Brooklyn Summer

by Maggie Cummings

  Ashleigh let her body go limp, virtually melting into the leather interior as she thanked baby Jesus himself for the ultra-dark window tint that covered the desire that was surely written all over her face.

  Chapter Eight

  “How’s things going with GI Jane?”

  Shauna stood on a small pedestal in the dress shop as a seamstress marked a slight modification to her wedding gown. Breaking her pose, she asked, “Are you, ahem, showing her around?” She dropped air quotes around the phrase just in case Ashleigh missed her overt implication.

  “It’s funny—I never think of Kellan as a soldier,” she answered, ignoring the comment.

  “Too busy thinking about her rocking your world?”

  “You’re obsessed.” Ashleigh scanned the headlines on her phone to avoid eye contact with Shauna. “I’m just being a good friend.”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “Why does there have to be more to it than that? Can’t one kind individual assist another in navigating a foreign city that happens to be her hometown?”

  Shauna gave a loud fake snore that made both Ashleigh and the busy dressmaker laugh. “I’m sorry, what did you say? That sentence was so boring I fell asleep halfway through it.”

  “Sorry to disappoint you, Shauna. I know you have this fantasy that Kellan is going to be the source of my sexual awakening or something, but it’s not like that.”

  “Slow down, honey. I didn’t say any of that.” Ashleigh watched her friend give her a thorough once-over as she added, “But the fact that you did…color me intrigued.”

  Ashleigh swallowed as she tried hard to keep her composure, surprised by her own disclosure. Shauna was just making simple conversation to kill time during her fitting. But the truth was she thought about Kellan. A lot. Their two outings had been nothing but friendly, and maybe some harmless flirting. Or was that wishful thinking? Either way, when Ashleigh looked through her photos of their days together, she found herself focusing on Kellan. Those amazing green eyes, that fantastic smile. The sleeve of tattoos. Were there more? More than once she pictured her body and that had slipped right into wondering what it would be like to be with Kellan. Would her kiss be hard and passionate, or soft but leading? Would Kellan explore her body immediately? Would she stop her?

  Kellan’s hands were sturdy but soft at the same time. She could almost feel her fingertips caressing her face, her breasts, her belly, and beyond. Two evenings ago, this particular fantasy had taken over and segued right into an image of Kellan using a strap-on to take her over the edge. It wasn’t anything she even thought she wanted, and yet, she’d been drenched at the mere thought. The orgasm she gave herself was proof that she was way into it, at least in theory. Of course, make-believe had a way of being astoundingly better than real life, and afterward she’d reminded herself that the few times she and Reagan had delved into using toys had been a complete bust. Still, something told her with Kellan it would be different.

  “Um, hello. Ashleigh?” Shauna snapped her fingers. “What do you think? Do I look all right?”

  Ashleigh focused on her friend as she shook free from the daydream she’d allowed herself to get caught up in, again. “Oh my God. You look amazing.” It was true. She watched Shauna smile in the mirror and reveled in excited anticipation right alongside her. “Mike is gonna die at the altar when he sees you.”

  “For real?” Shauna tilted a little to get a view of the detail in the back.

  “Definitely.”

  “I hope so. You know, not die, obviously. But I hope he loves it.”

  “He will.”

  With the help of the attendant, Shauna stepped out of the strapless gown, and Ashleigh handed over her clothes.

  “Hey, when did you get abs of steel?” she asked, trying not to stare at Shauna’s six-pack.

  Shauna pulled on her shorts and tank. “About that,” she started. “I was trying to stay in shape, you know for the big day—”

  “As if you haven’t been in shape your whole life.”

  “Hey, I was a super-chunk baby. But cute as all get-out.”

  “I take it back. Your whole adult life.”

  She followed Shauna to the counter and watched her sign the sales slip indicating consent to her modifications. “Mike has some hikes mapped out on our honeymoon. Maui has an inactive volcano. They do tours, I guess. It sounds fun and supposedly it’s beautiful. He promised me beach time—I promised him hiking.”

  “Sounds like fun,” Ashleigh said.

  “But I wanted to make sure I could keep up.” Ashleigh picked up on her hesitation and wondered where this was going. “So I joined CrossFit.” Boom, there it was.

  “Home of the happy couple.” Ashleigh hooked her purse over her shoulder as they exited the boutique dress shop onto Seventh Avenue. “How are Reagan and Josh at the gym? Do they make out while they train?” She was only half kidding, and she knew Shauna wouldn’t judge her snark.

  “I’m sorry, Ash. I should’ve told you before. Now I feel like a cheat. But it’s kind of why I needed the adjustments on my dress. That shit is no joke.”

  “It’s paying off. You look fantastic. I mean it.” She loved Shauna, and once upon a time she’d loved Reagan. And deep down she knew Shauna did too. The three of them had been inseparable during the years they taught together at John Jay High School, before Ashleigh and Shauna left for faculty positions at Brooklyn Tech’s elite STEM program. “Do you all work out together?” she asked.

  “During the school year we were at a lot of the same sessions. Mostly because we were on the same schedule.”

  “Makes sense.”

  “Are you mad?”

  “Of course not.” She forced a smile, not wanting her to feel bad. Truthfully, it wasn’t anger she was feeling anyway. “I know you guys are friends. Honestly, Reagan and I get along fine. We’re both pleasant when we see each other. I promise not to cause any drama at your wedding.”

  “Please, that’s not what I was getting at.” Shauna stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. “You didn’t think that, did you?”

  “I just don’t want you to worry on your special day.”

  “Pshh. You and Reagan, furthest thing from my mind.” Shauna waved her off and continued walking. “How my mother’s relatives from DR are going to get along with my dad’s family from Grenada…that’s a different story.”

  Shauna’s long-storied family feud had been a source of low-grade aggravation for years, and Ashleigh scrambled to distract her.

  “I was actually thinking about inviting Kellan as my plus-one.” Ashleigh surprised herself with the spontaneous utterance. Also, it was a fabrication. Asking Kellan to accompany her to Shauna and Mike’s wedding was not at all something she’d considered, not even for a second, but it was out before she could stop it. Whether it was the thought of being the lone spinster at the wedding or the idea of sitting across from Reagan and Josh all night that sent her off the deep end, she wasn’t sure. But now it was out there, and she needed to do damage control before Shauna jumped to conclusions.

  “Well, well, well.” Shauna’s face was full I-told-you-so smug. “I guess things are sparking off. I fucking knew it.”

  “Stop. It’s not like that. I just figured”—she played with the zipper on her purse as they strolled through Park Slope—“it’s a month and a half away. I probably won’t be seeing anyone by then. Certainly not anyone I’d bring to your wedding. And the vineyards out in Long Island are supposed to be beautiful. I figured we could make it a part of our summer tour.” She hoped her nonchalant explanation passed the test. “I mean, would that be okay? If I invited her? For all I know, she’ll be gone by then.”

  “I thought she was here for the summer.”

  “She could have plans, though.”

  “Only one way to find out.”

  “Settle down. It was just a thought.”

  “Well, I think it’s perfect.” If Shauna saw through her, she was at least playing along for the moment. “So, tel
l me, how is the touring going?” Air quotes again.

  Ashleigh tilted her head and gave her friend an obvious eye roll, so there was no mistaking what she thought of the innuendo. “It’s going fine. I was busy earlier this week with family stuff, so we’ve only spent a few days together, but I like her. She’s easy to talk to.”

  “Do tell.” Shauna hooked her arm through Ashleigh’s, clearly expecting something juicy.

  “There’s hardly anything to tell. Like I said, we’ve only hung out a couple of times.”

  “And yet you want to invite her to my wedding.” Shauna drummed one finger on her chin. “I detect some strong undercurrents here.”

  “Undercurrents of what? We go to museums together. Are you picking up on our shared love of history?”

  “Nuh-uh-uh.” Shauna wagged her finger. “I know you. This I’m just going to put my uptight persona on the shelf and check out New York with a hot butch stranger? This is not typical Ashleigh. Don’t get me wrong. I’m Team Kellan all the way. But do not pretend this is all part of some tour guide nonsense. I am not some damn fool.”

  Ashleigh couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s honesty. “There is no Team Kellan.”

  “And why not? Explain it to me. You could use a distraction. She’s here for the summer. You’re both single and attractive. You spend every day together—”

  “Not every day. I just told you that.”

  “Where are we headed right now?” Shauna asked, even though they both knew the answer.

  “To Liam’s.”

  “To meet Kellan,” Shauna added. “To go where again?”

  “The Cloisters. But only because you have plans.”

  “Ooh, if you’re going to be in the Heights, you should go to my Uncle Mervin’s place to eat. I’ll text you the address.” Shauna walked into Liam’s pub, not bothering to lower her voice. “And anyway, even if I didn’t have shit to do right now, I’d make something up, because I am rooting for this.” Her gesture between Ashleigh and Kellan was overt. “Hey, studs,” she said, shifting gears to address Liam and Kellan at the bar.

  “Ladies.” Liam leaned across the bar and gave them each a kiss on the cheek. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  “I can’t stay.” Shauna pouted effectively. “I just wanted to say hi. Nice to see you again, Kellan.”

  “You too.” Kellan raised a pint. “How was the dress fitting?”

  “Very nice, thank you for asking.” She looked right at Ashleigh, widening her eyes in obvious approval of Kellan’s manners. “Kellan, before I forget, do you have any plans on August fourteenth?”

  “Uh, no.” Kellan’s slight laugh sounded uncertain. “What’s happening on the fourteenth?”

  Shauna backed through the restaurant to the door. “I gotta run. Ash will fill you in. See ya soon.”

  “What was that about?” Kellan asked.

  “Nothing. Shauna’s just…being Shauna.” She hoped her frustrated act played to her favor and kept Kellan from pressing for details. “Are you ready to go, or did you want to finish your beer?”

  “Nope. I’m good. I was just killing time with Liam while I waited for you.”

  “Let’s go, then.”

  They said good-bye to Liam and headed straight for the subway that would take them through the first leg of their journey to Washington Heights. It wasn’t a long trip, just over an hour total, but since they were getting a late start, Ashleigh used the city planner app to ensure they traveled via the most expeditious route. Since the Cloisters were technically an extension of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, they had a strict closing time of 4:45 p.m., and Ashleigh wanted to make sure they had ample time to view the treasures.

  After a solid hour and a half perusing Medieval architecture, sculpture, and decorative arts, Ashleigh and Kellan were among the last visitors to leave the monastery-inspired building as they exited into the grounds of Fort Tryon Park.

  Kellan turned around to get a look at the building’s facade up close, snapping a pic on her phone.

  “One for the scrapbook?” she asked, waving Ashleigh toward her in front of the building.

  “Okay, but”—Ashleigh ticked her head in the opposite direction—“there’s a better background this way.”

  Kellan looked over and Ashleigh registered awe in her expression. She wasn’t surprised—she still remembered the first time she’d seen this view as a kid. But watching Kellan take in the scene she knew so well did something to her. Gave her a thrill of excitement. Or maybe it was just Kellan’s strong jawline and muscled physique against the beautiful backdrop that gave her a chill.

  She blinked the thought away. “Pretty amazing, right?” she asked, finding her voice.

  “Holy smokes, Ash. How did I not notice this when we got here?”

  Ashleigh laughed, fully aware of the reason for the oversight. “Because I rushed you. It’s just that I knew the museum closed kind of early and we’d have a chance to take a walk around here after. But I have to say, it was worth it to see your expression right now.”

  “That’s the George Washington Bridge?” Kellan asked.

  “It is. And the Hudson River below it. Just over there is New Jersey.” Ashleigh walked closer to the edge of the park’s ridge, situated a few stories above the highway. “Come, look.” She leaned on a brick wall overlooking the expanse. “I’m sure this is nothing compared to the mountains in Colorado. But I thought you’d appreciate it anyway.”

  “It’s beautiful,” she said, resting her arms over the divide. “Colorado is spectacular too, of course. I guess it’s just that I didn’t expect to be hit with so many trees and so much open space here. My vision of New York was all buildings and subways. Does that sound small-minded?”

  “Not at all. It’s what everyone thinks about New York City. And it’s mostly true.” The sun was beginning to set, and the late day light shone on Kellan’s face, highlighting the light freckles on the bridge of her nose and various hues of green in her eyes. They were so deep and rich and enticing that Ashleigh thought she might melt on the spot. “Should we walk a bit?” she asked, if only to keep from staring.

  “Yes. But first, you promised me a picture.”

  “I almost forgot.” Ashleigh nodded and bit her cheek to control her reaction as Kellan pressed against her, positioning them as she angled the lens to capture the bridge, the river, and the cliffs of New Jersey behind them.

  “Tell me about Vail,” Ashleigh asked as they made their way along the paved path in the park.

  Kellan picked up a leaf and inspected it before letting it fall to the ground. “Sure. What do you want to know?”

  “I don’t know. Everything, I guess. I know virtually nothing about it.”

  “That’s not true. Everybody knows something.”

  “Fair enough. I know that there’s skiing. And other winter sports. I image it’s all picturesque mountains.”

  “That’s actually true.” Kellan looked off into the distance. “The streets are heated—did you know that?”

  “What?”

  “In the winter. They heat the streets to keep them from icing over. Helps with tourism.”

  “Also genius.”

  “I guess. It’s nice to always be able to get around.”

  “Did you miss it? I mean do you miss it, now?” She had a million questions, but realized she was coming off kind of intense. “I’m sorry. That’s two different questions. I was wondering if you missed home when you were in the Army and also if you were sad to be away now, since you’ve only gotten out and now you’re stuck in New York.”

  “No worries. I’ll answer both.” Kellan’s smile was so easy Ashleigh couldn’t look away. “I’ll go in order, if that’s okay.”

  “Very soldierly of you.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Her voice was smooth, her smile wolfish and intoxicating. It made Ashleigh swoon on the spot. Why did Kellan have such a visceral effect on her? She didn’t do flings or hookups or one-night stands. And despite
her late-night fantasies and Shauna’s ridiculous suggestion of a summer tryst, she knew it was a terrible idea. There was nothing about this that could end well.

  “I did miss home when I was away,” Kellan said, interrupting her train of thought. “Especially when I was in the desert. I think being someplace so opposite Vail made me think of my family. I’m pretty close with my parents and Turk.”

  “Did you see him at least, when you were overseas?”

  “Our paths crossed a few times over the years. It was nice.”

  “I didn’t even ask—what did you do in the military? Were you on the ground fighting? I’m sorry, I should have asked you sooner.”

  “It’s fine. I was in an intelligence unit.”

  “What does that mean exactly? Wait, can you not tell me? It’s okay if you can’t.”

  “I can.”

  “I’m sorry—I just realized we talked a lot about me the other day, and I barely asked about you at all. I don’t want you to think I don’t care. I do. Care. About you, I mean. You know, your service. Your life.” Oh my God, why was she such a dork?

  “You’re cute when you’re nervous. Do you know that?”

  Ashleigh covered her face with both hands, mortified at how she was butchering her attempt at sincerity. She felt Kellan’s hands on her shoulders before she could say anything else.

  “Breathe.” Kellan massaged her for a second. “It’s all good.” Ashleigh felt Kellan’s hand slide down her back and away as she spoke. “I was an E-5 Specialist—that was my rank. Technically, my job was to analyze intelligence. That means”—she seemed to search the air for the right wording to explain—“like, we would get some intel from headquarters, or troops in the field, assets, a whole bunch of resources, and then my job was to vet the information. Scrub it, drill down as far as possible to see if the information was legit.”

  “That sounds interesting.” It actually sounded dangerous, but then everything about the military required bravery, in her opinion. In the moment, she was thankful she didn’t know Kellan during her active service. She would have been worried sick the whole time. “Did you do that from a base or were you in the field? I don’t even know if I’m using the right terminology.” She hoped she didn’t sound like a moron.