by Dena Blake
Already figured that out. This is not how things will work between us. I’m not a convenience and won’t ever be considered one.
Definitely not my intent to make you feel that way. More bubbles appeared, went away, then reappeared before another message came through. Wynn was obviously rethinking her message. I’m really sorry. I’ll probably be explaining this whole day to you again tomorrow. Hopefully you’ll still believe me.
Carly had to laugh at that. The whole scenario was unbelievable.
That’s entirely possible. She sent the message back. Then she hesitated before she typed, Hurry. If that’s the case, we don’t have much time.
After their conversation this morning, Carly had been thinking about Wynn all day, and she really wanted to explore whatever was happening with her. She was still on the edge of believing her, but that could change soon. If Wynn was only trying to get into her pants, she wouldn’t have been late. Wynn’s behavior at the party would dictate how the night would end.
She’d been at the event for close to an hour when Wynn came in the door, escorted by another woman. She blinked her eyes to make sure she was seeing things right. The woman had a bottle of something in one hand, and her arm was laced through Wynn’s arm. What the fuck? Now she was really angry. Everything Wynn had told her this morning appeared to be a fabrication.
She rushed across the room. “Is she why you didn’t pick me up?”
“Not exactly.” Wynn looked from Carly to the woman and then back again.
The woman interrupted them. “Let me explain. I’m Jean. A friend of Wynn’s.” She held up the bottle. “She came by to get the Louis XIII. I thought I should bring it myself since she has some drugs in her.”
She’d been so upset, Carly hadn’t even noticed the jacket draped over the sling holding her arm. “Oh my God. What happened?”
“Dislocated shoulder. Things got a little out of hand at work today.”
Now she felt absolutely awful. She’d reached all the wrong conclusions about Wynn without even giving her the benefit of the doubt.
Jean laughed. “Apparently saving jobs can be dangerous.” She handed the bottle to the bartender. “Keep that under lock and key.”
Jean leaned Wynn against the bar as she glanced around the room. “So, where’s this sister of yours?”
“I’m going to introduce Jean to Jordan. I think they’ll hit it off.”
“Oh. Let me find her.”
“No.” Wynn’s voice was urgent. “I sent her a text before we came in. She’s going to meet us here.” Wynn reached into her pocket but quickly put her hand on the wood rim of the bar for balance.
She took the phone from Wynn’s pocket and held it up for her.
“The code’s Julianna’s birthday.”
Carly typed in Suzanna’s oldest child’s birthday and read the text from Jordan to Wynn. “She’s on her way over now.” She slid the phone back into Wynn’s pocket before she slipped under her shoulder to help steady her.
“Sorry. The muscle relaxers the doc gave me are really strong.”
“You’re fine. I’m just glad you’re all right.” Someone else would have to take care of what was left to be done tonight. She needed to get Wynn home to rest. After she caught Suzanna’s eye from across the room, Suzanna did a double take before she weaved through several groups of people to the bar.
“What the hell happened?”
“Just a small accident at work.”
“I don’t think that’s completely true.” She glanced at Wynn. “Somehow she got a dislocated shoulder. I’m not sure why she even came tonight.”
“I came because of you.” Wynn smiled widely. “That’s why I’m always here.”
Suzanna grinned. “Apparently she’s been given some super-powerful truth serum.”
She quirked her lip up to one side. “Seems that way. She needs to go home and rest.”
“I’m good here.” Suzanna glanced around the room. “Why don’t you take her and explore more of that free-flowing truth?” She pulled her eyebrows together. “How did she get here?”
“Car service, I assume.” She hadn’t told Suzanna that Wynn had sent a car for her earlier. She fished Wynn’s phone from her jacket pocket and handed it to Suzanna.
“She’s got the car for the night. It should still be around here, somewhere. I’ll send a message that she’s leaving, and you can take her out front.” Suzanna handed the phone back. “Just tell him to wait while you get her inside her house. Then he can take you home.” She glanced around the room again. Suzanna was always watching to make sure everything ran smoothly. “Oh, and you’ll probably need to let Shadow, her puppy, outside to go to the bathroom.”
She has a puppy. Her heart melted at the adoption story Wynn had told her earlier. Could this woman be any more perfect?
While she’d been talking to Suzanna, Jordan had made it to the bar and had now captured Jean’s complete attention. They didn’t need to stay any longer.
* * *
Wynn had woken when the car pulled to the curb due to an emergency vehicle passing them going the other way. Once they arrived at her house, Carly walked with her to the porch. She seemed steadier now, the pain medication probably wearing off. Wynn struggled to take her keys from her coat pocket, so Carly found them and opened the door. Immediately a black puppy and a larger chocolate Labrador greeted them.
Wynn scooped up the puppy. “Hey, Shadow. How’s my sweet girl?” She nuzzled her against her neck before she handed her off to Carly and reached down to pet the other dog. “And how’re you, Buttercup?” She crossed the room to the back door, let them outside, and stepped onto the patio.
She followed her out. “Suzanna doesn’t know you adopted another dog yet?”
“Nope. She’s Shadow’s mom. I just got her today. Couldn’t leave her at the shelter.” Wynn grinned. “I already told you that, didn’t I?” Wynn still seemed a little high from the pain medication.
She nodded. “It’s a beautiful night.” The yard was lined with accent lights that brought attention to the multiple flower-filled pots surrounding the grass. “You have a gorgeous yard.”
“Thanks. I don’t get to spend as much time here as I’d like.”
“Oh? Why’s that?”
“Work is busy.” Wynn rubbed her forehead. “I’ve been trying to make it to chief operating officer before my thirtieth birthday.” She shook her head. “Not going to do that.”
“Because?” Her education had taught her how to ask open-ended questions to get to the heart of any subject.
“Tomorrow’s my birthday, and today I changed my whole plan.” Wynn stared into the yard. “It was completely necessary. What I had planned for today was going to ruin a lot of people’s lives.”
“Then I’m glad you changed it.”
“Me too.” Shadow appeared at Wynn’s feet, and Wynn scooped her up again and held her against her chest. “All done, baby?” She kissed Shadow’s nose before she turned around, went back inside, and waited for Carly and Buttercup to follow her. “I’m sorry. I totally ruined your night.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m fine. I should be thanking you. I got out of cleanup, which is always a plus.”
“You’re so sweet.” Wynn sighed. “Why can’t we ever make this work?”
“We can discuss that tomorrow.”
“You won’t remember any of it. We should use our time wisely.” Wynn grinned and bounced her eyebrows at her.
She was so cute, so relaxed, so happy. Carly hated to reject her, but whatever future foundation they built together would not start this way. “Why aren’t we together in the future?”
“You married Jordan.”
She was stunned. “What?” Jordan had never had any interaction with her even at her fund-raising events. How could she go from being so intrigued by Wynn to being married to Jordan? Wynn must have done something to put some distance between them, or Jordan must have done something really spectacular.
“M
y sister sucks, and you fell in love with her anyway.”
That response didn’t give her much to go on. “Why would I marry your sister when you and I clearly have so much more in common?”
“She’s very charming. But she can also be a complete ass. You’re not happy.” Wynn took a bottle of pills from her pocket and fumbled with it.
“I’m not?” She took the bottle from Wynn, popped the top off, and let one spill out into her palm.
Wynn shook her head. “And that sucks because I’m in love with you.” Wynn popped the pill into her mouth and washed it down with a drink of water from the sink.
“You are? In the future or now?” She stared into Wynn’s eyes and could see her feelings clearly. The thought of marriage had always worried her. Finding someone to spend the rest of your life with was enormously important. Second chances in life were scarce. Actually connecting with the woman she would be with forever was much scarier than anything else in the world. How did Wynn know her so well without really knowing her at all? “Are we involved in the future?” This whole story Wynn was telling seemed crazy. She refused to believe she would cheat on her wife. Why was she even buying into it?
Wynn shook her head. “Nope. We’re not going down that path. Can’t.” She went to the bedroom, took off her jacket, then stepped out of her loafers before she unbuttoned her pants and let them fall to the floor. “You refuse to get a divorce.” She yanked the blanket back and slipped under the sheet. “You think your reputation won’t withstand the scandal, and I would never hurt you.”
That’s exactly what Wynn was doing now. She was breaking her heart without having even held it. “You need to rest.”
“Yes. Rest.” Wynn patted the spot on the bed next to her and then curled on her side facing her. “Please stay. I want to wake up next to you and watch the sunrise. I’ll be good. Promise.” She let out a heavy sigh. “Say you’ll remember me tomorrow, lying here with you, staring into each other’s eyes, even if it’s only in your dreams.”
“Of course I will, silly. I’ll never be able to forget you.”
She lay down next to Wynn and scrunched the pillow beneath her head. She wasn’t ready to leave yet, and she’d sent the driver on his way after he’d dropped them off. “Have you ever watched the sunrise on the beach?” It had been one of the things Carly had imagined in her future—stepping out from her home onto the beach each morning. “Sitting in the sand, wrapped in a blanket to keep the chill from filling you?”
Wynn nodded. “You wrapped in my arms within that blanket. My heat keeping you warm.”
The vision rushed through her head, and she warmed at the thought. “Yes. Exactly that.” She stroked Wynn’s cheek. “You seem to be my match in every way.”
“I’ve been waiting for the day I can see the sunrise on your face—in your eyes.” Wynn’s eyes drifted closed. “Destiny.”
She remained silent as she imagined waking up next to this beautiful, compassionate woman until she heard long heavy breaths of sleep coming from Wynn, which happened quickly due to the pain medication. “I could easily fall in love with you.” Carly covered Wynn with the blanket, careful not to move her arm, and covered herself with the throw from the bottom of the bed. The whole scenario, lying here with Wynn, listening to her breathe, was oddly comforting. Familiar even.
Chapter Twenty
“Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.” Wynn pulled the pillow from behind her neck and threw it across the room. Shadow squealed, and she launched out of bed to find her. “I’m so sorry, honey.” She held her against her chest and soothed her before she held her up and looked into her little black eyes. “What am I doing wrong?” Shadow licked her nose. “Right. You think I’m wonderful.” She padded to the living room, avoiding the puddle in her path, and opened the back door. “Go potty, and I’ll get breakfast.” She dropped a wad of paper towels onto the wet spot and walked into the kitchen.
After she filled Shadow’s bowl with kibble, she checked her phone and saw the voice mail from Jordan. Today she wasn’t going to text Carly. She was just going to wing it. She took the sticky notes from her laptop bag and recreated the list she’d written yesterday with all the events of the day and what had happened within each repetition. What more could there be besides the three areas she’d focused on?
“Think, Wynn. What else happened on this day last year?” She went to the coffeemaker, spooned several scoops of coffee into the basket, filled it with water, and flipped the switch.
Work. She’d fixed everything there. No one had lost their job, not even that snake, Davis, until after he’d assaulted her. Home. Jack and Maria were good, and she’d adopted Buttercup, which made Shadow happy. The fund-raiser. She’d done that several ways—gone early, gone late, hadn’t even gone at all. It didn’t seem to make a difference. What was she missing?
She slipped on a flannel shirt, went out on the deck, and sat. Maybe a little meditation would help her figure it out. Maybe she wasn’t meant to be with Carly. She shook the thought from her head. No. Everything between them had been perfect each time. She stretched her arms above her head and felt no pain in her shoulder, but she wished it hurt like a motherfucker right now. At least then the day would be new.
Carly’s last words to her the night before echoed in her head. I could easily fall in love with you. She’d really said that. She’d wanted to turn over, gather her in her arms, and hold her for the rest of the night. Carly had curled up behind her, draped her arm across her waist, and pressed herself into Wynn’s back. It was the most comforting feeling in the world. If only she had found her there this morning, life would be perfect, but the day had reset again.
Carly wants kids. Maybe she needs reassurance that I want them too. What about Jordan? She hadn’t considered where she would end up in this whole thing. What if she needed someone other than Carly? Jesus. Who would she set Jordan up with? Last night it was Jean, but maybe she needed a challenge like Evelyn. Was Evelyn even gay? If anyone could make that happen, it would be Jordan. Maybe something totally different hadn’t even entered her mind. Talk about a never-ending list of possibilities.
Her cheeks burned with the heat from her tears. Shadow stared up at her from her usual spot near her feet. “I’m okay, baby.” She wiped the moisture from her face, then slapped her legs, summoning Shadow onto her lap. “We’ll be okay.” Shadow licked her chin. “We’re going to get your momma today.” She would do everything all over again until she got it right.
* * *
The door flew open, and Wynn burst into Carly’s office with Stephanie, her assistant, right behind her. “I’m sorry, Doctor Evans. I couldn’t stop her.”
“Wynn?” She was confused. Why was she here, and what was so urgent? “I’m in the middle of a session.” Terror rushed her. “Is Suzanna okay? The kids?”
“They’re fine, but I need to talk to you.”
“Can it wait?” She glanced at her patient.
It didn’t seem to faze Wynn that other people were around. “Two days ago we had the most spectacular day together adopting a chocolate Lab named Buttercup. The next night we spent the whole night making love, and you still looked gorgeous. Last night I injured my shoulder, and you took care of me.” When she tried to interrupt, Wynn put her hand up. “Wait. I’m not done. Tonight, I’m going to take you home from the fund-raiser…” She hesitated when her voice cracked. “And I’m going to hold you close and never let you go.” The tenderness in her voice was palpable.
“Oh my God, that’s insanely romantic.” Her client looked from Carly to Wynn and then back again. “Is this your girlfriend?”
“Yes,” Wynn said immediately and dropped to her knees in front of Carly’s chair.
Her client covered her mouth with her hands. “Oh my God. She’s going to propose.”
“No,” Carly said firmly. “She’s not.” She pulled her eyebrows together as she felt Wynn’s forehead. “Are you okay?”
Wynn nodded and stared into her eyes. “It wasn’t just a drea
m, was it?” she whispered.
She could see that Wynn was distraught but didn’t know what to say. She’d always hoped there would be something between them, and lately Wynn had been in her thoughts constantly. But nothing that Wynn just said had ever happened.
“Can we talk about this after my session is over?”
Her client stood. “I think you should take care of this now. I’ll reschedule.” She headed across the office. “Wow. Nice play.” She gave Wynn a thumbs-up.
Carly launched out of her seat. “I’m so sorry about this.” She followed her client to the door.
“Don’t be. This has given me hope. Romance still exists in the world. I might have a chance for happiness in life.” She glanced at Carly before she went out the door. “Hold on to her.”
She smiled and waited for the door to completely close before crossing the room to Wynn. “Explain this to me. Now.” She couldn’t calm the anger in her voice.
Wynn took the chair across from her and leaned forward, her elbows on her knees. “It’s all true. Every word of it. I swear. We’ve made love many times. I know every part of you by memory. The curve of your hip, the swell of your breasts, the way you spoon perfectly into me when you sleep.” She swallowed hard. “And the small tattoo just below your panty line, the way you jolt when I press my lips to it.”
What Wynn said completely aroused Carly, but she hadn’t experienced any of this. “Wynn.” She blew her name out slowly and shook her head. “Maybe this is all real in your mind, but none of what you’re saying happened with me. Three days ago I was here all day, and the last two nights I was in bed completely alone.”
“Completely?” Wynn tilted her head and gave her a half-smile.
“Just me.” She raised her hands. “All by myself.”
Wynn grinned. “You’re not seeing anyone because most women are too clingy. They want more from you than you can give.” Wynn scooted forward in her seat. “You want a woman who can support herself and has the confidence to support you in your career without getting jealous of your time or attention.”