Waiting for You

by Elle Spencer

  Patty poured two glasses of wine and put her feet up on the coffee table. She drank from one while still holding the other. Lindsay stared her down until Patty said, “Oh, right,” and handed her the second glass.

  “It’s like I’m invisible sometimes.” Lindsay took a sip and rested her head on the back of the sofa.

  “Not invisible. I was just thinking,” Patty said. “What are you going to do about Ren?”

  “I think Ren is done with me and my past life.”

  Patty shook her head. “Don’t assume that.”

  “What good would it do to tell her the story? She wouldn’t believe it. Why put myself through that? I’d rather she think it was paranormal activity.”

  “Two reasons. Number one, I know you have feelings for her. Ren, not just Roo. And number two, whatever she experienced in that dressing room has to mean something because I’m telling you, she was freaked out. And number three—”

  “You said two things.”

  “And number three, I can’t have rumors going around that my gallery has a poltergeist. Imagine what that would do to my business.”

  “Increase it tenfold?” Lindsay shrugged. “You probably wouldn’t sell anything, but you’d get a lot of foot traffic. People love having the shit scared out of them. Hey, it’s almost Halloween. You could turn it into a haunted house.”

  “Talk to Ren, or I walk.”

  Lindsay gasped. “Not even five minutes ago, you promised that we’d be BFFs forever.”

  Patty stood. “I just meant I’d walk out the door right now. See? This is me, backing my way to the front door. I’m almost there. Won’t be long now.”

  Lindsay giggled. “That’s what she said.”

  Patty opened the door. “I’m out.” She slammed it shut.

  “Okay, fine. I’ll talk to her!”

  Patty opened the door and blew Lindsay a kiss. “Sometime in this century, please.”

  * * *

  Ren hadn’t moved for several minutes. It was cold enough that she’d kept her car running outside of You Mocha Me Crazy for the heat. She’d been driving for hours while going over and over the incident in Patty’s gallery.

  She’d been drawn to those dressing rooms, but once she was in there, the panic and the rage were so strong, she could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, and she had to get out.

  She remembered Patty’s proclamation to the world that something bad had happened there. What was she going to do, sell tickets? It infuriated her so much her fists clenched. Perfect for slugging the person who decided to bang on the driver’s side window. Except it was Lindsay. Sweet, beautiful Lindsay. Ren unclenched her fists and rolled the window down. “Hey.”

  “Were you going to skip town without saying good-bye?”

  “No. Of course not.” Ren lowered her gaze. “I thought it might be awkward, so I was maybe, possibly, stalling.”

  “You know what isn’t awkward? The way you kiss,” Lindsay said. “You’re like the queen of kissing. You make me want to live in the town of Lipsville, which is in the county of Kissington.”

  Ren blushed. How was it that Lindsay could make her drop her defenses with just a few words? “Is that anywhere near the Wet Tongue Cliffs?”

  “Oh, you have to be careful if you go there. It gets slippery, and you could easily fall off one of those cliffs.”

  Ren motioned with her head. “Get in.”

  Lindsay hurried to the other side of the car and jumped in. “Hi.”

  Ren opened her arms. She pulled Lindsay in and nuzzled her neck. She inhaled her sweet scent and ran her lips over her soft skin. The frazzled, nervous feeling drifted away, and a sense of calm and safety washed over her. She took in a deep, cleansing breath. And then another.

  Ren took in everything. She noticed the tight grip Lindsay had on her shoulder. How her hair smelled like strawberries, and her nose was cold from being outside. The way she seemed to melt into Ren as if the only place she really fit in this world was in her arms. “I’m sorry,” Ren whispered. “I’ve wasted so much time that we could’ve spent together.” She held Lindsay’s face so they were eye to eye. “I leave tomorrow.”

  “Then why are we still in this car?”

  * * *

  They drove to the same hotel in Lake City. Lindsay stepped into the elevator first, key card in hand. Ren pushed the button for the third floor, then leaned against the wall. Before they got off the elevator, Lindsay knew what she wanted, and it wasn’t to talk about Roo and those damned dressing rooms like she’d promised Patty she’d do.

  She took Ren’s hand as they walked down the hallway. So much would be left unsaid between them, but they’d have this, and maybe it was enough for both of them. It would have to be. Maybe it would be a perfect ending to their story. They wouldn’t have to suffer through heartache and loss the way Katie and Roo had.

  No, this was a gift, and Lindsay was determined to look at the next few hours that way. A parting gift. Like Ren had said, a good memory that would bring a smile to their faces when they thought of each other.

  Lindsay put the key card in the door and opened it. Ren walked in, looked around and said, “I’d like to take a quick shower. I had to deal with some dust earlier.”

  “It’s fine,” Lindsay said. “Take your time.”

  She watched Ren take off her boots.

  “Do you still want me to hang on to them for you?”

  Ren paused. “Naw. I think I’ll give them back to Deb. Can’t have her running around town in mismatched boots. People would talk even more than they do now.”

  Lindsay sat on the bed and crossed her legs. Was it that, or was Ren avoiding anything that would keep a connection between them? She couldn’t be sure either way. It was another reason to let their time in that hotel together be whatever it was meant to be. “You’re so beautiful, Ren. Would you undress for me?” She leaned back on her hands and waited for a response. Yes, they were bold words, but she was so ready to get this party started.

  Ren slowly unzipped her jeans. Lindsay leaned forward again because her request was actually going to be met, and she didn’t want to miss a single detail.

  “Join me,” Ren said.

  “In the shower?”

  “That too, but I meant right now. Undress with me. Let me watch you too.”

  Talk about getting out of one’s daily rut and enjoying life. Lindsay didn’t see that coming when she’d made the request, but she stood and slipped her boots and socks off. She unzipped her jeans and waited for Ren to push hers off her hips.

  Ren let her jeans fall to the floor, and Lindsay did the same. The look in Ren’s eye told her she liked what she saw and wanted more. Lindsay made the first move this time. She pulled her sweater over her head and let it slide off her arms.

  Ren only had her shirt to remove, which she did with speed and ease. Lindsay was about to remove her bra when Ren said, “No. Let me.”

  Her tender touch caused goose bumps to pop out all over Lindsay’s body. Ren took off her own bra too and stepped into an embrace. She wrapped her arms around Lindsay’s waist and pressed their breasts together, then their foreheads. They stood that way for what felt like a long time, breathing each other in. Warming each other up. Saying good-bye.

  Lindsay took Ren’s hands and intertwined their fingers. She wanted to hang on as tightly as she could for what little time they had left. She wanted Ren to believe the only thing that mattered was this moment. Not the past, not Roo, just Lindsay and Ren.

  Words wouldn’t work. Words had failed. Lindsay could never put into words how important her time with Ren had been. Knowing her had changed Lindsay’s life forever. She no longer had to wonder why Roo had been such a big part of her life. She didn’t have to pine for a woman she’d never known. She didn’t have to wonder what it would feel like to be loved by a woman. She could rest now. Her heart could rest. Roo could rest.

  Ren led Lindsay to the shower. She turned on the water, then slid Lindsay’s panties do
wn her legs. She did the same with her own and offered her hand. Lindsay stepped into the shower with her, and just like they’d done a few minutes ago, they clung to each other while the water washed over them.

  * * *

  Ren felt Lindsay tighten around her fingers. She slowed her pace and gently circled her clit with her tongue. Lindsay’s nipples were taut. Her chest heaved. Her stomach flexed with each buck of her hips. Ren took a mental snapshot.

  When it felt like Lindsay was almost ready to climax, Ren pushed in as far as she could with her fingers and let her tongue flatten against Lindsay’s clit. She watched her grip the sheets with both hands and press her shoulders into the mattress. Her breasts bounced, and again, Ren took a mental snapshot.

  Ren knelt over her while she recovered. Their eyes locked, but no words were spoken. They didn’t seem to need them this time. They’d let their bodies do the talking. Their hands. Their lips.

  It surprised her when Lindsay rolled them over. She opened her legs, and when their bodies touched, Lindsay let out a little moan. They kissed deeply, letting their tongues explore while Ren ran her hands all over Lindsay’s backside. She squeezed her ass and pushed her own hips up to create more contact.

  Lindsay pushed up onto her hands and ground against Ren’s clit. Again, Ren took a mental snapshot.

  Lindsay slid down and took Ren’s breast into her mouth. Ren ran her fingers into Lindsay’s hair and held her there for a moment. It felt so good to have Lindsay on top of her, loving her this way. Making love to her. Because that’s what it felt like.

  Lindsay moved to the other breast. Ren held Lindsay’s head and closed her eyes. She couldn’t take a mental snapshot of this, but she would never forget this feeling of pure joy. Pure connection. She’d never forget Lindsay.

  * * *

  “You didn’t tell her?” Patty tossed her phone on Lindsay’s kitchen counter.

  “I got sidetracked.”

  “You realize that Ren thinks my gallery’s address is 112 Ocean Avenue now, right?”

  “What?”

  “Oh, come on. How can you not remember the movie that kept you from sleeping for most of the eighth grade? The house in Amityville, Linds.”

  Lindsay threw her hands over her eyes. “Don’t say that word in my house.”

  “Fine.” Patty folded her arms and shook her head. “But I won’t leave it like this. I’m telling her the truth.”

  Lindsay uncovered her eyes. “What truth is that, Cakes? The story you probably would have had trouble believing if I’d told you?”

  Patty held up three fingers. “I have three corroborating facts. Yours, Mrs. Stokely’s, and now, Ren’s. And for the record, Linds, I’ve always believed you. Sometimes it just took me a minute to absorb it all, you know?”

  Lindsay wrapped her arms around herself. There was absolutely no way she was going to march over to Deb’s house and ruin the way she’d left things with Ren. They couldn’t be together, and they both knew it. Ren had a fantastic job opportunity in Paris, and Lindsay had her life in Salt Creek. It was what it was, even if it hurt like hell to say good-bye.

  “I do know. I’m letting go of all of this, Cakes. Everything. I’m putting Roo to bed once and for all. And you’re going to support me in that like a best friend would.”

  “If you’ve had so much control over this, why didn’t you let go of it a long time ago?”

  “I don’t know that I do have control, but I’m going to try.” Lindsay’s emotions got the best of her, and she started to cry. “Please, Cakes. Just leave it alone.”

  Patty sighed, then wrapped her arms around Lindsay. “I’ve got you, girl. I’ve got you.”

  * * *

  Ren closed the trunk of her car. She’d said her good-byes to Deb’s family already. Now, only Deb was left, and it wouldn’t be easy. Her friendship meant so much to Ren. Besides her parents, it was the longest lasting relationship she’d had in her life.

  Deb came out carrying those damned boots. She held them up and said, “You forgot something, and don’t say you’re not taking them. I need you to take them. I need to know a part of me is always with you.”

  Damnit. There was no holding back the tears now. “You’re always with me. Always.” Ren barely got the words out before the tears showed up. “Oh God. Here we go with the waterworks.” Ren knew she shouldn’t have bothered putting on any makeup. Leaving Salt Creek had never been easy for her. Deb’s family had become her family.

  “Really, Soda Pop? We’ve been over this so many times. I’m married.”

  “But you mocha me so horny.”

  They laughed through their tears and held each other close. Deb tried to say something, but her emotions prevented the words from coming out. Ren decided to help her. “I know you’re going to miss me like crazy because I’m the best friend you’ve ever had, and no one will ever replace me.”

  Deb nodded and kissed her cheek. “Come back for Christmas. It won’t be the same without you.”

  Ren didn’t think she could make it happen, but she didn’t want to tell Deb that. She returned the kiss and said, “I’ll try.”

  Ren’s eyes filled with tears while she waited for the last stoplight to turn green. Part of her wanted it to stay red forever. In less than a mile, she’d be out of Salt Creek with no plans to return. Her fingers tightened around the steering wheel. Should she turn around? Speed past the coffee shop and Patty’s gallery and the high school? Rush up Lindsay’s sidewalk and shout her name into the cold air?

  But this wasn’t a romantic comedy. This was real life where doorbells were used and certain things couldn’t be overcome, no matter how loud you shouted. Things like past lives and a woman named Roo.

  The honk of a horn behind her shook Ren from her thoughts. She wiped the tears from her eyes and pressed hard on the gas pedal, putting Salt Creek behind her.

  Epilogue

  Ren stepped out of her favorite bakery with a croissant in one hand and a coffee in the other. Her apartment building was only two doors down, so she’d become a regular at the café. Gilbert, which she found out way too late was pronounced with a soft G and silent T—kind of like Jill-bear, only fancier—flirted with her every time she went in. He was a sweet enough guy, and the coffee was great. The croissants, however, were to die for.

  She held up the croissant and said, “Hello, my love. I dreamt about you last night. It was…exciting and buttery and—” Her speech was interrupted when someone moved into her space. She nearly dropped everything. “Patty?”

  “You talk to your food now? Seduce it before you devour it? How very French of you. God, I wish I could stay in this city for months on end and just soak it all in.”

  Patty. Salt Creek Patty was standing right in front of Ren’s building wearing a raspberry beret, of all things. Because of course she was. “What are you doing here?”

  “Chaperone. I know, right? Who would ask me to chaperone a bunch of teenagers?” Patty cleared her throat. “They didn’t ask. I volunteered. It was the only way Brooke could go. I think Ben’s watched Taken one too many times.” Patty tilted her beret to the side a little more. “I’ve had this forever. No one in Salt Creek appreciates its significance except Lindsay, but boy, have I gotten some great looks here. Even a few double takes. What do you think?”

  “It’s fabulous. And now I’ll have the song in my head for days. So where’s Brooke?”

  “She’s with the rest of the choir group. I took the train from Lyon to see you.”

  Ren laughed lightly. “You’re not much of a chaperone, are you?”

  “Oh God, no. I’m the worst!”

  Ren couldn’t believe she was standing in Paris, looking at Patty. They’d emailed a few times. Patty wanted to make sure the paintings had arrived safely, which they had. “It’s good to see you,” Ren said. “I’d give you a hug, but my hands are kind of full.”

  Patty leaned in. “We can air kiss.” She made a loud kissing noise. “See? All good.”

  Patty
was such a quirky thing but so cute. Ren felt excited that they’d get to catch up. “Do me a favor. Reach into my front pocket and pull out my key.”

  “Wow. You really are in love with that croissant,” Patty said. “You won’t even risk dropping it.”

  “Wait until you have a bite. Then you’ll understand. You wouldn’t want to break up with this croissant either. Marriage material. That’s what this croissant is.”

  “Actually, I need to get back to the group in Lyon. I just wanted to drop this envelope off. Lindsay hasn’t seen it yet. We thought maybe you could tell her. Brooke came up with the idea. She sends her love and wishes she could’ve come with, but Ben would have my head on a platter if we deviated from the itinerary at all.”

  “How’s Brooke?”

  “Brooke is seventeen. It really depends on the minute you ask that question,” Patty said. “But overall, she’s good. Ready to graduate and go off to college.”

  “Patty, you have to come up for a few minutes at least. Please. I need to hear more about everyone in Salt Creek. I miss it so much. I have croissants. Buttery, delicious croissants.”

  “Ha. I knew you were a little bit crazy, but that’s why you fit right in, I guess.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “It means you’re in Paris, eating delicious croissants and looking fabulous, I might add. But you’re missing Salt Creek. Is the scarf Hermès?” Patty took the croissant. “Open up.” She stuffed it into Ren’s mouth and said, “Hang on to that.” She put Ren’s key in her hand and tucked a large envelope under her arm. “Take care, Ren. Hope we see you soon.”

  Ren shouted, “Wait! Patty!” But it came out unintelligible due to the croissant hanging from her mouth.

  * * *

  Patty said she had a surprise for Lindsay at the gallery. Lindsay hated surprises just as much as she hated taking down the Christmas decorations. It wasn’t putting it all up that bothered her. She loved Christmas. It was taking it all back down in January. The house felt cold and empty without all of the lights, greenery, and shiny ornaments. A Christmas hangover was what it always felt like to her.