by Laura Conway
“I’ll give you a demo when we get there,” Payton said, watching her eye up the camera like it was something from outer space.
The drive north to the state park took less than half an hour and Payton showed her the basics of how to work her camera when they got there.
“Who knows what you might get to see,” Payton said as they made their way down to the beach. “Pelicans, osprey, a tortoise? Even without any wildlife, the beach here is beautiful.”
The beach was quiet but Abbey imagined it would be busier in the summer months.
“Wow,” Abbey said as she stood at the edge of the beach, looking out at the green-blue water that came into meet the white sand. Chunks of seaweed were scattered across the water’s edge and Abbey could just about make out a crab skittering across the sand.
“Yeah. It’s a great spot for wedding photos. I come down here a lot with couples, usually at their request. It’s one of the most scenic beaches in Florida.”
They took their time walking across the sand, going in different directions sometimes, following a bird or waiting for the perfect shot.
Abbey tried to remember everything that Payton had told her about the camera she was holding, all the settings and what shutter speed was best for capturing something in motion. She didn’t want to keep asking and annoy her so Abbey didn’t worry too much about it and kept pressing the shutter.
She thought she’d gotten a great shot of a seagull flying off a rock, its wings spread as it was about to take off but when she shielded the back of her camera from the sun to take a look at the screen, the photo was a blur.
Not that shutter speed then…
“Is this a normal day for you?” Abbey asked when they were on their way back to the car a few hours later.
“Yeah. I make my own schedule. I know what weddings I have booked, months in advance, so any days in between are usually my own. But this is how I spend them, going places, taking photos. I get other work sometimes, fashion shoots or a job for a magazine but my schedule’s never hectic.”
Abbey flicked through some of her photos as they walked through the sand. “I’m not sure there’s much here.”
“It’s your first day. You’ll get better. Why don’t you hold on to that one while you’re here? I hardly use it.”
“You don’t mind?” Abbey asked.
“Not at all.”
“Thanks.”
Abbey had her first salsa class with Eve next week. Between that and photography, surely, she’d be good enough at one of them to keep her busy for the next few months.
Chapter Thirteen
February 20th
Abbey stood in front of the mirror in her bedroom and checked her reflection one more time. She had no idea what to wear to a salsa class but this would have to do.
She was wearing black shorts and dressy sandals with a mocha colored tank top, her glossy chestnut brown hair straightened. She grabbed her bag and went downstairs, still finding it strange that she could go out without a jacket.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come?” Abbey asked Payton who was stretched out on the couch with her laptop.
“No. I have a lot of editing to do. But thanks. Do you want a ride?”
“No, it’s okay. There’s a taxi on the way. If I plan on going out a few nights a week, I might need to buy a car.”
“If you end up staying here, we can share my car,” Payton said, looking up from what she was working on.
“Thanks.” A horn beeped outside. “That’s for me. I’ll see you later. I’ll probably be late.”
“Have a good night.”
Abbey left the house and got in the backseat of the taxi, giving the driver the address for the club where the salsa classes were happening.
She thought she looked good tonight but Payton had barely glanced up from her laptop when they’d spoken in the living room. Not that she cared what Payton thought but she was hoping for some kind of a compliment.
This was the first time she’d gotten dressed up since she arrived, even if it was just shorts and a dressy tank top, she’d put more effort into her hair and makeup than she had any other day.
A half hour later, Abbey paid the driver and got out in front of the club where Eve was meeting her. Abbey pushed open one of the glass doors and surveyed the room. There were maybe fifteen or twenty people chatting in small groups while the couple that Abbey presumed were the instructors were setting up their music and testing their microphones.
Eve was by the bar and she waved Abbey over when she spotted her.
“Hey. I was afraid you might stand me up,” Eve said with a soft laugh as she gave her a quick hug.
“No way. I’m always up for a challenge.”
“Great. You know what’ll help with the nerves? A drink. What are you having?”
Abbey smiled. She would normally wait until after something like this to have a drink but she pushed those sensible thoughts aside.
“Whiskey and coke.”
“Ooohh. Straight for the hard stuff. I like it,” Eve said as she asked the bartender for two of those.
“So how good are you?”
“It’s been a while but I thought I was okay the last time.”
“Did Tara go with you?”
“Na. This isn’t her scene… Here you go,” Eve said as she handed Abbey her tumbler. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.”
“Abbey, if I had to guess, I’d say you’re on the hunt tonight,” Eve said with a smirk, her eyes raking over Abbey as she brought her tumbler to her lips.
“Maybe I am,” Abbey said with a smile. “I didn’t get out much in New York so I might as well try and make up for lost time.”
Abbey thought Eve was more dressed up than her but she was married so she wasn’t looking to meet anyone. She always dressed well though, Abbey thought, remembering the way she wore designer clothes to college. Tonight, she was wearing skinny black pants and a cream blouse, her black hair styled in loose waves.
“You won’t find much here I’m afraid. Mostly straight couples but we should go out after this.”
“Sure.”
“I think they’re ready to get started,” Eve said as she took another drink. “Come on.”
Abbey followed her out onto the dance floor and listened to the instructors introduce themselves and talk about the basics.
“Who’s leading?” Abbey whispered to Eve.
“I will.”
Abbey spent the night with her left hand on Eve’s shoulder with Eve’s right hand wrapped around her back. Abbey struggled at first, getting her feet tangled up and getting a little dizzy with all of the spinning but after the first half hour, she started getting the hang of it.
“We dance really well together, Abbey,” Eve whispered into her ear, between moves.
“You’re just a good lead.”
After the first hour, they had a ten-minute break and Abbey went to the bar to get another two drinks. They were definitely helping.
“I’m surprised how much I’m enjoying this,” Abbey said when she handed Eve her drink.
“Me too, although I forgot how much of a workout it is.”
They made their way back onto the dance floor and the second half of the lesson flew by.
“My legs are so stiff,” Eve said as they left the club and she led the way to a gay bar a few blocks away.
“That was a serious workout.”
“You were really good. Are you sure that was your first time?”
“Yes. I’m telling you, it’s all about the lead. If I was dancing with someone else who was new, it would never have been that easy.”
“Well, you made it easy. You were as light as a feather,” Eve said with a smile.
“The whiskey might have been the difference… Which is awful. I don’t want to rely on alcohol.”
“It made it easier which, I think, is fine. You need to loosen up a bit when you’re dancing and that’s hard to do when everything is new.”
“Is that the place?” Abbey asked when she saw a rainbow flag flying outside a bar up ahead.
“That’s it.”
Abbey followed Eve inside. This place was the complete opposite of the bar that Payton had brought her to. The music was loud and they had to fight their way over to the bar.
If Eve hadn’t known the bartender, they probably would’ve had to wait but she ordered two more whiskey and cokes and they found some space at the end of the bar to stand, leaning against the counter.
“So, this is my usual bar,” Eve said, leaning into Payton so that she could hear her over the music. “They have live bands most Saturday nights.”
Abbey nodded and took a drink. She didn’t know how long she would last tonight but the alcohol was definitely helping. She was more than a little buzzed and she found herself checking out some of the women on the dancefloor.
Her eyes fell on a blond-haired woman who was dancing seductively with a taller woman and Abbey’s eyes stayed locked on her until she turned and Abbey realized that it wasn’t Payton.
Abbey took a long drink from her tumbler, her heart pounding in her ears. Why did she think that was Payton? And why had she been so disappointed when it wasn’t her?
“Let’s dance,” Eve said over the music as she finished her drink and Abbey did the same. Eve took Abbey’s hand and led them out onto the dance floor.
Even though Abbey’s hands had been on Eve all night, she was reluctant to pick up where they’d left off at the class. It was different now. They were at a club and she didn’t feel comfortable dancing that way with her.
Abbey stayed a foot or two away from Eve, dancing with the people around her and singing when a song came on that everyone knew.
A few songs later, Abbey was ready to call it quits, her back slightly damp with sweat and she was getting thirsty again. Eve left the woman she’d been dancing with and turned to face Abbey, her hands lightly resting on Abbey’s waist as they both moved to the music.
Abbey closed her eyes as she got into it, telling herself ‘Just one more song,’ and then she’d head for the bar. One of Eve’s hands drifted slightly higher, moving up to her ribs, as they continued to dance.
Abbey’s tossed her hair to the side and Eve’s lips were just inches away from hers. Abbey kept dancing, not realizing Eve’s intentions, until Eve’s hand cupped Abbey’s neck, pulling her into a kiss.
Abbey’s eyes fluttered shut as their lips met and her hands moved to Eve’s waist, her reflexes telling her to push Eve away but she actually pulled her closer as their lips parted against one another’s and their tongues met in a slow, sensual dance.
A few seconds went by and Abbey knew she was being seduced by Eve’s moves and her familiar lips, her desire fuelled by the alcohol running through her veins, like gas thrown on a fire, until Abbey was finally able to come to her senses and back away.
“Shots?” Eve asked, almost shouting so that Abbey could hear her.
Abbey nodded and let Eve take her hand as they left the dance floor and weaved their way through the crowd to get to the bar.
“Just like old times, huh?” Eve said, turning to face Abbey after she’d ordered two slippery nipples.
“Except you’re married now. We were college roommates last time… It was kind of expected.”
“There was always that chemistry though, Abs.”
Abbey didn’t meet her gaze, looking out at the dance floor again, wondering why she hadn’t just pushed her away.
“Let’s just forget about it, okay?”
“Okay,” Eve said, passing her a shot glass.
They clinked their shooters together and downed the shot, the alcohol burning its way down Abbey’s throat.
That was the last thing she remembered.
Chapter Fourteen
February 21st
As soon as Abbey’s eyes opened, she ran for the bathroom. It took her a second to figure out where she was. She was at home which meant crossing the hall to get to it.
Abbey got to the toilet just in time to puke up the mostly liquid contents of her stomach. She wiped the back of her hand across her mouth and quickly shut the lid and flushed the toilet before stumbling to the sink and leaning on the counter.
Abbey shuddered as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her mouth tasted like death so she grabbed her toothbrush, hoping to feel a little better once she’d brushed them but when she rinsed her mouth her tongue was still slightly numb and her stomach churned ominously.
An hour later, after a shower and getting changed into comfy clothes, Abbey was starting to feel more normal again. Her head was still pounding but she made it down the stairs and found Payton stretched out on the couch in almost the same position she’d left her in last night.
“Hey,” Payton said when she heard her enter the living room. “Oh wow… Good night?” she asked with a laugh.
“It was a disaster,” Abbey said, flopping down on the couch beside her once Payton had moved into a seated position to give her room.
“So, you’re not much of a dancer?”
“The dancing part of the night was good. After… Not so much.”
“And now you’re paying for it today.”
“It wasn’t just the alcohol… Eve kissed me,” Abbey said, closing her eyes and leaning back into the cushions.
“You said she’s married…”
“Yeah. She is.”
“Shit.”
“Yeah and I kissed her back… For a few seconds anyway, until I came to my senses.”
“Wow.”
“I’m not like that,” Abbey said, covering her face in her hands. “Yes, we’d had a lot to drink… I don’t even remember coming home. But I still should’ve pushed her away.”
“So… No more salsa classes?”
“It’s highly unlikely. I don’t want to cause any trouble but I think I might actually need to date. I kind of liked being out there, in the middle of the dance floor, having someone’s attention like that… I should feel guilty but I don’t… I think I needed that confidence boost.”
“Well, it’s her problem,” Payton said, reaching for her cup of coffee. “She came on to you. She’s the one that’s married.”
“It was just too easy… We had a brief thing in college. We were roommates.”
“Ah.”
“Yeah…”
“What would you say if I told you that I had cure for that hangover?” Payton said as she stood up.
“I’d say yes and is it a cup of that coffee? Because it smells amazing.”
“No. It’s a smoothie.”
Abbey made a face and Payton got up to get started on it.
“You won’t be making that face in a few minutes when you’re feeling better,” she called from the kitchen and Abbey shook her head.
It was almost a month since Abbey had moved in and they were getting closer to the day that they’d agreed on where they would talk about whether or not this was working.
Abbey hoped that Payton thought this was going well and that she could do it for a few more months because Abbey loved it here. This was the first morning that she hadn’t gone down to the beach for a walk and she might even get there later if this smoothie cure actually worked.
Their living situation wasn’t what Abbey thought she was going to get when she came to Tampa but now, she’d hate to have to leave it.
Chapter Fifteen
February 28th
Abbey woke up earlier than usual, her mind in overdrive, wondering how she should approach the conversation she was going to have with Payton today.
Should she just come out and say it, that she wanted to stay? But that might put Payton in an awkward position if she’s thinking the opposite. She might let Abbey stay out of sympathy which wasn’t what she wanted either.
Abbey got dressed in a pair of khaki shorts and a white tank top and padded down the carpeted hall. Instead of going downstairs, she paused at Payton’s door when she heard this relaxing almost orchest
ral music coming from her room.
Abbey knocked lightly on her door which was already slightly ajar. “Payton?”
“Come in.”
Payton was standing on a yoga mat, her hands on her waist.
“Sorry to bother you,” Abbey said as she leaned on the doorframe.
“No. I was just finishing up.”
“Have you meditated yet?”
“Yeah. First thing. Why?”
“I was wondering if you’d teach me how to do it,” Abbey said. “My mind’s all over the place lately. I feel like any progress I made when I got here is slipping away… Like my mind doesn’t have an ‘Off’ switch.”
Payton nodded and grabbed the cushion from beside her bed and left it in the middle of the floor, motioning for Abbey to take a seat on it while Payton sat on the yoga mat.
“Make sure you’re comfortable,” Payton said, loosely crossing her legs with her feet underneath the opposite knee.
Abbey moved her legs until she was sitting in the same position Payton was.
“Your mind is going to wander,” Payton said, her voice a little softer than usual. “There’s no way around it. You’ll get better with practice but for right now, expect that it’s going to happen.”
“Okay.”
“I want you to close your eyes and take a deep breath, in through your nose and slowly exhale through your mouth.”
They did that a few times until Payton spoke again.
“Now, I want you to silently count those breaths, focusing your attention just on your breath. Count one on your first inhale, two on the exhale and keep going until you reach ten. Then start over.”
Abbey followed Payton’s instructions and was almost finished with her third count to ten when she heard Payton’s voice again.
“Take two more deep breaths and then slowly open your eyes.”
Abbey blinked her eyes a few times as she opened them, letting them adjust to the morning light that was streaming through the skylight.
“That wasn’t so bad, was it?” Payton asked with a smile.