White Offerings

by Roberts, Ann

  Molly returned with their drinks and they visited with their friends, moving from table to table, accepting hugs and birthday kisses. Molly stayed close, her hand often at Ari’s waist. Everyone could tell they were a couple, and Ari liked the fact that Molly let everyone know it once in a while. She would whisper in her ear or caress her cheek. They were gestures of intimacy, gestures of unspoken love. After they both had downed a few drinks, they braved the dance floor and spent several songs looking into each other’s eyes.

  Ari finally remembered to check on Jane, who was sitting at the bar doing tequila shots with three women dressed as Xena. She laughed and pointed for Molly’s benefit.

  “I guess she found the warrior princess group,” Molly said. “I know what I’ve got.” Molly gazed into her eyes, and she thought her lover might utter the words, but instead Molly just smiled and pulled her tighter.

  She closed her eyes. She thought she might cry, but she willed away the tears. Molly would never understand. “I need a restroom break,” she said and quickly excused herself before Molly could notice her expression or follow her. What she needed was to be alone.

  She skirted along the edges of the crowd, determined not to be stopped for conversation. Fortunately she knew she could avoid a long line by using the manager’s private bathroom. She cut through the infamous back room and headed into an adjoining passageway. She stepped inside the manager’s spacious office, letting the door shut behind her, and sat down on the couch. Her feelings for Molly were overwhelming and it was becoming unbearable. She knew now that she couldn’t remain in this holding pattern. Things had to change, and she was determined to say something that night. If it meant that the relationship exploded, then that’s what would happen. She decided action trumped inaction.

  Just as she made her decision, a gloved hand covered her mouth. “Don’t say a word,” the stalker whispered.

  Molly watched Ari’s backside head for the manager’s office. She knew Ari was upset, and she guessed that it had something to do with their relationship. She started to worry, feeling as though Ari was slipping away with every step she took down the hallway. She knew she had missed a perfect opportunity. She could have said the words, but every time the right moment came, her tongue folded into a pretzel and she couldn’t speak. She needed a drink, and Vicky was ready with a Scotch.

  “Your girlfriend looks totally hot,” Vicky said.

  She shot her an icy stare and Vicky held up her hands. “Hey, I’m just observing and admiring, Molly. I’m not touching.”

  She gulped the Scotch and scanned the bar for Brian. With Ari out of the room, she needed an anchor. Spotting him at a corner table with Lynne, she pulled herself off the stool and waved the glass at Vicky.

  “You know, Vicky’s right.”

  She turned to Biz Stone. The PI was all in black, slouched over the bar a few stools away. “Shouldn’t you be watching Jane?”

  Biz pointed at the DJ booth, where Jane and the DJ were fastened in a liplock. “I know exactly where Jane is. Where did Ari go? I figured you’d be upset if I kept an eye on her.”

  Molly narrowed her eyes and leaned over the bar, feeling the effects of the five Scotches she’d consumed. “Damn straight. But even before Ari got that orchid, you’ve been coming on to my girlfriend.”

  Biz shrugged and swirled the straw in what looked to be sparkling water. She stared at Molly, who suddenly felt very vulnerable and inept. She didn’t want to get into a competition with Biz. She knew she would lose. Biz crossed the distance between them and took the stool next to her.

  “Nelson, look. You don’t have anything to worry about. I’m not after Ari. She’s made it clear to me that she’s in love with you.”

  Molly faced her. “Why would you say that?”

  “Because she told me.”

  She made no attempt to hide her shock. “What?”

  “I take it she hasn’t told you yet, huh?” She looked down. “Look, Nelson, I’m easy to confide in, so Ari took advantage of me.”

  She snorted. “Stone, Ari didn’t take advantage of you at all.” She pointed a finger at her. “I know you a hell of a lot better than Ari, don’t forget that. I know who you are. I know what you are, and don’t think for a second that you have any chance with her. God, if Jane knew you came on to her, she’d have a fit.”

  Biz playfully grabbed her extended finger and brought it to her lips. “Yeah, Nelson. You’re right. You know me. You’ve got my number. But here’s what you need to understand. Your hot girlfriend? She told me that she loved you before she even bothered to tell you. You need to think about that. Ari’s not going to wait around for eternity.”

  Biz scanned the dance floor and Molly followed her gaze—Jane was starting a conga line. Biz sauntered away, leaving Molly with a huge emptiness in her heart that was rapidly filling with anxiety. Biz was right. Ari wouldn’t wait forever. She finished another Scotch for courage and went in search of Ari. It probably wasn’t the ideal moment to pour her heart out, but timing no longer mattered.

  “I want you to know that I have a gun at your side, and if you scream, I’ll shoot you,” the stalker whispered gruffly.

  Ari gave a slight nod and remained still. She could feel the woman’s breath against her ear, ragged and heavy, as if she were afraid. Ari’s eyes shifted to the left toward a dressing mirror. In the reflection she saw Aspen Harper behind her, and she did in fact have a small-caliber gun pressed against her ribs.

  “You’re the reason for all of my problems,” she continued. “Jane will never want anyone else as long as you’re around.”

  Ari didn’t understand. “What are you talking about? Jane is my friend. We’re not romantically involved.”

  Fingers pried into her elbow and her body whirled around. Her gaze immediately fell to the gun now pressed into her chest, but when she looked up, she realized she was not looking at Aspen Harper—but rather Courtney Belmont in a wig.

  Courtney smiled knowingly. “You just don’t see it, and neither does she. But if you were gone, she would. She’d be lost without you, and she’d finally reveal her true self to someone else. She’d stop being the slutty tramp that sleeps with everyone.”

  “You do know I have a girlfriend.”

  Courtney shook her head. “It’ll never last, Ari. I’ve watched you with Molly. That woman is so uptight. She’ll never love you the way Jane does.”

  She stared at her but said nothing, knowing she could never change Courtney’s mind.

  “Now, this is what we’re gonna do,” Courtney said, pulling her toward the exit. “I know there’s a back door out of here. We’re leaving together, but unfortunately you’ll disappear—forever.”

  Ari quickly assessed the situation. If she angered Courtney, she could be shot, but she didn’t have any other options. No one knew she was here, and the party was in full swing. It could be a long while before anyone noticed she was missing. “Why are you so sure killing me will change things with Jane?” she asked meekly.

  The gun poked her roughly in the gut and she winced in pain. “Shut up!” Courtney barked. “Now walk, and don’t say another word.”

  Ari took a few steps slowly toward a door behind the manager’s chair. It was the private exit, and she knew that it led out to the back alley. No doubt the Dodge Viper was already parked nearby. Ari knew if she got in that car, Molly or Biz would probably never find her. A few more steps and she passed the open door of the manager’s restroom, her intended destination. Again the bizarre picture of Courtney holding her hostage appeared momentarily in the bathroom mirror—as well as Molly’s face. She automatically stopped, and Courtney was caught off-balance. In that instant, Molly lunged and Ari pulled away from Courtney’s grasp. A gunshot rang out as Molly and Courtney crashed into the coffee table. The gun skittered across the floor, and to her horror, Molly’s face smashed against the hearth of the nearby fireplace, knocking her unconscious. Ari screamed and ran toward the gun, but Courtney was closer. Her fingers wrapped
around the grip, and she fired. Ari jumped out of the bullet’s path and scrambled for the door that led back to the party. The discharge of another bullet told her that the deranged woman was following her. She sailed through the back room as another bullet ripped past her and shattered the glass dividing the back room from the main dance floor.

  “Gun!” she screamed.

  Partygoers scattered off the dance floor, headed for the exits and the dark corners of the bar. She hurled herself over the DJ’s booth just as the gun blasted a hole through the cutout of Marilyn Monroe. When Ari stuck her head out, Courtney fired, but only a harsh click sounded from the gun. She was out of bullets. She dropped it and immediately charged for the motorcycle parked in the corner. She hopped on and the engine roared to life. Ari watched the bike careen toward her, and just as she thought she might be killed by her father’s birthday present, Biz lunged from the side and smashed Courtney in the face with a waitress’s tray. The force sent her backward and she lost control of the bike. Both machine and rider skidded into a picture display of Ari.

  Biz ran to Ari. “Are you all right?”

  “I’m fine. I’ve got to check on Molly. She’s hurt.”

  Biz pointed to the back room. “No, here she comes.”

  Molly staggered over, holding her head. She reached for Ari and pulled her close. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

  Andre ran up to them. “Mol, are you okay?”

  “Where the hell were you?”

  He sighed deeply. “In the bathroom. Sorry,” he added.

  Molly nodded her forgiveness, and they moved her to a chair. Ari’s friends slowly reemerged from the bowels of the bar, and the noise level increased as they began to exchange versions of the event. Above the voices came a bloodcurdling scream. Everyone turned to see Jane sitting on top of Courtney, throttling her. Biz stood over Jane, trying to suppress a laugh.

  “I’m going to kill you, you bitch!”

  Despite Jane’s fingers wrapped around her neck, Courtney tried to explain. “Jane, I love you. We’re meant to be together. Ari’s not right for you.”

  “What the hell is she talking about?” Molly asked.

  Ari sighed. “It’s complicated. Guys never have these problems.”

  “You drugged me!” Jane raged.

  Andre walked to Jane and grabbed her shoulders. “C’mon, Jane. Get off her.”

  Jane started to release Courtney and then changed her mind. “You ruined Ari’s party!” she yelled as she clamped her hands back on Courtney’s throat and smashed the woman’s head against the tile floor.

  Locked in an embrace, Ari and Molly watched from a distance. Brian leaned over and said to his sister, “Don’t you think you and Andre should do something, seeing as you are cops? Your fellow brethren will be showing up any moment now, and I’d hate to see Jane be arrested.”

  Molly shrugged and kissed Ari on the forehead. “I don’t see anything. I’m still in shock from my concussion.”

  Brian laughed a little and then looked at his sister seriously.

  “Oh, all right,” Molly said.

  She broke free of Ari, and with Andre and Biz’s help, she pried the women apart. The uniformed cops arrived and put Courtney in handcuffs while Ari sat at a table waiting for Molly to finish giving her statement to the detective in charge. Jane dropped into a chair next to her best friend and took her hand.

  “I’m sorry your party was a bust.”

  She patted Jane’s arm. “Honey, this was a great party, and except for that one little part where Courtney was shooting at me, I had a wonderful time.”

  Jane chuckled and kissed her on the cheek. “You are the most important person in my life. You know that, right?”

  Ari smiled, remembering Courtney’s words. She couldn’t believe Jane was madly attracted to her, but she knew she loved her in a way that no one else ever would. “I know, sweetie.”

  Both Teri and Biz joined them, and Teri pulled her chair behind Jane and began massaging her shoulders. “I can’t believe she was the stalker. If I’d known that she was using those beautiful flowers to hurt you, I would have shot her with my nail gun.”

  Jane patted her leg and leaned against her. Soon they were laughing and cuddling. If only it could work between them, Ari thought.

  She looked at Biz, who was staring at her. “Thanks for helping me.”

  Biz shook her head in disagreement. “I don’t accept your thanks. This was my fault. I didn’t do my job very well. The cops are saying that the Dodge Viper out back is Aspen’s. I should have followed up on that connection sooner. I’ll bet she was blackmailing Aspen over what happened in Albuquerque.”

  Ari shrugged. “Maybe. But no one could have known that Courtney would fall for Jane. I’m just glad you and Molly were here.”

  “Me and Molly,” Biz repeated. “We’re quite a pair.” Awkwardness passed between them and Biz looked over at the motorcycle. Brian had righted the bike, and it sat in the corner waiting for Ari. “Do you know how to ride?”

  She laughed. “Of course not. That’s why my father’s gift is entirely appropriate.”

  Biz shook her head. “Come again?”

  “Never mind. It would take too long to explain.”

  “Sounds like a story there. I told you my story, so maybe someday you’ll tell me yours.”

  She glanced at Biz’s incredible brown eyes, the gold flecks shining. “Maybe someday.”

  Biz stood to leave and glanced at the motorcycle. “And if you ever want to learn to ride this thing, call me.”

  “I’m not sure I’ll even keep it.”

  “I think you should. There is nothing sexier than a beautiful woman straddling a motorcycle.”

  She could feel her cheeks coloring again. Biz certainly had a power over her. “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t flirt anymore?”

  “We did, but I couldn’t help it.”

  Biz stuck her hands in her pockets and headed for the door. Before she left, she turned back and gazed at her with an odd expression. It gave her the feeling she was missing out on something. An opportunity was passing that she might regret. She glanced over at Molly, who was giving orders to several uniformed officers. Hideaway had become a crime scene, and Molly was in full cop mode. When she looked back at the exit, Biz was gone.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  Saturday, October 21st

  3:15 AM

  The ride back to Molly’s apartment was quiet. Ari and Molly snuggled together in the back of Lynne’s Prius while soft jazz filled the interior. Molly had refused to go to the ER after one of the paramedics had checked her out and determined her concussion was minor. Vicky had slipped her a painkiller as they departed, and she was clearly starting to feel its effects. As she shifted in her seat, a soft moan escaped her lips.

  “How much does it hurt?” Ari asked.

  “I’m okay,” she answered, and Ari knew she was lying. The only girl in a family of boys, Molly learned early that to admit pain gained her the immediate title of wussy. Her fall against the stone hearth had nearly broken the bones in her face, and an enormous purple bruise was forming around her right temple. Molly pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry about your birthday,” she whispered.

  Ari stroked her thigh, realizing that her words to Jane were true. Up until the confrontation with Courtney, she had enjoyed her party immensely, mainly because of Molly’s presence—Molly’s love. The thought created a shroud of comfort around her, and she suddenly felt secure in their relationship. She no longer worried about when Molly would declare her love. She realized it was all around her.

  After reassuring Lynne and Brian several times that they did not need babysitters, the straight couple went home, and they quickly disappeared into the bathroom for a shower. Streaming jets washed away the adrenalin and emotions until only fatigue remained, and when they slipped into bed, the only intention was sleep.

  “I think we’ll really have to celebrate your birthday in th
e morning,” Molly mumbled.

  Ari lightly touched Molly’s lips with her own. “That’s fine, darling. It can wait.”

  Molly kissed her again, and again, until a flicker of passion ignited. She rolled on top of her, their breasts pressed together. Ari spread her legs, an invitation Molly willingly accepted.

  “Are you sure you’re up for this?” Ari asked.

  Molly grinned wickedly and her long fingers answered Ari’s question. Their lovemaking was a momentary flame that burned only for a short time and left them spent in each other’s arms.

  “I want to give you your gift now,” Molly said suddenly. She reached into her nightstand and withdrew a slender box wrapped perfectly in gold paper. “Obviously I didn’t do the wrap job.”

  Ari carefully pulled apart the end of the paper, eliciting a chuckle from Molly. She shook her head, well aware that Molly believed unwrapping gifts was more of a “seek and destroy” mission.

  She gazed at the gold necklace and her eyes filled with tears. “It’s beautiful, baby. Will you help me put it on?”

  Molly undid the clasp and fastened the chain around her neck. She went to the dresser mirror and admired the gold rope, a smile on her face. Yes, the proof of Molly’s love is all around me.

  Molly appeared behind her and kissed her neck. “Don’t tell me you’re up for more,” Ari joked.

  “No, but I love you.”

  Her jaw dropped. Molly’s delivery was so casual, sounding as if she made the statement every day.

  She turned to Molly, caressing her unharmed cheek, probing her gaze for regret or remorse. She saw only earnest longing, and she thought that Molly had wanted to say the words as much as she had wanted to hear them. Still somewhat cautious of overwhelming her, she replied simply, “Baby, I love you, too.”