by M. Ullrich
“Bon Jovi. I’m a true Jersey girl at heart. What about you?”
“Madonna.” Caroline puckered one last time. She poked her head around the corner of the bathroom door and watched Emma as she lounged on the bed and scrolled through her phone.
“Madonna’s not a band,” Emma said without looking up.
Caroline put in one earring and then the other. “I guess I don’t really have a favorite band, then. I’ve always been more into pop superstars.” She stepped back into the bathroom to check her appearance in the full-length mirror behind the door. Her simple violet skirt flowed just past her knees, which were pink from the day in the sun. She just had to touch up her eyeliner and they’d be able to go to dinner. Ramona and Ted were waiting for them.
“What about your family? Do you have any siblings?”
Caroline dropped her eyeliner in the sink. She couldn’t grab it before the pencil tip touched the bowl, and it fell to the floor. “Son of a bitch,” she said. She bent to pick it up and slammed her shoulder into the vanity in the process. “Ow! Dammit.”
“What is going on in here?” Emma’s brows were pinched as she looked at Caroline on the floor. She continued to eat from the bag of chips she seemed to have acquired from thin air.
“Just dropping things,” Caroline said in a grumble.
Emma hopped up on the vanity and watched Caroline. “Just give me a quick roll call in case it comes up during dinner. First names only, please.”
Caroline leaned into the mirror. “Well, you already know their last name.” Emma remained quiet, she didn’t even crunch. “It’s my last name.” Still no response. “You do remember my last name, right?”
“In my defense, I only heard it once or twice,” Emma said, closing the chip bag and wiping her hands on a discarded towel.
Caroline sighed through her nose and applied her makeup. “You’re unbelievable. Beckett. My last name is Beckett.”
“Right,” Emma said with a snap. “I knew it started with a B.”
Caroline shot her a disbelieving look.
“Who are the other Becketts?”
“Look, my family is—” Caroline froze. She had almost willingly given details to Emma about her family. “My parents are Sharon and Ed, my brother is Kyle.”
“Older or younger?”
“Younger. He lives with my parents.” Caroline could feel her breath start to quicken. Her anxiety was not going to make this easy.
“Much younger, then.”
Caroline decided to deflect rather than lie. “I’ll ignore you calling me old if you tell me about your family now.”
Emma kicked her legs out and wiggled her toes. Somehow, her skin wasn’t red. It glowed golden. “You already know I’m an only child, and my aunt Beverly was my best friend.”
“What about your parents?”
“Joanne and Oliver, an old-fashioned American divorce story,” Emma said wistfully.
Caroline felt like she was intruding upon Emma’s private life and tried to rein the conversation in. “Joanne and Oliver, got it.”
“I see my mom as often as I can when I’m home. We get lunch together, go shopping, and even garden when she makes me.” Emma laughed. “Oliver hit the bottle pretty hard after the divorce, and that caused a disconnect between us.”
Caroline studied Emma’s face but didn’t say a word.
“Ask me whatever’s on your mind right now.”
Caroline’s eyes went wide. “I don’t have anything on my mind.”
“Yes, you do,” Emma said. She hopped down from the counter and stood before Caroline. Her expression was open and delicate, a clear invitation for Caroline to know her more deeply.
“Whose idea was the divorce?” Caroline swallowed hard after she asked.
“From the way they fought, you would think the split was mutual. But my mom had finally had enough one day and called it quits.”
Caroline nodded in understanding. Before she could let her natural instinct to remain quiet take over, Caroline decided to share. “My parents fight a lot, too. I remember a kid in my fifth grade class talking about his parents getting divorced, and I went home that day feeling like I had the solution to all of our problems.”
“And what exactly did you do with that solution?” Emma’s voice dripped with amusement.
“I announced at the dinner table that it was time for a divorce.” Caroline laughed along with Emma. “My parents did not find it funny. Or helpful, for that matter. They told me to go to my room and to mind my own business. I thought listening to them yell at each other was my business,” Caroline said sadly.
“And it never got better?”
“No.” Caroline broke free from Emma’s magnetic pull and stepped away. “Ready for dinner?”
“I’m starving. Do you think I look okay? I know this restaurant is on the dressier side.” Emma tugged at the waist of the simple, sleeveless magenta dress she had bought that afternoon from a shop they passed.
“You look great,” Caroline said honestly. Emma’s hair was cascading effortlessly over her right shoulder, and the light makeup she wore accentuated all of her most captivating features. “I’d even go as far as saying I’m proud to call you my fake girlfriend.”
Emma blushed and giggled. “Back at ya,” she said, touching Caroline’s elbow. “Let’s go.” Without another look at Caroline, Emma took off.
Caroline watched Emma as she left the room. She had never felt that kind of energy come from Emma before. It reminded Caroline of a child sharing their snack with their crush on the playground—skittish eye contact and all.
“I’m going to leave without you.”
Caroline heard Emma’s shout and jumped. “I’m coming.” She checked her hair once more and left.
* * *
“This has been my favorite meal by far,” Emma said as she sat back and rubbed her stomach. The steak was delicious. The mushroom truffle flatbread appetizer had been delightful. But the key lime pie she just ate really blew everything out of the water. She could barely move.
Ted’s belly laugh shook the table. “You’re going to have to carry your woman to bed later, Caroline.”
“In her dreams,” Caroline said over the rim of her wineglass.
Emma hitched her brow at Caroline, adding a wink.
“I’d like to propose a toast,” Ramona said as she raised her pint glass. “We came on this trip expecting hot, sunny days and romance. But what we didn’t expect was to meet so many delightful people.”
Emma sat forward. “Ramona, you’re talking like we won’t spend any more time together. The week is just starting.”
“The week is indeed young, just like you two. You don’t want to spend your vacation with old folks like us, so I’m cherishing the moments we are having right now. To new friends.”
“To new friends,” everyone echoed, raising their glasses.
“New friends who don’t live too far from one another,” Ted said. “We’d love to have you over once we all get back into the regular swing of things.”
Emma and Caroline shared an uncomfortable, knowing look.
Caroline cleared her throat. “We’d like that a lot.”
Their waitress stepped up to the table and placed the check in the middle. “For whenever you’re ready.”
Emma nodded her thanks as she watched Caroline. She had been listening all night to the ways Caroline had expertly dodged personal questions during dinner. She appeared relaxed and seemed to be enjoying herself, but Emma could see the way she fought to keep her walls up. The skill was both impressive and annoying, and it came in handy when Ramona asked how they met—a detail they had yet to work out.
Ted reached for the bill. “We’ll take care of this.”
“Oh, no you won’t,” Emma said as she snatched the leather folder from his hand. She slipped the business credit card into the pocket and held it close until the waitress returned. “It’ll be our pleasure to treat our new friends. Especially if you’ll be hosting
us in the near future.”
Ramona’s smile was blinding. “Fair enough.”
“What are you two up to now? There’s a small pier not too far from here that has a night cruise. You’re welcome to join us.”
Emma could tell by Caroline’s shift she wasn’t interested. “Thank you for thinking of us, but, um—”
“I’m afraid of boats,” Caroline said.
“And they probably want some time together alone,” Ramona added.
Emma turned just in time to catch Caroline trying to hide her blush. The waitress returned with a slip for Emma to sign and wished them all a good night. “I don’t think I can walk. Ted was right, babe, you’ll have to carry me.”
“Do you need me to call to the front desk for a wheelchair?” Caroline said dryly. Ramona’s laughter sounded loud in the quiet restaurant.
Emma made a show of rolling her eyes. “No. I guess I’ll have to walk.”
Ted extended his hand to Emma. “Thank you for dinner.”
“Thank you for the company.” Emma shook his hand.
They exchanged good-byes and before they knew it, Emma was alone with Caroline once more. “What should we do now?” Emma said.
“You should go on the boat.”
“I already said no.”
“But it’s something you’d really enjoy,” Caroline said, taking Emma’s hand. She dropped it immediately. “Go. I’m tired anyway and should probably make it an early night.”
This could be a trick. She watched Caroline’s face, the many nuances that played out on her lips and brow, but she only saw honesty. She really needed to stop doubting Caroline’s intentions. “If you’re sure.”
“I’m positive.”
Emma shot off a message to Ramona for them to wait for her. She and Caroline walked together to the elevators and paused. “We have a good time together,” Emma said out of nowhere. The thought occurred to her, and she shared it without hesitation.
Caroline chuckled. “Surprisingly.”
Emma smirked. “Just because you act like a stick in the mud all the time doesn’t mean you can’t have fun.” She waited for a quippy comeback from Caroline, but it never came. Caroline stood in silence, and Emma worried she had offended her. Yet again.
The elevator dinged, and the doors opened. Two couples exited. Caroline looked at Emma with a soft smile.
“You’re right,” Caroline said. “Now go, before the ship takes off without you.”
“Casts off,” Emma said, watching Caroline get on the now-empty elevator. “A ship casts off.”
“Good to know.” Caroline stood in the center of the elevator, the dim lighting accenting her jawline and shapely body. She held her clutch in front of her with both hands, shooting Emma a wink as the doors closed.
Emma started to walk away, but her movements were hesitant. She glanced over her shoulder and questioned if leaving Caroline was the right thing to do. She knew Caroline preferred to spend her nights at home, but she still felt uneasy.
“Emma,” Ramona bellowed in the quiet resort. “We have to go.”
Caroline probably needs some time alone. “Coming.” She jogged to catch up to Ted and Ramona, who were waiting patiently by the main entrance.
They strolled the walkway that led to a small pier toward the back of the property, content in the silence that surrounded them. The evening was warm and the air humid, but magic surrounded the resort and the days spent there.
Emma boarded the small tour boat and picked a fluorescent green life vest from the captain as she offered them. The green would at least complement the deep pink of her dress. She was mildly surprised by the small size of the craft, but given the intimacy-focused theme of the resort, she had to admit it made sense.
“Red or white?” Ted asked while holding two glasses of wine. “They only have wine on this cruise. Ramona ain’t happy about it.”
“I’ll bet,” Emma said with a chuckle. She secured the last clip of her vest and tugged it tight around her body. “White, please.”
Ted clinked his glass to Emma’s. “I can’t remember the last time I was on a boat.”
“I was on a charter yacht last month off the coast of California. It was beautiful,” Emma said without thinking.
“You really do like boats, don’t you?”
“Very much. There’s something incredibly relaxing about being surrounded by water.”
Ramona joined them with a glass of merlot and an orange life vest. “Did you two vacation in California as well?”
“We um, we did not. I was on a business trip.”
“That wound up on a yacht? Very nice.” Ted raised his glass. “What is it that you do?”
Dammit. Emma wanted to kick herself. She had been doing so well with dodging certain topics. Or maybe Caroline was the talented one when it came to controlling the course of their conversations. “I work for a website. California, Silicon Valley, and all that boring stuff. But at least I got on a boat.” Emma let out a hollow laugh.
“It’s nice you and Caroline haven’t lost sight of your individual likes. Too many long-term couples give up so many things to make the other happy.”
Ted cleared his throat. “Are you planning on proposing to Caroline anytime soon?”
Emma nearly choked on her wine, causing a dribble to fall from her lips back into the glass.
“Ted,” Ramona scolded with a gentle slap to his arm. “You can’t just ask questions like that.”
Emma laughed politely. “It’s okay.”
“They’re two women, either of them can do the asking. Caroline may be the one to propose.” Ramona’s satisfied smile broke out into a wide-eyed grin. “Maybe she’ll even do it on this trip.”
“No, no,” Emma said with no real follow-up in mind. She looked off into the distance and noticed how far away the dock was. She had no easy escape route. “I don’t think we’re quite there yet.”
“Yes you are, trust me.” Ramona sipped her wine and winced. “This is terrible.”
Emma looked between Ted and Ramona. She should just let the topic drop, but curiosity was a powerful motivator. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve been together for three years, and the way you look at one another,” Ramona said as she put her hand over her heart, “you are clearly crazy in love.”
Emma nearly argued. She opened her mouth, her mind was loaded with a list of denials, but she caught herself just in time. They were supposed to be in love, but playing the role so well came as a surprise. Emma knew she should be proud they’d managed to fool this couple, but she felt bad, and an unknown sensation settled in her belly. Was Emma growing jealous of her fictional life?
“Are you feeling okay, dear? You look a little pale.” Ramona reached out and placed the back of her hand against Emma’s cheek. She smelled of Chantilly Lace, a perfume Emma recognized from her childhood.
“I’m fine,” Emma said with a faint smile. “I think I was too full for a boat ride, but I’ll be okay.”
Emma stared out at the water, which was much calmer than her inner turmoil. The moon’s reflection stretched and contorted with the waves, and the air was much chillier than before. She shot Ramona a grateful smile and tried her best to enjoy the rest of the boat ride.
By the time they docked, Emma didn’t start back toward her room until after eleven o’clock. She walked down the hall slowly, her legs heavy with fatigue and wobbly with that after-boat feeling. She hoped Caroline was asleep. As much as she enjoyed their conversations as of late, Emma craved nothing more than turning her brain off for the night.
She put her card key into the door and swung it open. The first thing Emma noticed was Caroline in bed, and the next was how quickly Caroline pulled the covers up to hide the glowing screen in her hand. Suspicious. The room was dark save for the amber lighting from the bedside lamp, and the sliding doors were open, letting in the sound of crashing waves. The mood was set, and Emma’s face broke out into a devious grin.
“Are you watc
hing porn?” Emma said excitedly.
“No!” Caroline’s denial was loud and awkward.
Emma shut the door and held her hands up. “I’m not judging, trust me. I have my own favorite sites.”
“I’m not watching porn.”
“I get it. It’s been a stressful few days, and you needed to blow off steam. I like to start every day with an orgasm.” Emma smiled at Caroline, who sat perfectly still with her mouth agape. “I’m going to wash my face and brush my teeth, give you enough time to finish. I’ll even sleep on the cot.” Emma made a show of blocking her eyes and started for the bathroom. She shut the door and started to giggle. “I hope you helped yourself to something from the complimentary toy box,” she shouted.
Emma changed into sleep shorts and a tank top and went about her nightly routine. She continued to think about what she had walked in on. Maybe if she had arrived five minutes later, she’d have walked in to find Caroline with her shapely legs spread wide and her fingers buried deep inside herself. Emma dropped her toothbrush. Her body pulsed pleasantly, and she was very tempted to give herself the same kind of attention, but she really was tired and holding off would make her usual morning orgasm even better. She nodded to her reflection in the mirror and rinsed out her toothbrush.
“I’m coming back into the room now.” Emma exited the bathroom loudly and kept her eyes away from Caroline on the bed. “I am back in the room.”
“I really wasn’t watching porn,” Caroline said in a small voice.
Emma looked up to see Caroline sitting in the middle of the bed with her legs folded beneath her. She wasn’t wearing makeup, and her hair was pulled back into a small ponytail that barely held half of it. Caroline’s camisole was thin and stretched across her breasts in the most inviting way. Emma swallowed hard.
“Okay,” Emma said dumbly.
“I was playing video games.” Caroline held up a handheld gaming device. “It helps me focus elsewhere and relax a little.”
“Video games.” Emma’s chest warmed. She walked to the bed and peeked at the small screen in Caroline’s hand. “What are you playing?”
“Zelda.”
Emma’s excitement was renewed. “New or old?”