pure, brown skin bride | Suds 3

pure, Suds 3 | Episode 2

{Last time on Suds, Terrance dropped a bomb on Lique. Bomb meaning his new fiancé, Jeanette. And he did it by bringing said fiancé home to meet his mother. Then, he had the nerve to ask Lique, "What's Wrong?" Where should we start?

Ready, Set... Suds!!}

~

TERRANCE studied his best friend, trying to make sense of her rage.

She yanked the front door open. It met his waiting hand as he forced it shut, caging her against the door until her blazing eyes met his.

"Are you mad about Jeanette?"
She rolled her eyes. "Let me out."
"Is it because I didn't tell you sooner?"
"I don't care." She snapped. "Move. I have to help my sister."
"Help her do what?"

Lique averted her glare and took a moment to slide on her camouflage jacket. The loose fit fell to her upper thighs.

Terrance watched her roll up the sleeves, grateful that she put her goodies away when he wasn't around, but still angry that the nightmare kept her trapped. Then he remembered that she felt most comfortable with him and smiled.

"You look nice," he said, running his
fingers along her jacket.
She crossed her arms. "Thanks."
He released the door, freeing her from the cage, and took a step back.
"I'm sorry."
Lique shrugged. "Don't be. It's not like we're together." The sting of their truth forced an awkward laugh from her lips.

Her dimming eyes, pricked his heart, and an unlikely possibility hit him. Terrance lifted his brows, then stitched them together as he searched for clues about her true feelings.

Examining her, he asked, "What if we were together?"

Her lips parted and her eyes filled with surprise before landing on him. A rapid series of blinks followed. Then she dropped her gaze to fidgeting hands.

The possibility grew, luring him closer. He touched her chin, lifting her eyes to meet his. Her breath hitched, making him think there was a chance.

"I need to know." His voice lowered to a tender octave. "Do you want us to be together?"

~

The daydream flirted with the lines of reality, trying to breakthrough. His warm cologne overpowered the scent of the food and she struggled to hold back the desire to kiss him. LALIQUE gulped.

Her voice shriveled. "Is that what you want?"
Terrance slid his hand under the jacket to her waist, gently squeezing the soft fabric. "I want you to be happy."

She scoffed. "So you'll sacrifice your happiness for mine?"
His brows furrowed. "What sacrifice?"
She shook her head. "The one where you stay by my side licking my wounds that never fully healed."

He flinched, moving his hand from her waist to the back of his neck and grimaced. "Is that why you think I'm still around?"
"Isn't it?"
He looked down his nose at her, shaking his head.
"Then why?"

The sound of Jeanette's fast approaching heels clicking down the hall toward them strangled his confession. He stared at Lique and his jaw tightened.

Lique glanced behind him as his woman approached, holding a basket of fresh picked vegetables.
"Baby," she chirped from behind. "Look what I got."