Page 35 of Tell Me I'm Not Dreaming

brIDGET

T he day Bridget and Silas hit the road arrives.

He took a seventeen-hour drive and stretched it into three days.

Bridget is still a little weary, but not because of Silas.

He’s done everything he can to make this trip and her comfort paramount.

She’s just not a fan of driving longer than thirty minutes.

Her dad tried to force road trips on the family with horrible results.

Boredom and her parents arguing made the trips less fun and more miserable.

Silas sends her a text that he’s on his way. It’s six in the morning. That’s another thing Bridget isn’t a fan of, waking up so damn early. She has on a pair of sweatpants and a matching hoodie. Her hair is still in a bonnet.

She sits on the couch with her overnight bag, garment bag and a bag full of extra clothes and toiletries next to her. She lays back and is about to rest her eyes when her phone buzzes.

Silas

Out front, beautiful.

Bridget gets up and takes the overnight bag on her shoulder, carrying the garment bag over her arm.

She walks out to the driveway, where Silas approaches and takes her stuff, carefully placing it in the trunk.

She gets a good look at him. He has on a black T-shirt and dark jeans.

His sunglasses are clipped to the collar of his shirt.

He looks sexy as all get-out and smells incredible.

How dare he ? I’m out here looking all kinds of bummy, and he’s looking all kinds of yummy .

Bridget finally notices the car. It’s a … minivan?

“Not Mr. Gearhead driving a sensible family car,” Bridget teases.

“I do have a 1967 Chevelle convertible. I’ll take you for a ride when we get back.” Silas walks her to the passenger side and opens the door for her. He jogs to the driver’s side and gets in. Bridget gets comfortable and puts her eye mask on.

“I see you plan on sleeping on the drive.”

“As a matter of fact, I do.”

“You’re going to miss all the beauty of the open road.”

Bridget gets comfy in her seat and blows Silas a kiss.

“Be sure to take pictures then, handsome.”

Silas chuckles at her.

Hours later, when Bridget opens her eyes, it’s dark. It takes her a minute to realize she has on her eye mask. She lifts it up and sees all the hotels and casinos surrounding them.

“We’re in Vegas already?” ahe asks, sounding groggy.

“Already? You’ve been asleep for four hours.”

Silas gestures toward the coffee and pastries he bought for her. She happily accepts and wolfs down two Danishes, then sips some coffee.

“Damn, I really must have needed the rest. The queen and Tyberious are putting me through it. I stayed up all night revising their sex scene.”

“I thought you wrote that a while ago.”

“I did. It’s been hell getting the scene right. Folks are anticipating this. They’ve been waiting five books. I’ve got to knock this out of the park.”

“And I’m sure you will. You take a lot of care in your writing. I can tell by reading it that Miranda and Tyberious mean so much to you, and you want to do right by them and your readers. Nothing wrong with taking your time.”

“Thank you.”

“Of course.”

“Tell me about your daughters’ mother.”

“Mothers. And the first one, Ronesha, was my high school sweetheart. We went to different colleges. She came back into town for the holidays, and we reunited. Nine months later, Danielle was born. Thankfully, we had amazing families who helped us. I was involved in every aspect of my girl’s life.

It wasn’t easy, but we made it work. A few years into my job as a mechanic, I met Carolyn, and we started dating.

Things were good, Danielle liked her, and she became pregnant with Tiffany.

Both relationships ended because we just weren’t compatible.

No animosity or anger, they both just ran their course. ”

“I really wish that had been the case with me and Lamar. You know he told me about Justine at a party celebrating the release of book five.”

Silas stops the car and turns to face her. “Are you telling me that he told you he was leaving you during a party celebrating your professional accomplishment?”

“Yes, sir, he did.”

“And this was after you wrote how many books for him?”

“Five, in addition to my own work. I had to make time to do my job, his job and be there for LJ and Tanya.”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to kick his ass? Hell, I’ll even let Big Head go first.”

Bridget laughs. “No. Violence would only give me temporary relief. This will give him something to think about for the rest of his days. Right now, he’s on cloud nine. When I gave my RSVP, he texted me this …”

Bridget shows Silas the message.

Lamar

Hello Bridget, so happy you can put aside your petty jealousy long enough to witness me and Justine’s special day. And you’re bringing a plus one as well. Tell Lyric or Suchi, or Aimee I’ll see them at the wedding.

Silas turns his nose up like the text is emanating a foul odor.

“You want me to grab your ass when we enter?”

“Sure.” She nods.

By two o’clock LA time, Bridget’s stomach is growling. They’ve just entered Utah and stop at a diner.

She yawns and stretches. Bridget looks around and sees nothing but mountains surrounding them. The diner is in the middle of nowhere, next to the highway.

Silas opens the door for her, and they’re told to sit where they want. They each look at the menu and sit silently. He tries in vain not to chuckle.

“What?” Bridget smiles.

“You.” He smiles back. “You’re not very discreet when it comes to staring at me.”

“I don’t know about that. I stared at you from day one, and you never noticed.”

“Really? Damn, that’s on me for not noticing. When did you first spot me?”

“My first day at the gym.”

“You had been staring at me for a month before you said something?” He smirks.

“Stop it. Don’t tease. I’ve never had to approach a man before.”

“Of course your fine ass didn’t.”

The server takes their orders. A cheeseburger with fries and a Cherry Coke for Bridget, and a double cheeseburger, fries and a vanilla shake for Silas.

When the server leaves, they continue their conversation.

“It’s actually kind of embarrassing. Lyric kept having to text me when I was in line with you at the smoothie place, telling me to say something to you. I was so scared that I got in my head, and by the time I said something … you know the rest.”

“It’s funny. I was thinking about how much I like shy Bridget, but I really like quick-witted Bridget better.”

“She is a bad bitch.”

Silas laughs. “See that’s what I mean. I like you, Bridget. I like how funny you are, and how great of a mom you are. How talented you are, and how excited I get when I know I’m going to be around you. I see a future with you and I’m not afraid of saying that too soon.”

They stare at each other like they’re both examining an exquisite work of art.

Finally, Bridget speaks. “I’m going to give you my heart. Please don’t break it.”

“I’ll protect it and you,” Silas answers without hesitation.

The server gives them their food and exits.

Bridget looks at her lap and sips her Coke in her own vain attempt to hide her smile. She looks up at Silas, and again, just like when they were in line at the smoothie place, he winks at her.

“Can I touch your bicep?” she asks.

“Sure,” he says, completely unfazed by her weird request.

She slips out of her side of the booth and slides next to him, feeling the muscles in his arms. Silas takes her face in his hand as she continues to feel him up. He places his lips on hers. They kiss in the booth, forgetting their food and the people around them. All that exists is each other.