, look at this place!” my cheeks hurt from smiling. “This is perfect. It’s small, intimate. It has hardwood floors like I imagined, and the exposed bricks and the pipes give it an industrial vibe.”
“It’s absolutely perfect, baby. I think the best part is the storybook window in the front. It would be the perfect place to put a bench seat. I can build you one.” The look in his eyes was genuine and loving.
Ever since I put in the offer, I can envision it.
It all comes alive in my head: a cozy space that serves as both a spicy bookstore and a bar, blending the best of both worlds, and creating a place where people can come and truly escape the grind of day-to-day life.
The warm, hardwood floors and exposed brick walls create a home away from home.
Shelves lined with books will accompany cozy reading nooks scattered throughout the room, perfect for curling up with a novel and a drink.
The centerpiece is a whimsical bar, round in the center, with warm lights casting a glow off the glass shelves.
The air is filled with the rich aroma of spiked coffee and the subtle notes of wine floating through the air, creating the perfect setting to host a book club, get lost in a book, or socialize with other readers.
A place where I can truly unleash my most exotic mixology creations.
Thankfully, the space is charming on its own, and the only real construction that needs to be done is building a bar in the center of the room. My biggest undertaking is stocking the book inventory.
With more excitement than I can contain, I pick up the phone to call Luke. I know he’s at work, but he knows I’ve been waiting for this call.
“Hey, B,” he says with a smile in his voice.
“I got it! The owner loved my business plan and said I can start sending contractors over on Monday.”
“Shit! That’s amazing, baby. L&L will be up and running sooner than you thought! I’m so fucking proud of you, baby.”
“Right? This is like a dream. Listen, I’m going to see if Ana and April want to go get dinner and celebrate. Hopefully April will come.” I sigh. “Then I’m going to pick up dessert and bring it to the hospital so I can celebrate with you.”
“I can’t wait, but trust me, there will be plenty of celebrating when I get home.” His voice is spiked with heat.
The thought makes my knees weak. “B, I’m so proud of you,” he professes one last time, before we hang up.
Phone still in hand, I type out a message to Ana and April, holding my breath as I hit send, hoping April will at least respond.
After she walked in on Luke and me, she had been really standoffish.
I don’t blame her, I would be mad too. I tried calling her like crazy after she left.
After many failed attempts, I showed up at her apartment, and made her talk to me, but there is a distance there I hate so much.
To my surprise, April responded just a few minutes before I got to the burger bar and let me know she would be here.
Even after our short conversation she’s still upset.
I can’t really blame her, it’s not even the idea of us being together that’s putting her in a funk.
She’s just worried we’re going to crash and burn the second there is tension, but we are stronger, I know it.
Ana and I are already at the table when she walks in, a bright yellow bag in hand, her face impassive.
“I can’t believe you did it!” Ana continues as April pulls out the chair next to me. She leans over and gives me a hug and places a soft kiss on my temple.
“It really is amazing. Tell me all about it,” she urges.
I’m pleasantly surprised by her warm demeanor.
“Hey,” I return the hug, though brief. “I’m glad you came. I wasn't sure you would.”
“Why?” She looks at me like she hasn’t the faintest idea.
“Um… you’ve been pissed at me and we barely speak.”
“We can have our differences and still be there to support each other,” she reassures me. “I’m proud as fuck of you, even though I’m mad at you. Let’s not talk about it right now, though.”
I nod, not wanting to ruin the night. She and I can have it out some other time. Tonight, I just want to stuff my face with burgers and celebrate with my two best friends.
We each opted for all you can eat. A love for burgers is something we all have in common.
“How did you find this place?” Ana asks, shoving fries into her mouth.
“Luke suggested it after we ran into each other at the bookstore.” I wince, not wanting to make April uncomfortable.
“Don’t do that,” she sounds annoyed. “Either date my brother and be confident in it, or don’t.”
You could cut the tension with a knife, so Ana interjects just in time.
“Alright, so what are your plans for the store?” Ana interrupts, changing the subject.
My voice is unsteady as my throat constricts, fighting back the emotion building behind my words. I start off quiet, but the more I tell them all about the space, I find myself lost in the excitement, almost forgetting April’s words, almost.
“I really want it to be a cozy place people can go to escape, and fall into a book after they buy it.”
“That sounds amazing.” Ana’s attention doesn’t leave mine, but mine’s fixed on April. She offers me a soft smile and asks what else I have planned.
“I’m in the process of creating a drink menu with punny book names to serve at the bar.
“Ooh, what about Tequila Mockingbird?” Ana asks with a chuckle.
“No, Cheeky Chi-tini,” April fires back, her voice much lighter.
“No, no, Hellcat High roller,” Ana nods her head in approval. “A nod to MK. She’s my favorite FMC.”
We spend the next hour laughing and making grand plans for the opening.
“This made my night, you guys. Thank you for coming.” I smile at them both. I know April came around, but I hate feeling uneasy around her. “Would you guys like to come help me get everything set up this weekend?”
“I can’t believe you can get set up already. I mean, I know it feels like it’s taking forever to you, but this is moving quickly.” April’s voice is cheery on the surface, but I know her well enough to hear the slightly forced undertone.
“I think the landlord is eager to have the rent covered.” I smile.
“Knox and I would love to help,” Ana cuts in.
“Me too, of course. I should have led with that,” April adds.
Despite the lighthearted change in her demeanor, there’s something in the way she’s watching me, like she’s reading too much into everything, and it’s making the air between us heavier than it should be.