“It was so nice to meet you.” She gently lifted Daphne’s hand into hers and held it as she stared into her eyes.
“Yes, you, too.” The sting of shyness averted Daphne’s eyes. She knew she was supposed to say something more, but she froze with awkwardness.
Brynne’s eyes lingered on her as she let Daphne’s hand slip from hers. Her lips parted as though she were about to speak, but she only licked her bottom lip provocatively.
“Your freckles came out in the sun,” Daphne said and immediately regretted her words
Really, Daphne? She screamed at herself in her mind as she flicked through the remote, looking for reruns of TV shows she hadn’t watched during the regular season. You have this sexy woman standing at your car flirting with you, and you respond by mentioning her freckles?
Daphne shook the cringe-worthy memory from her head, then thought of Nina. Nina would’ve known how to respond. She seemed born to stare down any situation of monumental social awkwardness like Clint Eastwood in one of his old westerns. She would’ve instructed Daphne on exactly how to play it. It would be a miracle if Brynne asked her out, but if she did, Daphne should propose a Cyrano de Bergerac thing where Nina fed her responses through an earpiece.
That is, if Nina hadn’t reconnected with Lacey and still had time.
* * *
When Nina arrived at the wine bar, Lacey sat at a high-top table, a bottle chilling in a bucket. No doubt a pricey chardonnay, a beverage they’d shared an affinity for since they first met. Lacey stood in anticipation as Nina arrived at the table and wrapped her in a warm hug. After she finally released Nina, she slid her arms across her back and down her arms so sensually, the act could’ve qualified as foreplay.
“I hope you don’t mind that I also ordered some apps for us to pick on while we chat.” Lacey pulled the bottle from the bucket and filled Nina’s glass.
Nina smiled. “As long as you included something with tuna, rare, on it.”
“I couldn’t show my face around you if I didn’t.”
Lacey’s eyebrows lurched seductively, like she’d cornered her prey and would enjoy toying with it before moving in for the kill. She was the only person who could pull that alpha-woman crap on Nina and get away with it. Nina hated that she knew it, too.
“Do you like the wine?”
“You know it’s my favorite.” Nina smirked before taking another sip. She actually found playing along seductive.
“It’s nice to realize some things haven’t changed—although I have to say you’ve never looked more beautiful.”
Nina couldn’t suppress an eye roll.
“What? I’m not just saying that,” Lacey protested. “You’re radiant.”
“Sometimes a change does do us good.”
“Knowing you as I do, I wouldn’t expect anything less.”
Lacey brought her A-game tonight. Nice. Nina vanquished her glass of wine before the first app arrived. “So how did you find out I’m divorced?”
Lacey smirked. “Is that why you think I texted you?”
“Isn’t it?”
“Are we going to keep talking like we’re in a film noir?”
Nina laughed as she looked down into her glass. So many feelings, and they were all slamming into her at once.
“I saw you on the news,” Lacey finally confessed. “I wanted to call you that night, but it seemed like you had your hands full with the transition.”
“Ah, yes—the infamous human-interest piece on the beleaguered and victimized single mom.” She shook her head with an ironic smile. “I can’t tell you how many friend requests I got from single men after that piece aired.”
“I don’t doubt that. You looked so lovely, irresistible, in fact, in a damsel-in-distress sort of way.” Lacey flashed that smoldering half smile that could make any woman want to work for her attention.
“Thank you, but you know I’m the furthest thing from a distressed damsel.”
The server arrived with several plates of apps, just in time to dilute their simmering flirtation.
“I do know that,” Lacey said. “It’s one of the many things that attracted me to you.”
Now she was using her smoldering screen-siren eyes to knock Nina off her guard. For as adept at seduction as Lacey was, she was forgetting Nina knew all her tricks.
“So how’s the new job going?” Nina asked.
“It’s actually going great—another good thing that came out of our ill-fated romance.”
Nina chuckled as she swirled a piece of pita bread in hummus dip. “You must enlighten me on the list of good things that resulted from our affair.”
Lacey flicked her auburn curls off her shoulder. “Aww. It makes me sad that you need be enlightened.”
Nina shrugged. “While it certainly had its charms, I wasn’t fond of the way I felt when you left me.” She sipped her wine and pretended to observe the crowded bar, creating some distance between herself and the memory.
“It killed me, Nina. I wish I could find a way to prove it to you.” Lacey reached for her hand, but Nina rolled it back before their skin touched.
Nina straightened her posture. “Not that I want to play one-up or anything, but I was in a slightly more vulnerable position than you were. I take full responsibility for my actions, but you kind of lured me out into the wild then just left me there.”
Lacey nodded. “Looking back with what I know now, I definitely could’ve done things differently. But you were my first married woman.”
Nina sighed. “We’re not here to replay that awful time, are we?”
Lacey shook her head and topped off their glasses. “Not at all. Nina, I want to try again, now that you’re actually free. It can be completely different this time.”
Nina swallowed the wine she’d been holding in her mouth since she’d heard “try again” spill from Lacey’s lips. The feel of those silky lips and that powerful tongue, the touch of the eager hand she’d just rejected. Those were some of the good things that had come out of their union—good and torturous in so many ways. She shifted in her chair as the tingle between her legs made her squirm.
“You’re speechless,” Lacey said. “Something else I’m not used to from you.”
“Oh, I could say several things. I’m just not sure in which direction I want to steer this conversation.”
Lacey’s eyes bored into her. “Do you miss me?”
Nina sucked at her teeth. “That’s such a douchie question to ask the person you dumped.”
Lacey frowned. “I wish you’d stop saying it like I just tired of you and moved on to my next conquest.”
“What do you want me to say, Lace? I was in love with you. It hasn’t even been a year since we broke up. I mean I’ve healed from the heartbreak, but yes, I have moments when I do miss you.”
“Thank you for being honest.” Lacey caught hold of Nina’s hand before she could retract it. “I still love you, Nina. I never stopped. I think you may have been more successful moving on than I have. But then success seems to be written in your DNA.”
Nina was caving; she felt it. The wine, Lacey’s eyes, her on-point verbal repertoire were all slowly undressing her stoic reserve. If she’d arrived at the wine bar thinking she had everything under control, the sexual tension simmering between them was about to make a fool of her.
“We’ve gone through a lot, Lacey—life changes, personal growth, hopefully some healthy introspection. Do you honestly think we can pick up where we left off?”
Lacey slid a seasoned olive in her mouth and licked the oil from her two fingers. “How about a fresh start? As two single women who are attracted to each other’s minds and bodies. The canvas is totally blank, Nina. We can paint whatever vision we want for us.”
Nina blinked at the glare of optimism coming off Lacey’s face. She emptied the bottle into her glass despite already having a heavy wine buzz. “Lacey, we should revisit this conversation with sober heads. I have to get going.” She slipped off the tall bar seat
and grabbed the edge of the table for support.
“Where are you going? You just poured the last of the wine.”
Nina’s attention drifted between the glass and Lacey. “And I know better than to drink it.”
“Are you okay to drive?”
“Yes. I’m just down the street a few miles.”
“Can I see your new house?”
“You want to see my new house?” Nina had to make sure she’d heard her correctly.
“You shouldn’t drive, Nina, even a few miles.”
Nina unlocked her phone. “Fine. I’ll Uber it then.”
Lacey slipped the phone from her hands. “Please. Let me drive you.”
Nina licked her lips and dangled her keys in Lacey’s face. “I do not need to be walked inside.”
* * *
Moments later, the precise scenario Nina had not wanted to transpire began transpiring when Lacey trailed her into the kitchen from her garage and corralled her against the chef’s island in the middle of her stainless-steel oasis. Although she was only pleasantly wine-buzzed, Nina’s complete absence of inhibition rivaled that of a sailor during Fleet Week. Had a wet T-shirt contest broken out in her kitchen, she would’ve been the first to sign up.
Lacey’s strong hands held her face steady as she slowly traced her bottom lip with her thumb. Nina writhed. The moment their lips touched, warm wetness flowered between her legs. She grabbed Lacey’s rear end with both hands and pushed her hips toward her, grinding against her to alleviate the ache.
“Take me upstairs,” Lacey whispered as she licked behind Nina’s ear.
Nina’s head fell back as the natural ecstasy swept her away from reality. “I want your tongue so bad, Lacey.”
Lacey tore into the button and zipper on Nina’s pants and plunged fingers into Nina’s panties. It had been so long since she’d felt the bliss of determined fingers swirling around her. Nobody had ever got her wet like this before, but then she’d only ever been with one woman.
Lacey dropped to her knees and rolled Nina’s pants down with her. Too far gone for patience, Nina shoved Lacey’s head into her and pumped against her warm, thick tongue, gasping in the sheer pleasure. They eventually made it upstairs, but not before Lacey brought her to a prompt, explosive orgasm there against the counter.
After they completed their animalistic, half-I-hate-you, half-I-miss-you lovemaking marathon, Nina lay in her bed next to Lacey with her eyes wide open in the dark. While she felt thoroughly satisfied physically, she wasn’t so sure where the experience had left her head. Lacey threw her arm across Nina’s stomach as she settled into a deeper sleep. Nina hugged her closer, not so much for the “and they lived happily ever after” moment their actions might have suggested but for the comfort of feeling the closeness of a familiar body against hers.
She couldn’t wait to discuss the implications with Daphne, who was a master at listening. Even if she didn’t have the answer Nina was seeking, Daphne’s effusive empathy calmed almost any unsettling situation.
She smiled in the dark thinking about Daphne’s sweet, unobtrusive, and often unintentional hilariousness. No matter what they were discussing, their conversations always brimmed with laughter and good vibes. Yes, she would talk to her about this first thing in the morning, and together they’d craft this into a narrative that Nina would feel better about.
Lacey twitched and made a snoring noise.
Hmmm. Does Daphne snore? Is she one of those people who have night terrors or need to sleep with a white-noise app blasting? How did she make out today kayaking? Maybe she met someone. I don’t know why she hasn’t yet. She’s just adorable and quirky and funny. She has such nice lips, too.
As the volume of Lacey’s snoring escalated, Nina picked up her arm and gently rolled her onto her other side to quiet her.
Yes, Daphne actually has perfect lips. Never dry but never greasy with gloss either. They seem soft, like really soft, like pink pillows that probably taste like the tropical-fruit Blistex she’s always applying. People with nice lips are usually good kissers, too. Is Daphne a good kisser? Soft lips, tropical-fruit flavor, warm, tantalizing…
Nina suddenly sprang up in bed and looked at the lump of covers beside her. What was wrong with her? How the hell could she go from having wild, gratifying sex with Lacey to fantasizing about making out with Daphne? She laughed inside her mixed-up head. She’d heard of fucking your brains out, but she’d always thought the phrase was hyperbole.
She lay back down, rolled over, away from Lacey, and fell into a blissful sleep.
* * *
The next morning at Sophie’s, Daphne sat back down at the table after Sophie yelled at her again for trying to help. She should’ve known better. Making the mimosas and Bellinis was the only job Sophie allowed her to do. Nina shot Daphne a covert look, and they smiled like parochial schoolgirls after the mother superior had reprimanded them.
“It was so nice of you to invite me for brunch, Sophie,” Nina said.
“I’m glad you could come, and I finally got to meet you,” she replied. “If I waited for this one to introduce us…” She bobbed her head toward Daphne.
Daphne turned to Nina. “She’s a slick operator, isn’t she?”
“Are you sure I can’t help with anything?” Nina asked.
“You can help me eat all these goddamn pancakes.” Sophie flipped the first batch. “I made too much batter. My mind’s been going mushy on me lately.”
“Are you feeling okay?” Daphne asked.
“Oh, yeah. I’ve just felt a little more tired than usual. Bette Davis wasn’t joking when she said ‘old age ain’t no place for sissies.’”
Daphne had never heard Sophie talk like that before. To her, age was only a number, and she’d referred to it only out of convenience to avoid things she hadn’t wanted to do. “Soph, let me know if you need any help around here. I’m right next door. I’ll come over any time.”
“I know you will, honey. Anyway, I’d like to hear about this new lady you met yesterday, Daphne.”
Nina’s head whipped toward her. “Yes, Daphne. I’d also like to.”
Daphne’s shoulders tensed in embarrassment. “I don’t really have much to tell. Brynne is her name, she’s an engineer, and she asked if I’d like to go for coffee with her sometime.”
“When? Where?” Nina said.
“I don’t know. I’m waiting for her to text me. And that’s if she was being sincere.”
“Why are you waiting for her?” Sophie said with attitude. “You should text her. How does that work with two women, anyway?”
Daphne laughed. “I already explained it to you. Whoever suggests the idea is responsible for making the arrangements.”
Nina looked at her. “Where’d you hear that?”
“It’s in the handbook,” Daphne replied.
“There’s a handbook?” Sophie asked.
“She’s messing with us.” Nina gave Daphne an admonishing glare.
“There should be,” Daphne said. “I’d buy it.”
“For real,” Nina replied. “With a chapter or five on dealing with exes.”
Daphne rested her chin in her palms. “Hmm. Speaking of that, how did it go with Lacey last night?”
“Uh…” Nina’s convulsing eyebrows seemed to note Sophie’s close proximity. “That’s actually why I texted you this morning.”
Daphne leaned closer as Nina’s cheeks reddened. “Nina. What happened last night?”
Sophie brought a platter of pancakes to the table and sat down with them. “Something happened last night?”
As Nina’s gaze darted between Daphne and Sophie, Daphne knew exactly what had occurred. Still, she blurted, “You slept with her?”
Nina’s face deflated like a beach ball. “Daphne, why don’t we discuss this later, hmm?”
Sophie glared at her. “You think I don’t know women can have sex with each other? I get quite an education from her.” She flicked her thumb toward Daphne.
&
nbsp; “No, I just…” Nina stammered. “I just didn’t want to be indelicate over Sunday brunch.”
Sophie spread butter over her small stack of pancakes. “Well, I don’t need a slide-show presentation, but we can have some girl talk, can’t we?”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for it come out like that,” Daphne said in response to Nina’s glare.
After Nina had explained the entire situation in detail, concluding with her having to usher Lacey out of her house this morning, Daphne was speechless. She hadn’t been sure what would come of Lacey’s urgent series of texts, but a night of soft-core porn hadn’t even made the list.
Nina looked at her, and they both stared at Sophie, whose mouth was still hanging open.
“You’re offended, aren’t you? I’m sorry.” Nina’s eyes were glossy with remorse.
“I’m not offended,” Sophie said. “I’m jealous.”
Daphne burst into laughter and raised her hand to Sophie for a high five. “Me, too. The only offer I got was for coffee.”
When the laughter died down, Nina’s face grew somber. “When Lacey finally left, I leaned against my door and wondered why I’d done it.”
“Did you talk about getting back together?”
“She did, but I didn’t answer her one way or the other. When she broke up with me, for months all I’d dreamed about was that she’d come back. Now that it’s happened, practically out of nowhere, I don’t know if that’s what I want.”
“How did you leave things?”
“She said she’d call me.”
“Okay, well…” Daphne wasn’t sure what else to say. Hearing the details made her jealous, too, but to be honest, it wasn’t just about who was getting laid and who wasn’t. She didn’t like the idea of someone else being added to their equation. She shook off what seemed like possessiveness. Something warned her against feeling that way about a friend.
“And this is the woman you left your husband for?” Sophie asked.
“She’s the woman who made me realize I wasn’t happy with my husband anymore,” Nina replied, clearly still defensive about the semantics.
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