〰 Take a redhead that uses her assets to get her way in business, a curly nanny who believes in true love, a dark-haired, drop-dead gorgeous stripper and you've got a curved t(h)reat.
Then add a nerdy personal trainer, a tall, dark and handsome bo...
I'm sipping my coffee in Conan's kitchen. He has left to do whatever he needed to do, after warning me not to go overboard with Ama. I guess asking him to help me pick out a gift for Ama is off the table.
I hear the stairs creak and hear a tiny squeal behind me. Laura floats over to the coffeepot and pours a cup for herself. Yeah, floats. It's like she has no feet. She is such a quiet person and I'm always worried I scare her somehow. She's wearing an oversized sweater on some baggy jeans. And even her almost white hair is ghostlike.
I softly say, "If I make you uncomfortable I can go home. I'm sorry."
She looks up at me and gasps when her eyes land on the wonderful wound above my eye.
Her soft voice soothes me, "Does it hurt? And you can stay. I just didn't know you were still here. I thought you left with Conan."
"No, it doesn't hurt right now. The painkillers Conan gave me are working."
A tiny smile forms on her lips, "Just ask me already."
Yeah, she's like Conan. But scarier. Like she sees right through to your deepest feelings. I have no idea how she does that, but it always freaks me out. Imagine spending time with the two of them together. I wonder if they even talk when they are alone. Or just look at each other and know.
Anyway, drifting off... Focus Noah.
"C-could you help me with s-something?" Fuck, I'm already nervous and Conan's warning this morning didn't help matters either. But I want to buy a gift for Ama. Something thoughtful that doesn't scream I want you to commit to me. Ah, I have no clue what to do.
I blurt it all out to Laura and she puts her hand on mine, stopping my fingers from tapping on the bar. I look at her and she smiles. Her soft voice instantly calms my nerves, "That is really thoughtful of you. I'll help you. I'll grab my bag and then we'll go. I know just the place."
We walk around the block and she points at a tiny shop window. We look into the window and there's a huge collection of charms on display. Along with some simple, but beautiful bracelets. I smile when my eyes land on the perfect charm for Ama and hug Laura out of excitement.
She stiffens and I quickly pull back. Fuck Noah, you're an ass. "I-I'm s-sorry. I-I g-got excited."
She shakes her arms and then says: "Lets try that again now that I know you're going to hug me."
I stare at her eyes full of resolve and smile down at her. I spread my arms and let her step into them, to give her control over the situation. I hug her gently and she lets out a tiny sigh before stepping back. She looks at me, "Thank you for understanding. That felt a lot better. Now let's go inside."
Laura walks up to the counter and rings a tiny bell on top of it. A young woman appears from the back and smiles wide when she sees Laura. They hug each other and it seems like they go way back. Laura introduces me, "Kitty, this is Noah. I brought him here because he needs a gift."
Kitty shakes my hand, "Hi Noah, nice to meet you. I make all the charms and bracelets myself. And I can even make a customized charm if you're not in a hurry."
I look the short woman over and smile. She really loves what she does, you can just feel her joy as she talks about her work.
"I need the gift tonight. But I will remember the option to customize a charm. I might take you up on that in the future. For now, I would like to buy a bracelet and one specific charm."
I point at the charm I want and Laura looks shocked. I chuckle because I'm sure she thinks it's a sexual reference. It's totally not. But all that matters is that Ama will love it.
Kitty clasps the charm to the bracelet and puts it in a little box, tying a bow around it.
I take a deep breath and pay for the gift. Now, all there's left to do is pray that she will accept it. I get lost in my thoughts and Laura squeezing my shoulder snaps me out of it.
I look at her and ask: "Is it okay if I hug you again?"
She beams and nods. I hug her carefully and hear Kitty clear her throat behind Laura. She walks up to me with her arms spread wide and I chuckle as I hug her too. She giggles, "Not passing up the chance to hug a man like you. If the girl you bought the gift for doesn't accept it, come back here." She winks at me and Laura and I walk out with a smile.
Laura hooks her arm through mine and I almost tear up. She touched me out of her own twice today. I won't bore you with all the details about her past, but trust me when I tell you it's a big thing. We walk past a shop window and look at the soft pink sweater-dress on display.
Laura looks at it too and blushes a little.
Bingo.
I pull her with me inside and tell the lady walking up to us that Laura would like to try the pink sweater dress on. I ignore the shocked expression on Laura's face and watch her being dragged away to a dressing room.
She comes out a couple of minutes later with a careful smile. It looks good on her, even though she's still wearing her baggy jeans under it. So that's exactly what I tell her, that it looks good on her.
She smiles wider and looks at herself in the mirror. The lady that helped her before walks up to her with baby pink tights and Laura's eyes sparkle at the sight. She goes back into the dressing room to try them on and when she comes back out I know I did the right thing. She looks like an angel.
I quickly pay for the dress and tights while she changes back into her own clothes. I thank the lady and hold my arm out to Laura. She puts her arm through mine and I hand her the bag with her new outfit.
"It's a gift. You deserve it. For being my best friend's girl. For helping me and for allowing me to hug you and hold your arm. I know that's not easy."
She graces me with a smile that reaches her eyes too and I smile back at her, feeling a little lighter.
I walk her home to make sure she gets there safe before going to my own house to shower and change.
♡♡♡
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It's up! *passes out and snores* XD
What are you hoping for? Are you team Donté or team Noah?
Thanks for reading! Love you!
Conan and Laura can be found in the books by STDsam They are original characters by her hand, I just borrow them for Curved Edges.
