by Jamey Moody
“How fun!” Karen said. “I’ll be there. Do we need to bring anything?”
“No, just yourself. Meet on the patio at Peaches around five. Come through the beach entrance. And don’t tell!” Riley explained.
Sherry left to complete her paperwork, and Karen left shortly after. Liz and Riley helped Tessa feed the dogs and finished their chores while she closed everything.
“Thanks for helping out today, Riley,” Tessa said as she walked them to the car.
“I loved it! I’ll be back. Call me anytime you need help,” Riley said, getting into Liz’s Jeep.
Tessa walked around the Jeep with Liz and opened her door. “Thanks again for the help and for being someone I can count on, Liz.” Liz got in, and Tessa closed the door putting her hands on the windowsill. “I’ll see you later for that drink you owe me. I’m collecting tonight.” She patted Liz on the arm, winked, and stepped back.
“Sounds good, I’ll see you then.” Liz started the Jeep and began to drive off. After only a moment she turned to Riley and said, “Not a word.”
Riley could see Liz meant business. She’d be quiet for now, but if she could do anything to help Liz find the happiness she and Alex had, then she was going to do it.
Everything was set for the party. Alex was on the supply run, Riley had picked up the food, and she and Liz were almost finished with the decorations. She hoped Alex would like it; she so wanted her to have a birthday without the dread or sadness that her past would bring.
“Alex just called and said she would be a little late. There was something wrong with the order. Imagine that,” Riley said chuckling.
Liz laughed and said, “I had them delay things just a bit so we could have plenty of time to get ready. They loved the idea of surprising Alex.”
“Nice touch,” Riley said, looking around the patio. “Everything looks great, and we’re ready with time to spare. People should be here soon, and we can get this party started!”
“It does look nice out here. Alex is going to be so surprised,” said Liz.
“I sure hope this doesn’t backfire. I want her to have a happy birthday without the other drama for once, but she may not like surprises.”
“She’ll like this one, especially given why you did it,” Liz assured Riley.
“This place looks awesome!” Tessa said, walking onto the patio.
“Hi Tessa, thanks, we’re ready. All we need are people and Alex,” Riley said.
“Hi Tess, how are things at the shelter?” Liz asked.
“Everyone is fine. They’ll be happy to see you both tomorrow.”
“I wanted to ask you, Tess, is that invitation to dinner still open?” said Liz.
“It certainly is,” Tessa said with a hopeful look in her eye. Riley looked on, unable to hide her surprise.
“I would like to accept then,” Liz said.
“I’m so glad! Not that it matters, but has something changed your mind?” Tess said.
“Well, you have worn me down. You just wouldn’t stop asking me out. Besides, someone may have made me look at things in a different way,” Liz said glancing at Riley.
Riley’s eyebrows rose. “Who, me?”
“You may have said a few things, I’ll leave it at that,” Liz said.
“Thanks, Riley! I’ve been trying to get Liz to have dinner with me for months,” Tessa said. Then she turned to Liz and said, “How about tomorrow? Too soon?”
Liz laughed. “No, that’s fine. We can make plans later. We have a party to throw first.”
Guests had begun to arrive, and it wouldn’t be long until Alex got back. Riley was beginning to get nervous, but she also couldn’t wait to see Alex. Her phone pinged in her pocket.
Alex: I’m at the dock. Be home when I get things put away.
Riley: Meet me on the patio. I missed you!
Alex: Missed you too, baby. See you soon.
“Okay, everyone! Alex just texted and said she’s at the dock, so she’ll be here soon. Get ready,” Riley told the group. She felt like her heart was going to beat out of her chest.
Alex walked in the bar and saw Max walking toward her. “Hey Alex, you made it back.”
“Finally! I’ve never had to wait that long.”
“I’ll unload. Riley needs you on the patio.”
“Oh, okay. Thanks, Max.” Alex walked over to the patio door and nodded at a couple of people at one of the tables inside. When she walked outside all she heard was “SURPRISE!” She looked around and saw a banner that said, “Happy Birthday, Alex” and that the patio was full of her friends. Then she saw Riley walking to her with a big smile.
Riley saw the confusion on Alex’s face. She took Alex’s face in her hands and said, “Happy Birthday, Alex.”
Alex kept smiling as she said, “But it’s not my birthday, Riley.”
“It is your birthday. Your special day to celebrate you and nothing else,” Riley said, staring into Alex’s eyes and hoping she understood.
Alex heard what Riley said and knew there was more to it, and then it hit her. Riley was having a birthday party for her on a day that she didn’t have to register with the local law enforcement. There would be no sadness, none of her past creeping in to spoil it, just happiness. Alex looked at Riley with understanding and nothing but love in her eyes. She pulled her close and kissed her with all the love she was feeling. She wanted to keep kissing her and never stop, but then her friends’ applause, laughter, and whoops brought her back to reality.
“Here, you get to wear the special birthday tiara,” Liz said, coming over and placing it on her head. Alex looked around and saw that everyone was wearing a party hat.
“Thanks, everyone! I’m definitely surprised!” Then her friends came up and gave her a hug or patted her on the back, but she never let Riley get far away. After everyone had something to drink and the music started, Alex pulled Riley aside.
“This whole party is so sweet and unexpected. Thank you.”
Riley looked into her eyes and realized she’d never be able to leave this person that had her heart. They were going to have to find a way to be together, Riley was as sure of that as the beautiful sunset that was beginning over their shoulders.
Riley beamed. “I love you, Alex.”
“Oh Riley, I love you, too,” Alex said.
“Come on, it’s time to cut the cake,” Liz called to Alex. Alex knew she’d enjoy the party, but she couldn’t wait to get Riley upstairs and thank her properly for this special day. She never dreamed her life could be this happy and she knew it was because Riley lived in it.
Eleven
Riley had been struggling with a decision. After their talk about being a team and not keeping things from one another, she knew she needed to sit down with Alex and tell her what she was thinking.
One morning after they’d been on a run Riley said, “Babe, I need you to sit down with me and have a talk.”
“Uh-oh, is something wrong?”
“Nothing is wrong. I need to run something by you and get your thoughts on it.”
“Okay, I’m all ears.”
“Even though I’m retired and don’t have to go back to Florida, I do still have a house there. I was thinking that I should rent it or maybe even sell it.”
“Makes sense. I realize this has been a whirlwind, as you like to say, but my life is full now that you’re in it. I’m living this love you’ve given me. But…”
Riley’s stomach fluttered, “But?”
“But I don’t expect you to give up your life in Florida.”
“What do you mean? I’m retired. It makes sense for me to relocate here, you own a business.”
“I know that, but you have family and friends in Florida.”
“I’m not understanding.”
“What I’m trying to say is that if you want to go to Florida or move somewhere else, I’ll go with you. Just because I have a business doesn’t mean I can’t leave. I love you Riley, I want to be where you are.”
&nbs
p; Riley thought her heart would burst in her chest; it was so full of love for Alex. “You’d do that for me, for us?”
“I sure would. I love our life.”
“I do too. That means so much, but let’s stay here.”
“If that’s what you want.”
Riley smiled and kissed Alex tenderly, “I do, and I want to sell my house. I’ll call Kara and see if she knows a realtor, she has connections everywhere.”
“That doesn’t surprise me,” Alex said chuckling. “I’m going to shower.”
Riley grabbed her phone and called Kara.
“If it isn’t my BFF in paradise,” Kara said answering.
“Hey, how are you?”
“Probably not as good as you but, making it.”
Riley chuckled, “Maybe you need to think about joining me here in paradise.”
“Is it still paradise, are you still love birds?”
“I can’t imagine life without her. What did I do before we walked into Peaches?”
“You’d think the newness would wear off, but my god, you’re getting sappier the longer you stay there.”
Riley laughed.
“So, I’m guessing Alex came clean on whatever was in her past?”
“She did.” Riley recounted Alex’s story and explained why she took so long to share it.
“Wow, what a deal. Are you sure you want to take this on? It changes your life too, Riley.”
“I know. I’ve thought it through and even experienced some of it.”
“What do you mean?”
Riley explained the looks she sometimes noticed and the women at the store.
“Damn, no wonder Alex didn’t want you to know. But Riley—“
Riley stopped Kara, “No buts Kara, I’m doing this. I love Alex and this is part of it.”
“But a sex offender! Just the stigma alone from the label.”
“Look, I’ve made up my mind, I’m staying and that’s actually why I called you in the first place. I want to sell my house.”
“Sell your house!”
“Yep, I’m making a life here with Alex so I don’t need a house in Florida.”
“But what if things don’t work out. You’ll need a place to stay.”
“Everything is going to work out, Kara. I don’t need the house. And by the way, Alex did offer to move to Florida with me.”
“Well, that’s something! You’re really doing this, aren’t you?”
“We’re really doing this.”
Kara was quiet a moment then said, “I’m trying to think of all the things I’m supposed to say to talk you out of this, but I’ve got nothing.”
They both laughed then Kara said, “What about Sara, she knows and what about your family. Are you going to tell them?”
“I’ll talk to Sara. I’m sure she told Julie.”
“She probably did tell Julie but, I’m not so sure she said anything to anyone else. I saw Kim last week and she asked how you were doing. She didn’t mention anything about Alex’s past. What if your other friends aren’t as open minded as I am?”
“What do you mean?”
“They might not want to be around Alex and what about your brothers? You know good and well that they are not going to be as understanding.”
“My friends have already been around Alex even if it wasn’t very long and seemed to like her. And it doesn’t matter! It doesn’t make her a different person than you knew before.”
“Listen to yourself. You’re already defensive and haven’t talked to anyone yet.”
Riley sighed, “I am defensive because Alex is a good person and wasn’t treated fairly.”
“You think she wasn’t treated fairly that doesn’t mean everyone else won’t think it was fair.”
“I love her, Kara,” Riley said quietly. “All of her past, present, and future.”
“Okay, I have a realtor friend. I’ll get her on it.” With that Kara caught Riley up on their other friends and promised to visit soon.
Riley was sitting in a lounger on the beach, looking out at the water when Alex walked up and kissed her cheek. The kiss was welcome but it startled her.
“Wow. Why so jumpy, babe?” Alex said sitting at her feet.
“I just got off the phone with Kara. She found a buyer for the house.”
“Really! I thought you were listing it?”
“I was. She was at a party, imagine that,” Riley said chuckling. “Anyway, she was talking to a friend that had a friend looking for a house in that area. She showed them the house, and they loved it. They want to buy it.”
“That’s great! It’s almost like it was meant to be,” said Alex. “But why do you not look happy?”
“Well, I have to go back. I need to pack up my things and do something with all my stuff. I’m a little overwhelmed.”
“I can see why. I didn’t think about all your stuff. This is happening so fast.”
“I know. Kara is going to see if the buyers want any of my furniture. If they do, I’ll still have to pack up my clothes and other things.”
“When would you leave?” Alex said, not liking the idea of Riley leaving but knowing she had to.
“Soon. It’ll take two to three weeks to do the closing on the house, but it’ll take me some time to pack everything up and decide to store it, sell it, or bring some here with me.”
“What can I do to help?” Alex asked.
“You know, you could come with me.”
Alex thought about it and nodded. “Let me talk to Liz.”
Riley sat up excited. “Really?”
Alex smiled. “Yes, really. I do own the bar if you’ll remember.”
Riley scooted down and hugged Alex tight. “That would make it so much better if you came with me.”
“Okay. Figure out when we need to leave and I’ll talk to Liz,” Alex said kissing Riley.
“I love you, Alex.”
Alex laughed. “I love you, too, Riley.”
Riley went to work making all the arrangements. They left a week later; the plan was for Riley to stay two weeks and get the house and her things settled. Alex would be staying the first week with her and help her pack up before going back to St. John.
Kara picked them up at the airport and took them to Riley’s old house. Alex was nervous. Meeting Riley’s family for the first time face to face; she wanted them to like her. But with her past always looming in the background it made times like these even more anxious.
“So, when is the big family meet?” Kara asked.
“I’m sure somebody will show up tonight, but we’re supposed to see Mom and Dad for lunch tomorrow. They’re leaving for their next trip the day after.”
“Are you nervous, Alex?” Kara asked, teasing.
“You could say that.”
“Oh baby, it’ll be fine,” Riley said. “My folks know what the deal is and they’re happy for me even though so much has changed in such a short time.”
“You can say that again,” added Kara. “But, she’s right, Alex. Her folks are good people, and they’re going to love you.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because Riley loves you. She’s their baby girl, and what she wants, she gets.”
“Oh really? I don’t remember you saying anything like that, baby,” said Alex.
“Because that’s not necessarily true. They’re glad I found someone; now they won’t worry about their poor little daughter being alone while they travel the world,” Riley said, chuckling.
“Hmm, I’m not sure how to take that.”
“What she means is that her parents trust her judgment. Believe me, they know Riley is careful about who her friends are and who she lets in her bed,” Kara said matter-of-factly then laughed at the look on Riley’s face.
Before either one could say anything Kara pulled up into Riley’s driveway and said, “Okay, you two, I’ll leave you to it. Let me know when you want me here to help you pack up.”
“I will. Thanks for picking us
up, Kara.”
“Any time. Welcome to Florida, Alex.”
“Thanks.”
Riley had a beautiful house. It was a two-bedroom bungalow with a nice yard and just right for her. That is, until she went to the Virgin Islands for a wedding. As she looked around she knew there were things she would miss, but she felt a freedom in selling it and most of her things to continue this adventure with Alex.
“This is a great house. It fits you. Are you sorry you have to sell it?”
“Not at all. It’s just a house. You are my love, and our place back home is perfect for us. I know that sounds sappy, but I seem to have turned into a sappy, romantic woman in love.”
“There’s no shame in that. I love your romantic side. It’s brought out the romantic in me.”
Riley kissed her. “We’ll be sappy together and ignore our friends making fun of us. They’re just jealous anyway.”
Alex kissed her back. “There’s nothing I’d rather do than kiss you the rest of the day, but we have lots to do in a short time. Put me to work.”
Riley did just that, starting in the guest room and going through closets to donate clothing she didn’t plan to take with her. She talked to her mom, who told her that she had told the rest of the family to leave them alone this first night. They got quite a bit done with piles for donating, a pile for her sisters-in-law to go through, and a few things Riley was taking with her.
“You have some great artwork that would look really nice in our place,” Alex said, looking around the living room.
“I hadn’t really thought about taking any of it, but you think it would?”
“I do. Besides, you need some of this so it’ll feel like your home too. I know you’ve changed some things there, but I really like these,” Alex said pointing to a couple of prints Riley had hung over the couch.
“Okay. Why don’t you go through and pick some things that you like or think would work back home and we’ll decide together?”
They continued to work on making groups of items to stay, donate, or take. Riley ordered takeout, and they took a break to eat. By late that evening they’d had enough for one day and sat on the patio drinking beer and relaxing before going to bed.