No One But You

by Catherine Maiorisis

  “I only have eyes for you but invite anyone you want and I promise to be civil.” One more kiss and they parted.

  * * *

  As the taxi made its way downtown to Battery Park City, Robin wondered what it was that kept her coming back to Lily. Clearly, not just sex. This was their fourth date and the second time the sex got put off. Wednesday wasn’t that far off. Normally, she would have dumped Lily by now. After all, if it’s all about having fun, why delay the payoff? But Lily was different. Other than Katie and their four Harvard roommates, no one had ever invited her into their life, no one had ever insisted on taking her out, no one had ever wanted to do something for her. Usually, they wanted her to do something for them. She liked it. She paid the driver and turned toward her building. Sex wasn’t the only way to have fun. She stopped walking. Did she just think that?

  Chapter Twelve

  Shazarak

  Lily’s heart picked up its pace as Robin sauntered to the table, and while she was able to refrain from running to greet her, she couldn’t repress the grin. She turned to Annie, but Annie was already watching Robin wend her way through the dining room. “That’s her.”

  “Duh. I could feel your excitement the minute she came in. And I see why. Not only is she good looking, but she has a commanding presence. And I’m not the only one taking notice.”

  Lily looked again and Annie was right. Women were staring and whispering. Well, why not? She had when she saw her that first time. “Oh, she’s so much more than a pretty face, Annie. You’ll see.”

  Lily stood. They embraced and kissed lightly. “Robin, this is Annie.”

  “Glad to meet you because I’m anxious to hear all about your dig.” Robin kissed Annie’s cheek, then sat.

  “Ah, Lily, you’re right. She is a charmer.”

  Robin blushed.

  Lily took Robin’s hand and squeezed it. “Yes, she is.”

  “Okay, ladies. Remember I’m sitting right here. Have you ordered drinks?”

  “We have. I ordered you a seltzer and lime.”

  They talked through dinner about Annie’s work at a site in China where they turned up many mummies, clothing, jewelry and artifacts of daily life. It turned out that Robin was interested in archaeology, especially mummies, and had read voraciously on the subject, so she and Annie had a great time while Lily looked on. Every once in a while, Robin would check in with Lily to see if they were boring her, but she was fascinated watching Robin holding her own with Annie, a professor of archaeology at Columbia. It wasn’t until they were drinking coffee and sharing a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream and a dab of whipped cream that the conversation turned to books and music and theater. Later, when the DJ began spinning in the bar area, Lily felt Annie’s eyes on her, questioning. She assumed Annie was worried about having engaged Robin’s attention for so long.

  Annie stood. “Ladies room, anyone?”

  Lily had given the waitress her credit card before Robin arrived to ensure she didn’t try to pay the check, so she stood. “Me.” She tilted her head at Robin. “You?”

  “I didn’t drink as much as you two. Hurry back, I’m looking forward to dancing with two lovely ladies on my arm.”

  In the ladies room, Annie hugged Lily. “I’m sorry I monopolized Robin, but it’s rare I find someone interested in and so knowledgeable about what I do.”

  “Actually, I enjoyed watching her with you. Up to now, we’ve been alone and it’s nice to see her in a different light. So what do you think?”

  “She’s wonderful. Intelligent, funny, articulate, gorgeous and…and tell me again why you’re hesitating?”

  “I’m not, but it seems the fates are keeping us apart. I haven’t even told her mama Del is staying at the apartment tonight.”

  “Better not to spring it on her later. Tell her now. And don’t keep her waiting too long, honey, she’s obviously into you, but somebody will scoop her up soon. Go. I’ll wait a few minutes before coming back.”

  Robin was practically dancing in place when she returned. “Thanks for dinner, Lily.” She pulled her into a hug.

  “Um, Robin, my, um, my mama Del arrived in town unexpectedly last night, and she’s staying with me.” She flushed. “I know we said we’d have a sleepover—”

  “You could come to my place.”

  Lily paled. “I’d rather not get Del on my case. She can be a little intense. She’ll want to meet you. And I don’t think we’re ready for that.”

  It was Robin’s turn to pale. “No, we’re not ready for that.” She looked up and smiled. “Ready to dance, Annie?”

  “I don’t think you two need a chaperone, so I’ll leave you to it.”

  “But we do need a chaperone to keep me from ravishing Lily on the dance floor. Stay. A beautiful redhead like you won’t be alone long. Sit at the table for one dance and if you’re still alone after that, the three of us will dance together.” She lightly punched Annie’s shoulder. “Come on, you need some fun after working in the desert for two months.”

  Annie shook her head. “You have the gift of blarney, Robin. Are you sure you’re not Irish?” Annie looked at Lily for permission.

  She smiled and nodded. “Stay.”

  Robin was right. Before the first dance was over, Annie had a partner and the few times she wasn’t asked, Robin pulled her up to dance with them. Fast or slow, Lily and Robin danced. Lily enjoyed the fast numbers, but she loved the slow ones when Robin fit their bodies together and ignited her with gentle touches and soft kisses.

  At the end of the evening, they dropped Annie off at her building and Robin escorted Lily up to her apartment. They made out in the hall for a while, then Robin pulled away. “Time to leave.” Her voice was husky, her eyes dark. She cleared her throat. “Thanks for dinner and a really fun time tonight. My turn now. Dinner Saturday, dress up.”

  Lily nuzzled Robin’s neck. “You know, this was easier when we were dating and sex wasn’t allowed. Now it’s damned frustrating. Mama is leaving Saturday afternoon. Neither snow nor sleet nor overnight guests will keep us from having that sleepover Saturday night.”

  As Lily got ready for bed, she wondered if she should have gone home with Robin. Her body was definitely in favor of the idea, but her mind and her heart knew mama Del would make life miserable until she met the woman she was sleeping with. And that would be disastrous for commitment-phobic Robin. Brushing her teeth, she admitted to herself that deep down she was also afraid if she slept with her Robin would walk away with her heart.

  Chapter Thirteen

  One by Land

  One by Land, Two by Sea. Another expensive and romantic restaurant where the maître d’ greeted Robin by name and immediately escorted them to a prime table. Heads turned and whispers swirled in the air behind them like leaves dropping from trees in the fall. Were people whispering Robin’s name, or was she losing it? Robin seemed oblivious. As they sat, she asked the maître d’ to bring them a seltzer and lime and a glass of the bold and rich red wine Lily loved.

  Lily sipped the wine the waiter placed in front of her and glanced around. No. Judging by the surreptitious looks thrown their way, she wasn’t losing it. Was Robin someone famous? Or infamous? When that photographer took the picture on their first date, Robin had promised to explain why, but somehow they’d never gotten around to having that discussion. And since then, every time they’d been out, especially in see-and-be-seen restaurants like this one, people stared and whispered. She’d thought it was because Robin was so gorgeous, but now it seemed more personal. They knew her name. What did everyone but she know about Robin? I could ask, I suppose, but it might make Robin angry. I don’t want to fight with her.

  “Lily?” Robin’s gentle question pulled her from her reverie. “Where did you go?”

  She looked up. “I…” She took a breath. “Who are you, Robin?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s not a trick question, sweetie. On our first date at the River Café, a photographer took our pic
ture, and you said it might have appeared in the gossip column if Tanya hadn’t taken the card from the camera. You’re known at the two expensive restaurants you’ve taken me to. And people are always staring at us, like now. You’re not just the owner of a small tech company, are you? Are you famous? If I’m going to carry your babies, don’t you think I should know who you are?”

  “You’re serious about the babies, aren’t you?”

  “If things work out, yes. But don’t change the subject.”

  Robin waited while the waiter placed their appetizers in front of them and walked away. She cleared her throat. “I’ve been planning to tell you, but I wanted to get to know you before I said anything.” Her grip on Lily’s hand tightened. “The night we first saw each other at Shazarak, I was celebrating taking my business, DiLuca Cooper Technologies International, public. As a result, my partner Katie and I became billionaires and many of our employees became millionaires or multimillionaires.”

  The color drained from Lily’s face. “A billionaire?” She tried to withdraw her hand, but Robin held on.

  Robin nodded. “Maybe it’s because my partner and I are relatively young or maybe because I’m an out lesbian, the media has taken great interest. We’ve been featured on multiple TV shows and our pictures have appeared in all the newspapers and gossip magazines, so now I’m recognized wherever I go.”

  “I need to rethink this, Robin. I’m not sure I can—”

  “I was afraid of that.” Robin looked miserable. “At first, I was afraid you might be interested in the money and not me, but after getting to know you, I was afraid the money would drive you away. I’m sorry.”

  Lily looked down at the lovely salad on the plate in front of her and felt a wave of nausea. “I can’t do this, Robin, I need to leave.” She pushed her chair back.

  “Let me ask them to pack our dinners to go, then I’ll take you home. All right?”

  Lily nodded.

  Robin got up to confer with the waiter and pay the bill. Lily sipped her wine while they waited for the food to be ready, not speaking, not looking at Robin, though she could feel Robin’s eyes on her.

  The silence continued in the taxi, then in the elevator up to Lily’s apartment. When they reached the door, Robin placed the package with their dinners on the floor, wrapped her arms around Lily and pulled her close. “I can’t just walk away and leave this hanging between us. Let me come in, to talk.”

  Lily sighed, then retrieved her keys from her bag and opened the door. “Come in.”

  Robin picked up their dinners and followed her into the foyer, then into the living room. Lily tensed as Robin examined the room. The caramel-colored sofa and loveseat facing a wall of windows overlooking Central Park, the multicolor kilim rug, the cushions of various sizes and colors piled on the furniture and on the floor and the colorful paintings and cloth wall hangings—all melded together into an environment she hoped was warm and welcoming, one that invited guests to relax and stay a while.

  “Nothing like the elegant designer apartments you’re used to, I guess?” Lily flinched at the disdain evident in her voice. She hadn’t intended to be so offensive, but maybe it would keep Robin from sensing how vulnerable she felt.

  Robin stared at her for a few seconds and Lily steeled herself for an angry reply. “It’s as I imaged it would be—warm, homey, comfortable and lovely. A place I would love to spend time in with you.”

  “Right.” Lily turned away. She hadn’t meant to be sarcastic. How can Robin be so nice when I’m being so mean?

  Uncomfortable with the silence behind her, Lily looked back. Robin was staring at her, a puzzled look on her face. She opened her mouth as if to say something, then seemed to change her mind. As usual, Lily’s inclination was to pretend everything was fine, but she hesitated, and Robin spoke. “Um, I’m starving. Could we eat and talk?”

  “I’m not in a fussing mood. Does it have to be heated?”

  “No. I asked them to make us sandwiches.”

  “Ah, the difficult life of a billionaire. Pay for an expensive dinner and end up getting sandwiches to take home.” The punishing sarcasm in her voice surprised even her. Just what am I doing?

  A flash of anger crossed Robin’s face. Two quick steps and she was in front of Lily. She put one hand on Lily’s shoulder and used the other to raise her face so she could look into her eyes. “You know, Lily, I want to talk through your concerns, but I won’t apologize for being successful. I had nothing and I built a company that made not only me and my partners but all of our three hundred plus employees wealthy. That’s the American dream, isn’t it?”

  Tears stung Lily’s eyes. She hadn’t meant to hurt Robin. “I’m sorry. It’s just that you caught me off guard. I didn’t mean to imply there was something wrong with you. But money complicates things.”

  “It doesn’t have to complicate anything.” She waved a hand around. “And you’re not exactly living in poverty here in a three-bedroom apartment overlooking Central Park.” Robin stroked Lily’s face. “Can we eat facing your fabulous view, then talk?”

  “That’s where I eat when I’m alone.” Lily took Robin’s hand and kissed her palm. “You’re right. I’m more than comfortable. Actually, it’s four bedrooms, but the bank owns it, not me. My Chicago apartment was a present from my moms and it had appreciated a lot over the years. The money from the sale of that combined with a large bump in book sales gave me a hefty down payment. But the plan was for two salaries to cover the mortgage, so I’m house poor as they say.”

  Lily arranged their drinks, the sandwiches and napkins on the coffee table in front of the sofa, then turned off all the lights except a small lamp. She sat next to Robin, close enough to feel her heat and hear her breathing. Robin was perfect. Why did she have to be a billionaire? On the other hand, why did it bother her so much?

  Lily took a deep breath, taking in air filled with the spiciness of the dressing on the sandwiches, the sweetness of Robin’s cologne and the mustiness of her own sweat. As she slowly released the air, she relaxed and was surprised to find she was hungry. They ate in silence, staring at the lights across Central Park. When they had eaten, Robin took her hand and spoke. “Why do you think money complicates things?”

  “It’s not money per se, it’s so much money. And how it changes the way people see you. Since one of my literary novels was made into a not-so-great movie, sales of my other novels increased. I make a decent living from my writing, but I’m far from rich. Yet I’ve been burned by women who perceived fame and fortune that I didn’t have. One woman dropped me when she realized I wasn’t rich and another woman walked away when she got that I didn’t really have a Hollywood connection. Those interactions made it difficult to trust myself and I didn’t date for a long time. Until Micki. And that experience confirmed that I can’t trust my ability to read people. You seem honest and trustworthy, but…

  “When you have that much money everyone wants a piece of you or something from you, like those models and other beautiful women hanging on you that first night. How do you trust anyone is interested in you? How can you trust that I want you, not your money or your status? You said earlier that you thought initially I might be after your money. Maybe I am. Can you trust me? What kind of life is it, always wondering if it’s you or your billions?”

  She looked around her apartment. “Lifestyle is the other thing. I like nice things, but I’m not into conspicuous consumption or living a high society life. I enjoy cooking and reading and seeing a movie with a friend. You seem to enjoy partying with lots of people and eating in fancy restaurants. For me a hot dog or a burger at a neighborhood restaurant can be as wonderful as a meal at One by Land. It seems to me that too much money can drain reality out of your life. Everything becomes appearances and seeing and being seen and who has the biggest and best or the most.”

  She brushed away the tears. “I don’t want to live that way. I already don’t trust my ability to read people. I don’t want to go through life wonderi
ng if it’s me or your money that draws people to me and our children.”

  “I hear you.” Robin kissed Lily’s knuckles. “I earned a very good living from my business before going public, so it’s not like I had nothing and suddenly had a billion dollars thrust into my hands like some winners of the lottery. It’s true that I can feel the difference in how people look at me and react to me, but I haven’t changed, and if I start to get a big head, my friends will make sure I stay grounded. I know who I am and I understand how lucky I am. And you’ll have to trust that I do know what or, should I say who, is real. That’s why I’m here with you, Lily, and not one of the models or actresses I usually date.”

  She caressed Lily’s face. “We both live comfortably on what we’ve earned from the work we love. Being this wealthy is very new, but I assure you I plan to use the money to help people. I’m not sure what I want to do yet, but I already have a team putting together some ideas. Katie and I will probably fund some things together. We just need time. I need you to be patient, to give me a chance to prove that I’m worthy of you.”

  “Oh, Robin.” Lily shifted to face her. “I didn’t mean to imply that you’re unworthy. You’re kind and sweet and thoughtful, I see how nice you are to people, and I respect your work ethic and your success. It’s more about my insecurities than about you. My image of a billionaire is someone who ruthlessly takes what he or she wants and doesn’t care about hurting people. You seem more genuine than that but…I’m not sure I can trust my judgment. Also, I’m serious about us having kids someday and if I misjudge you, you could take them from me and they could turn out to be rich and shallow. Do you see why I’m scared the money will come between us?”

  “It doesn’t have to come between us if you don’t let it. I enjoy being with you and since neither of us has committed to an,” she made quote marks with her fingers, “‘us,’ can’t we just hang out, have fun and get to know each other better? See how it goes?”