Summer Fling

by Jean Copeland

  Kate raised her bottle of water. “Here’s to Jordan. May all her dreams come true.”

  As she tapped her bottle against everyone’s glass, she smiled over the unrest she was feeling. This time, Jordan’s claim that she didn’t care about fame or the big time lacked the same conviction she’d displayed before leaving for California. She’d better start relying more on her own intuition than Jordan’s words.

  * * *

  The next morning Kate walked into the office cranky, her eyes slits from a nasty combination of jet lag and sleep deprivation. By the time she’d finally drifted off somewhere near the witching hour, the internal debate still hadn’t resolved itself. Why was it all so complicated? Why had falling in love again with a kind, sensitive soul like Jordan seemed less like the proverbial stroll along a beach at sunset and more like a decathlon of neuroses presenting a new hurdle at every turn? It wasn’t just a matter of the age difference anymore. Now there loomed the real possibility that Kate could end up becoming an obstacle to Jordan’s success—or a liner note on her past.

  “Morning,” Didi said, way too perky for Kate’s mood. “There’s a fresh cinnamon-croissant doughnut on your desk.”

  “Thanks. That’ll only cost me two extra hours at the gym this week.” She marched past Didi into her office.

  “You told me to get you one the next time I went to that bakery. The one time I actually do obey your wishes, and this is what I get.”

  Kate huffed when she consulted her calendar and realized she was behind in preparing for a family-leave case that was fast approaching.

  Didi appeared in the doorway. “So when is Jordan going to know about her record deal?”

  “Is that all we have to talk about anymore? I have no idea, and even if she’s offered one, it’s not going to mean a reality show for all of us to star in.”

  Didi cocked her head to the side. “Why are you so bitchy?”

  “I’m tired,” Kate said. She rubbed her face as if that would erase the angst cluttering her mind.

  “We landed on the same plane, but you don’t see me biting your head off.” As Didi stormed back to her desk, she shouted, “And by the way, you still owe me for that dry-cleaning bill.”

  Kate slumped back in guilt. “I’m sorry I’m a bear today,” she called out. “Just give me the receipt.”

  Didi reappeared at the door. “Fight with Jordan?”

  “No, but this contract thing adds a new, unpleasant dimension to us. I was awake all night.”

  “Have you talked to her about it?”

  Kate shook her head. “I don’t want it to become an issue. What if her infatuation with me interferes with her decision-making process? I’d hate to know her fear of losing me caused her to sabotage her chances at a professional career.”

  “Kate, it’s already an issue between you. You’re obsessing about the ‘what-ifs’ instead of appreciating what’s real and in front of you. How long can you keep that up?”

  Kate reclined in her chair and exhaled. “I hate it so much when you’re right.”

  “You know what might help?” Didi said. “If you stopped giving her reasons to fear losing you. You weren’t very supportive on the plane yesterday. In fact, you were kind of douchey.”

  “Why? Because I didn’t gush over her like a tweenie like you and Viv? To you it sounds sexy and exciting, but I’m realistic. I don’t want to date a rock star. I’m forty-seven years old. I should be with someone on the same page as me, someone working toward a stable, permanent relationship. Not a kid who wants to chase a dream all over the globe.”

  “Kate, I’ve known you most of our lives, and if there’s one thing you should try before you die, it’s chasing a dream.”

  “It’s her dream, not mine.”

  Didi rolled her eyes. “Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who’s worked as hard as you are at ruining a good thing. You’re so engrossed in protecting yourself against all these perceived hazards that you’re completely missing what you have with Jordan.”

  Kate swiveled in her chair as she contemplated. She smiled as thoughts of Jordan crept in—who she really was behind the scenes of circumstance, her open heart, her level head, her captivating talent. Yeah, she’d had it pretty good. “Maybe I’m just in desperate need of a good night’s sleep.”

  “At the very least,” Didi said and walked back to her desk.

  After a moment, she called Kate into the reception area. A delivery man was standing in the office holding a lavish rose bouquet. After thanking and tipping the guy, Kate ripped the card out of Didi’s hand and read it to herself.

  “Aww, Jordan wants to know if I’m free in two weeks for a romantic weekend away.” Kate fanned herself with the card like a coy Southern belle. “Maybe I do need to relax,” she said, grinning in fond recollection. “Recent events aside, I have to say that in the last two months, she’s acted as though my happiness is her main priority.”

  “Oh, bite me,” Didi said and sat down at her desk.

  Kate placed the flowers on a side table to lessen the blow. “So, how’s Rhea?”

  “So not Jordan. She’s had an excuse ready the last couple of times I suggested getting together, and it’s always the same: she has to show a house.”

  “In her defense, realtors have to keep weird hours sometimes. They have to meet clients when it’s convenient for them. I can relate to that.”

  “I want to have a heart-to-heart with her to see where it’s going, but I want to do it in person, not by text.”

  “It really could be nothing more than a busy buying season. On the other hand, she may be indirectly answering that question by being unavailable, not that I want to be a harbinger of negative vibes or anything.”

  “You, a harbinger of negativity?” Didi smirked. “Of course, I’ve thought of that possibility, but right now I’m still in the denial stage. Can you let me wallow here for a while?”

  “This whole conversation reminds of something my therapist once told me: you’ll never have a healthy relationship if you try to fit someone into the mold you think they belong in.”

  Didi cupped her hands over her ears. “Lalalalalala. Not ready for logic. Lalalalala. Still in denial.”

  Kate laughed and grabbed her flower arrangement before heading to her office. “By the way, Viv is coming up Friday, so don’t make any plans.”

  “Don’t think that’ll be a problem,” Didi said with a frown.

  They exchanged thumbs-ups, and Kate buried her nose in the fragrant roses all the way to her desk. Did Jordan have some sort of superhuman intuitive powers? Lately it seemed whenever Kate was shadowed by doubt, Jordan somehow found a way to lighten the darkness of worry.

  “Hey, you,” Jordan said when she answered her cell.

  “Thank you for the roses. They’re gorgeous.”

  “Not nearly as gorgeous as you. So, what do you say—can you run away with me for a weekend?”

  “I’d love to,” Kate purred. “Do we have to wait that long?”

  Jordan sucked air through her teeth. “I have a gig this Saturday night, babe. It’s a private party in Greenwich. Some New York finance exec is paying me eight hundred dollars to play at his daughter’s coming-out party.”

  “Rich debutantes. How fun.”

  “No. He’s literally throwing her a party to celebrate her coming out of the closet. I know it’s last-minute, but I just couldn’t turn down that kind of cash for an hour-and-a-half set.”

  “You’re worth every penny of it,” Kate said. “How about dinner at Chez Kate later?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  “I’ll whip up an Asian stir-fry, and you can bring dessert.”

  “Okay. Any particular place you’d like to me stop for it?”

  “Nope. What I want goes wherever you go.”

  “Ooh, on second thought, we might want to have it as an appetizer.”

  Kate ended the call with a smile, suddenly longing to hold Jordan in her arms.
r />   Chapter Fifteen

  Ms. Wilmington Goes to Bizarro World

  When Friday arrived, Kate was more enthusiastic than usual for happy hour with the girls. Her wintry heart was finally beginning to thaw in the security of feeling like she and Jordan were at last in synch. As she recalled their romantic dinner earlier in the week and anticipated their upcoming getaway, she grew antsy for Jordan to arrive.

  After grabbing the happy-hour menu from Didi, she eyed the bistro’s entrance as they engaged in a tug-o’-war.

  “Get your own menu,” Didi said. “I was reading that.”

  Plucking it from Didi’s grip, Kate passed it to Viv and Maia, huddled closely in their large round booth. “You guys pick the apps,” she said. “Didi wants all the fattening ones.”

  “I need some comfort food,” Didi said. “And their buffalo nachos and poutine go splendidly with tequila.”

  “Didi, why don’t you just cut your losses with Rhea?” Kate asked. “No woman is worth carbing yourself to death.”

  “No, no. It’s all good. We have a lunch date tomorrow.”

  “Then don’t you think you ought to pass on all that cheese tonight?”

  A bubbly, pierced, and tattooed waitress appeared at their table. “Evening, ladies. The usual?”

  “Yes, but we’ll also be ordering some food,” Kate said.

  “Oh?” the waitress said.

  Didi leaned toward Kate. “Should we be worried that every waitress in New Haven knows we have a ‘usual’ drink order?”

  “Just some sparkling water for me,” Maia said, beaming.

  “I’ll have the same,” Viv said.

  Didi and Kate exchanged looks as they mentally grappled with their unprecedented alcohol-free drink order.

  Viv gripped Maia’s hand. “We’re going for the sperm implantation on Tuesday. I’m just supporting my lady.” She gave Maia a wrinkled-nose smile that Maia zealously returned.

  Didi pantomimed a gag reflex.

  “I’m sure it also cuts down on the risk of a domestic call to your apartment,” Kate said.

  “You’re so fresh.” Maia giggled as she brushed Kate’s hand with a pretend slap.

  “I, for one, am happier than a billionaire finding a new tax loophole that you kids got it together and are starting a family,” Didi said. “I’ve said for a long time that’s exactly what Viv needed. And I can’t wait to babysit your little turkey-baster bundle of joy when the timer goes off.”

  “I can’t wait to watch Miss Vivienne change her first dirty diaper,” Kate said.

  “Don’t say that,” Maia teased her. “You’ll scare her off.”

  “No, baby,” Viv said. “I’m in this for all the right reasons this time.”

  “Me, too, baby.” Maia leaned over and they kissed.

  “Boy, there really must be something to this therapy racket,” Didi said. “Where the hell’s my margarita?”

  The waitress arrived with a tray of drinks as Jordan breezed into the restaurant. “Sorry I’m late, everyone.” She bent to kiss Kate. “I got caught up in some last-minute work.”

  “Songwriting?” Kate asked with an ever-so-slight whiff of resentment.

  “No, work-work. A local Mom and Pop wants to go viral.” She turned to Maia and offered her hand. “Hi. I’m Jordan.”

  “The musician,” Maia squealed. “I’ve heard so much about you.”

  “Yes, likewise.” Jordan sent Kate a secret smile.

  “It’s so nice that we’re all finally able to get together,” Maia said as Viv played with the ends of her hair. “I was just telling Vivienne we should have everyone up to the penthouse for cocktails some Friday night.”

  “We will, baby girl,” Viv said, “as soon as Mother Nature and Dr. Silberstein give us the good word. We’ll throw the biggest, baddest baby shower the Upper West Side’s ever experienced.”

  Jordan leaned toward Kate’s ear. “These are the poster girls for lesbian drama you were telling me about?”

  “You’re gonna have to trust me on this one,” Kate whispered back. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think we’re drinking at a cocktail lounge in Bizarro World.”

  “They’re adorable, and they seem so excited about the baby.”

  “I’m happy for them,” Kate said. “Lord knows I’ve seen stranger things happen lately.”

  “What are you two whispering about over there?” Viv asked.

  “Jordan was just saying how adorable you guys are.” Kate raised her glass with a smile at Maia. “It’s wonderful to see you again, Maia, and I think I speak for the rest of us when I say we’re all rooting for a successful fertilization on Tuesday.”

  The table erupted in cheers.

  “Aww, you guys are the best,” Viv said. “I can’t tell you how much it means to share this with my girls.”

  “While you’re waiting to hear from the doctor, we need to discuss your parental-rights options,” Kate said.

  “It’s New York,” Viv said. “My name automatically goes on the birth certificate.”

  “Only if you two are married.”

  An awkward silence descended as four sets of eyes zeroed in on Viv and Maia.

  “We can always file adoption paperwork,” Kate said to defuse the tension. “That’s easy enough.”

  “Well,” Viv said, looking at Maia. “I guess my woman and I will have to review our options and get back to you.”

  “Yes,” Maia said with such exhilaration that Kate recoiled, fearing her head was about to explode.

  Viv wrinkled her perfectly sculpted brows. “Yes, what?”

  “Yes, I’ll marry you,” Maia said.

  Viv smiled, kissed her passionately, and wrapped her in an embrace.

  Didi and Jordan shouted and collapsed into each other.

  “Okay, on the birth certificate you go,” Kate said. Sipping her drink, she smiled at their jubilation.

  * * *

  After the delirium of Vivienne’s impromptu marriage proposal, Kate and Jordan reset their serenity buttons on Kate’s veranda as the sun returned to earth over Long Island Sound. Kate reached for another handful of grapes as she watched Jordan sitting with her tanned knees up to her chin, slowly chewing, watching a seagull hop across a hunk of beached driftwood.

  She could stare at her, posed sculpture-like, all night, long after the sun’s light faded to moon glow. While her physical beauty was mesmerizing, the light of her genuine soul had slowly revealed itself over the last two and a half months and tightened its grip on Kate’s heart.

  Jordan did a double take when she noticed Kate’s expression. “What are you staring at?”

  “You,” she answered with a loving smile.

  “Why? Is something crawling on my face?” She swiped at her cheeks with a napkin, then dabbed strawberry juice off her fingers.

  “No, you’re clear,” Kate said, still smiling.

  Jordan stretched across the arm of the wicker patio chair and kissed her. “You make me feel so special,” she said as a light breeze tousled her curls.

  “You are special.” Kate took her hand and stroked her palm with her free fingers. “If I had your creative way with words, I’d write you a song or poem or something that would show you how I feel about you.”

  Jordan’s eyes twinkled in the moonlight as they brimmed with tears. She jumped into Kate’s lap and hugged her until the wicker love seat creaked under their weight.

  “I love when you say things like that,” Jordan said, her lips against Kate’s ear. “I love you, baby, so much.”

  “I love you, too.” Kate kissed her tenderly, savoring the trace of fruit on her lips.

  They rested their heads together and gazed out over the water. What a feeling, Kate thought. If only being in love felt that way all the time, like strawberry kisses and fiery sunsets.

  “That was a unique experience earlier,” Jordan mused as she shifted to the cushion beside Kate. “I’ve never witnessed a marriage proposal in real time before.”

 
“Theirs is one of the most unique relationships I’ve had the pleasure to…well, let’s just say it wasn’t that surprising to me.”

  “I can’t imagine what the wedding will be like.”

  “I’d venture to predict as outrageous as they are, especially since it’s the first marriage for both of them.”

  Jordan tickled Kate’s leg with her bare toes. “Well, if you need a date, I’m available.”

  Kate grabbed her foot and pulled her legs into her lap. “Are you sure? You may be off somewhere on your world tour by then.”

  “I doubt that. In fact, I’m so sure I won’t be you can mark me down on the RSVP for the fish right now.”

  “Speaking of that, have you heard anything from Alexandra?”

  “Actually, I did this morning. She said that Swag is going to pass on me right now, but I shouldn’t give up hope, blah, blah, blah.”

  “She’s right. You shouldn’t.” Kate smiled to conceal the guilt that sprang from feeling relieved. “I’m sorry, baby. Are you okay?”

  “Oh yeah,” Jordan said. “I knew it was a long shot anyway.”

  Kate pulled her close for a consoling cuddle. “Still, it had to hurt when she told you.”

  “Not as much as the thought of losing you.”

  Kate kissed her head. “What does that have to do with anything?”

  Jordan shrugged. “Just sayin’.”

  “Did Alexandra have any advice as to where you could go from here?”

  After a moment of what Kate interpreted as truth-appropriating hesitation, Jordan replied, “Uh…not really. Just to keep writing and booking shows as often as I can.”

  “Good advice.” Ignoring the twinge of doubt, she laced her fingers through Jordan’s. “The girls and I love your shows, even when one of your exes shows up trying to win you back.”

  “You don’t have to worry about that, baby. My exes could never compete. You’ve set the bar way too high. I honestly don’t know what Andie had in mind, but when I told her how crazy in love with you I am, she stopped texting me.”

  “Oh, she was texting you?”

  “The day after she came to my show, and only until I started gushing about you.” Jordan stretched to kiss Kate’s lips.