Definite Possibility

by Maggie Cummings

  “Sure,” Lucy answered, barely paying attention.

  Meg laughed at Lucy, as she watched two more people filter in off the street. Bay Westers. Cool. She nodded at them from across the space. Trivia night was her favorite. For starters, it drew a completely random crowd. Over in one corner she recognized a mature foursome from last month. They’d been formidable opponents, surprising everyone by owning the pop culture questions. The college crowd was arriving in bursts—the students first, then a few TAs by the looks of them. Sometimes a crew of profs even joined the ranks. It was a good time. Lucy and her staff kept the coffee and sweets coming, including bonus cookies or espresso shots for the team that took each round. Overall winners scored free coffee for a week, with the runners-up snagging a four-pack of five-dollar gift cards. Not bad for a night of competitive fun.

  Lexi and Jesse arrived and Meg greeted them at the door. “Hey. You guys heard Sam’s away?” She watched them exchange a look. “So it’s just the three of us.” She ushered them over to a table near the counter. “Too bad we didn’t know sooner. I would have tried to grab Tracy or Betsy. I mean, it’s so not their thing, but you never know.”

  Lexi smiled. “Well, who knows, maybe we can pick up a solo.”

  Meg went to the bar and grabbed three lattes and a few peanut butter bars. She turned around and almost dropped her loot when she spotted Sasha in the doorway. God knew how long she would have kept staring if she hadn’t been distracted by Lexi waving Sasha over enthusiastically. They got to the table at the same time.

  “Sasha, do you have a team already?” Lexi’s voice was animated.

  “Uh, no.”

  “Awesome. Play with us. We’re short anyway.”

  Meg put their drinks on the table, still in shock over what was happening. “Do you want coffee or something?” She knew she sounded confused—even she could hear it in her voice.

  “I can get it,” Sasha said.

  Meg looked at her friends’ blank faces but said nothing, choosing instead to follow Sasha the short distance to the counter. Catching the end of her drink order, Meg added, “And a peanut butter bar.” Sasha looked at her in question. “Trust me.”

  “Okay. And a peanut butter bar,” Sasha said to the girl ringing her up.

  There was no way to mask her surprise, so Meg owned it. “What are you doing here, Sash?” She grabbed a few extra napkins while Sasha waited for her change.

  “I heard this was a fun thing.” She lifted her paper cup with a little whimsy. “I wanted to check it out.” A smile played at the corner of her mouth. “Not gonna lie. Based on the location, and how much you love stuff like this, I thought I might run into you.” She secured her money in her purse and scooped up her treat. “I hope that’s okay.”

  “Yeah, of course.” Meg didn’t know how to feel about that statement, so she pushed it right out of her mind and got into game mode. “Have you played before?” She was pretty sure the answer was no, but figured she should ask anyway. Sasha hung out at gay bars now, so who knows what else she might have explored since they’d last spent time together. “Like, at a bar or whatever?”

  “No.” She winced. “Should I be nervous?”

  Meg smiled reassuringly. “Not at all.” She pulled Sasha’s chair out for her reflexively. “Lucy does a three game cycle. Each game has five rounds with five questions in each. Every time a team wins a round, they get, like, a fancy coffee shot she’s got all whipped up and ready to go. It’s usually flavored—pumpkin, French vanilla, something like that.”

  “They’re amazeballs,” Lexi said, getting her two cents in.

  “Sometimes they throw in a cookie too, or whatever else she has on hand.” Meg tapped her latte on the table. “At the end of the night whichever team is the overall winner gets a free pass.” She waved her hand around the shop. “Drinks on the house all week.”

  “Great. I’m ready.”

  “That probably doesn’t help you much, huh?” Jesse lifted her cup and gestured to it with her chin. “Free coffee.”

  “No big.” Sasha shrugged and smiled. “I’m here for the company.”

  “And the competition,” Lexi chimed in, raising her coffee.

  “You may live to regret this, Sash.” Meg held her thumb and index finger a fraction of an inch apart. “We have, on occasion, gotten a wee bit carried away.”

  “Nope. I’m down.” Sasha lifted her drink to meet Lexi’s. “I’ll tell you right off, I know nothing about sports. Pop culture, music, obscure history”—she pointed her finger at herself—“look no farther, I’m your girl.”

  “Looks like we have ourselves a killer team.” Jesse joined the toast.

  Meg was only a half second behind her, meeting the gang in the center of the table with her drink. She could feel the cheesy smile plastered across her face. She didn’t care. Even though she wasn’t exactly sure what this night would hold, there were games, great people, and coffee. She was in heaven.

  *****

  Almost three hours later, they walked in pairs along the main road that stretched from Lucy’s up to Bay West, each armed with a punch card entitling them to a week of free beverages. Nearing the entrance, Sasha lingered, not making the turn into the development.

  “I guess this is where I leave you.” Her slight laugh held some angst.

  Meg felt it too. Against her better judgment, she wasn’t ready for their time together to be over. “Right,” she managed.

  “Thanks for letting me join you guys.” Sasha looked right at Meg. “It was a really great night.”

  If things had been at all different, if they’d been buddies instead of exes, Meg would have invited Sasha back to her house, insist that she crash for the night in lieu of going back to the city by herself. But they weren’t. They’d had a terrible breakup and since then had hung out exactly two times in the last year. That barely constituted friendship. Still, she could be kind.

  “Do you want me to walk you up to the bus stop? I can wait with you until the express bus comes.”

  Sasha shook her head, a thin smile etched across her gorgeous face. “No, thanks. I’m okay.” She pulled out her phone. “I downloaded the schedule. The X1 will be here in just a few minutes.”

  “You sure?”

  Sasha reached into her bag and retrieved the coffee voucher. She held it out to Meg. “Here, give this to one of your friends.”

  Meg frowned, taking it reluctantly. “Sort of blows that you get nothing for the win.”

  Sasha’s smile reached her eyes. “I wouldn’t say nothing.” Meg couldn’t help but notice the lilt in her voice when she responded. Sasha stepped forward and placed a small kiss on Meg’s cheek. Backing away, she gave Lexi and Jesse each a small wave before she turned and bounced in the direction of the service road.

  Meg was still watching her firm bottom sway with each step when Jesse squeezed both shoulders and leaned into her ear. “Now that, my young Padawan, that was something.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Lexi stood in front of her closet in her bra and thong, contemplating what to wear. It was still unbelievably cool for almost summer. She fanned through multiple pairs of jeans that were all virtually the same. Where would she find room for maternity clothes? That’s if she actually needed them anytime in the near future. She tilted her head back, frustrated that she and Jesse were still at a stalemate. She had one theory she thought might work. She brushed her palm against the fabric of a thin knit sweater hanging in front of her, wondering what was keeping her from putting it up for consideration. She heard the clank of the dishes being put away downstairs and decided to just go for it.

  “Hey, babe.” She leaned her body through the bedroom doorway calling down to the first floor. “Can you come up here for a sec?”

  “In a minute,” Jesse answered.

  Lexi paced the bedroom, kneading her hands and kind of wishing she had given this presentation just a little more thought.

  “Everything okay?” Jesse asked, as she bounded up
the stairs. She stopped short in the doorway. “Well, hello,” she crooned, giving Lexi and her skimpy attire an exaggerated once over. A guttural moan escaped her as she kissed Lexi onto the bed, misreading Lexi’s intent. “Don’t you have to leave soon?” she whispered in Lexi’s ear.

  “Yes.” Lexi returned her kisses anyway. Even a year into their marriage, Lexi still had a hard time resisting Jesse, even if it meant being late for the first social she was running.

  “Oh no.” Jesse rolled off her and groaned in frustration. “I’m not going to be the reason you get in trouble with Kam Browne.” She made an effort to sit up, but Lexi held her shoulder.

  “Wait.”

  “Babe, you have to get ready.”

  Lexi turned on her side letting her nails lightly graze Jesse’s stomach, from her belly button down under the waistline of her jeans. She pouted playfully. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”

  “Never, babe.” Jesse kissed her soundly before pulling back. “Especially not when you’re dressed like this.” She tucked a strand of Lexi’s hair behind her ear. “But you and Meg are in charge of the social tonight. It’s a big deal. You can’t be late.” Lexi saw desire despite her protest. “So I’m being an adult and showing restraint.”

  Lexi felt herself melt a little at the heartfelt overture. She rolled on top of Jesse, smiled suggestively, and kissed her. “I have, like, an hour before the doors even open. And it’s around the block.” She sat up in a full straddle on top of Jesse. “But I want to talk to you anyway.” She toyed with the buttons on Jesse’s shirt, opening two more so she could touch her fingertips to Jesse’s chest.

  “What’s going on?” Jesse held Lexi’s waist, leaning upright and holding her in place. “Tell me things.” She kissed Lexi’s chest gently before looking up at her.

  “You love me, right?”

  Jesse furrowed her brow at the ridiculous question.

  “How much?”

  Inching forward, Jesse kissed her soft and slow, deep and full. “The most. You know that.”

  Lexi couldn’t help herself—she moved her hips instinctively at Jesse’s words and her touch. “I have an idea.” She used her body weight to push them down to the mattress, and spread her legs wider, the need to feel Jesse increasing with each passing second. “God,” she breathed out, glancing down between their bodies to where Jesse’s button fly made contact with her tiny black panties. “I would let you come in me all the time if you could.”

  Jesse bucked hard in response. She held Lexi tight, her hand moving up to Lexi’s face guiding her closer. “That turned me on more than it should, I think.”

  “I know. The thought of it turns me on too.” She kissed Jesse, slowing her movements slightly so she could look in her eyes. “That’s the point though. I want to have a baby.” She held eye contact. “But it’s not just that. Jess, I want to have your baby.”

  “Honey…”

  Lexi put one finger over her lips. “Just hear me out.” She leaned back a little and watched Jesse’s expression soften. “I’ve given this some thought.” Her fingertips squared the outline of Jesse’s unbelievable abs. “I get that you don’t want to use Justin as a donor.”

  “Babe, I’m sorry—”

  Lexi silenced her again. “No, I mean it, Jess. I get it.” She nodded sincerely even as she worried her lip over what she was about to suggest. “What about if you did it?” She saw Jesse trying hard to control her cringe and she was dying to make it easier for her. “I know you don’t want to carry, that’s not what I’m saying.” She spread her fingers wider to feel more of Jesse’s body against her hand. “I have the baby. We use your egg.” She bit the corner of her mouth waiting for Jesse’s reaction. “And ask Nick to be the donor.”

  “Nick, Nick?” Jesse dropped her chin. “My Nick?” She pointed at herself.

  Lexi nodded.

  “As in my friend, the PI, who goes home with a new guy every weekend? That Nick?”

  “Yes. That Nick.” Lexi smiled because she couldn’t help finding Jesse’s complete surprise utterly adorable. “Your Nick. The PI.” She added a nod for effect. “Gay playboy Nick.”

  Jesse narrowed her eyes. “Where is this even coming from?”

  “I know it seems ridiculous, but think about it. Jess, you’ve known him for a hundred years.” She sat up a little. “And I know he’s not necessarily the settling-down type, but that’s okay. Maybe even better, in a way.” She read Jesse’s hesitation. This was going to be a hard sell.

  Lexi leaned all the way forward, edging her finger along Jesse’s chiseled jaw. “Hear me out. Nick is sweet and smart and we know him. And”—she paused, hoping to rein in the excitement she heard in her voice—“don’t you remember last year when we had dinner with him, he was telling us about his friend who had done this exact thing for a lesbian couple he was friends with? Nick used a term for it. He kept saying his friend had become a—”

  “Bio-dad.”

  “Yes.” She smiled. “You remember.”

  “I do.”

  Lexi was pleased and touched at the shared memory but she wasn’t done. “Jess, he thought it was cool. So did I.”

  She could feel Jesse’s energy changing, however subtly. “Babe, I never knew Anthony. You know, my moms’ friend. The guy they used as my donor or whatever you want to call him. He died when I was a baby. And believe me, I wouldn’t change a thing. I love my moms. Both of them. Anthony would never have been my father. Not in the traditional sense.” She shrugged a little. “Look, I have stories from Chris and Marnie. And pictures, which is great.” She smiled and shrugged at the same time. “But sometimes I think it might have been nice to have known him a little. See what he was like, if we have the same mannerisms or laugh or anything.” She looked right at Jesse. “We could have that with Nick.”

  Jesse reached up and touched the side of her face, keeping her hand in place as she moved her thumb over a dimple. “You are so beautiful.”

  Lexi smiled and turned her face to place a kiss in the palm of her wife’s hand. “So are you. It’s why I want our kids to look like you.” She leaned all the way forward and her breasts touched Jesse’s. “I’m just asking you to consider it, that’s all.”

  “We would still need to put something legally binding in place.”

  “Of course.” Lexi kissed her face. It was hard to be this close and not acknowledge her desire. “Two parents. Me and you. Not negotiable.” She let her hand drift between Jesse’s legs.

  “I think we should sit down and have a conversation with Nick.”

  “For real?” Lexi asked.

  Jesse nodded. “My gut tells me he’ll do it.”

  “Mine too.” Lexi’s smile stretched ear to ear. “Are you okay with it if he’s willing?”

  “I am.”

  Lexi pulled back an inch to assess Jesse’s reaction and saw with absolute certainty that they were completely in sync. “I love you so much.”

  “I love you too.” Jesse kissed her softly but Lexi was ready for more. She pressed her whole body into Jesse’s and used her momentum to flip them so Jesse was on top of her. Jesse’s body responded, even if her words belied her. “Lex, you have to go.”

  Lexi didn’t even bother to check the clock on the nightstand. “We have plenty of time.” She wrapped her legs around Jesse’s waist. “Plus, I can tell you already”—she let out a gasp at the feel of Jesse’s hand between her legs—“this is not going to take long at all.”

  *****

  “Well, if it isn’t the new Kameron Browne.” Sam stepped in front of Meg who was stationed just inside the door to the Commons, ready to check IDs and collect the cover charge. Sam handed over a twenty.

  “Never call me that,” Meg said, taking her money.

  Sam laughed at Meg’s deadpan response. “You can keep whatever the change is. My contribution to a community I hope to call home sooner rather than later.” Sam moved aside to talk as a small line of people queued near the entrance. “Where’s Lex?�
�

  “She’s running late or something. She just texted she’ll be here in a minute.”

  “You need help?”

  “I think I got it, but come back here anyway.”

  Sam slipped in alongside Meg, her eyes focused on the party room. “Looks good. Not much different than before. But the new DJ sounds promising.”

  Meg doled out change to a patron with a wink and a smile before addressing Sam’s comment. “Yeah, Kam wouldn’t let us make too many real changes just yet.” She shrugged. “Other than the social media and marketing stuff.” She smirked. “Which is most of the changes that you made.” Meg held up her fist for a pound. “So here’s to success.”

  “Fingers crossed.” Sam fist-bumped her. “You didn’t see Lucy, right?”

  “I figured she’d come with you.” Meg fiddled with the credit card scanner making sure it was plugged in. “Awesome she’s finally going to make an appearance at a social. I can’t wait to hang with her. You know, outside of the coffee shop.”

  “You and me both,” Sam said almost under her breath. “She’s never come at all, huh?”

  Meg frowned. “Not that I’m aware of.” A large group of college-age girls crowded the check in table stealing Meg’s attention. Sam helped inspect their driver’s licenses to make sure they were legal.

  “OMG, has this place been here long?” One of the girls craned her head to see past Meg and Sam into the Commons.

  “Yeah, kind of,” Meg responded.

  “We’re experiencing a rebirth of sorts,” Sam added, taking payments and stamping hands. “You ladies new to the area?”

  “We’re from Rutgers University over in Jersey. I saw some stuff on Twitter about it, figured we’d check it out.”

  Meg grabbed a handful of drink tickets. “First one’s on Bay West. Have a good time, girls.”

  Lexi snuck in behind the college party. “Sorry I’m late, guys.” She scooted into place with Jesse on her heels. “That was a decent-sized group, huh.”

  “Compliments of Sam’s social media push.”