Burning Desire

Chapter 9

Forever ended sometime between the main character, this one a hot pop singer, falling down the stairs at the Met Gala and her subsequent move to middle of nowhere Dakota to take over her grandfather's cattle ranch. Don't ask which Dakota, I'm of the firm opinion that they should just be the one state of Dakota.

Ruby is a total sap for the basic romance movies even though she's usually of the love them and leave them persuasion. But clearly, she's having a rough time of it, so who am I to judge.

Knowing the utter exhaustion of an emotional hangover made me feel generous. That in addition to still riding the new crush high from my date, made the decision to brew up some coffee in addition to heating the kettle for myself easy.

Sirius lay much in the same spot as I had seen him last before sleep beckoned me to my bed. Sprawled out on the chair that was apparently no longer anyone's but his, his tongue flopped against the armrest and his eyes rolled in the back of his head while his lids strained in that questionable state between awake and asleep. Deceptive, but Sirius was about as asleep as he ever was. If anyone should attempt to breach the apartment, he'd be up and ready to tear out a throat, but for now the only thing he was likely to catch would be flies.

Going through the steps to make Ruby's morning brew was tedious, but helped to wake me up. She had to have the perfect amount of beans, freshly ground and flown in from small obscure company in the middle of the jungle somewhere. She'd explained it all to me one time, but I had tuned her out somewhere between optimal growing season and releasing the essence of the bean. I love her, truly I do, like the sister I never had, but it's coffee. Nothing to go rabid over. Tea on the other hand. Tea was about as close to a religious experience I was likely to have when brewed correctly.

Hozier was singing in that deep, rumbly voice of his that just gave me goosies as I glided about the kitchen, whipping up some toast for the two of us. There wasn't much I could cook, between my lack of skill and lack of a proper kitchen, but it was hard to mess up toast. Peanut butter and cinnamon sugar covered even the most burnt toast.

A groan came from Ruby's door and Sirius perked up and ear before drifting back off. "Please tell me there's coffee. I feel like death."

Like clockwork. "Yeah. There's coffee and toast, but that's it. I actually need to finish unpacking since that went out the window yesterday. I should probably text Alvaro too since I ran out of there like my ass was on fire."

Ruby walked out like a zombie as she grabbed her coffee and toast and headed to the couch. "Have I ever told you how much I love you?"

"Numerous times, but it never hurts to hear."

"I love you, love, love, love you. So what's up today? Another hot date?"

"No, I think I'm just going to wander around campus a bit. Maybe get my bearings. Alvaro gave me a brief tour, but I figure what's the harm in looking around myself. It'll make tomorrow easier when you're not around." It was going to be hard not being with my bestie all the time, but I had to show her I was capable. She had enough to be worried about without having to add me to the list. "We could meet up for lunch if you want?"

"Sounds like a plan. Text me when you're ready to eat."