Page 8 of Book Bae

I turned around, and that was when I spotted her sitting alone on a chaise lounge behind me and to my left. Normally, I scanned every place I went, so the only way that I could have missed her was because I was in a full scale anxiety attack.

I stood and removed a peppermint from my pocket. I slid it into my mouth for the final step: one thing I could taste.

As I made my way toward the woman, I took notice of her bold and daring curves in an aqua blue hoodie and tight, white jeans. She wore low-heeled denim boots on her tiny feet. She didn’t move or say a word when I sat on the lounge chair beside her and lit up the blunt. She sobbed quietly, and I smoked in silence while she got it all out.

When she finally looked at me, I asked, “What can I do to erase those tears and bring out that beautiful smile you’re hiding like the sun behind the clouds?”

When she gazed at me, her head was still slightly bowed. I noticed she had the prettiest, chocolate eyes. They were narrowed and had a slight upward tilt like cat eyes. They glowed beautifully in the night against her flawless hazelnut skin.

She gave me a tentative smile and looked down again. Curiosity about this woman swelled within me, not just because she was sad, but because she had stirred my soul in a way that it had never been stirred before. If I were a character in my romance novels, I would say that was the moment I knew she was my soulmate.

I reached out and tipped her chin up with my fist. “God, you are one stunning woman. Whatever it is, don’t let it dim that beautiful smile.”

Her beautiful arched cheekbones lifted when she giggled and wiped her tears. “You’re corny, but that’s cute,” she replied.

“What’s wrong? Did real life bae fail to measure up to book bae?” I teased.

Her eyes widened, and she released a soft gasp from those plump, heart-shaped lips.

“He never came close to measuring up.”

“Yeah, well . . . life doesn’t always go the way that we want it to. The people we find ourselves in relationships with may fail us or vice versa; but tomorrow is always another day to improve yourself and your circumstances. Don’t ever be afraid to change the narrative to gain your HEA. You should never settle, because you’re deserving of so much more than that.”

She smiled at me. “Thank you.”

“What can I do for you? Do you have a friend that I can call? You want a drink, something to eat, or do you want to just chill the fuck out and vent? I’m a good listener.”

She giggled. “No, I want my girl to enjoy herself, so no one to call. I don’t need another drink, or I might do something I’ll regret. I’m not hungry, and there’s nothing I need to vent about.”

I bobbed my head. “How about a smoke?”

“I don’t smoke.”

“It might be just what you need tonight to say fuck all the restrictions. I promise I’m a safe space.”

“I was taught to say no to drugs in school.”

“Your parents might’ve taught you to say no to drugs, but I’m sure your parents told you to say no to fuck boys too, but you didn’t listen; otherwise, you wouldn’t be out here crying.”

“Why do people always assume a man is behind a woman’s tears?” Her voice was emotional again at just the mention of a man, which was how I knew that I was right.

“I mean, it could be another woman, but I know you’re not about to break my heart like that.”

She rolled her beautiful eyes and then smiled. “No, I’m all about men. I just wish they were all about me or that I would stop hoping these fictional characters can be found in these streets.”

“That’s your problem right there. Stop looking in the streets.”

“Where else am I supposed to find a good man?”

“You shouldn’t be looking, gorgeous. Let him find you. You’re too beautiful and too witty to ever chase a man.”

“Yeah, well, I’m obviously not the brightest one in the barrel. I’m sitting on a roof with a stranger, crying my eyes out.”

I took a good puff on the blunt, held the smoke for three seconds, and then slowly released it.

“Tell you what. Let’s get you in a space that feels safe to you. I see how you keep looking around, and I don’t want you to feel anything less than safe. How about we head across the street to Caesars and get coffee and dessert, if you don’t want food? If you change your mind about food, we can do that too. We can sit and talk so you can ease the troubles on your mind and watch the sun come up. Afterwards, you can return to your room and get some sleep so that you can enjoy the rest of this conference. What’s your name, gorgeous?”

“I’m Myraj.”