Hopes and Dreams

by P. J. Trebelhorn

  “Honestly? I decided I should give you the benefit of the doubt,” Riley said with a shrug. “I really like this side of you, Vic, and I’m sincerely hoping what you’re showing me is genuine.”

  “It is,” Vic said, wondering if Riley would ever truly trust her. “I can’t tell you how happy this is going to make Vanessa.”

  “Does she know about it, or is it a surprise?”

  “A total surprise.” Vic laughed. “She thinks we’re just having a dignified dinner and drinks at home with a couple of close friends. She’s probably going to kill me, but considering she picked her lesbian sister to be her maid of honor, she should be happy I didn’t ask you to book Showgirls instead.”

  “That one I might even get excited about,” Riley said with a laugh. “Fifty Shades not so much. What time do you want it to start?”

  “I was thinking nine thirty, if that works for you. That way we can be sure and be done with dinner and drinks in plenty of time. I can’t guarantee none of them will be drunk when they get there, but I’m putting on the invitation that there’s no alcohol allowed in the theater.”

  “I appreciate that,” Riley said with a nod. “Although I’m sure someone will sneak a bottle of something in. But, nine thirty it is.”

  “There will be about twenty or so women there, so if I give you an extra couple hundred, would that cover popcorn and soda for all of them?”

  “We can discuss cost later, but I’m sure what you’ve already offered to pay to rent the theater will cover the cost of concessions as well.” Riley looked at her watch. “Wow, it’s almost noon already.”

  “Got a hot date?”

  “I certainly hope so,” she answered then blushed again. Vic smiled and gave her a nod.

  “So do I.” She reached for the bill the waitress had left for them some time ago, but Riley swatted her hand away.

  “All you had was coffee,” she said with a shake of her head. “You aren’t paying for my breakfast.”

  “Fine, but just so there’s no confusion later, I’m paying for dinner.”

  “Deal.”

  “I’ll need your address so I can pick you up.”

  Riley appeared uncomfortable as her eyes darted around the restaurant. Vic watched in fascination as she suddenly seemed to come to some kind of decision.

  “Why don’t you pick me up at the theater?”

  “Okay,” Vic agreed, but wondered why she didn’t want her to know where she lived. Maybe she still lived in the trailer park? Not that it would have mattered. “Five o’clock?”

  “Perfect,” Riley said, looking as if she was finally relaxing. “What should I wear?”

  “What you have on would probably be perfectly suitable. It isn’t like there are many places around that would qualify as fine dining.”

  “Then I guess I’ll see you later?”

  “Yeah.” They both stood, and this time the hug they shared wasn’t awkward at all. Vic sighed as she let go of her and watched Riley leave the diner. She smiled to herself, amazed she’d actually had the guts to ask Riley on a date. She couldn’t believe this was really happening.

  Chapter Eleven

  Riley looked at her watch for the umpteenth time as she waited for Vic to arrive at the theater. It was still before five, but she’d started preparing herself for what she’d do if Vic didn’t show up. When she saw the blue Mercedes pull into a space right in front of the doors, she let out a sigh of relief. She glanced back at Nancy and waved.

  “Don’t have too much fun,” Nancy called out as Riley exited the theater.

  Riley was surprised when Vic jumped out of the car and came around to open the door for her. When she saw Vic was wearing slacks and a tailored shirt, she was relieved she’d chosen to wear capri pants and a flowy blouse.

  “You look beautiful tonight,” Vic said quietly as she walked past and paused before getting into the car.

  “And you smell wonderful,” Riley replied, taking in the slightly musky scent of Vic’s cologne. She had the urge to kiss her, but knew Nancy was probably watching them, so she settled for placing her hand on Vic’s forearm for a moment before letting her fingers stray down to her hand. They smiled at each other briefly before Riley got in and Vic hurried back around to the driver’s door. “Where are we going?”

  “I hope you don’t mind, but there’s a steakhouse near Hyde Park I want to take you to,” Vic said, glancing at her.

  “Hyde Park? That’s almost an hour away.” Riley wondered if the reason was because she liked the restaurant and wanted to take her there, or if she’d decided she really didn’t want anyone in Wolf Bay to see them together.

  “You do realize you live pretty much in the middle of nowhere, right?” Vic chuckled. “To find a decent restaurant, you’d probably have to go an hour away. I didn’t really want to take you to the diner for the second time in one day.”

  Riley nodded and decided she should just relax and, like Megan urged, see where it goes. She just hoped the place they were going wasn’t too expensive. Yes, Vic had said she was going to pay, but Riley wasn’t at all sure she was comfortable with that.

  They didn’t talk much on the drive, and Riley wondered what they were going to find to talk about during dinner. Maybe a date with Vic wasn’t the brightest idea she’d ever had. She’d considered more than once telling her to just take her back to Wolf Bay, but despite her misgivings, she wanted to see how the evening played out.

  “Wait here,” Vic said after she pulled into a parking space and shut the car off. Riley nodded and was curious as to what was happening. She smiled when she realized Vic was merely coming to her side of the car to open the door for her again. She took the hand Vic held out for her and allowed her to help her to her feet. “I hope you’re hungry.”

  “Well, you make me nervous, so…” Riley shrugged as they started for the entrance, but Vic stopped her with a hand to her forearm. She cocked her head to the side and looked at her. “What’s wrong?”

  “It certainly isn’t my intention to make you nervous, so maybe I should do something about it,” Vic said as she took a step toward her. Before Riley had a chance to even think about what was happening, Vic framed her face with her hands and leaned in for a kiss. It was chaste, and over before Riley knew it, but her lips tingled just the same. As did other parts of her body if she was being honest. Vic gave her a sexy grin and leaned close to her ear. “Just in case there was any lingering doubt about whether or not this is a date.”

  “Yeah, that kiss?” Riley pursed her lips and shook her head. “Probably not the best way to calm my nerves.”

  “No?” Vic looked amused. “Then you’ll have to tell me how I can accomplish that. But I’m not sorry I tried it my way first. Are you?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Good. Let’s go eat.”

  * * *

  God, Vic loved this restaurant. She didn’t get to come here nearly enough because it was about a two-hour drive from her penthouse in Manhattan. But they had the best twelve-ounce bone-in ribeye she’d ever tasted. She didn’t even open her menu because she knew exactly what she wanted.

  “Wow,” Riley said, setting her menu down and looking at her from across the table. “This place is a little pricey.”

  “I told you I was paying, so don’t worry about the price,” Vic said, waving a hand dismissively. “Seriously. If you want lobster with your steak, order it.”

  “I’ve never had lobster.”

  “Really?” Vic asked, surprised. While she was growing up, they’d had lobster every Sunday night for dinner. One of the perks of being from a family who had more money than they knew what to do with she supposed. “Then you should definitely get it. Everyone needs to try it at least once in their lifetime.”

  “I just can’t see paying this much for a meal, Vic,” Riley said, her voice quiet as she glanced around at the other people near them.

  “It’s worth it, trust me.” Vic nodded, but Riley seemed unconvinced. She reached over and t
ook her hand, waiting until Riley met her eyes. “I asked you on a date, so I’m paying. Please, order whatever you want.”

  Riley finally nodded with an audible sigh before turning her attention back to the menu. A few minutes later, they gave their orders to the waiter and Vic was pleased when Riley ordered an eight-ounce steak and a lobster tail. She’d been worried she’d try to get nothing but a salad. It was a delightful change of pace though to be having a meal with a woman who didn’t seem interested in her money. She just hoped that wouldn’t change anytime soon. She used her napkin to wipe a bit of perspiration off her forehead.

  “Are you sweating?” Riley asked, the corners of her mouth turning upward.

  “Mmm,” Vic answered with a nod. “It appears you aren’t the only one who’s nervous.”

  “What in the world would you have to be nervous about?”

  “I’m here with you,” Vic answered, knowing the simple statement was enough of an explanation for her, but Riley stiffened at her words.

  “So you are worried someone you know will see us.”

  “What do I have to do for you to believe I don’t care who sees us together?”

  “Eat dinner with me closer to home.”

  “Fine. Next time I will.”

  “Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

  “Not nearly as sure as I let on,” Vic said with a small grin. She shrugged at Riley’s surprised look. “You scare me, Riley.”

  “I scare you? Why?”

  “I’m afraid you’ll never truly see me for the person I am today instead of the person I used to be,” Vic said, trying not to let her insecurities stop her from saying the things she truly wanted to say. “I’m worried you might get to know me and decide I’m lacking somehow. That I’m not good enough for you.”

  “Are you kidding me?” Riley asked, holding her gaze. “Jesus, Vic, if anyone’s lacking, it’s me. You and I come from two different worlds. I’m afraid your mother will find out about this date and come after me with a shotgun.”

  “You’re forgetting one thing.” Vic couldn’t stop the grin, even though she knew there was nothing humorous about the situation. “My mother would have to care about me in order to react so strongly. She’s made it perfectly clear I am not a part of her family any longer. The only reason Vera’s allowing me to stay in her house is because Vanessa chose me to be her maid of honor. Once the wedding is over, things will go back to normal.”

  “You call your mother Vera?”

  “That’s what you find odd about what I said?” Vic chuckled, and Riley did as well. “And yes, I do. She visibly cringes if I ever slip and call her Mother.”

  Once their food came, they stuck to more mundane conversation. Vic waited until they were almost back to Wolf Bay to broach the topic of seeing her again.

  “Are you going to the reunion this weekend?”

  “Yes,” Riley answered, looking at her. “You?”

  “I promised Vanessa I’d go,” Vic said, rolling her eyes. “But I don’t really want to.”

  “Neither do I, honestly,” Riley said. “I promised Megan I’d go.”

  “Megan? From high school? You’re still friends with her?”

  “We rent a house together. She’s my best friend.”

  “That’s cool,” Vic said. She wished she found it easier to make friends. It seemed anyone who worked with her was scared of her, and those who didn’t were only interested in what she could do for them. “It’s good to have friends. How’s your mother?”

  “My mother?” Riley turned in her seat, at least as far as the seat belt would allow her to, so she was almost facing her. “I hardly ever see her. In fact, she’s in the hospital after suffering from alcohol poisoning, and when she woke up and saw me sitting there, she told me to leave. She didn’t want me there. I don’t even talk to her unless she calls me looking for money she knows I don’t have. What in the world would make you ask about her?”

  “Just curious.” Vic tried to hide the sadness in her voice. She’d hoped Riley had a better relationship with her mother than she did with her own. She pulled into a parking space by the theater and turned the car off. She undid her seat belt and turned to face Riley. “I had a really nice time tonight.”

  “So did I, even if dinner did cost half of what I pay for rent every month.” Riley looked away from her, but Vic reached out and put a finger under her chin, forcing her to meet her eyes again.

  “I enjoyed the company a lot more than the food, so it was worth every penny of what it cost.” Vic smiled when Riley did and leaned closer to her. “Can I kiss you good night?”

  “Please?” Riley’s voice sounded rough, and her eyes were on Vic’s lips.

  Vic leaned in and placed another chaste kiss on Riley’s lips, but Riley made a sound like she disapproved and grabbed her by the collar with both hands, keeping Vic where she was.

  “Please tell me that isn’t how you kiss a date good night,” she said, her breath hot against Vic’s mouth. “Because I could tell you why you’re single if you do.”

  Vic didn’t need any further encouragement. She let Riley pull her closer until their lips met again, and she immediately ran her tongue along Riley’s bottom lip, urging Riley to let her in. When she did, and Vic felt their tongues meet for the first time, she melted into her and moaned quietly.

  Kissing Riley was what she assumed kissing an angel would be like. Vic was so lost in the sensations running through her, especially the liquid heat infusing her center. She placed a hand on Riley’s hip as Riley’s hand moved up her side and her fingers brushed the underside of her breast.

  “Jesus, Riley,” she said, breathless as their foreheads rested against each other. She looked into her eyes and saw her own arousal mirrored there. “If I’d known you could kiss like that I would have suggested a hotel somewhere in Hyde Park. Unfortunately, I can’t invite you back to my place because I share a room with Vanessa. And you share a house with Megan.”

  “I don’t usually fall into bed with someone after the first date,” Riley said, regret in her eyes. She traced Vic’s face with the fingers of her right hand. “So the hotel would have been a no-go anyway.”

  “How about the second date?” Vic wiggled her eyebrows, soliciting a deep chuckle from Riley as her thumb moved slowly against the skin on Vic’s cheekbone.

  “Maybe,” she answered with a slight shrug. “How long will you be in town?”

  “I go home two weeks from Monday. The day after the wedding.” Vic already regretted having to go back to Manhattan. Truth be told she hated it there. She’d much rather be here with Riley, but she had a feeling Riley wouldn’t believe her if she were to admit that to her. “Vera wants me out of the house as soon as possible.”

  “That’s too bad,” Riley said, looking thoroughly disappointed.

  “Can I see you again before the reunion on Saturday? I don’t think I can wait six whole days to see you again.” Vic sounded needy, but she was beyond caring. She’d had a small taste of Riley, and she had no intention of stopping there.

  “I’m off tomorrow.” Riley let her hand fall to her lap and leaned back in her seat. “I have to work every other night until Saturday.”

  “Have dinner with me tomorrow? We’ll go wherever you want,” Vic said, and Riley nodded quickly. Vic smiled. “Should I pick you up here again? Five o’clock?”

  “Yes. Good night, Vic,” Riley said before moving in for one more kiss. It was a quick peck on the lips and Vic chuckled at Riley’s groan signaling her frustration at it being chaste. “Play your cards right and there will be more kisses like before in your future.”

  Vic smiled as she watched Riley get out of the car and head inside the theater. Her entire body was thrumming as if there was a live wire inside her, so she decided to wait a few moments until she got herself under control again.

  Because, well, driving distracted was dangerous.

  Chapter Twelve

  “This is really your choice for dinner?” Vic
asked once they were seated in the Wolf Bay Diner.

  “It is,” Riley answered with a nod. She really just needed to see if Vic was going to be all right being seen having dinner with her. In town. Where people who’d known them both in high school would no doubt be. “Are you okay eating here?”

  “I’m fine.” Vic put her menu down and reached across the table for Riley’s hand. “What do I have to do to convince you I don’t care who sees us? How about I wait until the place is full, then stand up and declare to everyone that I’m here on a date with Riley Warren?”

  “That would be a nice start,” Riley said with a sly grin. Vic glanced around the dining area and, seeing there were only a couple of tables empty, she started to stand. Riley gripped her hand tightly and shook her head. “I’m kidding, Vic. You don’t have to do it. I just need time to absorb all this. It’s not as easy as you might think to get over what I went through in high school. Between my mother treating me like shit at home, and you and your friends harassing me at school, I didn’t have much fun during my teen years.”

  “They were never my friends, Riley,” Vic said, looking sincere. Riley tilted her head and stared at her, not really believing it. “They were Vanessa’s friends. I’m not proud of it, but yes, I went along with the things they did. For Vanessa, and not for any other reason. I’m not trying to make excuses, okay? I’m owning what I did. By not stopping it, I was complicit in all of it. Our mother was never around when we were younger, so Vanessa and I only had each other. She was my best friend.”

  Riley was uncomfortable, and she could tell Vic knew it. She tried to pull her hand away, but Vic wouldn’t let her. She squeezed it gently until Riley met her eyes across the table. Vic leaned as far over as she could, never breaking eye contact.