From Bully To Beloved

SERA

FIFTEEN DAYS LEFT

I’m humming to myself as I open The Diner. Coltonrevs the engine of his bike, and when I turn to look, he waves before riding off. How cute. Kelly walks up just then, watching the exchange with wide eyes.

“How was your family visit?” I ask her.

“Oh, well, the usual. Did you ride on a motorcycle this morning, Sera?” she asks.

“I sure did,” I tell her, grinning as I unlock the front door.

“That’s so cool! Did you wear a helmet? Because, safety first.”

“I did,” I chirp.

“Andyou’rein a good mood. Does it by chance have anything to do with that husband of yours who just dropped you off?”

I don’t even care that she used the H-word. “Yes, yes, it does.” I open the door, and we step inside.

“Honey,” Kelly says, eyes wide with excitement. “Did something happen last night?”

“So many things happened. But you’ll just have to wait until girls’ night to find out just what those things were,” I tell her. “Tonight.”

“Oh, you tease!”

“Seriously, Kelly. It was wonderful. The only reason I’m not telling you right now is that everyone else is due in any second, and I want to give you a play-by-play.”

She does an excited little jig. “Yes! Okay, I’ll be patient then. This is going to be the best girls’ night ever.”

Afew hours later, I hear a customer groan in a thick, tipsy voice, “Come closer, doll.” I look up and see Kelly a few tables down. It seems like deja vu, only this time, the dude is clearly drunk. The second I notice the jack-off reach out to touch her ass, my vision goes red, and I rush toward them.

My mouth drops open.

To my surprise, Kelly isn’t flustered or shy.

“I’m not serving you,” I hear her say. She’s holding her own, and when the douche-canoe says something douchey back, she speaks up even louder. “I don’t care, and I’m not repeating myself. If you’re not gone in ten seconds, I’m going to press charges. Out, now!” She’s pointing to the door to really drive home the message.

The drunk prick is out of the door before I can blink.

“Hey there, wow,” I tell her when I pull her into a hug. “Good job, hon.” I couldn’t be prouder. I hardly ever get emotional, but now, I almost want to cry. “Get the girl a chocolate lava cake,” I call out to Deacon. “Wait, make that two. Extra ice cream on top. And two French Vanillas.”

“You’re the best.” Kelly beams.

“No, you’rethe best,” I say, pressing a big kiss to her forehead.

“I wassonervous. I’m shaking all over.” Kelly shows me her shaky hands.

“But the prick deserved it. Doesn’t it feel good?”

“Oh, yes, it sure does.”

We sit and eat and enjoy the deliciousness of the rich chocolate and melted ice cream Deacon provided, and we can’t stop smiling at each other.Nôvel(D)rama.Org's content.

“Have you texted Justin yet?” I question, knowing if I don’t ask, I’ll forget, and Coltonwill likely bug me about it later.

She shakes her head.

“You haven’t? Why, hon?”

She sighs. “I can’t reach out first. I’ve never been the one to call first. What do I do? What do I say?”

Laughing, I place my hands on her shoulders. “It’s all right, sweets. If it’s freaking you out, we’ll draft a text together tonight, sound good?”

Kelly nods, exhaling with relief. “What would I do without you, Sera?”

“You never have to find out, hon. BFFs, remember?”