“Oh? A woman?”
“Yes, Riley Warren. Do you know her?”
“Can’t say that I really know anyone in Wolf Bay,” he said. He actually looked sad at the admission, and Vic wondered if it was simply because of her mother’s disdain for the “common” people. If not for her, would he be a man who cared more for his fellow townspeople? “But the name does sound vaguely familiar.”
“Mother used to call her trailer trash.” Vic felt a slight pain in her chest at the words and assumed it was regret. Regret for not speaking up against the things her mother said, and certainly regret for her younger self having been so small-minded to simply follow the crowd.
“Ah, yes, I remember. Her mother was an alcoholic, right?”
“Yes.”
“You should go see her,” he said with a nod. “And I hope you get to know her better now. Maybe you could bring her to Vanessa’s wedding.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure that would ever happen. Not to mention the conniption fit Mother would have if I showed up with a woman on my arm.” The visual was rather appealing though, she had to admit. “Especially if it was Riley.”
“Don’t worry about her,” he told her. “If you want to bring Riley, then you absolutely should.”
Vic smiled and nodded, wondering if it could ever really be that easy where her mother was concerned. Maybe she’d try to convince Riley to go if she didn’t hate her too much.
* * *
Riley was threading the film through the projector for the next show when the radio on her hip came to life.
“Riley, there’s someone here to see you,” said Tommy, who was working the box office.
“I’ll be down in a minute,” she replied. No one ever came to see her while she was at work other than Megan. It was Saturday, so she hoped it wouldn’t be so busy that she couldn’t take a few minutes to chat. She quickly finished getting the film ready so all she had to do was press the start button when it was time, then headed down to the lobby. She glanced at the people in the lobby, but didn’t see Megan anywhere so she headed toward the box office. “Where’s Megan?”
“Oh, it isn’t Megan,” Tommy said. “I’ve never seen this woman before.”
Dear God, please don’t let it be my mother. As soon as the thought crossed her mind, she rejected it. She was no doubt still in the hospital, and even if she wasn’t, it was almost nine. If she had been released, there was no doubt in Riley’s mind her mother would already be passed out on her couch. She stood there for a moment before looking through the lobby again. She saw a woman dressed in an expensive looking suit leaning against the wall near the concession stand, but a cursory glance told Riley she didn’t know her.
Wait just a minute.
The words echoed in her head just as she flicked her eyes away, and she looked back at the woman’s face. Her heart seemed to skip a beat when she realized the woman staring back at her was Victoria Thayer. Twenty years had gone by since she’d laid eyes on her, but there was no doubt it was her, even though her hair was much shorter, and she seemed a lot less feminine than she had the last time she saw her. Riley began to walk slowly toward her as Vic’s smile widened. When she pushed off the wall, Riley felt a fluttering low in her belly.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, hoping her immediate arousal wasn’t obvious. And what the hell? She’d never had such an immediate reaction to a woman before.
“I wanted to see you.”
“Yeah, and we arranged to have coffee in the morning.” Riley looked around. There were customers, but not so many her employees couldn’t handle things without her for a few minutes. “I’m working.”
“What time are you done?”
“Not until midnight.”
“I’ll wait.” Vic smiled and pulled some money out of her pocket. “I’ll watch the movie and then wait outside for you.”
“You do recall me saying I wasn’t comfortable having anything to do with you, right?” Riley said as Vic headed toward the doors that would lead her outside and to the box office.
“I do,” she answered with a quick nod and another smile. “And it’s my intention to change your mind about that.”
Riley just stared at her for a moment, not quite knowing what to say. It didn’t matter though, because Vic was gone. For now. Christ, she was going to have to be alone with her later. She looked at her watch and saw it was time to start the last show in theater one, so she turned and headed up the stairs. After starting the projector, she pulled out her phone and called Megan.
“Hey there,” Megan said.
“Fuck me, she’s here. What do I do?”
“Okay, slow down,” Megan said. “Who’s there?”
Riley took a moment to calm her racing heart. She really hadn’t expected such a visceral reaction to seeing Vic again. Who knew her body was such a traitor?
“Vic. She’s here, watching the last show, and then she said she’s going to wait outside for me to be done with work.”
“How does she look?”
“What the hell does that matter?” Riley fought to keep her voice down as she headed for her office behind the concession stand. She had ten minutes before the next movie had to start, but on her way to the office she stopped and asked Nancy to take care of it for her.
“It matters, trust me,” Megan said with a slight chuckle. “Did she get fat? Please tell me she’s as big as a moose.”
“She’s not,” Riley said, smiling in spite of her anxiety. “She didn’t get fat, she didn’t get ugly, although she did get a little bit queer.”
“And what does that mean, exactly?”
“It means if I were seeing her for the first time, I’d bet my life she was a lesbian.”
“Ooh, that’s an interesting turn of events, isn’t it?” Megan was smiling—Riley could hear it in her voice. “Tell me why you think that.”
“All the stereotypical reasons, the hair, the clothes, no purse or makeup, but the real reasons? It’s the way she was looking at me, and the way she carries herself.” Riley closed her eyes and pictured Vic leaning against the wall. Her stomach did that weird fluttering thing again. “God, Megan, I’m in so much trouble.”
“I can stay at Laura’s house tonight if you think you might be bringing her home with you,” Megan offered, speaking about her older sister. “I wouldn’t want to be a third wheel.”
“I’m not bringing her home,” Riley said, although the thought was more than tempting. She shook her head. “Nope. Not happening.”
“Are you trying to convince me or yourself?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Well, the offer stands. For whenever you want to bring her home, all right? And I won’t wait up for you.”
“Thanks, but I called for some advice, Megan. What the hell am I going to do?”
“Talk to her,” Megan said, sounding as though it was the most obvious answer in the world. “What’s the worst that could happen? You might find out she’s still a shallow little harlot and then you can brush her aside and move on.”
“That’s why I love you, Megan, you’re always the voice of reason.”
“Of course I am. It’s about time you finally figured that out.”
She placed her phone on her desk after disconnecting the call and just stared at it. How was it possible for Vic to still have the power to tie her stomach in knots? She’d been so sure that was a purely adolescent phenomenon.
Yeah, she’d been so wrong about that.
Chapter Eight
Vic waited until the credits were done rolling before getting to her feet. Not because she wanted to see what company had catered the film, but because she was nervous as hell about seeing Riley again. God, how was it possible Riley was even more attractive than she remembered? Even in her nondescript work uniform. Maroon looked good on her. With a sigh, she walked slowly out of the theater and into the lobby. She was about to walk out the doors when she heard her name.
“Victoria,” Riley said from a few
feet away.
She turned and their eyes met, and her heart rate immediately increased. Her mouth was dry and she couldn’t do anything but stare. Riley motioned for her to follow but then stopped and talked for a moment to an older woman Vic didn’t recognize. Once the woman nodded at her, Riley motioned her along again. She followed her into an office situated behind the snack bar and took the seat Riley indicated.
“There’s no reason you should have to wait outside.” Riley sat and began entering numbers into a computer program. Vic figured it was probably inventory counts. She wasn’t sure how long she sat there staring at Riley, but when Riley looked at her she felt her cheeks flush. “Victoria?”
“I prefer to be called Vic,” she somehow managed to say. She’d always hated her name, mostly because her mother said it was a good feminine name. Vic had never felt feminine a day in her life, not even when she’d dressed the part in her youth. She was finally comfortable enough in her own skin to be herself around Vera, and Vic was the name she preferred.
“Okay,” Riley said, sounding somewhat amused. She didn’t immediately turn away, but instead was looking at her. All of her. Like, head to toe. Vic couldn’t stop the goose bumps that broke out along her arms because it felt as though Riley was physically touching her.
“Is something wrong?” Vic asked, glancing down at herself. “I didn’t spill my dinner on myself, did I?”
Riley smiled and shook her head as her cheeks flushed, and Vic was pleased to have gotten the desired reaction out of her at the comment.
“I’m just a little surprised to see you dressed like this.” Riley shrugged but held her gaze.
“Like what?” Vic tilted her head to one side, amused now herself. She knew what Riley was getting at but decided to let it play out.
“Well, you’re a Thayer. I thought you’d have a certain standard to uphold.”
“God, is that what you think of us?” Vic grimaced and shook her head. “I’ll admit, my mother is like that. Arrogant, overbearing, condescending, self-important. I could go on. And on. Vanessa used to be like that, but not so much anymore. And my father? He’s pretty awesome, actually.” She met Riley’s eyes and held them, wanting to make sure she saw the truth of what she was saying. “I am nothing like my mother.”
“You used to be. Back in high school.”
Vic nodded, because she knew it was true. She felt her face heat with embarrassment. She put that part of herself to rest a long time ago, but Riley wouldn’t—couldn’t—possibly know that about her. She needed to show her, and not simply tell her. And that was exactly what she intended to do.
“I know I was, and all I can say is I’m sorry,” Vic said, feeling her eyes filling with tears. She blinked in an attempt to keep them from falling. “I’m sorry for everything. I completely understand why you would want nothing to do with me, but I’m hoping I can change your mind.”
“Why?” Riley asked, looking totally perplexed. “Why would you care what I think of you or your family?”
Vic wasn’t sure how to answer that. Back in high school, they’d all been convinced Riley Warren was a lesbian. Now? She was second-guessing herself. She could very well make a fool out of herself if she were to come right out and confess she’d had a crush on her. That she thought even now Riley was the most beautiful woman she’d ever laid eyes on.
“Because I’m not like them,” Vic said after a moment. “And because of that, I care what people think of me, to a point.”
Riley nodded and turned back to her work. Vic watched for a moment, waiting to see if she’d talk more, but it appeared as though she had no intention of doing anything other than working. Vic’s curiosity got the better of her.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” Riley didn’t even look at her.
“What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed?”
Riley’s breath caught in her throat, but she didn’t look at Vic. She couldn’t. She didn’t want her to see the way her cheeks flushed. She cleared her throat and tried to gather her thoughts. After a few moments of silence, she finally turned in her chair and faced her, unable to keep her eyes from roaming over Victoria’s body.
“No offense,” she said and then cleared her throat again because her voice cracked. “But dressed like you are, people might assume you’re a lesbian.”
“Really?” Vic laughed, and the rich tenor of it caused Riley’s skin to tingle. “Is that what you think, Riley?”
“Victoria,” she said, shaking her head and not having a clue how to respond.
“God, I hate that name. Please, call me Vic.” She smiled at Riley. “And I’ll respond to you the same way I do my mother. I dress for comfort, and since I am a lesbian, why would I care if people think that?”
Riley was taking a drink of water when she heard those words, and she ended up spewing it all over her computer screen and keyboard. She quickly mopped up what she could and looked at Vic, who was laughing again. Riley couldn’t help it. She began to laugh too.
“Did you know you were back in high school?” Riley asked once the laughter subsided.
“God, no,” Vic said. “I mean, I knew I was different, and of course I knew lesbians existed, but I never knew it could be an option for me, mostly because of my mother. From a young age, it was drummed into our heads that someday we’d find nice men and get married and have lots of children. Obviously, that didn’t work out quite as she planned since we’re thirty-eight, and this is going to be Vanessa’s first marriage.”
“So, when did you know?”
“College. Stereotypical, I know, but I was finally away from home and living on my own for the first time, and it was like a whole new world opened up for me.” Vic’s eyes never strayed from hers, and it was beginning to make Riley a little uncomfortable. “When did you know?”
“Seventh grade,” Riley said without even having to think about it. “Miss Miller.”
“Really?” She seemed surprised, but then looked as if she were almost contemplative. She nodded after a moment. “Yes, I can understand now that I’m older and able to look back on it. She certainly was attractive.”
Riley let out a nervous laugh and looked away from her. She had a horrible thought pop into her mind, and she didn’t want Vic to see it in her expression. She blamed it on having spent too many years dealing with her and her friends bullying her, but she couldn’t shake it.
“What’s wrong?” Vic asked, sounding concerned.
“How do I know you aren’t here telling me these things, getting me to open up about my life, just to turn around and tell all those idiots you hung out with in high school that they were right? Riley’s a big old dyke. Let the harassment continue.”
“God, we really fucked with your head, didn’t we?” Vic’s voice sounded strangled, causing Riley to look at her again. She saw the tears in her eyes. Vic shook her head and glanced down at her hands. “I’m so sorry, Riley. I swear to you I would never do that. I’d hope you’d believe me, but of course, you have every reason to doubt it. I would also hope you might remember I did try to stand up for you a few times.”
“Half-heartedly at best,” Riley choked out. “Most of the time you joined in on it.”
“You’re right. I won’t make excuses, and I won’t keep apologizing.” Vic stood and began pacing in the small office. “I do want to thank you for something though.”
“Oh?” Riley was intrigued. What could she possibly have to thank her for?
“You saved Vanessa’s life a year ago. It came to my attention recently that no one in my family bothered to acknowledge the fact.” Vic stopped pacing and turned to look at her. “I know how you must feel about her, but she’s one of my best friends as well as my sister. So, I want to thank you for what you did that night. It was a wholly unselfish act, and I can see by the scars on your arm that you didn’t escape the ordeal unscathed.”
Riley looked at her arm, remembering the night it happened as she absently rubbed the scars with h
er other hand. She hadn’t even thought about what she was doing. It was just instinct to help someone in trouble. If she had thought about it at all, she might not have reached into a car that was burning to save the person. It touched her to hear Vic thank her for what she’d done though, and she nodded her thanks.
“How is she after the accident?”
“Her legs were pretty badly burned. She only recently stopped using a cane or walker to help her get around. She’d been in town that night to tell our parents she’d gotten engaged.” Vic smiled at some memory Riley wasn’t privy to but then shook her head. “He’s a good man. He didn’t hesitate to rush to her side and took a lot of time off work to help her in her recovery.”
“I’m glad she’s all right.” Riley finished her work and powered down the computer before standing. “I’m done here and need to get home now.”
As much as she’d enjoyed chatting with Vic, she was still apprehensive at the motives behind her being there tonight. She wanted to believe the things she was saying, but past experience made her wary.
“Do you have someone waiting for you?” Vic asked. Riley studied her for a moment, wondering why she was asking. Was it possible she was interested in her?
“No.” Riley smiled sadly and shook her head.
“I find that hard to believe.” Vic followed her out of the theater, and they stopped at the edge of the parking lot. There were only a handful of cars still in the lot, so it wasn’t difficult for Riley to determine the Mercedes belonged to Vic.
“Why?” Riley truly wanted to know. Vic looked at her like she was dense.
“Surely you must know how beautiful you are. I thought for sure you’d have settled down and gotten married by now.”
“Yeah, right.” Riley laughed. “It isn’t like Wolf Bay is a hotbed for lesbians. How about you? Do you have a woman waiting for you back in the city?”
“No,” she answered with a humorless chuckle. “No time. It seems as though I’m always working.”
“That’s too bad,” Riley said, even though she was inexplicably happy at her answer. “I really should get going. It was nice to see you again.”
Hopes and Dreams Page 5