Ocean Breeze

by Laura Conway

  “You’re here on a long vacation,” Claire said with a smile. “I didn’t think I’d get to see you again.”

  “I’m here for a few months.”

  “What do you think so far?”

  “I like it. It’s a big change from New York.”

  Claire nodded. “I came over here to get a drink and I couldn’t believe it when I saw you. What are you drinking?”

  “Whiskey and coke.”

  Abbey watched Claire get the bartender’s attention in just a few seconds, flashing her that charming smile to get her to come Claire’s way when the bar was lined with people looking for a drink.

  She returned with two tumblers and motioned for Abbey to follow her, tilting her head slightly as she led them over to the pool table and away from the crowded end of the pub.

  “I saw you playing that day,” Claire said with a smile. “Are you up for a game?”

  “Sure.”

  Claire grabbed the triangle and got set up while Abbey found a cue stick from the pile that were in the corner.

  “Are you any good?” Abbey asked, chalking her cue stick, making sure the tip was completely covered in the green dust before she reached for the white ball, placing it on the edge of the black half circle.

  “You’ll just have to wait and see… Go ahead.”

  Abbey broke, the cue smacking against the white ball, sending the balls flying in every direction but none of them dropped into a pocket.

  “Good luck,” Abbey said, their arms brushing as they passed each other.

  “You too.”

  Claire bent down and lined up her first shot, easily sinking a solid ball. She moved around the table with ease, potting four in a row until she was left with a difficult shot that she couldn’t make.

  “So, you’re really good,” Abbey said with a smile as she tried to find the best shot. She potted a striped ball and kept going, until she was on the black.

  Abbey reached for her drink while she decided which pocket to go for, her cold beer wetting her lips. She picked the top right and took a sip of her whiskey and coke before chalking up her cue stick and lining up the shot. She sunk it and smiled as her eyes met Claire’s.

  “Wow,” Claire said. “That was impressive.”

  “Thanks.”

  “The competitive part of me wants a rematch but I think I’d rather be out on the dancefloor with you.”

  “Let’s get another drink,” Abbey said, reaching for her hand. “Then we’ll dance.”

  Abbey spent the night on the dancefloor with Claire, whose confidence extended to her dancing. She was incredibly sexy. The way she moved her hips and the way her hands slid around Abbey’s waist, keeping her close, gave Abbey a serious self-esteem boost.

  She couldn’t remember the last time somebody wanted her, the last time someone looked at her like they wanted to undress her.

  Abbey’s mind jumped back to that night almost a week ago, a few feet from where she was standing now, when Payton’s arms were around her.

  But that was different. That wasn’t real.

  This was real.

  Abbey’s hand cupped Claire’s cheek, pulling her into her as their lips parted against each other’s. Abbey’s eyes fluttered shut and Claire’s hands were on her hips, still moving with the music as they kissed.

  Abbey shut out the noise around her, focusing only on Claire’s soft lips brushing across hers.

  A few seconds later, Claire broke their kiss and silently led them to the bathroom which was through a doorway and down the hall but they didn’t even make it there.

  Abbey stopped walking and held onto Claire’s hand, pulling her back to her with a gentle tug, pressing her lips against Claire’s again, their tongues meeting this time in a fiery kiss.

  Claire’s hand moved through Abbey’s wavy hair, deepening the kiss as she backed Abbey into the wall.

  A low moan escaped Abbey’s lips as Claire’s thigh found its way between her legs and she pushed it up against Abbey’s sex.

  “Let’s get another drink and then maybe,” Claire said before kissing her again. “Maybe we should get out of here.”

  Abbey let Claire lead them back to the bar and they ordered a shot instead of whiskey, downing it and letting the coffee colored liquor burn their throats before they wandered outside to get a taxi.

  When the fresh air hit Abbey, she suddenly felt drunk. She knew she was tipsy but now everything was spinning.

  Claire got a taxi and they both climbed into the backseat. Abbey spoke up, giving the driver her address. She’d rather wake up in her own bed tomorrow morning.

  The trip home took a half hour but Abbey didn’t notice the time going by. She let Claire distract her, holding her hand and kissing her occasionally.

  Maybe I’m not that drunk at all.

  When the taxi pulled up outside Payton’s house, Abbey and Claire got out and made their way up the driveway. Abbey dropped the keys and it took her three attempts to get the door open. She took a deep breath as she entered the code for the alarm and held it as she waited to see if she’d done it right.

  She let her breath go and closed the door behind her when the alarm shut off.

  “Nice place,” Claire said, reaching for her hand and pulling her into her arms.

  Claire cupped Abbey’s cheek as their lips met. They teetered to the right and if the couch hadn’t been there, they both would have been on the ground.

  Claire leaned against the back of the couch, her hands sliding under Abbey’s top, lightly raking across her skin before resting on her hips.

  “Let’s go upstairs,” Abbey breathed in between kisses and she found Claire’s hand, their fingers intertwined as they climbed the stairs.

  Chapter Nineteen

  March 9th

  Abbey felt something stir beside her, hitting against her leg, as she slowly woke up, her eyes reluctant to open with the light that was streaming through the windows directly in her face.

  Abbey rolled onto her back and turned her head, shielding her eyes from the light.

  Claire… Shit.

  “Morning,” Claire said in a sleepy voice.

  “Morning… What uh… What happened last night?”

  Abbey pushed herself into a seated position, leaning against the headboard behind her. She glanced down to see that she was still wearing last night’s clothes.

  “Nothing,” Claire said as she tried to stifle a yawn. “We were both too drunk,” she said with a lopsided smile.

  “Shit… I’m so sorry.”

  “No. Don’t be. It was mutual. Neither of us were worth much last night,” she said with a soft laugh. “I think that last shot might have been a bad idea.”

  Abbey nodded. Her stomach made a loud, angry, rumbling noise.

  “Why don’t I make us some breakfast?” Abbey asked, throwing the covers back.

  “Sure. I’ll be down in a second to give you a hand.”

  “There’s towels there if you want a shower. The bathroom is across the hall.”

  “Actually yeah… A shower would be great. Thanks. I won’t be long.”

  “Take your time.”

  Abbey waited until Claire went into the bathroom and then got changed into a pair of shorts and a tank top. She tried to tame her hair and used a makeup wipe to take off the foundation and eyeshadow she had on last night.

  She took her time going downstairs, still feeling a little woozy. Her hangover wasn’t as bad as it was the night she went out with Payton. She didn’t know if that was a good thing or not. Maybe she was just getting used to all this hard liquor.

  Abbey got everything she needed out of the refrigerator and put on some coffee. She made some scrambled eggs and toast and was just setting the table when the front door opened.

  “Hey,” Payton said with a smile, wheeling her small carry-on suitcase behind her and leaving her camera bag inside the door.

  “Hi. How was your trip?”

  “Good… Busy but good. I always love going to N
ew York.”

  “Are you hungry?”

  “I wouldn’t say no. It smells delicious… Are you sure you made enough?” Payton asked as she joined Abbey in the kitchen.

  “Yeah. I was cooking for-”

  Before Abbey could tell Payton about Claire being there, she came down the stairs, her blond hair still damp. She looked refreshed as she strode into the open planned living room kitchen area but froze when she saw Payton.

  Abbey briefly wondered if they’d dated. That look that passed between them was odd, a mutual dislike that was evident in the way that Payton’s eyes narrowed and Claire’s mouth almost twitched.

  “Claire, you know Payton?”

  Claire nodded. “Hey Payton.”

  “Hi,” Payton answered, her voice even.

  “Thank you so much for making breakfast Abbey,” Claire said, coming into the kitchen. “But I have to get going. I’m really sorry. I didn’t realize how late it was.”

  “That’s okay.”

  Claire leaned in to kiss her on the cheek and said goodbye before heading out the front door, leaving Payton standing in the kitchen, eyeing Abbey up.

  “Did you two date?” Abbey asked, not wanting to beat around the bush.

  “No. What makes you say that?” Payton asked, dishing some eggs onto a plate.

  “I don’t know… You two don’t seem to like each other.”

  “We… We end up going for the same women.”

  “Really?” Abbey asked, filling up her own plate and bringing it over to the table.

  Payton shrugged. “Yeah. I mean, we have a similar look. We’re about the same age. So, we tend to attract the same women too and that of course creates drama.”

  Abbey felt her cheeks darken. She hadn’t thought of it like that. Payton and Claire were both blond although they wore their hair differently. They were about the same height, both had tattoos. They were both in their late twenties.

  “So… you two?” Payton asked, without really asking.

  Abbey shook her head. “We had a good time last night but we also had a lot to drink. I don’t even remember what happened last night. According to Claire, nothing happened. I woke up in last night’s clothes.”

  Payton laughed softly. “Ouch.”

  “Yeah. I don’t feel that embarrassed though because she was as bad as I was. It’s not like I fell asleep with her head between my legs.”

  “Ugh. No… I didn’t need to picture that.”

  “I’m just saying,” Abbey said as she took a bite. “It could have been a lot worse.”

  “She’s a bit of a player… I mean, she’s nice and everything. Charming… I just feel like I should warn you.”

  “Maybe a player is what I need right now.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. Well, I can’t commit to anything. I’m leaving so… Why not?”

  Payton didn’t say anything.

  Abbey finished eating and brought her plate into the kitchen, trying to figure out if Payton was jealous or if she just didn’t get the whole player, one-night stand thing.

  “Do you want to do something today?” Abbey asked a few minutes later.

  “I can’t. I have a lot of editing to do,” Payton said. “Sorry.”

  “Okay.”

  After she’d eaten, Abbey went upstairs and had a shower. She’d stay out of Payton’s way today. She didn’t feel like fighting and that’s exactly what was going to happen.

  If Payton wasn’t into Abbey, she might as well go out with Claire again and have some fun.

  She wasn’t going to let Payton’s mood drag her down. She’d go down to the beach and run, clear her mind.

  Chapter Twenty

  March 10th

  When Abbey got home last night, there was no sign of Payton. She spent the night in her office, presumably working on her photos that she took in New York.

  Abbey couldn’t shake the feeling that something was up with her. She wanted to think that it was because Payton was interested in her but the more she thought about it… The more unlikely she thought it was.

  Payton would have said something after their kiss instead of just ignoring it.

  Today, Abbey wanted to clear the air. She hated having any tension in the house.

  She heard Payton get up this morning, like she did most days, to go for a run. Some days they went down to the beach together but today Payton didn’t hang around to wait for her.

  Abbey got changed into her running gear and sat on her bed, tying her laces, wondering if she should go now or wait until Payton got back.

  Screw it. I’m not going to change my plans to avoid meeting her on the beach.

  Abbey pulled her hair back into a pony tail and put in her earbuds as she headed downstairs and out onto the street.

  She walked down to the beach and stretched before starting her run, a gentle breeze blowing the few strands of hair that slipped from her pony tail.

  She jogged past a couple with two dogs, golden retrievers who seemed to love chasing each other in and out of the foam as it swept into the shore.

  Abbey ran harder than she normally would, trying to sweat out her anger. She hated playing games and she felt like Payton wasn’t being honest with her.

  She was so lost in her own thoughts that Abbey nearly ran right past Payton. She tugged out her earbuds as she slowed down to a jog and then a complete stop when Payton was only a few steps away.

  “Hey,” Abbey said as she took a deep breath. “You’re out early.”

  Payton shrugged. “I have a lot of work to get done today so I thought I’d get a jump on the day.”

  Abbey nodded. “Why won’t you talk to me?”

  Payton’s eyebrows rose. “I am talking to you,” she said with a laugh.

  “That’s not what I meant… I feel like there’s some unnecessary tension here,” Abbey said, motioning between the two of them.

  “We’re good.”

  “We are?”

  “Yeah. I’ll see you back at the house,” Payton said as she took off again, her sneakers leaving behind a trail of imprints in the packed sand.

  Abbey sighed and started running again.

  Well, that was a complete fail.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  March 17th

  “Do you want to go out tonight?” Abbey asked Payton as they finished eating dinner.

  Things were still a little awkward between them but Abbey knew it was just her. It had been a week since Abbey had tried to talk to her on the beach.

  Abbey knew that she was reading too much into the situation. The kiss was just a kiss…Nothing else.

  “Yeah. Sure.”

  “It’s St. Patrick’s Day so… Why not?”

  “Are you Irish?” Payton asked as they cleared the table and she poured them each a glass of wine.

  “Yeah. Well, on my father’s side.”

  “The usual place?”

  “Sure.”

  Abbey took the glass that Payton handed her, their fingers brushing, and Abbey darted her eyes away. She ignored the tingling sensation that was running through her body from a simple touch.

  “I don’t know if I said it to you or not,” Payton said as they sat down on the sofa, “But you should invite some friends down. The house is big enough. I’m sure there’s people you miss…”

  “You’re sure?”

  “Yeah. Of course.”

  “I’d love to invite my best friend, Melissa. She’d love it here. She’d probably only manage a weekend away with work and everything.”

  “Ask her,” Payton said with a hint of a smile as she took a drink.

  “I will.”

  Abbey returned her smile, finally feeling like things were back to normal.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “I think I need to practice,” Abbey said as she held out her hand to shake Payton’s. She’d just bet her again in a best of five, three games to one.

  “Good game,” Payton said with a smile. “You’re good… But I�
�m a shark. You’re going to need a lot of practice.”

  “I think I just need to stay sober if I’m going to be playing pool… There’s definitely a pattern here. I get progressively worse with every drink.”

  “That’s an experiment for another night,” Payton said as she finished her drink. “We’re too far gone tonight.”

  “Agreed… Same again?”

  “Yes,” Abbey said as she finished her whiskey and coke.

  They went over to the bar and ordered their drinks. Abbey felt her foot tapping along to the Irish music that the band was playing. She loved the sound of the fiddle.

  “Here you go,” Payton said, handing Abbey her tumbler. “I think you might be a bad influence. This is my new drink,” she said, glancing down at her tumbler before bringing it to her lips.

  Abbey smiled. “I was thinking the same thing about you the other day. I’m drinking way more than I used to… I shouldn’t blame you though. I always enjoy myself when we come here.”

  They turned to face the band, leaning back against the bar, and cheered with the rest of the crowd as they played their last song and then left the stage.

  Abbey recognized the usual DJ getting set up while the band were putting away their instruments and gear.

  “Hey,” Abbey said, hitting Payton’s arm gently. “Is that Rachel?”

  Payton followed Abbey’s eyes and saw her ex playing pool with the woman that had replaced her.

  “Yeah,” Payton said, taking her drink. “Don’t worry about pretending to be my girlfriend again. I think she got the idea the other night.”

  Abbey tried to hide her disappointment. She elbowed her lightly in the ribs. “I’m that bad of a kisser?”

  Payton’s cheeks darkened. “No… I didn’t say that.”

  “She treated you like shit.”

  “Yeah but it’s not like I want her back… And I don’t want you to feel like you have to pretend to be my girlfriend every time she’s around. It looks like she might be back in town now so…”

  “I don’t mind.”

  “What if Claire finds out?” Payton asked with a smirk as the DJ played the first song and people started to make their way out onto the dancefloor.