by Lisa Moreau
After a few moments, Sophie asked, “What was it like seeing your father again?”
Jordan paused and turned to Sophie, her eyes a dark teal now. “Awkward. Uncomfortable.”
“You never did tell me what your argument was about. Why did he throw you out?”
Jordan studied the point where the ocean met the sky. “It’s a long story.”
“We have time. You can trust me, whatever it is.” Sophie bit her lower lip and patiently waited as Jordan seemingly mulled over the idea of opening up.
“You know my father. It wouldn’t have taken much for him to disown me. He was pretty strict.”
The overwhelming sadness in Jordan’s eyes made Sophie want to wrap her arms around her and protect her from any more pain. She wanted to kiss Jordan tenderly and tell her that no matter what had happened, she didn’t deserve such treatment and that she was perfect. Instead, Sophie laid her hand on Jordan’s knee, hoping that one day soon she’d feel comfortable enough to open up.
Chapter Fourteen
Not-So-Happy Hour
This couldn’t be right. As Jordan cruised through town, she grabbed the napkin Mabel had given her and checked the address. She was on the right street, but this didn’t look like an area that would have a bar. She rolled to a stop at the address and read a sign: Monarch Public Library. The Library is an actual library? What a weird place to have a happy hour. She would have sped away, but Sophie’s Jeep was there, so she decided to check it out.
Jordan heard boisterous laughter as she opened the door to the building, so she followed the sound down a hall until she reached the main library. About twenty-five women were drinking from wineglasses and munching snacks. To the right stretched a long table covered with an array of scrumptious-looking dishes that made Jordan’s stomach growl.
“Jordan! You made it!” Mabel, who smelled like grape juice and apple pie, embraced her. “Let me introduce you to everyone.” Mabel linked arms with her and walked her to a group of women.
Jordan spotted Nanci and Sophie huddled in a corner, looking cozy. A twinge of jealousy gripped her. That was weird. She wasn’t the jealous type, and certainly not with someone she wasn’t even dating. As though sensing she was being watched, Sophie locked eyes with Jordan. She raised her wineglass, sending her a telepathic hello.
“…and this is Mrs. Holmstead. Her husband is the county sheriff.” Jordan peeled her eyes away from Sophie as Mabel introduced her to various women.
“It’s so exciting to meet a celebrity,” one of the women said. “I saw you on TV and had no idea your grandmother was Frances and that your father is Charles. Imagine that.”
Jordan smiled and nodded. She stole a glance at Sophie, who was still staring right at her as Nanci chatted nonstop.
Molly walked to the group and stood by Mabel, making it hard for Jordan to tell them apart in their matching red dresses with white lace around the collar. “Were you here when the turn-of-the-century earthquake hit?” Molly asked.
“I was. In fact, it was my last night in town.”
“You have to come to Bertha’s shake, rattle, and roll bash,” Mabel said. “I know it’s silly to commemorate an earthquake, but it was the biggest one that’s hit the central coast in over thirty years. And on New Year’s Eve, no less.”
“Speaking of Bertha,” Molly said. “I wonder where she is? She’s supposed to bring her Italian cream pie. I’ve been waiting for that all day.”
As the women surveyed the crowd looking for Bertha, Jordan excused herself and made a beeline for Sophie when Nanci left to raid the buffet. Jordan kept her gaze on Sophie as she walked toward her. She looked particularly radiant, so much so that Jordan couldn’t get the lyrics to the song “You Are So Beautiful” out of her head.
“Come here often?” Jordan asked.
“Is that your best pickup line?” Sophie’s clear blue eyes sparkled with delight. “Are you going to ask what my sign is next?”
“I already know you’re a Pisces. You’re devoted, sensitive, and intuitive. Your symbol is two fish swimming in opposite directions. You live both in the physical world as well as the spiritual.”
“I’m impressed.”
Jordan smiled proudly. “You should be.”
“And modest, too. So what are you doing here? I didn’t think this would be your scene.”
“I think I was tricked. When Mabel invited me to happy hour, this wasn’t exactly what I envisioned. And I thought the Library was a bar in town.”
Sophie put a hand over her mouth and suppressed a giggle. “Don’t make me choke on my grape juice.”
“Grape juice? You mean it’s not even wine? Is there any liquor here?”
“Not a drop. This is an alcohol-free zone. I guess Mabel neglected to explain that fact.”
“Must have slipped her mind. So how do you know Nanci with an i?”
Sophie cocked her head and studied Jordan. “How’d you know that’s how she introduced herself?”
“I…uh…met her in town once.” Jordan hoped Nanci remembered to keep the sanctuary plans a secret. Sophie didn’t need to know she’d already decided to sell.
“Actually, this is sort of a blind date. Bertha set us up. We just met tonight.”
“Oh. Well, I don’t want to intrude.”
Sophie grabbed Jordan’s arm as she inched away. “Don’t go. I don’t even know her. I want you to stay.” The sincerity in Sophie’s eyes convinced her.
“So,” Jordan said, looking around the room. “Does everyone here know you and Nanci are lesbians?”
“Sure. Why do you ask?”
“They all seem so accepting. I figured it’d be difficult to be gay in such a small town.”
“Most Monarch residents are supportive, but I’m sure not everyone…like your father.”
Jordan jerked her head toward Sophie. “My father? Why? What did he say?”
“It’s nothing he said, but when I moved back from college he seemed to take a particular dislike to me. I approached him several times to ask about you, and he practically slammed the door in my face. I got the feeling he was disgusted by me, and I couldn’t figure out why until it dawned on me that the only thing different was that I came out of the closet.”
“God, Sophie. I’m so sorry he treated you like that. What an ass.”
“It’s okay. Really. I could have cared less what he thought of me. All I wanted was information about you.” Sophie placed her hand on Jordan’s lower back, leaned close, and whispered, “I still don’t know what made you stay away so long, but I do plan to find out. One of these days you’ll open up to me, Jordan Lee, and you’ll see you can trust me.”
Shivers cascaded up and down Jordan’s spine as goose bumps appeared on her arms. She wasn’t sure if Sophie’s touch or the softness in her voice as she whispered her name had caused such a reaction.
Sophie removed her hand and inched back, appearing suddenly nervous. “Actually, I wanted to ask you something.”
Before Jordan could respond, someone placed a hand on her shoulder. She turned around, face-to-face with the intense, dark eyes of Madame Butterfly.
“It’s nice to see you again, Jordan.”
“Ah, yes. How are you tonight?”
“I’m well, my dear. I’ll be conducting psychic readings later for the ladies if you’d like to join.”
“Nooo, thanks. I’m good.”
“Well, if you change your mind, let me know.” Madame smiled at Sophie before walking away.
“That woman scares the crap outta me,” Jordan said.
“Madame? Why? She’s harmless.”
“She smiles at you but gives me those intense I-know-what-you’re-thinking stares.”
“Did any of Madame Butterfly’s reading ring true? Like…are you pining for someone you love but can’t be with?”
Jordan glanced at Sophie before averting her eyes downward. “No. Not at all.”
“So you’re not in a relationship in LA? You’re not in love?”
Jordan’s heart hammered. “Weren’t you going to ask me something? Before Madame interrupted us?”
“Oh, yes…well, I’m driving up the coast Monday for a couple of days and…well, would you like to join me? It’s for work. I’ll stay in Big Sur and visit a couple of schools conducting educational classes. You don’t have to, of course, but you got so bored last time I was away. Not that you didn’t do an awesome job organizing everything, but I just thought maybe…possibly…you know…”
“Sophie, you can stop explaining. I’d love to go. I’ve never been to Big Sur.”
“Really? I―”
“Did someone say Big Sur?” Nanci asked. “It’s beautiful there. Hello, Jordan. It’s nice to see you again. Watching you two from across the room, I’d swear you were old friends. But didn’t you just meet a few weeks ago?”
“Actually, Jordan and I went to school together for eight years.”
“Really? Small world. Sophie, did you hear about the new art museum in Tallon? Maybe we could check it out sometime.”
“Sure. That sounds great.”
“I think I’ll check out the food spread,” Jordan said, feeling like a third wheel. Even though Sophie gave her a you-don’t-have-to-leave look, Jordan walked away, wishing she had something stronger than grape juice to drink.
Jordan was filling a plate when Bertha walked in carrying a pie in each hand and looking out of breath and excited.
“There’s that Italian cream pie.” Molly grabbed the desserts from Bertha. “Where have you been?”
Bertha rapidly patted her chest, attempting to catch her breath. Had it not been for her ginormous smile, Jordan would have thought she was having a heart attack.
“You won’t believe who’s right outside the door,” Bertha said breathlessly.
“Who?” everyone asked in unison.
“Is Jordan here? Please say she’s here.” Bertha looked around until she spotted Jordan and ran toward her. Everyone circled them, obviously curious as to what the ruckus was about. Sophie and Nanci even cut their cuddle time short.
“Girls, we not only have one celebrity in our midst, but two!”
“Who’s here?” Molly asked, excitedly.
Jordan had a bad feeling about this new development.
“Wait here. Don’t move a muscle.” Bertha ran out of the room.
Jordan shrugged as all the women looked at her questioningly. Within a few seconds, Bertha emerged with the international instant-coffee queen herself.
“Bibi?! What the…” Jordan’s mouth fell open, and she had a sudden urge to duck under the buffet table.
“Darling, it’s so good to see you.” Bibi grabbed Jordan’s shoulders and gave her a kiss on each cheek.
Jordan stared, completely stunned. “What are you doing here?”
“I texted that I was sending a gift. Well, here it is!” Bibi swung out her arms like she expected Jordan to dive into her embrace. Instead, Jordan stared and blinked rapidly.
“How’d you find me?”
“I stopped at the coffee shop to ask for directions, and this nice lady said you’d be here. Why didn’t you tell me you’re a landowner? Surely you’re not staying in this…place.” Bibi sneered at the women around them.
Jordan winced. Bertha must have told Bibi that she owned the sanctuary. She couldn’t blame her, though. It wasn’t exactly a secret.
“But why are you here?” Jordan suddenly realized they were in the company of others and this probably wasn’t the best line of questioning, especially with Sophie two feet away. This wasn’t the way she wanted to be outed. Jordan glanced at Sophie, who had a concerned expression.
“Are you who I think you are?” Mabel peered closely at Bibi.
“You’re the Frenchwoman on those coffee commercials, aren’t you?” Molly asked.
“Oh, my, am I seeing double?” Bibi looked from Molly to Mabel.
“They’re twins.” Jordan felt suddenly protective of the women. She didn’t want Bibi saying anything to belittle them.
Bertha linked arms with Bibi and pulled her to the buffet table. “You must try a piece of my pie. You’re so thin. You need more than just coffee, dear.”
Jordan jumped at the sound of Sophie’s voice behind her. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew her?”
“What do you mean? I know a lot of famous people I haven’t told you about.”
“When you were at my place and saw her picture on the coffee box, you didn’t say anything.” Anger flashed in Sophie’s eyes.
“Oh. Well, Bibi and I aren’t exactly friends. I didn’t want to get into our history then.”
“You have a lot of secrets, don’t you? I’m beginning to think Madame’s reading was right.”
Bibi whisked Jordan around, shot Sophie a dirty look, and whispered, “Why don’t we cut out of this honky-tonk party and have our own special celebration at your condo?”
Jordan peered at Sophie out the corner of her eye. She needed to get Bibi out of there before she said anything more.
“Sure, yeah, let’s go.” As everyone bid their good-byes, Jordan watched Sophie and Nanci head back to their cozy corner.
*
Jordan fumbled in the dark for her keyhole with Bibi hanging around her neck. As they stumbled into the condo she pinned Jordan against the wall and kissed her forcefully. Before Jordan knew what was happening, Bibi slipped her hands inside Jordan’s shirt and unhooked her bra. Jordan put her hands on Bibi’s shoulders and pushed back, which caused a momentary flash of anger in Bibi’s eyes.
“What are you doing?” Jordan kept her hands firmly on Bibi’s shoulders.
“Darling, if you don’t know what I’m doing, then it’s been much too long since you’ve been with a woman.” Bibi leaned in for another kiss as Jordan turned her head.
“We broke up. We’re not dating.”
Bibi’s lower lip jutted out in a pout. “You said we could talk.”
“This isn’t exactly talking. Look, you’re a beautiful woman. I know there are hundreds of women in LA who would love to be with you. But you and I…we don’t fit.” Jordan dropped her hands and rubbed the back of her neck.
“Is it that blonde you were looking at? Are you sleeping with her? Is that why you came here?”
“What? Who are you talking about?”
“That vanilla cream puff who couldn’t take her eyes off you.”
“Sophie? We’re just friends.”
“Then why are you here? That woman said you own land. Surely you’re selling.”
“That’s really none of your business.”
“Come back to LA with me.” Bibi grabbed Jordan’s hands as she pulled away.
“No. Look, I’m sorry―”
“I drove two hundred and fifty fucking miles to surprise you, and this is what I get!? And just what am I supposed to do now that I’m stuck in the middle of nowhere?” Bibi stormed into the condo with Jordan following.
“There’s a motel in town if―”
“Motel!? You want Bibi to stay at a motel?”
The expression on Bibi’s face was straight out of a horror movie. She really should branch out into starring in scary flicks.
“Right. No. Of course not. It’s late, so you can sleep in my bed and I’ll crash on the sofa, and you can leave in the morning. Is your bag in the car? I’ll grab it for you.”
Bibi slumped into a chair. “Be careful with it. It’s Armani.”
Jordan wasn’t surprised to see five bags in Bibi’s trunk. The woman never could pack light. After getting Bibi settled in her room, Jordan gathered some blankets and laid them on the sofa. When she went into the kitchen for a glass of water, she contemplated hiding the large, sharp knives on the counter but resisted. Bibi was annoying but not dangerous.
Jordan stretched out on the couch and closed her eyes. Just as she was drifting off to sleep, an image of Sophie and Nanci popped into her mind. Not that anything was wrong with the real-estate agent, but Jordan’s intuition told
her she wasn’t right for Sophie.
No, Sophie needs someone more…like me. Jordan bolted upright, suddenly wide-awake. Where’d that come from?
Chapter Fifteen
Candy Canes and Kisses
Who’d be texting at six a.m.? Sophie yawned, turned over in bed, and grabbed her cell phone. Tingles coursed through her body when she saw Jordan’s name. Her excitement plummeted, though, when she read the note.
Won’t be in today. What time should I be there Monday to leave for Big Sur? Have a good weekend.
Sophie responded: 8 a.m.
She wasn’t sure why the phrase “Have a good weekend” ticked her off so much. She guessed that meant Jordan would be busy with her guest and wouldn’t be at work. Sophie reclined in bed and thought about Jordan and the coffee queen. There was something strange about that woman. Jordan had said they weren’t friends, nor did she look happy to see her, so who was she? An enemy? And why didn’t Jordan tell Sophie that she knew her? The whole thing felt off.
Sophie took a deep breath and attempted to clear her mind. Jordan occupied her thoughts far more than she’d like. She needed a girlfriend. It’d been a month since she’d done the soul-mate ceremony. Shouldn’t she have met someone by now? All Sophie wanted was a woman lying next to her. Correction: a naked woman. Actually, make that a hot, naked woman. Was that too much to ask? An image of Jordan flashed through Sophie’s mind. Not just any image, but a hot, nude image where she was lying on her back, with one arm behind her head and the other draped across Sophie’s stomach. The sight of her, even though it was a daydream, was arousing. Sophie imagined covering Jordan’s breast with her mouth, sucking, licking, until she cried out in pleasure.
Sophie slipped a hand underneath her T-shirt and caressed her breast. Her nipple hardened as she lightly pinched and squeezed. The thought of Jordan’s tongue mimicking her touch left her breathless and with a pulsation down below. Instinctively, Sophie squeezed her thighs together in an attempt to relieve the throbbing ache. As she continued fondling her breast, she let her other hand creep inside her shorts, not surprised to find that she was wet. Craving immediate release, she pressed hard against her clit but stopped abruptly when she pictured Jordan planting kisses down her stomach.