by Laura Conway
“Hey,” Payton said, her hand rubbing Jackie’s arm. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah. I’m fine.” Jackie knew she had to talk to her about this, but Payton had that wedding shoot in Central Park tomorrow, and this was Jackie’s first full day here. It could wait another few days. They should at least enjoy this bit of time together before they went their separate ways.
“So, what did you want to do or see while you’re here?” Payton asked as they got comfortable on the couch.
Jackie took a drink. She hadn’t really done that much research. “I wouldn’t mind doing some more walking around, just soaking up the atmosphere. I might get an Uber to Brooklyn tomorrow and do some exploring. Walk back towards Manhattan.”
“Definitely do it that way. The views are better. I’ll be finished around five I’d say, if you want to get dinner somewhere.”
“Sure. Yeah. Just text me where to be.”
“I’m sorry, I’m not a better host,” Payton said, picking up the remote from the coffee table and scrolling through Netflix. “Things are quieter after this wedding tomorrow, and it’s just as well. There’s talk of a storm, but usually we don’t get much in the city, so it’s probably nothing to worry about. I have three days off either way so... Hopefully, we can get out and see Rockefeller Plaza, maybe go ice skating. Whatever you want to do.”
“No. It’s fine. I know I didn’t give you much notice, and I’d love to see the tree and all the lights. I don’t know about skating. I’ve never done it before so... Might not be the best place to learn, with all those people around. I’ll turn into a meme.”
Payton laughed. “I’d hold onto you. You’d be fine... Do you want to watch a movie? Something Christmassy? Something funny?”
“Yeah. A comedy might be what I’m in the mood for. Is that okay?”
They flicked through the comedy section, vetoing anything they’d already seen, finally settling on a newer movie.
Payton surprised Jackie by leaning into her as the movie started, and Jackie put her arm around her, deciding that they’d have the serious conversation about what they both wanted in a few days. Right now, Jackie sunk further into the cushions, putting her feet up on the coffee table beside Payton’s as the movie started, wishing this could last more than a week.
* * *
Payton reluctantly left Jackie’s side as the credits rolled across the screen, instantly missing the warmth of Jackie’s body and the feeling of having her arm wrapped around her.
Payton went into the kitchen to get the rest of the bottle of wine. Jackie had only been here for twenty-four hours, and already, Payton had added three more things to her growing list of ‘things I love about Jackie.’ Love as in, admired, or cute. Not love, love.
Payton thought Jackie’s aversion to cold weather was adorable. Even though she’d spent most of her life in London, Jackie seemed to be more used to the warm sunshine she’d left behind in Spain. Payton also thought she had a really nice laugh. It was warm and contagious without being loud and overbearing. Payton also loved her accent. It was only after coming back to New York and getting away from all the English accents she’d heard in Benalmadena that she really appreciated Jackie’s London accent. She loved listening to her talk, and Payton realized that this list was getting a little too long. If she didn’t reign it in, she was going to be in serious trouble.
She hadn’t told Jackie yet about her idea of coming back to Spain when she’d finished working with Kalen. Payton didn’t want to just assume that Jackie would be happy to hear that. Payton didn’t know if Jackie would want to start something serious with her. Sometimes, Payton thought she would, like the night before Payton left Spain. They both seemed to want this, but then Jackie arrived last night and a hug seemed like the natural thing to do, not jump into each other’s arms.
They still ended up in Payton’s bed though. She just wasn’t sure what that meant. Was this part two of their holiday fling? Payton wanted it to be more than that, but she didn’t want to be the stereotypical lesbian with her bags packed, ready to move in with Jackie. Well, she wouldn’t move in. She had her father’s place, but it was that same idea, that maybe Payton was jumping into this a little too quickly.
She brought the bottle back into the living, emptying it between their two glasses. “That movie was pretty good,” Payton said. “Sometimes you just need to laugh.”
“Are you finding it tough? Coming up to Christmas I mean,” Jackie said, bringing her glass to her lips.
Payton sighed as she sat down beside her, angling her body towards Jackie, her knee brushing up against Jackie’s thigh. “Yes and no. Mostly, I’m okay, but then I’ll hear a song or remember something, and I’m on the verge of tears. I hate being this...” Payton blew out a breath. “This unstable. Just when I think I’m doing better, it’ll hit me. I’ve always been used to not seeing him for months at a time, and I have to keep reminding myself that I’m not going to see him again.”
“Yeah. I know what you mean. I keep expecting him to breeze through Sun and Sand. We never knew when we’d show up.”
Payton nodded. “Yeah. Guess it’ll take a while to really sink in. How’s Oliver and Alvaro?” Payton needed a change of subject or she’d start crying.
“They’re good. So in love it would almost make you sick,” Jackie said with a chuckle. “If I didn’t love the two of them so much, it probably would. Oliver showed me the photo book you put together for them. You really do have a talent. No one would believe that was your first wedding.”
“I’m still shocked it went so well... If it hadn’t, I probably would have given up right then and there, and I’d be gutted for Oliver and Alvaro.”
“And now you’re working with one of the best, right?”
“Yeah,” Payton said with a smile. “I’m extremely grateful. To Kalen, to Tara. To you.”
“You can’t really thank me. I just asked you to be my plus one.”
“When you asked me...” Payton knew she was getting tipsy and that she might regret the direction she was taking this conversation, but she said it anyway. “Did you fancy me? Did you think we’d end up here?”
“I most definitely fancied you.” Jackie’s lips slid into a smile. “There’s no point denying that, but I was asking you as a friend. I didn’t think we’d kiss that night or that we would end up here. But I’m glad that we did. That we’re here.”
“I’m still waiting for it to wear off...”
“What’s that?”
“You. The effect you have on me,” Payton said, biting her lip, knowing she was saying too much. “The way you kiss me.”
“If we’re lucky, it never will.”
Payton cupped Jackie’s cheek, brushing her lips across Jackie’s. “I hope it never does,” Payton whispered.
Chapter 24
For the second day in a row, Payton had reluctantly left Jackie in her bed.
Payton was back at her apartment now after the wedding, but Jackie was still out, making her way back from Brooklyn.
Payton had canceled their dinner reservations, not realizing how serious the snow storm was predicted to be. She had enough food here to cook them something for dinner, although she hadn’t decided yet what that would be.
Payton shrugged off her coat and hung it up along with her scarf and hat. Today had gone well. The light flurries during the afternoon had been perfect for the photoshoot, adding just enough atmosphere without the concern of potentially relocating it.
Kalen had been so efficient. That was what Payton took from today more than any photography skills. A lot of it had to do with how you interacted with the couple, how you got them to relax and almost forget that you were there, pointing your camera at them, and Kalen knew exactly how to do that.
If it wasn’t for Kalen, Payton would have been in a taxi right now, headed downtown to meet Jackie for dinner. Payton had been so busy the last few days between working and spending time with Jackie that she’d hardly picked up her phone, and she defi
nitely didn’t have time to watch the news. She’d had no idea that they were expecting at least a foot of snow overnight.
Payton went into the kitchen, opening the refrigerator to try and figure out what she was going to cook when the doorbell rang. She grabbed a bottle of water and shut the door, surprised to hear the doorbell chime for a second time. Payton’s eyebrows furrowed. Jackie didn’t strike her as the impatient type. Well, except when she was in bed.
Payton pulled open the door to find her mother standing in the hallway with her arms folded across her chest, her signature red scarf wrapped around her neck.
“Hi,” Payton said, stepping aside when her mother breezed past her, not waiting for an invitation.
“Hi? I had to hear it from Mary down at the firm that you were back in town,” her mother huffed as Payton closed the door. “She said she saw you last week.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Busy with what?”
“I think I figured out what I want to do,” Payton said, keeping her voice steady. She knew her mother would react badly, but she really didn’t care. “I’m going to be a wedding photographer.”
“What? A wedding photographer?” her mother asked, tugging at her scarf and draping it over the back of the couch. “What about your degree?”
Payton sighed. “I shouldn’t have gone to law school. It wasn’t the right fit.”
“How do you know? You’ve never practiced law.”
“I just know. Look, Mom, this is what I’m good at. Can’t you just be happy for me?”
Her mother sat down in the middle of the sofa. “I’m just shocked. I mean, at least I’ll get to see you. It won’t be at the law firm, but maybe we can still get lunch some time?”
Payton bit the inside of her cheek. “About that...” She’d been thinking about this since Jackie had arrived, and although she hadn’t said it out loud yet, she knew it was the right thing to do. “I’m moving to Spain.”
“What?”
“I have Dad’s apartment, and it’s so nice there. There’s a lot of opportunities for me there. I’m thinking about focusing on gay weddings. I even did one while I was out there.”
Her mother’s mouth opened but nothing came out, and a knock at the door interrupted them.
Shit. Payton hadn’t planned on introducing Jackie to her mother. Not because Payton wasn’t proud of her. It was more because they weren’t officially dating, and her mother was also incredibly difficult.
Payton opened the door, and Jackie came in, her hat and scarf in her hand. “Hey.”
“Hi. It’s starting to look apocalyptic out there,” Jackie said with a smirk. “Good call canceling the reservation.”
Payton’s mother appeared with one eyebrow arched. “Who’s this, Payton?”
Payton cleared her throat. “Mom, this is Jackie. Jackie this is my mother, Beth.”
Payton cringed when she saw the shocked look on Jackie’s face. This was not good, but Payton couldn’t have even warned her. Her mother never showed up at her apartment unannounced like this.
The two women shook hands, but the air was thick with tension, and Payton ushered them back towards the couch while she tried to figure out how to get her mother to leave.
Her mother sat down on one end of the couch, Jackie on the other. “So, Jackie. I know that accent well. Are you visiting from London?”
“No. I uh, I’m just here on a quick trip from Spain. I’ve never been to New York, and I wanted to see it with all the Christmas lights. Soak up the atmosphere.”
Payton stood on the other side of the coffee table, ready to offer them a drink, but her mother spoke first, her eyes moving between the two of them. “So, this is why you’re really moving to Spain I take it?”
Payton held her breath and out of the corner of her eye she saw Jackie’s jaw drop. “Mom, I told you why I’m moving to Spain, and nothing’s been finalized yet,” she added, not knowing what to make of Jackie’s reaction.
“Yes, but you could be a wedding photographer anywhere,” Beth said.
“Look, I haven’t made up my mind yet.”
“Really? You sounded pretty definite. You even had a niche market carved out for yourself.”
Payton stifled a groan. Sometimes, her mother could be so frustrating. “We’ll talk about this again some time, okay? There’s a storm going on out there, and you should probably get home. I’m not going for a few weeks yet. I’ll call you, alright?”
Her mother reluctantly got up, saying goodbye to both of them on her way out, and Payton almost slumped against the door once she’d left.
Jackie came over to her. “Is that true? You’re moving to Spain?”
Payton inhaled a breath. There was no point pretending anymore. She was so far gone. “Yes. Yeah. If you’re okay with that. When I’m finished working with Kalen, I’d like to give it a shot over there.” She swallowed the lump in her throat. “And maybe, we could... You know. We could see what this was, for real this time.”
Time seemed to stand still while Payton waited for Jackie to say something.
“Unless, of course,” Payton started, afraid that she’d gotten ahead of herself, “You don’t…”
“Shh.” Jackie surged forward, her hand on Payton’s cheek, her lips finding Payton’s in a searing kiss.
Payton’s hands moved to Jackie’s waist, more to steady herself than anything else.
Jackie wanted this. They were really going to give this a shot.
Jackie’s thumb caressed her cheek as she pulled away. “Are you sure?” Jackie asked.
“Yes,” Payton breathed. “I’m so sure. I’ve missed you like crazy since I got here.”
“Me too.”
“I know we still have to wait. I have a little more than two months left with Kalen.”
“It’s fine,” Jackie said, leaning in for a light kiss. “We’ll have something to look forward to.”
Payton’s eyes fluttered shut as Jackie’s lips found hers again. After the most difficult year of her life, things were finally starting to fall in to place.
Epilogue
Jackie added two bottles of beer and a glass of wine to the serving tray and left it on the counter for one of the waiters to pick up.
It was February 1st, and Jackie couldn’t wait to see Payton again. Just three more weeks. That’s all it was.
As hard as it was to say goodbye to Payton, she was glad to be back at home, back in her routine. She’d missed Oliver and Alvaro, and it was great being back here at Sun and Sand, interacting with her customers, and soon, Payton would be here, too.
Jackie shook her head as she rested her hands against the wooden bar. She still couldn’t believe it. Payton was willing to come here, to take a chance on her.
“Hey,” Oliver said from the other side of the bar. “You should take the rest of the day off.”
“What? Why?”
Oliver shrugged. “Everything’s fine here, and you deserve it.”
Jackie’s eyes narrowed. “You’re acting weird. What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Oliver said, his hands going up in mock surrender. “I just think you should take the rest of the day off.”
“Oliver.” Jackie’s hands were on her waist. “Come on. What’s up?”
“Just go outside,” Oliver said, coming around to her side of the bar and lightly hitting her with a towel. “Just go.”
Jackie couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen Oliver acting this strange. She sighed. “Right. Fine. I’m leaving.” She grabbed her phone from behind the bar and slid it into her back pocket.
Jackie double checked that everything was in order on her way out, and it did look like all the tables were being looked after. She nearly did a double take when she saw who was standing just beyond those tables.
Payton was walking towards the restaurant, looking absolutely stunning in white shorts and a black v neck top, and their eyes met when she pushed her shades on top of her head.
“Hey,” Pa
yton said with a huge smile on her face.
Jackie swept her up in a hug, hardly believing she was real.
“Surprise!” Payton said when Jackie finally let her go.
Jackie was completely speechless. She’d been planning on surprising Payton at the airport in three weeks and here she was, standing in front of her.
“What are you doing here?” Jackie managed to say, still not believing what she was seeing.
“I finished up with Kalen early.”
“So... So, this isn’t a holiday?”
“No,” Payton said, her eyes watery. “This was always so much more than a holiday.” She reached for Jackie’s hand. “Come on. Let’s go.”
Thank You
Thank you so much for reading More Than A Holiday.
I would appreciate it if you could take a minute to leave a review on Amazon or GoodReads.
You can sign up for the free newsletter at TheLesbianSalute.com if you want to know about my next book.
Thanks,
Lauren Trevino
Also by Lauren Trevino
Endless Love
Holiday Spirit
Legacy
All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form or by any means, including scanning, photocopying, or otherwise without prior written permission of the copyright holder.
Copyright © 2019
Chapter One
You’re not in Manhattan anymore.
Jenna Gilbert squeezed in between a muscular young man and a woman in her fifties, finally making eye contact with the bartender when she stood on her tiptoes. She practically shouted her order so he could hear her over the nineties classic that blared from the speakers hidden behind potted plants and faux palm trees.