Food for Love

by C. Fonseca

  At the faintly teasing tone in her voice, Jess looked up quickly to see Usha grin mischievously.

  “There are many reasons for you to stay on here, Jess,” Usha said.

  “I never intended to be here this long. Anyway, I have to get back now that Ben’s estate is nearly settled.” But even as the words left her mouth, Jess knew she didn’t sound convincing.

  Usha brought her hands to her face. “I’m so sorry. Here I am thinking of myself. I didn’t even ask if you have anyone special at home. Is there someone you are wanting to get back to?

  “No. No one special.” Jess smiled sadly. “But I do have friends in London, a flat and a car, my team and my manager, and my therapist.” Jess stared at the ceiling. It was so easy to forget her responsibilities back home, especially when home had started to feel like somewhere completely different.

  “Yes, I understand.” Usha pointed to Jess’s bag beside the sofa. “Your phone is making a noise. Maybe you should check it.”

  “I’m sure it can wait.” Jess looked down at her bag. “Actually, if you don’t mind, I will take a quick look.” Jess retrieved her phone and stared at the screen. She turned slightly away from Usha’s scrutiny, knowing she probably wore a silly grin again.

  At farmers’ market with Mum and Ru in the morning and must check in with the electrician at Ailie before we leave. We could head out around 3.

  “It’s Lili,” Jess murmured, looking up to see Usha’s reaction.

  “Ah, yes. Generous and kind.” Usha watched her with smug delight.

  Chapter 21

  Pushed along by the swarm of fellow concertgoers, Jess and Lili exited the Arts Centre in St Kilda Road. Their bodies jostled together every time an eager patron tried to squeeze ahead. Waiting for the lights to change at a pedestrian crossing, Jess pressed her lips to Lili’s cheek. “Thank you,” she said.

  “You’re welcome, but I should be thanking you. I probably wouldn’t have gone to the concert without you, and I learned a lot about Chopin.”

  “How so?”

  “I expected a full orchestra, but you explained that Chopin preferred playing to smaller groups in salons rather than concert halls. That’s why tonight there was only a cellist, a violinist, and an…”

  “Oboist,” Jess said.

  “Yes, oboist. Just the three instruments accompanying the pianist brought out something special. It was intimate. And the cellist was formidable in her black tux.” Lili’s eyes twinkled with obvious excitement in the glow from the street lamps and the spectacular palette of colours from the setting sun that bounced all around them.

  “Kiss me,” Jess whispered.

  “Right here? With all these people watching, on one of the busiest streets in Melbourne?” Lili’s tone was teasing, and she leaned in and pressed their lips together.

  Jess gasped in surprise, then parted her lips to return the kiss.

  After a few delicious seconds, Lili ended the kiss, smiled coyly as she grabbed Jess’s hand and interlocked their fingers, giving her a gentle tug. “The lights have changed.” She looked from left to right, then led Jess across the street and onto the riverside pavement. “Come on, we can walk along the Yarra River. But not for long. All that romantic music and candlelight made me ravenous. I’m taking you to one of my favourite inner-city haunts.”

  Jess stole a glance sideways and caught Lili’s tantalising grin. “It was mouth-watering music.”

  “Exactly.” Lili let go of Jess’s hand, and they strolled side by side along the riverside park terraces until they reached Federation Square, where the crowd grew dense. She edged close to Jess. “This way.”

  Occasionally, she trailed her arm over Jess’s shoulder as she guided her through the crowd. The casual intimacy, and hint of more, made Jess’s body spark with energy. At the visitors’ centre, Jess pulled her to a stop.

  “Can we look at the map? I’d like to set my bearings. I’m usually the one leading the way, you know.” She glanced at the list of restaurants, galleries, and theatres. “The Australian Centre for the Moving Image. That could be worth a look.”

  “You’ll have to come back another day and explore,” Lili said, so close that her breath tickled Jess’s ear.

  “I will, definitely.” Jess laughed out loud, for no apparent reason. Lili’s playfulness and her physical closeness made her light-headed, in the best possible way. She soaked up the atmosphere: the ultra-modern architecture, balanced with solid stone and metal; people chatting on their phones; shoppers weighed down by parcels; the laughter and clinking of glasses from clientele spilling out of wine bars.

  Melbourne wasn’t London, but it was an exciting and culturally diverse city. If Jess returned to Victoria, Melbourne would provide the big-city vibe when she needed it.

  A siren blared in the distance, and Jess suddenly realised Lili was tugging at her arm.

  “Move along, slow coach,” Lili said, dragging her along fifty metres or so until they stood beneath a chaotically structured glass-and-steel atrium at the centre of Federation Square. They both looked up, and Jess snapped her head this way and that as crazy distorted patterns reflected in the mirror surfaces.

  Lili was off again, and Jess jogged to keep up with her. Once again, Lili took her hand, and they zigzagged through stationary traffic and over the tram lines to the other side of Flinders Street. They entered a shadowy cobbled laneway.

  The bluestone lane was set between a towering Gothic cathedral and a modern office building diagonally across from Flinders Street Station. Jess stared wide-eyed at the laneway’s graffiti-covered walls before Lili gently ushered her through a doorway.

  “I’ll tell them we’re here.” Lili crossed to the other side of the restaurant in a few steps and tapped a robust bearded man on the shoulder. He turned and greeted her with a toothy grin and a one-armed squeeze before pulling out a notepad and pencil.

  The red-bricked, dimly lit restaurant bar reminded Jess of the many tapas eateries she’d frequented during the cycling team’s visits to Spain.

  Lili wound her way back around the wooden tables. “Come on, you.” She flashed her a relaxed smile. “I booked ahead, and Sam saved us a nice quiet table furthest from the bar. Follow me.”

  She gestured for Jess to be seated, peeled off her emerald military-styled jacket, and hung it on the back of her chair. “I hope you don’t mind, since we had champagne with our Chopin, I took the liberty and ordered us a glass of Rioja—my current favourite juicy Spanish red. They have a particularly nice one to complement the tapas.”

  “Thank you. They seem to know you here.”

  “I guess. I have been coming to this bar for years. It’s lively and friendly, whether you are alone or with a group.” Lili edged her chair closer to Jess. “I love the bodega style. When I eat out, I usually, but not always, opt for simple and fresh, adventurous and flavoursome. This place ticks all the boxes.”

  The waiter delivered their wine, and Lili lifted her glass by the stem, swirled it in slow motion, held it to Jess, and waited for her to do the same. “Cheers,” she said.

  Jess lightly touched her glass to Lili’s, took a cautious sip, and met Lili’s gaze. She took a larger mouthful and let it swirl around before swallowing. “I approve. Can I leave the food selection to you too?”

  “Do you trust me?”

  Jess raised an eyebrow. She wasn’t overly trusting with food—or leaving what she ate in someone’s else’s hands—but Lili made eating a fun adventure.

  “No comeback? That’s good, because I’ve already ordered,” Lili said. “I have my favourites, but I’ve included something from the specials board.”

  “Thank you. I do trust you. And I’m trusting you to get me home as well.” Jess took a sip and then another, and before she realised it, she’d drained the glass. “I’m feeling totally relaxed and prepared to put myself entirely in your hands.” Sh
e lounged back in her seat with her hands interlocked behind her head.

  Lili licked her lips. “I will get you home safely, I promise. It’s just water for me from now on, but seeing how much you like the wine, I’ll order you another.” She nudged Jess’s shoulder.

  Jess enjoyed a pleasant buzz from the wine and the half bottle of Veuve Clicquot they’d shared at the concert. Surprisingly, she had an appetite. So far, the date with Lili was more than fun, but nervous energy simmered in the pit of her stomach. They’d be returning to an empty house; Aruishi was spending the night with Helen and Scott. She glanced up to see Lili regarding her curiously. “I am hungry,” Jess said. Was Lili also imagining what might happen when they returned home?

  They’d consumed three colourful savoury dishes when the waiter served up a wooden board with two golden balls wrapped in a white rubbery substance and dotted with something black. Jess stared at it. “Umm…what is this?”

  Lili picked up one in her fingers and broke it in two. She dipped half into a glossy yellow sauce and leaned across the table. “Take a bite and tell me what you think.”

  Her eyes sparkled, and Jess couldn’t resist the morsel held to her lips. Why not? She liked how in Lili’s company, she was tempted to try new things. She bit through the crisp exterior, and as she reached the soft, gooey centre, a burst of flavour hit her palate.

  As soon as she was able to speak, Jess said, “I don’t know what this is, but it’s yummy.”

  “Croquetas de Choco en su Tinta.” Lili winked.

  Jess winked right back at her. “Your pronunciation is impeccable, but I haven’t a clue what you just said.”

  Lili replied, “Squid ink croquette wrapped in a slice of cuttlefish.”

  “Cuttlefish?” Jess gulped. “Okay.”

  At around ten p.m., they left the tapas bar to head back to the car. “Let’s hop on a tram,” Lili suggested. “We’ll get there faster.”

  She reached for Lili’s hand. “I’m enjoying this, being with you. Let’s walk.”

  It took some time before they reached the underground carpark, climbed into the Subaru, and headed for home. Jess shifted in the passenger seat so she had a better view of Lili. With her head against the headrest and the seat slightly tilted back, Lili’s hands were placed solidly on the steering wheel at nine and three o’clock.

  “What are you looking at?” Lili asked, her eyes still on the road.

  “I’m glad you’re driving. I’ll probably doze off.” She patted her stomach and sighed contentedly. “It was delicious, but I ate too much.”

  “It was a light selection. You didn’t eat that much.”

  “Oh, I did. What was that crispy, smoky, salty thing? The one you insisted I try, and fed to me?”

  “Ahh, you mean the thin toast with anchovy and smoked-tomato sorbet?”

  “It sounds convoluted, but I did enjoy it,” Jess said. “And believe me, I’m not one to be enthusiastic about food.”

  “No? Then who was that stranger at our table who licked the last sliver of crème caramel flan off the plate?”

  Jess lightly pinched Lili on the leg and left her hand resting on her thigh. “I did no such thing, although it did cross my mind.”

  Lili changed into the left lane and steered the Subaru towards Geelong. She put her hand over Jess’s. “We’ll be home in about forty minutes. Are you really tired?”

  “Not really.” Jess’s hand trembled, and she removed it from Lili’s grasp, hoping she hadn’t noticed. “You’re the one who was up early. Do you ever get to sleep in?”

  “I’m sure with the right incentive I would.” She gave Jess a sidelong grin.

  Jess laughed, then swallowed. They were getting closer to home, and she was edgy with anticipation. Escaping early the next morning was usually her main objective after a date. Not tonight. If she and Lili spent the night together, there’d be none of that.

  Since their conversation a few days earlier, Jess had stuck to Lili’s rules. Lili hadn’t. When they’d met in the hallway, both ready for their trip to Melbourne, Lili had looked her up and down and stepped into her space. She’d placed her hands upon Jess’s shoulders, moved them down her arms, and then, with excruciating slowness, slid them beneath the silk-textured fabric of her pullover and curled her fingers just under her bare rib cage. Lili’s steady gaze had held her captive.

  “I was up early this morning to meet the electrician at Ailie, but he cancelled at the last moment.”

  “Is there a problem?”

  “The lighting in the detached store out the back has been flickering since we had the temperature control system serviced. I need to have it checked.”

  “Sounds like a good idea.”

  Lili tapped her index finger on the steering wheel. “I can’t remember the last time I lazed about in bed. Once I’m awake, my brain starts ticking, and I have to get going.”

  Jess smiled. She could take that as a dare. “Thank you for today. Everything was perfect—the concert, the food, the company.” She angled the air vent to direct cool air to her flushed face. “Dining out with a chef was something new for me. I can’t remember everything I ate, but I enjoyed your choices.”

  “Salty pork with brittle crackling, scallop ceviche, eggplant fritters, and the squid ink croquette.” Lili flashed her a cheeky grin. “You nearly took my finger off coming back for a second bite.”

  Jess coughed. “There would be no advantage to that. Absolutely none.”

  “I’m glad you had a good time. I did too.” Stopped at a red light on the outskirts of Geelong, Lili turned to Jess. She wrapped the palm of her hand around Jess’s neck and leaned in for a brief kiss before returning her hand to the wheel and her eyes to the road. “You haven’t let me cook for you yet.”

  Distracted by Lili’s sensuous lips and yearning for more, Jess said, “Hmm. Yes, you did. A salad…from the garden.”

  “You haven’t dined at my restaurant.” Her voice held a challenge.

  Jess cleared her throat, shaking off the mental images that played in her mind. “I’m ready and more than willing.”

  “So am I,” Lili whispered. She pressed a button on the steering wheel, and Martha Wainwright’s unequivocally gravelly voice filled the car.

  “This makes a change from Chopin.”

  “I like to mix it up. Country, jazz, R&B, classical, and rap. No metal, though,” Lili said. “I can’t have you falling asleep.” She drummed on the steering wheel, and just as the last raspy sounds echoed through, it automatically switched to the ringtone of an incoming call.

  “It’s Mum. I’ll have to answer. It’s on speaker.”

  Jess nodded. “Okay.”

  “Hi, Mum. How is everything?”

  “Hi, Lili. Have you and Jess had a nice evening?”

  Lili glanced over at Jess and smiled. “Yes, we have. Everything’s been fantastic. We’re about fifteen away. I think Jess would agree, we’re tired and ready for bed.”

  Jess put her hand over her mouth to stifle the giggles that threatened to erupt.

  “I’ll bet you are. You sound happy. Anyway, I’m ringing because I had to bring Ru back to her own bed. She wouldn’t settle, and her temperature is slightly raised,” Helen said.

  A flash of worry darkened her face. “We’ll be home soon. What do you think it is? Is her breathing okay?”

  “She is asleep now and breathing normally. You’ll be able to check for yourself when you get home.”

  “We shouldn’t be long. I’m sorry your night’s been disrupted.”

  “Don’t be silly. Drive safely, see you soon.”

  “Bye, Mum.”

  Jess knew Lili would be worried about Aruishi, considering her previous health scare and hospital admission. Jess too was concerned and glad they were nearly home. “Are you okay?”

  Lili breathed out heavily. �
�I’m sorry. The evening hasn’t turned out the way I’d planned.” She brought the car to a slow stop outside the Faodail Farm gate.

  “I’ll get the gate. Please, don’t apologise. I understand.” She leaned back against the headrest and stared at Lili before opening the car door.

  “Jess, wait.” Lili reached for her, letting out an exasperated-sounding breath. “I want this.” She kissed a path across Jess’s cheekbones, over her eyelids, and down to her neck. A slow burn of want filled Jess before Lili’s mouth covered hers. Silky, hot, and full of unspoken promises.

  They ended the kiss and pressed their foreheads together. Jess looked down to where Lili’s hand rested on her thigh. Her heart thumped in her chest. The passenger door was half-open, which was good, because she needed air. “I’ll get the gate,” Jess repeated, slipping out of the car.

  Twenty minutes later, Lili saw her mother out of the house and secured the front door. Jess followed her down the darkened hallway to Aruishi’s room but stayed just outside. Lili’s socked feet barely made a sound as she tiptoed across the floorboards. She bent over Aruishi’s bed, laid her hand on her daughter’s forehead, and brushed back her curls. Turning to Jess, she nodded and smiled. The tension from earlier was gone. Her eyes shone with relief.

  Lili carefully sat down on the bed and positioned herself alongside Aruishi. She stretched her arm over the sleeping child.

  Jess moved silently into the room, gathered the quilt from the end of the bed, and gently pulled it over Lili’s shoulders. At Lili’s silently mouthed thank you, Jess kissed the tips of her fingers and placed them against Lili’s lips. Lili closed her eyes, and Jess left to prepare for another night alone.

  Lying in her bed, staring at the ceiling, Jess wondered if the way things had played out tonight was a sign. All her training told her to go after what she wanted, but this wasn’t a road race or competition. Being so peculiarly conscious of another person, so tuned in to them, was a new phenomenon. She’d always thought that the power of a glance was overrated in romance fiction, often overused. Wrong. Lili’s blue eyes were lethal—one glance was like a magnet, reeling her in.