by Robin Hicks
"Checked out? What do you mean by checked out, like checked out checked out?"
"Yup, checked out."
"And which one do you think was doing this checking out Silvers?"
"Woman, I know you're not that blind and, I know you know it was the blonde. She's very sexy." Koty laughed at Laney's deep blush.
"Alright Laney, I won't tease you anymore, but when you decide to talk about it you know I'm here. Right?
"You're killing me Silvers. Yeah, alright already, someday I'll talk."
'Well that's not admitting anything but it's probably the closest I'll get for now' Koty thought to herself.
"Good enough for me, I can wait."
Chapter Ten
Kasey surprised Koty and Laney by asking Laney if she wanted company to go check out the house in Thoroughgood. Laney surprised herself even more by saying yes. A person just could not help but to like this beautiful woman that owned Koty's heart. There wasn't a single reason Laney could think of, not to like this woman. Koty just stood back and grinned…
"Oh my Laney, this is wonderful. Look at that view of the lake right off of the deck. Can't you just imagine the sunsets you're going to be able to see here?"
Laney smiled. "God, I bet they are beautiful too. So you really like it?"
Kasey laughed. "Well, what's not to like about it Laney, but it's you that has to like it."
"Oh…I like it alright. I think this is the one. Yep it is the one, I want it."
"You sure you don't want to look at some other houses? Maybe you'll find something even nicer."
"No Kasey, this is it. I felt it when we first walked in here, and I'm not going to give anyone else the chance to snatch it up from underneath me. There's something about it, and it has a really huge bathtub in the master bedroom, a bathtub with whirlpool jets." 'Oh yeah.' "Yeah, I want this one. I'm going to talk to the real estate agent. She should be done with her call by now."
Kasey laughed then walked out on the deck, and leaned over the deck railing. A light breeze was blowing and Kasey caught the light scent of vanilla and licorice. Curious, she followed the scent that took her to some lilies that were planted off the side of the deck. "Oh my, I have to have me some of them."
"Have you some of what?" Laney asked as she and the real estate agent came up behind her.
"Some of these lilies. If you get this place, I am for sure going to get me some cuttings from these. They smell wonderful."
Jean Dawson, the Realtor sided up close to Kasey to lean over her shoulder to smell them. Too close as far as Kasey was concerned, and Laney picked up on her uneasiness. Reaching for Kasey's hand, Laney pulled her up next to her side. Kasey flashed a smile of thanks.
Jean was getting ready to say something to Kasey, but changed her mind when she saw the protective look in Laney's eyes. "Well Laney, if you're sure this is it, why don't you come by the office on Monday, and we can get all of the papers drawn up. What do you say?"
"Sounds pretty good to me, how about around 9:00? I have that day off so really anytime will be fine."
"Actually, nine will be perfect. I have a few things I have to do the first thing, but I should be there around 8:00 or 8:30. How about you Kasey, will you be there too?"
'Man, is this woman dense or what?' "No, Kasey won't be there with me. Her wife was very generous to let her come out and play with me today. It's just because she is my partner that she let her go today."
"Oh…um I see, you must be that beautiful Amazon Koty's partner. Well, that settles that then doesn't it?" 'I know damn well I'm not going there.'
All three women laughed at that as they locked up the house and shook hands before going their separate ways. "Thank you for that back there, she was starting to make me real uncomfortable."
"I could tell, and no problem. Besides, Dakota would whip my ass if I let something like that happen. I need to stay on her good side; I'm going to need her to help me move."
"Ah motivation. Good thinking on your part but thank you anyway."
"Like I said no problem. Actually, if you really want to pay me back, you can help me go shopping for my new place. I was going to ask Trish, but maybe you would like to come as well. I absolutely HATE shopping, and between the two of you, I could get it over with almost painlessly."
"Ah like I said, motivation. I would love to help. Between Trish and myself we could get it done in a respectful amount of time. I have to warn you though I really love spending other peoples money."
"I consider myself warned. Now let's go find your women and give her the great news about the house, and her being elected to help me move. Then I will tell her that she can buy us lunch."
Kasey smiled, "Sounds good to me."
Chapter Eleven
"What do you mean you will let me buy you lunch? You steal my wife so I have to fend for myself for breakfast, and now I can buy YOU lunch? Geeze Jacobs, that is so damn nice of you to allow me to do this. And where should I take you two?" Koty asked as she kissed Kasey's cheek.
"Wellllll… How about the Cheesecake Factory? I think that would suffice. What do you think Kasey, wanna let her take us there?"
Koty laughed. "And what's in it for me?"
"Well that, my dear partner, you will have to take up with Kasey here."
Kasey grinned up at Koty and reached for her hand. "What do you say love, worth something to you?"
Koty rested her hand on her chin as if in deep thought. "Well, to quote someone that is very dear to me I get that for free, so you better come up with something else."
"Oh, I'm sure that I can."
'Oh I'm sure you can…'
The Cheesecake Factory was pretty busy with the near by shoppers from Pembroke Mall across the street. If one hadn't been to the corner of Virginia Beach Blvd and Independence Blvd in awhile, they would never recognize it.
What used to be just a Taco Bell and Virginia Pilot now had two high rise buildings with several new restaurants and shops. A huge above ground parking lot and brand new condos.
The Taco Bell and Virginia Pilot was still there, but seemed rather minute with the huge concrete jungle behind them. That's ok though, because Koty would never totally give up Taco Bell. She loved it as a kid, and still does.
"I'm glad we got here when we did. By the way Koty, Kasey is going to help me shop. Wanna come?"
"Not on your life Jacobs, you're on your own with that. I hate shopping with a passion, that's why I'm glad that she and Trish hooked up. Totally lets me off the hook. Well…most of the time anyway."
"Yeah, I'm going to enlist Trish as well if I can."
"Hah, I'll warn you now then, you better bring a really really big charge card then. These two love, and I stress, love to spend other people's money."
"Funny, that's what Kasey told me. Oh boy, this should be interesting."
Kasey laughed outright. "We're not that bad Dakota, only with yours and Jamie's money, are we that bad. Besides, who would do your shopping if I didn't?" She turned to Laney, "She use to have Trish and Chris do most of her shopping."
"Damn Silvers, you are worse than me. I at least can shop when I have to."
"Bite me."
The waiter came to take their orders. Koty ordered the Kobe Burger for herself and the Chicken and Biscuits for Kasey. She turned to Laney for her order. "Laney, what are you going to have?"
"I think I'll have the Shepherds Pie with an unsweetened ice tea."
Koty drew a face. "You know, that pie would be a whole lot better if they didn't put all of those carrots, peas, and zucchini in it. A whole lot better."
"Well honey," Kasey laughed. Then it would just be called a beef and mushroom pie, now that doesn't sound very fun."
"Fun? Since when is food suppose to be fun? Oh, I know when…"
"Be nice Dakota." Kasey blushed.
"Yeah Dakota, I am sitting here too you know. Don't be talking that kind of smack with me here."
Koty grinned and threw a wadded up napkin at Laney. "Ya'l
l just have trashy minds, keep it clean cause we're in a family restaurant ladies."
Laney laughed, "Ha, me keep it clean…"
"Alright children," Kasey laughed and covered her face. Time to change the subject. "Honey, you ought to see the house, it's beautiful. She will be able to watch sunsets over the lake right on her deck."
Laney laughed again. "Oh yeah, by the way Silvers, you've been elected to help me move."
"Oh man," Koty moaned…
They waited until the server delivered their food and was walking away when Kasey remembered that Jamie told her to invite Laney to her and Trish's party the following week.
"Yeah, that's cool then I can rustle up more strong bodied women to help me move."
"You have no shame Jacobs. Absolutely no shame."
Laney grinned, "Never said I did…"
Chapter Twelve
Laney was early to arrive at Jamie and Trish's. She wanted to ask Trish about the shopping that Kasey had agreed to help her with.
"Oh boy Laney, you don't know what you've just gotten yourself into my friend," Jamie laughed as she finished emptying three bags of ice into the cooler that they put on the back porch.
"Yeah, Koty already warned me."
"I warned you about what?" Laney heard Koty walk up behind her.
"About how Trish and Kasey, like spending other people's money. I consider myself warned."
Koty and Jamie just laughed. Neither one of them liked shopping and was glad that Trish and Kasey had each other to shop with…
∗ ∗ ∗ ∗
The party was in full swing when Koty sat next to Laney and pointed to the front door. "Looks like a friend of yours just came through the door. That is Randi Daniels isn't it?"
Laney looked towards the door and caught her breath. 'Oh man, what is she doing here? God she looks good tonight.' At that moment, Randi turned and caught her eyes. Randi smiled, and Laney blushed then dropped her eyes.
Koty stood back up and laughed, then patted Laney on the back. "Oh boy, this party is going to be fun now."
"Shut up Silvers…"
Randi grabbed another beer from the cooler, and told her friends that she was going to mingle for awhile. She had been just a little shocked when she walked in and saw the detective sitting on the love seat. She had just agreed to come to the party with a friend of hers that knew Trish.
She stopped right in front of Laney, "is this seat taken?" she asked then sat down not waiting for an answer.
"Oh, umm…no. How are you going Miss Daniels?"
"I really wish you would quit with the Miss thing. I'm only 30."
"Sorry Randi. It's just habit I guess."
Randi smiled. "So, do you know Trish and Jamie?"
"Yes, Jamie is my Partner Koty's best friend. They grew up together. How about you, do you know them?"
"No, actually Rita, the friend that I came with knows Trish real well from the book store that Trish owns, and she asked me if I would like to come with her. I almost told her no but now I'm glad that I didn't. It's good to see you again."
Laney blushed again, and Randi thought that it was the sweetest thing that she has ever seen. "So…I know that Detective Silvers is your partner, but is she also your partner?"
Laney was confused for a moment before she caught what Randi was saying. She blushed again. "Um…no. The woman beside her now is her partner."
Randi followed Laney's eyes and saw where Koty was leaning against a very nice looking woman. "Wow, they make a striking couple."
"Yeah, they do don't they?" Laney replied. Laney couldn't believe the next thing that came out of her mouth. As if on a will of it's own she asked, "So, is Rita your girlfriend?"
Randi laughed. "Rita? No she is a good friend of mine, at the moment I have no girlfriend."
For some reason, this made Laney smile. 'Shit, what do I care? It's not like I'm interested or anything. Christ Laney, what is going on with you?'
"Would you like another beer?" Laney asked as she quickly stood.
"Yes, that would be great, thanks."
Randi watched as Laney walked away. 'Jesus, those legs go on for ever, and that butt…oh my.'
"Who's your girlfriend?" Randi looked at up at Rita from where she sat. "Not my girlfriend, but she's nice looking though huh?"
"I'll say, so who is she?"
"Her, and the tall brunette by the entertainment center are the detectives working the case for the antique shop."
"Their partners?"
"Ayup."
"Damn, I bet between the two of them, they could be a hell of a force to mess with."
"Yeah especially her partner. Now she can be intimidating as hell."
Rita had to agree with her friend. Though she thought that both women, as good looking as they were, could both be rather intimidating if they so chose to do so. Well…even if they didn't choose to. She would hate being on their bad side.
Just then, Laney walked up with Randi's beer, and handed it to her. Rita jump up and told Laney to sit back down, "Oh no…you can sit there."
"No, please sit back down." She extended her hand to Laney. "Hi, I'm Rita Lang, Randi's friend."
Laney hesitantly reached for the woman's hand. "Hi. Laney Jacobs, nice to meet you."
"Hi Laney please, sit down. I was just checking on my friend here because I didn't think that she knew anyone here, but it looks like I don't have to worry about that at all. I guess I'll go mingle now." Rita turned to Randi. "I'll catch up with you in a little while." Then she was gone.
Laney sat down. "She seems really ni…"
"Have lunch with me tomorrow?" Randi blurted out.
"Excuse me?"
'Shit' "Um, I asked if you would have lunch with me tomorrow."
"Randi, I…um…I'm not gay."
'Really?' "So, does that mean you can't have lunch with a woman, or just a gay woman? Or maybe just not with me?"
"Christ. Look I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to sound that way. I was just caught off guard."
"So, is that a yes?"
"Um…what did you have in mind?"
"I don't know, maybe The Olive Garden or something? We could meet there. Or if there is somewhere else that you would prefer."
"No…The Olive Garden is fine, what time?"
"Let's say around 12:00 or 12:30. Would that be ok?"
"Ok, that would be good. I could meet you there."
"Great! Now I'm going to mingle a little. Enjoy the party Laney."
"Yeah, you too Randi…"
Chapter Thirteen
Laney couldn't for the life of her figure out why she agreed to go to lunch with the young blonde. What was she thinking? Obviously, she wasn't thinking, that was the problem. 'What do I ware? Jesus, you would think I was going on a date or something.
'It's not a date Jacobs, its lunch. Yeah, just lunch. Lunch between a straight woman and a lesbian. Just a lunch between two women, that's all…
Laney watched Randi throughout the evening, and vice versa. Periodically they would lock gazes with Laney looking away first. Koty of course watched both women with a smile on her face.
"Honey," Kasey said as she sided up next to Koty, "what has you smiling so much?"
"Well, you of course." Koty whispered as she leaned down to place a soft kiss on the doctor's lips.
"Mmm, nice try Baby, but try again."
"I've been watching Laney and Randi. They can't keep their eyes off of each other."
"Honey, Laney isn't gay. Well…is she?" Kasey asked as she slipped her arm around Koty's waist.
"Well, if you would have asked me a month ago I would have told you no. I'm not quite sure now. I don't think Laney is even aware of it yet. Though, I think she might be getting the hint now. I don't think I've seen her blush so much in the whole time I've known her."
"Isn't Randi the girl from the antique store?"
"Yep, that's her."
"She is cute."
Koty grinned. "Just cute?"
"No,
actually she is very very cute, and you can just keep your eyes turned this way woman," Kasey pinched Koty on her belly.
"Hey, what was that for? I didn't do anything wrong," Koty laughed.
"Yeah, well that's for just in case you ever think about it."
"No way Baby, I fought too damn hard to get you, I don't have any plans to lose you now."
"Smart woman, let's go out back and see what's going on. Jamie set things up for a make shift dance floor, and I feel like a dance or two. How about you?"
"That sounds good. You want me to grab you a coke or a water?"
"Yeah, get me a water. I'll meet you out back ok?" Kasey leaned into give Koty a soft kiss before she walked away.
When Koty made it to the back yard, Kasey was up dancing with Trish. She walked over to where Laney was sitting in a lawn chair by the picnic table. Koty pulled a chair next to her and sat Kasey's water on the table.
"Hey," she said to Laney as she sat down, "having a good time?"
"I always have a good time at these party's. Jamie and Trish throw great parties. How about you?"
"Oh yeah. Jamie is always coming up with a reason to throw a party. Two years ago, she threw one to celebrate them redoing their bathroom. Two months after that, she threw one to celebrate cleaning out her garage to where you could actually find tools and such."
Laney laughed. "Well, whatever works right?"
"Absolutely. So…how is Randi doing?"
Laney just looked at Koty wondering if she would dare tell Koty about her lunch date tomorrow. 'It's not a date. Yeah, well whatever.'
I told her that I would meet her at the Olive Garden."?"She asked me out to lunch tomorrow." 'So much for not saying anything.'
"Really? Well that's great. How did that come about?"
"She just blurted it out from nowhere, kind of shocked me actually."
"Laney, why would it shock you? Is it because someone thinks you're attractive, or is it because she is a woman? Is this a date or just lunch?"
Laney blew out a deep breath then finished off the rest of the wine that was in her glass. "I don't know really. I keep catching her eyes and it's like she is seeing right through me or something. Sounds crazy huh?"