Twice in a Lifetime

by Clare Lydon

  Sally shrugged again, but her heart was doing anything but. “I’d like to see her again, at least, because I can’t get her out of my head. But I feel like I’ve left it too long now.”

  “You haven’t, I keep telling you that — just email her, or text her,” Taylor said, glancing over as the dancers were changing shift: the new dancer in the cage nearest them was a tall brunette with thighs of steel. All three of them were mesmerized for a moment, before their attention was shifted back to their conversation.

  “Here’s the plan,” Paula said, putting her glass down on the low wooden table with a thump. “Tomorrow, just send her a text and let her know that if she comes to New York again, you’d be interested to see her. Simple as that.” She gave Sally a wink. “It’s a good thing I’m here to assist with your love life, isn’t it?”

  “I could say the same to you,” Sally replied, shifting her gaze from Paula, to Taylor, and then back.

  She was pleased to see they both looked away, blushing.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “What’s up, sis?” Daniel gave her a kiss as he hopped up on his wooden chair, and ordered a Coke, a coffee, and a beer from the server.

  Harriet gave him the look that deserved. “Thirsty?”

  He nodded. “I’ve been gardening since five and it’s now…” he checked his phone. “3pm. I’m done, and I need waking up and rehydrating. You haven’t seen what I’m going to order for lunch yet.”

  “I dread to think.”

  Harriet leaned back when their drinks arrived, just a sparkling water for her. They were in Toby O’Reilly’s, one of the city’s many Irish bars. It was a favorite of Harriet’s, being just around the corner from her work and enormous enough to get lost in. The bar was a huge square in the middle of the room, the service was slick and there were TVs showing sports as far as the eye could see. Today, the air was thick with the smell of toasted bread and beer, just like always.

  It was making Harriet salivate. “So, I have a question for you.”

  “I assumed you would, seeing as you summoned me here.”

  “It’s about Ava.”

  Daniel grinned. “One of my current favorite subjects. What about her?”

  “You’re still seeing her? You haven’t frightened her off?”

  He rolled his eyes. “Contrary to what you think of me, I do know how to keep a woman.”

  “Your track record would say otherwise.”

  “You’re one to talk,” Daniel replied, slurping almost half his Coke in one.

  Harriet didn’t respond. He had a point. She ran a finger up and down her ice-cold glass before responding.

  “Anyway, I want to set up a meeting with her. I’ve been trying to do it for months, but her secretary keeps giving me the runaround. But now I have an in — that’s you, by the way — so you think you can do it?”

  Daniel pursed his lips, before nodding. “I don’t see why not. She can’t resist my boyish charms. Just promise me you won’t sleep with her and I’ll set up a meeting.”

  On the TVs, the Cubs hit a home run in a replay of last night’s game and a group of young men in the corner cheered.

  “I’ll try not to, but I might slip up and fall into her pussy,” Harriet replied, rolling her eyes.

  Daniel gave her a look. “It’s happened before.”

  “It’s happened once.”

  “You’re just lucky I’m the kind of brother who’s very forgiving about these sorts of things. Plus, I can’t see Ava falling for you — she’s not on the sexuality spectrum, she just likes guys.”

  “How quaint.”

  “Isn’t it? Whereas Sally — I wasn’t in the least bit surprised.” He gave her a grin. “Talking of which — how’s that going?”

  “Sally?”

  “Uh-huh.”

  “It’s not at the moment, but I’m in New York this week and I’m hoping to see her.”

  “Did you see the card she sent Dad?”

  “I did.”

  “That card said, ‘come get me’!”

  “You think?” Harriet gave him an unsure smile.

  “You don’t send a card to somebody’s parents out of the goodness of your heart.”

  “I hope you’re right.”

  “I’m sure you’ll be persuasive.”

  “I’m going to need to be, she’s a tough nut to crack.”

  “Perhaps because you already broke her heart?”

  “Thanks for reminding me,” Harriet said, giving him a death stare. “So you’ll talk to Ava? I think we could work well together.”

  “I’ll talk to her,” Daniel replied. “You think Sally is worth the pursuit, given she lives in New York?”

  Harriet shrugged as she eyed her brother. “All I know is I’ve never felt like I did when I was with her the first time, and that feeling came back all over again when I met her. I have to know if there’s anything there, if she feels the same, if this could be a thing. Because if it could, it might be a game-changer.”

  Daniel let out a low whistle as their server arrived with their sandwiches: turkey club for Harriet, pastrami for Daniel. Daniel took a bite and chewed it before he replied.

  “A game-changer?” He paused. “But it’s Sally, so it’s not a shock.”

  “It’s not?”

  “No. I remember you the Christmas you came home after that summer. Do you remember?”

  “I’ve tried to block it out.”

  “You were miserable. You hated Harvard, you hated law, but most of all, you hated that you’d burned your bridges with Sally. She was still in your heart then.”

  “I don’t think she ever left.”

  “No, I don’t either,” Daniel replied, raising one eyebrow. “I’ve seen you with plenty of women since then, and you’ve never looked like this or spoken like this. Would you like some brotherly advice?”

  “If I say no, will you still give it to me?” Harriet asked, pushing her sandwich around the plate. She’d suddenly lost her appetite.

  “Go into this honestly and with an open heart — neither of which are Locke specialities. We don’t do emotion well.” He cocked his head. “Although, Mom and Dad are giving it a go lately, which is still weird.”

  “I know,” Harriet said. “I was round there yesterday and Dad was joking, asking me stuff about my business, getting all touchy-feely about Mom.”

  “It’s odd, but I like it,” Daniel said. “But it still means we have to unlearn a lifetime of buttoned-up emotions. Just be brave and tell her what you’re feeling.”

  “You make it sound so easy.”

  “It’s a piece of cake.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Later that day, Sally was working on a new range of greetings cards that featured twisted wire on the front. She’d gone out at lunchtime and bought a selection of multi-colored wire from a hardware store. Now she was at her design desk, brow furrowed, teasing out the shape of sunshine with her wire cutters.

  Only, she knew she wasn’t getting it right, because Harriet was on her mind. More specifically, what Paula and Taylor had told her to do. Text her and ask to see her. How was something so simple so very difficult to do? She’d broken from her creative work to try to do it mid-morning, but she’d soon abandoned her task, after staring at her phone for a full 20 minutes. But she knew until she’d done it, she wasn’t going to settle today. She had to get over her mental block and just send the text. It was that easy.

  The beep of her phone broke her thoughts and she looked up. On her desk in front of her was a full cup of coffee she’d forgotten to drink — not for the first time, she pondered buying a microwave to heat up her forgotten drinks. She could afford one now, after all.

  She got up and stretched her arms above her head, picking up her phone with her right hand. She opened her eyes wide and clicked to her messages.

  It was from her mom, asking how her work was coming on now she had Paula’s money. Her mom was still uncomfortable about this. She put her phone down and it
beeped again. Only this time when she picked it up again, her heartbeat slowed to a crawl as she saw who the text was from.

  Harriet. Was she psychic? Was she texting to ask Sally where her text was?

  Adrenaline raced through Sally’s body as she yelped as if she’d just been shocked with an electric prod, throwing her phone on her desk and hopping around her studio. She was glad she didn’t share a workspace so nobody could see her.

  When she’d calmed down a little, taking deep breaths to ground herself and get back in the moment, she picked up her phone again, holding it at arm’s length.

  Her finger was hovering over the message and she was almost too afraid to read it. Almost.

  But she knew her curiosity would get the better of her, so she tapped it and held her breath.

  “Hi Sally, it’s me. I’m coming to New York tomorrow and I’d love to have dinner with you. I have a business proposition for you. 7pm? Let me know. x”

  Sally stared at the message, trying to draw out any hidden meaning.

  Harriet wanted to have dinner with her. Was it just possible she’d also been on Harriet’s mind, too?

  A shiver ran through the whole of Sally’s body as she conjured up images of their kiss all those weeks ago on that sidewalk in Chicago.

  She took a deep breath. It was just dinner, nothing more. No pressure, no expectations.

  Harriet had a business proposition.

  Whatever else, she could do dinner, right?

  No, she couldn’t — her aunt was flying in tomorrow and she was having dinner with her.

  Damn it.

  Could she move Paula to Saturday?

  Maybe.

  Sally quickly messaged Paula and asked if that was possible.

  Five minutes later, Paula messaged back saying it was no problem.

  Relief washed through Sally: if she hadn’t been able to see Harriet tomorrow, it would have felt like the end of the world. Which was ridiculous, because the facts hadn’t changed: she still lived here, and Harriet still lived in Chicago.

  And yet, somehow, it felt like something had changed, like something had shifted.

  What should she tell Harriet? Sally put her phone on the desk, pacing her workspace, ruffling her hair. Then she picked up her wire cutters and tried to get back to work, but when she looked down at the wire, all she saw was Harriet’s face smiling back at her. She dropped her cutters and picked up her phone. She should just text and get this over with.

  “Friday’s fine. Shall I book somewhere nearby? Where are you staying? x”

  She dropped her phone and stared at it. Where was Harriet staying? Did she expect to stay with her? Should she invite her? Was that too forward?

  OH MY GOD.

  She was spiraling back into her teenage self, her thoughts and emotions out of control. Endorphins were rushing about her body and she felt more alive than she had for a very long time.

  Three minutes later, her phone beeped again.

  “Great. I’ll book a hotel, you book the restaurant. Can’t wait. x”

  A flood of excitement rushed through Sally as she skipped about her office, unable to quell the butterflies inside her.

  She was meeting Harriet tomorrow night. Harriet who still lived in another city altogether, who she knew nothing could happen with.

  If that was the case, why was her heart so light, it was almost leaping out of her body?

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Sally was sitting in her favorite restaurant in Queens, A Taste Of Thailand. With around ten tables all crammed tight together, it was only a small space, but the food made it worthwhile. Run by a husband and wife team from Bangkok, it was always packed, with locals flocking through its doors for its special curries, stir-fry dishes and deliciously fragrant dumplings and soups. Sally had never been to Thailand, but coming here, she felt like she’d tasted it.

  But had she done the right thing bringing Harriet here? The two of them came from very different worlds, after all. Harriet’s family had a chef, and she was used to fine-dining. Sally was definitely not. This restaurant was where she felt most at home: authentic food for reasonable prices. But would Harriet feel the same?

  She took a deep breath. If she didn’t, then this was never going to work, was it? Sally wasn’t about to start being something she wasn’t, pretending for Harriet Locke.

  She’d pretended for far too long that she didn’t care. That she could survive without her. And she had, just about.

  But that was before she’d seen her again, felt her heart beat for her again. Felt her heart beat in a way it hadn’t for quite some time. She’d been arguing with her heart for so many years when it came to Harriet, tonight was its chance to break free and have its say, one way or the other.

  Her phone beeped: it was a text from Paula.

  ‘Just to let you know I’ve arrived. I’m staying at a hotel in Manhattan, meeting up with a friend tonight, and I’ll head over to you tomorrow. Does midday work? I’ve asked Taylor to join us later.’

  Sally smiled: Paula and Taylor had indeed slept together after the strip club, and were now tentatively seeing each other, long distance — an irony that wasn’t lost on her. Taylor had plans tonight, but she knew Paula was staying with her from tomorrow till Tuesday.

  ‘Sure, look forward to it. You’ve got my address?’

  ‘I do — see you tomorrow. I’m off to terrorize Manhattan!’

  Sally laughed at that. Was Manhattan ready, that was the question?

  “Glad to see you’re smiling.” Sally’s heart swelled as the familiar voice wrapped itself around her in a warm embrace. She glanced up, then stood, giving Harriet her full attention, laying on her best smile. The way Harriet looked tonight, with her almond hair and her Hollywood dimple, she deserved it.

  Blood rushed to Sally’s cheeks as her mind threw up familiar scenarios to contemplate, most of them involving Harriet naked. She shook her head and widened her smile that little bit more.

  “Just a text from Paula.”

  “Aunt Paula?”

  Sally nodded. “That’s the one. She’s in town this weekend and we’re meeting tomorrow.”

  “Coming to check up on her investment.”

  “Or just to be nosey, I haven’t quite decided.” Sally steadied her breathing. “The good thing is, she’s seeing one of my best friends now, so she won’t be so up in my grill when she’s here.” Sally paused. “You found it okay?”

  She wasn’t sure whether to pull Harriet into a hug or give her a kiss. When their last contact had been such a scorching kiss, anything else seemed like a cop-out.

  “I did,” Harriet said. “Your directions were perfect.”

  She could see Harriet was unsure of her actions, too, so Sally took the lead, leaning over and giving her a chaste peck on the cheek. Then they stared at each other for a moment too long, and Sally’s body shook. If she’d had any doubt in her mind about how this evening would go, they were all banished now.

  Her wavering stance and her thudding heartbeat were telling her she wanted Harriet Locke, and it was all she could do not to blurt it out there and then.

  Harriet’s cheeks flushed red as she sat down in the chair opposite — was she flummoxed, too? Sally would love to know. Harriet was dressed in black jeans and a light blue chambray shirt that was clearly new, judging by the fold marks still showing across her chest. Somehow, the thought of Harriet buying a new shirt for tonight made Sally smile.

  Sally glanced around the restaurant, now filling up as people finished work. On the table beside them, a young woman was explaining to an older man opposite about her college course and he was nodding as he ate what looked like a pad thai. Next to them, two older Asian women were sharing a pot of Jasmine tea and eating Thai dumplings with soy sauce. The air was coated with the aromas of lemongrass, chili, garlic, and coconut, all included in Sally’s recipe for a perfect meal.

  “This place is cute,” Harriet said. “And Thai — my favorite.”

  “It�
��s one of my favorite restaurants.”

  “It’s one of mine, too.”

  “You’ve been here before?”

  Harriet shook her head. “No, but you’re here, so that makes it a favorite now.”

  Sally couldn’t help the smile that crept onto her face. “Are you always this cheesy, or is this a new thing?”

  “You bring it out in me,” Harriet replied. “But thanks for meeting me.”

  Sally sucked on the inside of her cheek, relieved this wasn’t as awkward as she’d thought it might be. “You said you had a business proposition, and I’m a businesswoman.”

  “That’s what I was counting on,” Harriet replied. “But seriously, I wasn’t sure if you would say yes, after how we left it last time.” She paused. “And after you never replied to any of my texts.”

  Sally exhaled before she spoke, trying to place her thoughts. She wasn’t sure how to put into words all the emotions and feelings that had flowed through her in the past couple of months, but she was going to try her best.

  She fingered her cheap white paper napkin nervously before she spoke. “Two months ago, when we last saw each other, I was pretty sure that was it, that we were a thing of the past. But I’ve had time to think since then, and you’ve been on my mind a lot. So when you got in touch, it seemed like the right thing to say yes to dinner with you.” She paused, swallowing down her nerves, currently bunched in her throat. “Actually, not so much the right thing, more the only thing. So here we are.”

  There was a beat as they stared at each other again, before a waitress appeared. “You ready to order?” she said, putting two wine glasses on the table.

  Sally looked at the waitress like she was speaking a whole new language. Then she computed the words in her brain and stared at Harriet, who had her face buried in her menu, but didn’t look like she was reading it.

  “Would you like me to order a few things and we can share?” Sally asked.

  “That sounds perfect,” Harriet said, relief washing over her face.

  And that was when Sally knew for sure Harriet was just as flummoxed as her because she wasn’t taking control like she usually did.