Where the Light Glows

by Dena Blake

  She was more nervous about the night than she realized. She must have assessed herself in the mirror dozens of times before deciding to wear an olive chambray button-down shirt with black denim skinny jeans and low-heel boots. The outfit was nice enough for dinner but also casual enough for the game.

  Izzy raised her hand to knock, and the door pulled open. Nancy must have been waiting for her. “Hi, come on in. Have a glass of wine.” She turned, and Izzy followed her into kitchen, where Nancy poured her a glass of red wine. “I hope you like merlot.” She handed her the glass.

  Izzy held it up before taking a sip. “Merlot is good.”

  “Make yourself at home. I’ll just be a minute.” Nancy set her glass down and headed into the back of the house. Izzy watched her as she left the room. She was wearing a cozy plaid-flannel top, black leggings, and black pointed flats. Casual yet sexy, Izzy noted. She had to be at least five-ten. Even wearing flats she was an inch or two taller than Izzy.

  “What’s it like outside? Do I need a jacket?”

  “Maybe something light for later. It’s nice out now.”

  “Light it is.” She reached into the closet by the front door, pulled out a black, lightweight cotton fatigue jacket, and tossed it over her arm.

  Izzy led Nancy out to her Jeep and opened the passenger door for her, then slid into the driver’s seat and fired the engine. “Should be a good game tonight.”

  “I hope so. Have you made it to many games this season?” Nancy asked.

  “Just a few. It’s kind of hard with my schedule at the restaurant.”

  “I guess it would be. You spend a lot of time there, don’t you?”

  “Yep. That’s what comes with owning your own business.” She threw her arm behind Nancy’s seat as she backed out of the driveway. “Do you and Mel work for the same company?”

  “We’re independent contractors. I used to work for her. She recently brought me in as her partner.”

  “That’s great.”

  “It is. We work well together.”

  “So, what’s the point of being a contractor?” Izzy asked.

  “We have more creative control and can work for several different companies at the same time. Plus, we make more money that way.”

  “What exactly do the two of you do?”

  “A lot of things. Public relations, marketing, web design.” She shifted in her seat slightly toward Izzy. “I could design a website for your restaurant.”

  “You mean bring Bella’s into the twenty-first century?”

  “Something like that.” She laughed.

  “I think Angie’s doing the website as her class project.”

  “That’s right. Angie’s your sister. She’s very talented.”

  “You think so?”

  “I do. She’s got a good shot at getting an internship with us.”

  Izzy smiled. “She does seem to love it.”

  “She’s a beautiful girl.”

  “Yes, she is.”

  “Just like her sister.”

  Izzy felt the heat in her cheeks and kept her eyes on the road as she pulled into the restaurant lot and parked. The limo was nowhere in sight. “How long have you known Mel?”

  “She’s been my best friend since college.”

  “Sounds like you’re very close.”

  “We are. Anyone who hurts her or takes advantage of her will have to deal with me.” Nancy’s stare was relentless.

  “Well, let’s hope that never happens,” Izzy said and finally broke eye contact.

  “Let’s hope.” Nancy let her voice lilt up a bit. “Here they come.” The limousine pulled up and parked on the street in front of the restaurant. Nancy pushed open the door and headed toward it. Izzy shook her head and followed.

  Mel threw the limo door open and waved them in as two or three cars pulled up behind them and photographers jumped out to take pictures. “Hurry before they try to climb in here with us.”

  The two of them scrambled in, and somehow Izzy ended up on Nancy’s lap. “Sorry,” she said, sliding to her side.

  “No problem.” Nancy gave her a wink.

  Izzy gawked out the darkened window. “Jeez, is that going to happen all night?”

  “Usually just when we’re getting in and out. They won’t come that close at the game, even if they find a way to get in,” Rick said, picking up the bottle of champagne from the chiller.

  Mel could hear Nancy as she leaned over and talked into Izzy’s ear. “That’s why we’re here. It’s good publicity for Rick. Let’s make the best of it, shall we?” Nancy put her hand on Izzy’s knee and squeezed it lightly.

  Rick handed them each a glass of champagne. “Do you ladies have a preference for dinner?”

  “Anything but sushi,” Nancy said.

  Izzy chimed in. “And Italian.”

  “Mel, how about you?” Rick asked.

  “I’m not particular. You choose.”

  “I’m glad I booked French. There’s a quaint little restaurant in the city I think you’ll all love.”

  They all agreed French sounded good. When they arrived at the restaurant, the maître d’ seemed to know Rick well and seated them in a private room in the back of the restaurant. The room was small yet comfortable, furnished with a linen-covered table butted up against the wall just large enough for two people on each side. Rick pulled out each of their chairs and waited for them to sit before he seated himself next to Mel.

  “I asked the chef to prepare us a few of his specialties to save time. I hope you don’t mind.” Rick had ordered a couple of bottles of expensive French wine, and for the first course the chef sent out truffled fromage blanc to go with the charcuterie, pâté, and a pepper tray that always accompanied the meal.

  Rick picked up the fromage blanc and passed it to Mel. She sliced a small amount from the ball and spread the creamy cheese across a small slice of crusted bread.

  “So, Izzy. Mel says you live at the beach. Do you surf?” he asked as the tray made its way back to him.

  She swallowed the bit of bread and cheese that was in her mouth. “I’ve been surfing since I was a kid. I don’t have as much time as I used to, but sometimes I like to hit the waves early in the morning when the beach is still quiet.”

  “I’ve always wanted to learn. Maybe you can teach me sometime.”

  “Sure. I’m off this Sunday if you want to come out.”

  “I’m afraid I can’t. I have to go back to LA Friday, but thanks. I’ll keep that in mind for next time.”

  “I’ve surfed a few times before, and I’m free Sunday,” Nancy said.

  Izzy shot her a smile. “Then you should come.”

  After a course of French onion soup with gruyere cheese, the chef sent out a main course of marinated grilled hanger steak with truffle butter, pommes frites, and sautéed arugula on one plate, and coq au vin braised chicken with mushrooms, pancetta, baby carrots, and whipped potatoes on another. They had more than enough for the four of them, with plenty to spare. They all took a sample of everything, and the table was silent for a short time while they all enjoyed the food.

  “I like to bike ride too. How about you?” Nancy asked Izzy as she plucked the last piece of steak from her plate with her fork and slid it into her mouth.

  “I love it. I’ve done the Ridge to Bridge a couple of times. It’s a beautiful ride.”

  “Seriously? Me too. We’ve probably seen each other and not even known it.”

  Izzy’s lips tipped up, producing those wonderful dimples. “We’ll have to plan on riding together next time.”

  Mel watched the two of them closely as they interacted. “Maybe I could come along too?”

  “When did you take up riding?” Nancy asked.

  “I haven’t, but that doesn’t mean I can’t.”

  “Well, you’ll have to give up those whipped potatoes and do a lot of training to get ready for the Ridge to Bridge. It’s a forty-one-mile ride.”

  Mel widened her eyes and set down her f
ork. “Forty-one miles. That’s crazy”

  “You do the forty-one?” Izzy asked, pushing her plate back and leaning close to Nancy, still talking just loudly enough for Mel to hear.

  “God, no. I’m dead after the twenty-five.” She chuckled. “But I thought I’d throw it out there to watch Mel freak.”

  Izzy smiled. “You’re bad.”

  “I can be very bad.” Nancy’s voice was low and sultry.

  Izzy raised her eyebrows and cocked her head. “Duly noted.”

  They all groaned when the chef brought out an assortment of desserts. Crème brûlée, warm dark-chocolate fondant, and lemon cheesecake. Nancy immediately took a bite of each.

  “How’s the crème brûlée?” Izzy asked.

  “Delicious. Try some.” Nancy spooned a taste into Izzy’s mouth.

  “Wow, that’s wonderful,” Izzy said, licking her lips.

  Mel almost choked on the chocolate fondant she’d just put in her mouth. What the hell is going on here? She cleared her throat to get their attention. “We should probably get going soon. The game starts in an hour.”

  “I’ll take care of the check. Just give me a minute.” Rick got up and went out to the main part of the restaurant.

  Mel had to use the bathroom desperately, but she wasn’t about to leave Nancy alone with Izzy. “I have to use the ladies’ room before we go. Anyone else need to go?” Neither Izzy nor Nancy responded, so she kicked Nancy under the table. Nancy snapped her gaze to Mel and pulled her brows together. “Why don’t you join me?” She smiled.

  “Okay.” She got up and turned back to Izzy. “I’ll be right back.”

  “It looks like you’re having a good time?” Mel said as she entered one of the three stalls.

  “I am. Izzy is awesome. I didn’t know we had so much in common.”

  Neither did I. “She is pretty awesome.”

  “The biking thing isn’t unusual, but I’ve literally never met another woman my age who likes to surf.”

  Mel heard Nancy flush and go to the sink and wash her hands. Then the door opened and she heard Izzy’s voice. “Rick called the driver. He should be back any minute.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you out there.”

  “Yep.”

  Mel flushed and went to the sink to wash her hands, where Izzy was standing as though waiting for her.

  Izzy shook her head and took in a deep breath. “You are…absolutely stunning.”

  Dressed in a black, fitted T-shirt, skinny blue jeans, and leather spiked-heel boots, she had spent almost two hours figuring out what she was going to wear tonight. Those four words made it all worth it. “Thank you,” she said softly, unable to suppress her smile.

  “I’ll be right out.” Izzy brushed past her into one of the stalls.

  *

  The photographers were relentless when they got out of the limo. By the time they reached the gate, Izzy could hardly see. The gatekeeper scanned their tickets, and they headed into the arena. They had all stopped at one of the luxury suites on the way in to say hello to a few of Rick’s friends. Izzy and Nancy had only stayed briefly and then gone on down to their seats. Izzy didn’t want to miss the tip-off.

  The seats were great—row A, center court, just behind the wood. They scooted by a few people and sat down. Izzy considered the empty seats on either side of them and figured Mel and Rick would take the two next to her, just across the center-court line. Nothing but the best for Rick Daniels.

  “You want anything to eat? Nachos, popcorn?” Izzy grinned.

  Nancy shot her a smile. “Are you kidding? After that dinner, I couldn’t eat another bite.”

  “How about a beer?”

  “I think I’ll stick with wine. I don’t like to mix.”

  Izzy waved the waitress over. “Can we get a glass of chardonnay and a Miller Lite, please?” Then she turned to Nancy. “So you’ve been friends with Mel since college?”

  “Yep. Met her my first year in.” She smiled as though a thought flew through her mind. “A few times I didn’t think I was going to make it, but she pulled me through.”

  “How about you? Did you go to college?”

  “Culinary school.”

  “From the taste of your cooking, I’d say you were a very good student.”

  “It’s easy when you’re doing something you love.” The waitress brought the drinks, and Izzy paid her. Nancy offered her a ten, but Izzy waved her off. “You can get the next round.”

  Nancy smiled and slid the bill into her pocket, then took a drink of her wine. She cradled the glass in both hands on her lap before whispering in Izzy’s ear. “I’m having a really good time.”

  “Me too.” In fact, she was having such a good time, she was feeling guilty. She turned and scanned the stairs, looking for Mel. “I wonder where they are.” She shifted in her seat to look behind them.

  “Rick’s probably talking someone’s ear off.”

  When Nancy focused her attention on the pregame show on the court, Izzy took one more look around and spotted Mel coming down the steps. She’d put on a black leather jacket before they entered the arena and was absolutely gorgeous. Rick was leading, with her hand firmly in his grasp. He stopped at the row and let her go ahead of him to their seats.

  “Sorry we took so long,” she said, smiling as she moved past Izzy to give Nancy a hug, then came back to Izzy and drew her into her arms. “I’m so glad you’re here,” she whispered into Izzy’s ear before dropping into the seat next to her. “With the way Rick likes to talk, I thought we were never going to make it down here.”

  “What time do you want to come out on Sunday?” Izzy asked, taking a drink of her beer. Izzy hadn’t pegged Nancy for a surfer, but if she was willing, Izzy would go with her.

  “You’re really going surfing? Isn’t it kind of choppy out there?” Mel asked.

  “Not once you get past the shore. Do you surf, Mel?”

  Nancy answered for her. “God, no. She’s too prissy for that.”

  She narrowed her eyes. “I can come out and watch.”

  “Sure. Come on. It’ll be early though.” She turned to Nancy. “Just after sunup.”

  Nancy looked over her glass as she sipped her wine. “Sounds good.”

  “What’s your number? I’ll text you my address.”

  Nancy rattled off her number, and Izzy fired off the text and then glanced back up at Nancy. Fiery red hair, green eyes, nice smile. Maybe she just needed a good fuck to get Mel out of her head.

  The arena lights flashed, and the announcer’s voice boomed over the speakers before Izzy could say anything else. She sat back and watched the players shoot out onto the floor as the announcer called their names.

  Izzy had a hard time concentrating on the game after halftime. Rick and Mel had gone back up to the luxury suites to mingle and had never returned to their seats. She’d received an apologetic text from Mel telling her she’d be down as soon as she could break away. All Izzy could think about was the way Rick’s hand was splayed possessively across Mel’s lower back as they’d headed up the stairs. By the end of the game, the arena was still full. It always was when it was a close game. They were up on their feet for most of the fourth quarter. The last three-pointer circled the rim but finally sank. The Warriors won by two.

  Izzy could see Rick and Mel through the windows of the luxury suite. They were still mingling with Rick’s friends. Izzy was ready to go and didn’t really want to wait around while Rick hung out with his buddies, so she suggested to Nancy they catch a cab. When Nancy asked her if she wanted to get a drink somewhere, Izzy took her to a moderately busy bar near the arena that would make it difficult to become too intimate. By the time she dropped Nancy off at her house later, she’d enjoyed talking to her so much Izzy wished she’d taken her someplace a whole lot quieter. She and Nancy seemed to have a lot in common, and she’d actually had a great time tonight, despite her feelings for Mel.

  *

  Mel found the key under the flowerpot as usual
and let herself in the house. She changed her clothes and got comfortable on the couch. Izzy probably wasn’t expecting her to be here, but Mel was having serious second thoughts about tonight. She couldn’t stand the way Izzy and Nancy had gotten along so well. Everything they had in common and the food sharing. What was I thinking? She clicked the TV on and flipped from channel to channel until she found the highlights from the basketball game. She couldn’t believe how her body had tingled when she saw Izzy staring up at her when she came down to take her seat at the game. Even after her interaction with Nancy at dinner, the look in her eyes had been unmistakable. But what was she going to do about it? She’d gone back and forth about her feelings all afternoon.

  She dropped her head back onto the couch and stared at the ceiling. Her life would be so much easier right now if she didn’t have these feelings to contend with. But when she saw Izzy looking up from her seat at her tonight, her body had turned to pure jelly. The woman made her feel things she didn’t want to suppress. But no matter what kind of attraction she felt for Izzy, she couldn’t go on letting her think there was any possibility of the two of them hooking up in the near future. She was still married to Jack, and it didn’t look like he intended to let her go without a fight. It wasn’t a matter of jealousy or affection; it was all about money. He wanted half of the company she’d built from the ground up, and she wasn’t willing to part with it. Until they worked out some kind of settlement, Izzy was simply off limits. So why was she here in Izzy’s living room, sitting on her couch waiting for her?

  The camera scanned the crowd and focused on their seats. The announcer said something about Rick Daniels having a new love interest, and Mel cringed. Something piqued her interest, and she backed up the footage to watch the shot again. Izzy and Nancy were having a really good time, smiling widely as they leaned into each other, whispering in each other’s ear. “What the fuck!” She clicked off the TV, slapped the remote down on the coffee table, and closed her eyes.

  Mel’s body shook and she pried her eyes open to look around, confused at first as to where she was. Then she saw Izzy’s smile and felt the warmth of her hand on her shoulder.