Maddie smiled. “As lovely as this is…my pleasure would be you…me…alone…for days,” she whispered back. “But I’ll settle on the calamari appetizer and the seared salmon.”
Julia nodded. “The last two I can easily do and I will definitely work on the first one.”
Maddie glanced at Gabriel and the girls laughing about something and looked at Julia. “This is very nice, all of us here together. Thank you, Julia.”
“I should be thanking you.”
“Whatever for?”
“Being here. Coming back into my life. Loving me.”
Maddie stared, her gaze locked on Julia’s own. She placed her hand over Julia’s and turned it over, lacing their fingers together. The server arrived and Maddie pulled her gaze away, finding her son looking at her with a small knowing smile on his face. She smiled back, Julia’s fingers still laced with her own beneath the table.
◆◆◆
Julia had invited Gabriel to stay at her house for the remainder of the weekend and he had readily agreed. Eleanor wanted to show Maddie her room so Julia offered to show Gabriel to his room when they got to the house after dinner. Julia smiled as Gabriel craned his neck to take everything in as they climbed the stairs together.
“Wow, this is a big house.” Gabriel said.
“Yes, probably too big for just Eleanor and me, but when it came on the market I couldn’t resist. I’ve always wanted to live on the water.”
“The woodwork in here is incredible, the crown molding and these spindles.” He touched the bannister.
Julia smiled. “I think so, too. Your mother mentioned you like wood carving and sculpture.”
Gabriel nodded. “I do. My Uncle Enzo is a carpenter. I work for him during the summer. That’s why I wanted to tour the vocational school, to check out the carpentry department.”
“How did that go? Did you like the school?”
“Yeah, I did. The instructor knows my Dad so he let me use the lathe. That was pretty cool.”
“Is that what you want to do?” Julia asked.
Gabe shrugged. “Possibly. I like to do finish carpentry work as well as woodcarving and sculpture. UMass in Dartmouth has a good Arts Program and they have a certificate program in sculpture.”
“Their Arts Program is top-notch and a degree is something you can always fall back on.”
Gabe smiled. “You sound like my Mom.”
Julia laughed softly. “Thank you, I think.” Julia opened the door to the bedroom at the end of the hall and the farthest away from her own. “This is your room while you’re here. Make yourself at home.”
Gabriel looked around the large but simply decorated bedroom with the queen sized bed and large windows as he set his bag on the bed. He looked at the small flat screen on the dresser. “Wow, I wasn’t expecting a room this nice just for me. This is great, Julia. Thanks for having me.”
“It’s my pleasure. You know where the kitchen is so help yourself to anything. Don’t be shy, Gabe, okay?”
Gabriel smiled widely, the resemblance to his mother causing Julia’s breath to catch. Julia smiled back. “You look just like your mother when you smile.”
“Thank you.”
“I hope you won’t be bored while you’re here.”
“Not at all.”
“Are you always this agreeable?”
“I’m sure my mother would say no, but it’s just nice seeing her this happy.”
Julia paused at the sudden emotion she felt at his words. “Thank you for telling me that, Gabriel.”
“You’re welcome. Good night, Julia.”
Julia wandered over to her daughter’s bedroom, the bedside lamp washing over the scene inside. Eleanor and Maddie were huddled together on the bed as they talked quietly. Julia watched as Maddie simply watched her daughter talking, a small indulgent smile on her face. Maddie gently moved a wisp of hair from Eleanor’s forehead before she noticed Julia in the doorway watching them.
Julia smiled. “Am I interrupting?”
Maddie shook her head. “No, Norie was just telling me about her art class.”
“Maddie knows about art, Mom. She knows what chiaroscuro is.”
Julia smiled. “Maddie knows about a lot of things, Eleanor. She’s well-rounded.”
Eleanor nodded. “That’s what I want to be, too. Can we go to a museum soon, Mom, with Maddie?”
Julia walked over to the bed and leaned over to kiss her Norie’s forehead. “We’ll plan something soon. Now don’t stay up too late on Snapgram, Instachat or whatever tonight. Okay?”
Norie giggled. “Okay, Mom, good night. Good night, Maddie.”
Maddie placed a light kiss to the side of her head. “Good night, Norie.”
Julia reached for Maddie’s hand and pulled her up, leading her into the hallway, leaving the door slightly ajar. Julia pulled Maddie into her arms. “If I wasn’t already in love with you, seeing the way you are with Norie would’ve sealed the deal.”
Maddie smiled. “She’s so much like you, how can I not love her?”
“I was just thinking the same thing about your son. He’s thoughtful…and sweet…and looks just like you when he smiles a certain way. You should ask him about the school tour if you haven’t already.” Julia kissed her lips lightly. “Take your time. I’ll be waiting in our room.”
Maddie became very still and Julia realized what she had just said. Julia decided to simply wait for Maddie to address it or not. “Did you just say ‘our room’?” Maddie finally asked.
Julia smiled softly. “Noticed that, did you?”
“It’s mine already?” Maddie smiled back.
“Since you are the first and only person I’ve ever had in that bed…to ever share that room with me…you get dibs if you want ‘em.”
Maddie smiled as she walked down the hallway before she turned and slowly walked backward. “I call dibs on the bed, the room, and on you, Julia Sinclair.”
Julia could not believe how ridiculously happy it made her simply hearing Maddie say that.
◆◆◆
On Sunday morning, as was the norm, Vivienne walked over from her place so they could all have breakfast together on the deck, but this morning included Maddie and Gabe as well. Julia was afraid that her girls might resent the intrusion, but she had worried needlessly as Viv and Norie seemed more than happy with the imposition of Maddie and Gabe on their private time together. Julia tried to stay in the moment and not dwell on the fact that Maddie would be leaving soon. She tried not to show any of the fear or insecurity that she was feeling and she thought she had been doing well until Maddie followed her into the house.
“I don’t use my phone in the car,” Maddie said to Julia when they reached the kitchen.
“Excuse me?” Julia asked.
“It’s a rule with me, no phone while driving, so I won’t be able to call you until I get home.”
Julia smiled. “Okay?”
“I don’t want you to think I won’t miss you as soon as I drive away, that I won’t call you as soon as I can.”
Julia and ran her finger lightly between her eyebrows. “Are my frown lines showing?” Maddie shook her head in confusion and Julia sighed. “Are my insecurities that obvious?”
“When you looked at me this morning, I saw happiness. When you looked at me a few minutes ago all I could see was worry and doubt.”
Julia nodded. “I think it’s going to take a while before I can…relax.”
Maddie folded her arms in front of her. “Okay.”
Julia saw the gesture as defensive or possibly protective so she reached for Maddie’s arms, pulling them loose and moving them around her own waist as she stepped into Maddie’s space. “I’m sorry for being…so...”
“It’s okay, I understand, but we have plans for Friday, don’t we?”
“Yes, we do and even if we didn’t…if you disappear…I’ll simply come looking for you.”
Maddie pulled her close and rested her forehead against Julia’s. �
��Promise?”
Julia heard many things in that request from Maddie, including fear, vulnerability and affection. They were both feeling the same things and somehow, ridiculously, that gave Julia the hope that she needed at the moment.
◆◆◆
Julia smiled as her cell vibrated against her stomach. She had placed it there to ensure that she would not miss a call from Maddie. She picked it up and put it to her ear.
“Hello, beautiful.”
“Hi, honey,” Maddie said. “How was your day?”
Julia heard the smile in Maddie’s voice and it made her happy. Maddie had called her as soon as she and Gabe had arrived home on Sunday and each evening since then. It had eased some of Julia’s fears.
“Thankfully busy.”
“Thankfully?” Maddie asked.
“Yeah, if I’m busy I’m not thinking about how long until I get to see you,” Julia said quietly.
“Only two days and I miss you, too.”
“That’s nice to hear,” Julia whispered, a few more doubts quieted. “So, this thing on Friday night? What should I be wearing?”
“It’s up to you.”
“What are you wearing?”
“Well, I’ve got a hot date, so I’m wearing a cocktail dress.”
Julia laughed quietly. “Really? What color is it?”
“Black.”
“Sweet Jesus, I can’t wait to see that.”
“I can’t wait to see you. Are you staying until Sunday?” Maddie asked.
“Are you asking me to stay until Sunday?”
“Yes.”
“I’m staying until Sunday.”
Chapter 18
Maddie sipped from her martini glass as she glanced toward the doorway of the event venue for the hundredth time, barely noticing the beautiful views of Boston Harbor from the large windows or the soft jazz music coming from the DJ’s speakers.
“Relax, she’ll be here,” Steven said, smiling at her.
“I know. I’m just dying to see her.”
“Well, I’m sure she’s dying to see you, too…and wait until she does see you.”
Maddie frowned. “What? Why?”
Steven took a step back and looked at Maddie from her head to her feet. She was dressed in a vintage lace cocktail dress with a flared tulle skirt and simple pumps. “Maddie, girl, you look so hot tonight that even I would think about switching teams.”
While she laughed, she saw Steven look past her, his eyes widening. “Wow, who the hell is that? A new client?”
Maddie turned and saw Julia standing just inside the door, dressed in a fitted dress, the fabric a colorful burst of blue and white flowers against a black background. The fit of the dress complemented her full figure and the color complemented her shining cobalt eyes. She had pulled her hair back, her lips covered in glossy red lipstick, gold chandelier earrings swinging gently from her ears.
Maddie smiled, her heart swelling. “That, my dear Steven, is Julia.”
“Shut the fuck up,” he whispered.
Maddie laughed lightly. “I told you she was attractive.”
“That’s not attractive. That’s…magnificent.”
Julia spotted her and smiled widely, walking toward her, their gazes locked. Maddie couldn’t wait for Julia to reach her so she left Steven and her martini at the bar to meet Julia halfway and Maddie sighed deeply when Julia pulled her into a close embrace. They held each other silently for an extended moment.
Julia pulled away and smiled at her. “Hello, gorgeous.” She cupped her face tenderly and then stepped back to run her gaze over every inch of Maddie. “You are certainly a sight for sore eyes.”
Maddie inhaled deeply, overwhelmed at finally having Julia here with her. She looked down at Julia’s dress. “You are a vision. This dress was made for you.”
“For us, actually. I picked something so we would be coordinated.”
Maddie laughed. “You’re sweet and I’m not sure you’ve ever looked more beautiful…and that is saying a lot since I nearly swallowed my tongue the first time I saw you.”
Julia’s smile widened. “Really? You never told me that. So you liked the business suit?”
“Oh yes, until I saw the other suit.” Julia frowned in confusion and Maddie smiled. “Your birthday suit,” she whispered.
Julia laughed lightly and pulled Maddie close. “I can’t believe you just said that.”
“Me neither. I’m giddy because I’m so happy to see you, Julia.”
“I think I like you giddy.”
“So, come meet Steven and I’ll get you a drink.”
◆◆◆
Julia realized that she was licking her lips as she watched Maddie greet some clients and direct them to a group of suits congregated in the far corner of the room. It had gotten busy since she had arrived and it was getting more difficult to track Maddie when she had to wander away to take care of something. She looked so beautiful and confident and Julia noticed several people look at Maddie with more than a passing interest.
“Don’t worry. She has no idea how hot she is.”
Julia turned to look at Maddie’s friend, Steven, standing near her at the bar. “Oh I think she’s aware there’s interest…she just doesn’t−”
“Really know how hot she is?”
Julia laughed easily. “Maybe you’re right.”
“Trust me, she doesn’t. And even if she did, she only has eyes for you. I’ve never seen her like this.”
Julia looked at the soft-spoken young man. He was younger than Maddie, with dark hair, blue eyes and rimless glasses. He looked more than handsome dressed in a navy suit with his white shirt unbuttoned at the collar.
She smiled at him. “Like what?”
“She’s crazy about you. As far as I know, she’s had no interest in anyone the entire time I’ve known her…and I’d never seen her so upset as when you two were…on a break.”
Julia nodded. “Yeah, that was pretty rough for me, too. So, how long have you two worked together?”
“About six years or so. We hit it off right away, but she’s always been very private, never talked about her personal life. It’s taken me years to get past her natural…reserve shall we say, to get her to talk to me...and finally admit that we have something in common.”
“Good looks and charm?”
He smiled at her. “You are as kind as you are beautiful.” He raised her hand and placed a small kiss to her knuckles.
Julia laughed softly. “Oh, people are going to start talking now.” She felt a soft arm around her waist.
“What will they say?” Maddie asked with a smile, moving closer and putting Julia between herself and Steven.
“They’ll probably say that I’m stepping out on you,” Steven said with a smile. He looked at Julia. “Some people actually think that Mads and I are dating.”
“They might think that I’m the one stepping out on you,” Maddie said, as she tightened her hold on Julia’s waist.
Julia looked at Steven and then at Maddie. “Maybe they’ll think that we’re having a threesome,” Julia said as she finished her martini.
Steven laughed. “Oh, Mads, I like her.”
Maddie smiled. “Me, too.”
“Mads? He calls you Mads?” Julia asked.
Maddie shrugged. “Yep.”
“You’ve got an awful lot of aliases there, Tracy.”
Maddie laughed. “Oh my God, you remember that?”
Julia nodded. “I remember every minute I have been graced with your presence, Madalena Francisco.”
Maddie gasped. “Wow.”
“Talk about charm,” Steven said.
The music from the DJ changed and became a bit louder and Steven smiled as he looked at Maddie. “The dancing has started. Are we going to leave?”
“Leave? Where are we going?” Julia asked.
Maddie sighed. “This is when Steven and I usually leave.”
“Why’s that?”
“When Steven and I d
ance together, the rumor mill ramps up and if we don’t dance together…”
“Then the trolls come out and line up for Mads.” Steven completed the explanation. “But…then again, she’s never brought a date before.” He smiled at Maddie.
“Do you like to dance?” Julia asked Maddie.
Maddie smiled. “I do like to dance. Do you?”
“Yeah.”
It was apparent to Julia that living closeted for so many years had caused Maddie to subdue her natural personality and she had noticed that she was not entirely comfortable with public displays of affection. Maddie had always seemed much more relaxed when they were in Julia’s world, but tonight they were squarely in Maddie’s own backyard and Julia wasn’t sure what to expect. Maddie did not look pressured or uncomfortable though. She simply smiled as she cocked her head slightly, appearing to be listening to the music.
As soon as the music slowed down, Maddie turned to her. “Would you like to dance with me, Julia?”
“I would love to dance with you,” Julia said quietly.
Maddie held her hand out and Steven squealed like a little girl. They both laughed before Julia took her hand and let Maddie lead her onto the dance floor.
◆◆◆
There were only a few couples on the dance floor, mostly the management team at her agency dancing with their spouses. Maddie saw a few surprised glances in their direction, but shrugged them off as she led Julia to the middle of the floor. They came together, the fingers of one hand still attached and rested their foreheads together for a brief moment. Maddie felt her face heating.
“You okay?” Julia asked.
“I just realized that we’ve never danced before,” Maddie whispered.
“Relax, we got this,” Julia answered quietly.
Julia placed a hand on Maddie’s waist and brought their joined hands up between them. Maddie rested her free hand on Julia’s shoulder, her fingers reaching out to caress her bare neck. Julia started to sway to the beat of the song and Maddie rested her cheek against Julia’s and followed her lead, conscious of her thigh brushing Julia’s as they danced.
“I knew we would be good at this,” Julia whispered as they moved and swayed in sync.
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