Robin lifted her head, her eyes were hooded, her chest heaving. “We’ve dated long enough. I’m all for phase two right now.”
“Not yet, but you need to go now or you’ll need a mop to get me off the floor.”
Robin grinned. “You have a real way with words. You must be a writer.”
“Go.” Lily pushed her toward the elevator. “It’s an accurate description, though maybe not romantic enough to include in a book.”
Robin leaned in for a quick kiss, then again walked backward to the elevator, her eyes on Lily. She backed in and blew a kiss as the doors closed.
Chapter Ten
Boat Ride
Lily looked down at her sundress, then back at Robin in her khaki shorts, green T-shirt and green sneakers. “Um, I didn’t realize you meant that informal.” She glanced back into her apartment. “Should I change?”
“You look fabulous just the way you are, but sneakers might be better and you might need a light sweater or a sweatshirt if it gets chilly.”
“We’re not going jogging, are we?”
Robin’s green eyes twinkled. “No, my Southern belle, we are going out for the dinner I promised. So grab your things and let’s get going.”
She returned with a sweater and Mel’s sneakers in a bag. “I don’t wear sneakers with dresses. Will I be okay with sandals?”
Robin took her hand. “I guess I’ll just have to hold onto you, then.”
“Doesn’t sound so bad.”
Robin helped her into the car. Tanya drove downtown on the West Side Highway, then east to the South Street Sea Port, where she parked the car and the three of them walked out onto the pier.
“We’re having dinner on a boat?” She’d read about these Hudson River boat rides where there was dinner and music and dancing, but she thought they left from somewhere on the West Side. And those boats were more like ferries with a couple of enclosed decks with tables and tablecloths. The few boats she could see looked like sailboats.
“I hope you don’t get seasick.”
A woman walked down the gangplank of a boat as they approached. “All set here.”
It was Mel from last night at the restaurant. “Hi, Mel. Thank you for lending me your sneakers. They’re in the car.”
The four of them boarded. Robin escorted Lily to the rear of the boat, where a waitress stood with champagne for her and a tall glass of seltzer and lime for Robin.
Robin put an arm around her and pulled her close. “Smile for the camera.”
“What?” She looked up.
The waitress pointed a small camera at them. “Say ‘cheese.’”
Robin stared down into her eyes making it hard for her to breathe, but she managed a smile. She glanced at the front of the boat. Tanya and Mel, each holding a champagne flute, were at a table. Nice work if you can get it. Robin was a generous employer. The captain and the other crewmember were in the middle of the boat. She hoped they weren’t drinking.
Robin lifted her glass. “Here’s to a wonderful third date.”
She touched her glass to Robin’s then sipped the ice-cold champagne. She sneezed as the bubbles tickled her nose. The waitress placed a tray of hors d’oeuvres on the table.
They sat across from each other. She kicked off her sandals and put her feet in Robin’s lap, then leaned back and closed her eyes, enjoying the briny smell of the East River and the breeze in her hair. Robin’s gentle foot massage was a turn-on. “Ah, that feels wonderful, thank you.” She opened her eyes. And was blinded by a flash. “Please, no more pictures tonight.”
Robin put her hand out, and the waitress gave her the camera.
“So what’s with the camera?”
Robin plucked an hors d’oeuvre from the tray on the table and attempted to feed it to her, but she pushed it away. “The camera?”
“Well, I, um, don’t have any memories of my childhood¸ and I have no pictures of me or my family. When Katie, my…, one of my college roommates, heard that my freshman year, she decided I needed to build a history for myself going forward. We took lots of pictures in college and grad school but not so many since we started working. A month or so ago she brought it up again, but until I met you there was no one or nothing I wanted to include in my history.”
Tears stung Lily’s eyes. “I’m glad you want to make memories with me.” She smiled. “Our children will need them.”
“Of course they will.” Robin brushed her arm across her eyes.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Robin hesitated. “I just remembered a nightmare I had after you said you wanted to have my babies the other night. It freaked me out because it was so violent.” She looked away. “Because I was so violent.”
Lily sat up. “Is the thought of children so horrible?”
Robin grinned. “Just my sadistic subconscious reacting to the shock of hearing you say it. Though I’ve never thought about having children, your wanting my babies is a turn-on.”
They ate by the soft light of a lantern. The food was light and delicious and as they lingered over coffee and dessert, the waitress moved to the front of the boat, leaving them totally alone. “What a beautiful evening. Eating outside by lantern. Gliding on the river with the glow of the lights of Manhattan. The quiet. I love it. Thank you.”
Robin moved her chair away from the table and then pulled Lily up and into her lap. They kissed long and deep, and the heat between them was so strong Lily wondered if they could feel it up front. Then she lost touch with everything but Robin, her mouth, her tongue, her hands. “No, no, Robin, not here. Please stop.” Lily pulled away and stood.
Robin looked stunned. She rubbed her face and groaned. “Oh, God, Lily I’m so sorry. I feel like an out-of-control teenager.”
“It’s not just you, sweetie. I am so ready. Can we just hold hands for now, though?”
Robin nodded.
Lily sat on her lap again. Robin wrapped her arms around Lily and pulled her close, her warm breath on Lily’s neck like a caress. Inflamed by the feel of Robin’s strong body, the fragrance of her spicy cologne, and the passion of her kisses, Lily burned with desire. She’d never felt this turned on, this challenged intellectually or this joyful with Micki. What was she waiting for? She ran her fingers over Robin’s arm. “I think we’ve dated enough. I know it’s Sunday and you have to work tomorrow but would you stay over tonight?”
Robin’s arms tightened. Her breathing quickened. “I’d love to, if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure. But, just so you know, I have plans to spend tomorrow through Friday with a really good friend from Chicago, Dawn, and she’ll be staying with me. I’d cancel, but she came for the wedding and I didn’t spend any time with her.” She turned and kissed Robin. “But I’d like to take you on a date Saturday, if you’re free?”
“No dating all week?”
“Not until Saturday. Are you free?”
“Yes, definitely. When and how should I dress?”
“Eat breakfast before you come, wear something you won’t worry about getting dirty and meet me in my lobby at nine thirty. In the morning.”
“What should I wear tonight?” Robin grinned.
Lily caressed her cheek. “Nothing, of course.”
The four of them walked to the car and as they settled in, Lily’s phone rang. She pulled it out to answer and saw four texts from Dawn; now she was calling. “Dawn, I was on a boat and just saw your texts. What’s up?” She listened. “Um, just a minute.” She put her hand over the speaker and spoke to Robin. “She was supposed to stay with her sister tonight, but there was a fire in the building and they can’t get into the apartment. Her sister and her two roommates are going to stay with friends, and she’s asking if she can stay with me tonight. I’m sorry.”
Robin kissed her temple. “Saturday night then?”
Lily grinned. “You got it, sweetie.” She took the phone off mute. “Sure. I should be home in about forty-five minutes, but if I’m not there when you arrive have
a seat in the lobby.”
Chapter Eleven
Soup Kitchen
Robin looked a little bleary-eyed when she arrived Saturday morning. She must have been out late partying with one of her beautiful models. Lily shook her head. They’d said no commitment and it was none of her business. Still she didn’t want to date anyone else, and a part of her hoped Robin didn’t either.
Robin interrupted her thoughts. “Where to?”
“Broadway and Ninety-third.”
“Oh, I’ll get a taxi.” Robin stepped off the curb.
Lily pulled Robin back onto the sidewalk. “I’d like to walk, show you the neighborhood.”
“But it’s eighteen blocks.” Robin sounded incredulous. “And what happens when we get there?”
“We’re volunteering at a church that has a free soup kitchen on weekends and we’re going to cook and serve lunch, then clean up. It’s hard work, but you can leave at any time, including now.”
Robin put her hands on Lily shoulders. “Hey, are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No, but I just realized that I should have given you a choice when I invited you. Maybe you don’t want to volunteer.” Lily started walking.
Robin followed. “Sorry, I don’t mean to be a princess.” She took Lily’s hand. “I’ve never done it before, so I don’t know how good I’ll be at it, but I’m willing to give it a try. You can ask me to leave anytime if I screw things up.”
They strolled along Central Park West, the park to their right, apartment buildings on the left. Lily stopped in front of the Museum of Natural History. “Have you even been here?”
Robin’s eye’s lit up. “No. I’ve read about it, but I’ve been so busy with work. I guess we can’t go now?” She looked like a kid.
“No. But it’s something to do another day.” She started walking. “And that attached glass building is the Rose Center for Earth and Space. The planetarium is in there.”
Robin couldn’t take her eyes off the building and crashed into Lily when she tried to steer them left onto Eighty-first Street. “Oh, sorry. It’s just…I read so many books about the museum and the animals and the planetarium and the stars when I was a kid that I can’t believe I’ve been this close to it and never came here.” She looked longingly at the park outside the Rose Center. “Where are you taking us now?”
“I thought we’d walk up Broadway.” They walked across Eighty-first Street and made a right on Broadway. Lily pointed across the street. “Zabar’s—good bagels, lox, cheeses, prepared food, and a great housewares department upstairs if that’s what turns you on.”
Robin pulled Lily close. “Let’s be clear. That is not what turns me on.”
Lily laughed and pulled away. “Come on, we don’t want to be late.” As they walked she pointed out the Children’s Museum on Eighty-third Street and the French Roast, a restaurant open twenty-four hours seven days a week, and the stores. “We have Talbots and Chicos and Victoria’s Secret, Brooks Brothers and Banana Republic and—”
“Okay, I get it. The Upper West Side has everything, even Starbucks. Oh, and lots of chain drug stores and banks. And look at Barzini’s, the huge fruit and vegetable store across the street.”
Lily punched her arm. “Don’t make fun. Three more blocks.”
Robin hesitated when they got to the entrance. “Before we go in, would it be all right with you if I get a picture or two of us while we’re there?”
How strange. I think we’re going to have to have a talk about why you don’t have any pictures of you or your family. “You’re really serious about this picture thing, aren’t you?”
Robin flushed. “Yes.”
Lily brushed a wayward lock of hair off her face. “I don’t want to get in the way or make anyone uncomfortable, so let me check with Sonia, the woman who runs the kitchen.”
Sonia gave them the go-ahead as long as they were sensitive to what was happening and didn’t include any of their guests in the pictures. Lily introduced Robin to the rest of the staff and the other volunteers, then the chef assigned them tasks to prep the ingredients for the beef stew they were serving for lunch. While Lily cut beef into chunks, Robin chopped several heads of celery. Everyone chatted as they worked together, taking on various tasks such as chopping onions, potatoes or carrots.
At one point, Sonia popped over. Robin whispered to her and handed her camera over, then Sonia snapped a picture of the two of them hard at work at their separate tasks. Lily looked up and her eyes met Robin’s. Sonia snapped another, handed the camera back and went to supervise the storing of items just delivered.
Lily watched Robin apply herself to the job at hand. She knew Robin would be a conscientious worker. Often she’d look up and find Robin staring at her, and their eyes would meet, sending a chill through her. Other times, Robin would be deep in conversation or joking with one or more of the other volunteers.
When the stew was bubbling, the salad prepped, the dessert baking and the coffee percolating, they moved to setting the tables and laying out dishes and serving implements. Just before noon, the volunteer servers arrived and after being introduced, one of them, Theresa, zeroed in on Robin. “You look really familiar, Robin. Have you volunteered here before?”
Robin looked uncomfortable. “No. I probably look like someone you know.”
Theresa looked Robin up and down. “I doubt that. Don’t worry. It’ll come to me.”
Lily thought Theresa was hitting on Robin, so she walked over and put an arm around Robin’s waist. “How are you doing, sweetie?”
Robin kissed her temple. “Great.”
Just then, Sonia opened the doors and the hungry diners filed in. And kept filing in all afternoon. Lily and Robin pitched in to serve, then clean tables as they turned over. Throughout the afternoon, Lily observed Robin conversing with the people who had come in for a free meal, calming an unruly man, laughing with a table of two men and two women and listening intently to people who probably hadn’t had anyone pay much attention to them in years. And, unlike many of the other volunteers, Robin didn’t avoid the homeless people, some of whom smelled so awful that it was hard to keep from gagging. Lily was impressed and proud of her. When everyone who showed up had been fed, the doors were locked, and they pitched in to clean up. It was five thirty when they walked out, blinking in the late afternoon sun and breathing deeply to take in fresh air.
Lily took Robin’s hand. “Are you as hungry and tired as I am?”
“If you’re starved and exhausted, the answer is yes.”
“Okay, I’m buying you an early dinner as a reward for all your hard work.”
“No, let me.”
“No way. This is my date and I know just the place.” She led Robin downtown on Amsterdam Avenue to Fred’s, a basement restaurant with a few outdoor tables on Eighty-third Street. “Here we are.”
Robin followed Lily down the few steps and past the busy bar into the cozy dining room. She looked around warily.
Lily could almost hear her thoughts. A basement, every inch of wall space filled with pictures of dogs in all shapes and sizes, how good could it be? Robin tried to look interested rather than put off by the décor, but Lily saw right through her.
“Don’t be such a snob. It’s a neighborhood place and, as you can see, they invite people to bring pictures of their dogs. The food is good and the prices reasonable. You’re not one of those people who think it has to be expensive to be good, are you?”
“I’m open to trying it.”
Lily poked her. “You damn well better be, because I’m not one of your high maintenance models who likes to see and be seen while nibbling on a lettuce leaf. I enjoy real food, all kinds.” Her grin was mischievous. “Besides, I don’t want our children to be snobs.”
“Our lives are being controlled by these kids, and we haven’t even had sex yet.”
The people at the next table laughed and turned to look at them. Robin turned red. Lily laughed. “All in good time, sweetie.” She patted
Robin’s hand. “Ready to order? I’m starving.”
Robin took a bite of her burger and made an appreciative sound.
Lily sipped her beer. “So, how was the day for you?”
“Good.”
“Can you be a little more specific? And it’s okay if you hated it.”
Robin took another bite and chewed slowly, thinking. “I didn’t hate it. It was a…profound experience. I rarely think about people who need to be taken care of and people like you who take time out of their lives to help them. I’d like to help. Maybe give some money.”
“Sonia really struggles to get contributions to buy enough food. Sometimes they have to skip a day because they’re short.”
Lily took a bite of her burger. Once again, she noticed people staring at them, whispering. Was it the fact they were obviously lesbians or something else? They talked quietly while eating, then walked back to Lily’s apartment, where they kissed passionately in the hall.
“Um, Lily, can I get a rain check on the sleepover? I’m exhausted, and I have to pick up a European client arriving at JFK six a.m. tomorrow morning and spend the day on sightseeing duty. I also have commitments Monday and Tuesday nights. I’m sorry.”
“Between kissing you and being so tired, I’m about to fall flat on my face too. But I want to reward you for being such a good sport today. Will you join me at Shazarak for dinner and dancing Wednesday night?”
“You’re getting mighty aggressive, madam, inviting me out again so soon. Not that I didn’t enjoy myself today, but fun is always a good thing, so I accept as long as,” she wiggled her eyebrows, “I can sleep over after.”
“Really, Robin? Still wiggling those eyebrows? As long as you promise there will be no wiggling of eyebrows, the sleepover is on. Pajamas optional.” Lily kissed her again. “My best friend Annie just got back from a two-month dig in China and I haven’t seen her yet. Would you mind if I invite her to join us? For the first part of the evening, I mean, not the sleepover.”
No One But You Page 6