“Multiple orgasms?” Lauren finished. “I’d think that’s a good start.”
“Come on. I’m serious.”
Lauren curled up against her side, laying an arm around her waist. “Okay. Some things, only time will tell. I can assure you, when it didn’t work out, there was usually something that told me right away. With you…I can never wait until we see each other again. I love talking to you. I won’t deny I enjoy the fact that my previously non-existent sex life has become something out of a dream. All else, we have to see. I’m sorry if I freaked you out about moving in together. We’ll look into that when we’re both ready. Who says how a relationship has to start off? I think we started off just fine. We could have that date next week…try not to have sex.” She chuckled. “Which means we really have to make use of the Sunday.”
“Thank you,” Summer said before she leaned in for a kiss. “Thank you so much.”
“Now that sounds serious.”
“I think I’d almost forgotten how to laugh too.”
Lauren tightened her embrace in response.
* * * *
They didn’t wait until Sunday. It was impossible for them to keep their hands off each other, or not see each other for longer than a couple of days, especially with an opportunity opening up out of the blue.
Tia, another TA in Summer’s department, knocked on her door a couple of hours after lunch.
“Hey, I just heard Professor Watts went home, she’s sick apparently. There’s no one to replace her today, so a few of us are going for coffee. Do you want to come?”
Summer was about to say yes when another, even much better alternative came to mind. “I’m sorry, not today. There’s something I need to take care of.”
“All right, another time. Have a good day.” Tia shrugged and turned to walk away. Summer waited until she’d closed the door and called Lauren.
“Remember how we said I should cook for you sometime? I could do it tonight, if you can make it.”
Lauren was surprised, but willing.
“That’s a great idea. We could keep our reservation though? Summer, are you there?”
It was when Summer realized she’d been quiet, smiling to herself for almost a minute, at all those beautiful implications hidden in Lauren’s practical questions. Every wait was too long. “Yes, of course, I’m sorry. I’d still love to go. Do you think you could be here around seven? My class was canceled, and I thought instead of shuffling papers, I could make us something nice. What would you like?”
“Surprise me,” Lauren said in a slow sexy whisper that made Summer think of everything but food. She’d put her mind to it though.
“Oh, I intend to.”
Summer’s home was nowhere as impressive as Lauren’s. There was an advantage to the smaller place, she thought, as she walked around her small studio to straighten a cushion and arrange her to-be-read pile in one of the shelves. The cleanup was quick. She’d set out to impress Lauren with her cooking skills instead, starting with a colorful mixed salad, a delicious Chicken Parmesan with vegetables and sweet potato wedges, and a sweet, rich dessert. Summer turned on the radio and found a channel playing romantic music, humming along as she prepared the food.
She dreamed of a scene in the future when she’d do this with Lauren by her side, sharing a glass of wine while they talked about their respective days. Summer chuckled to herself. Silly, wasn’t it? She had just met her. No one could say where this would lead, but she couldn’t deny she’d begun hoping they had a chance at something that would last longer than a few dates.
Lauren had obviously stopped at home before. Summer couldn’t imagine she’d wear the leather jacket, low-cut sweater and tight jeans at work. A pair of ankle boots completed the outfit Summer found incredibly pleasing.
“Come on in,” she said after a long, breathless kiss. “You must be hungry.”
“I am.”
At times, everything they said to each other became a delightful double entendre, causing the kind of warm tingle in her body that made it hard for Summer to concentrate. She reminded herself that she was the hostess tonight.
“Okay. I’ll give you the tour later, then, not that there’s a lot to see. Let me get you something to drink.” Summer forced herself to take her eyes off Lauren for a moment to open the bottle of Shiraz she’d bought earlier, and pour each of them a glass. She’d done her best to create a separate space for their dinner, moved the table a little more against the wall, set it with her best dishes. The candleholders had been her grandmother’s, reminders of a happier time in her family. She wished she could make the dishes in the sink go away magically, but since that was not an option, she made Lauren sit in the chair where she wouldn’t face them.
“You really have an eye for design,” Lauren complimented her as she took a look around anyway, her glass in hand while Summer put food onto their plates. “You made the most of this space.”
Summer shrugged. “Some of the furniture is pretty old. Mom and I kept what we could, but neither of us had enough space. We made do.”
“You had a lot to adjust to—but I mean it. It’s a challenge to work with limited space. It’s easy to overwhelm it. You made everything fit together.”
The words, together with a few sips of wine and the prospect of the evening, warmed her against the chill of the memories. She had painted, dyed curtains and cushions, determined not to give in to the circumstances. Lauren stopped in front of one of the bookcases, inspecting the titles before she returned to her seat.
Summer set the plates on the table and refilled their glasses before she too sat down, feeling shy all of a sudden. Why, she had no idea. After everything they’d shared, there was no good reason. She hadn’t cooked for a date, a lover, in forever. This meant something. It had to.
Lauren sighed happily after the first bite.
“I can’t thank you enough,” she said. “I had to skip lunch today. You have no idea how much I wanted to drop everything and come see you right after you called.”
“Well, I wouldn’t have been able to offer you anything then. I’m glad you like it though. It’s been some time since I’ve made this.”
“The last time you told me it had been a long time, I couldn’t tell the difference either,” Lauren said, and they both laughed. “It’s heavenly. I could get used to this.”
Me too, Summer thought. Out loud, she said, “You haven’t even tried the dessert yet.” This time, there was no double-entendre intended. She had a fresh, delicious mousse au chocolat, laced with Grand Marnier, waiting in the fridge.
“I wish every night could be like this.” Lauren sighed happily. “With the one exception that I probably won’t be able to move a finger. Everything was so good. I haven’t eaten this much in a while.”
“I’m glad. I want your parents to think I’m taking good care of their daughter.” Despite the half serious statement that wasn’t supposed to have any double meaning at all, she felt a flash of heat at the amused look Lauren gave her.
“Oh, don’t worry, they will love you. Mom especially if you share the recipe for this chocolate heaven.”
Summer smiled though she wouldn’t admit how torn she was about meeting Lauren’s parents. Even though she was looking forward to meeting them, she thought with a guilty kind of envy of a family who had it so much easier than hers—maybe. No, that wasn’t the problem. She might see something she had longed for most of her life. The guilt was part of it either way.
“Tell me about your family,” she said.
Lauren pushed away the empty dessert bowl as if resisting the temptation of seconds.
“Mom and Dad are both doctors. They have had a practice for many years, but I think they are ready to give it up soon and travel. Dad is a big fan of the James Bond novels, so I think the first trip they’re going to make will be to England. Mom loves cooking up a storm—I guess I didn’t inherit that either.” Lauren laughed. “I told you, they really would have liked for at least one of us to becom
e a doctor, but that didn’t work out. Ethan has a landscaping business with his wife, and you know what I do. Sometimes, those plans just don’t work the way you want them to, but I think they’re okay now. Ethan and Josie provided a couple of grandkids and I…Well, there’s the magazine cover. Plus, I have you to brag about now.”
“Your name is all over the city,” Summer said, blushing. “I’m hardly someone to brag about.”
“You don’t look at yourself the way I do.” Lauren gave in to temptation and dipped her finger into the bowl, licking the chocolate from her fingertip. “You should try it sometime.”
Chapter Four
The impromptu dinner had been so tasty she had enjoyed it all. Against Summer’s protests, Lauren had insisted she help with the dishes. Afterward, she’d nearly fallen asleep on the couch next to her. The rather late meal had made them too content and lazy to do much moving around. The couch did convert into a double bed. It wasn’t much of a question that Lauren would stay. She smiled to herself. A date without sex. Apparently they were capable of having one. Neither of them had been capable of doing more than cuddling at that point, but that had felt good too. Lauren arrived at work refreshed and pleased with herself and the direction her life was going—until she got the call.
When Lauren hung up the phone, she was unable to keep the confusion out of her face. This was not something she had expected. She sat down at her desk, wondering if she’d made up that conversation in her mind.
“What is it?” Maryse asked, sounding worried. “They’re not going to close the office, are they?”
“Oh, no, sorry. He just told me VP Shriver is going to retire next month, and that there’ll be an opening.”
It took a few seconds, then understanding began to dawn on Maryse’s face, her jaw dropping slightly.
“I can only think of one reason why the president would call you to tell you about…wow.”
“Yes, wow.” Lauren raked a hand through her hair. “This is not the best timing. We just acquired two big projects. I know Kellerman wants my name on it.”
“You’re worried about timing? This is a drop everything and break out the champagne moment! The president asked you to come to Atlanta and take over?”
“Let’s just say he hinted that would be a possibility.”
“So what’s the problem? You have nothing to hold you back here. After that magazine cover, did you really think this office was the end of the line? Remember the phone ringing off the hook? What did you tell him?”
“I told him I’d think about it. Maryse, I’d like you to keep quiet about this for now, okay?”
“Sure.” Lauren could tell Maryse was shocked by her reaction. “You did that so there’s room for negotiating your salary, right? Which is a good strategy. If you say yes too quickly, they think you’ll take any deal.”
Clearly, she had no idea what was on Lauren’s mind. She liked her life here, the work, her home, the proximity to her family, and yet a few weeks ago, she might not have hesitated. Telling the president that she needed time to think about it hadn’t been a ploy to get more money out of the company, even though she might have to consider that too.
“You know I met someone.”
“Yeah, so? Have her come with you? This is a chance that might never come again. You said she works at the university? So she doesn’t come even close to making what you make now. Come on. If she’s really that much into you, she’ll understand. Meanwhile, we’ll take care of Kellerman.”
“It’s not that easy.”
“When the president says, come to Atlanta, you buy a plane ticket and go. It’s that easy,” Maryse insisted.
“Yeah, maybe you’re right,” Lauren said, mostly to end the subject. “Like I said, don’t tell anyone yet. Oh, and I need to leave early tonight.”
Maryse shook her head. “There’s not a single thing in your life I’m not jealous about, you know?”
“I am aware. Thanks.”
Maryse hugged her. “Are you kidding me? This is so amazing.”
“What is amazing?” Josh, who had just come in, asked.
“Lauren has a date. We’ll all rejoice, because she’s a lot less grumpy than usual, and, well, we get to do overtime.”
Lauren made a face at her friend. “You were so exaggerating the grumpy part.”
* * * *
She hadn’t exactly lied, just not presented all the facts. The date she and Summer had set was for the next day, a few more hours of reprieve to make a decision. Instead of going home, Lauren went to the museum, found herself a quiet corner by one of the giant windows. She needed time to think, and she didn’t have nearly enough. She had been with the group for almost fifteen years, ten in this office. She was the one who had put a face and a signature style to it—she knew that the people she worked with closely, her friends, would wish her well, and not so secretly hope one of them would step in.
Maryse had the experience and the skills to do just that, yet Lauren couldn’t run away to do her a favor. Frankly, she didn’t want to decide before she had run this past Summer.
The truth? She was dreading that conversation, because she could imagine what would be the result of it. She didn’t want to put any pressure on Summer, but if she didn’t…Vice President Schaeffer, it had a nice ring to it.
Then again…Leaving the city, a job and co-workers she loved, not to mention the woman she…Lauren shook her head with a wry smile. She couldn’t fool herself. She’d never felt like this for anyone, whatever she’d call it. Her mind was mostly made up, but she wasn’t looking forward to the conversations that would inevitably follow, with everyone who thought they’d have to look out for her because she might not be doing it herself.
She wondered if this would be a hard sell for her parents. Ethan and Josie had built a business from the ground up, ever-expanding even with their family expanding at the same time. Looking at them—and looking at Summer’s struggles, Lauren felt once again like everything she owned had just fallen into her lap, like this new career opportunity.
It wasn’t true. She had worked as hard for her successes as everyone else. Which was why she already knew she’d be facing some questions if she was bold enough to tell the boss no.
“Hey there. I hope they didn’t make you pay the entrance fee.”
Lauren laughed at DeeDee’s greeting.
“You’re looking to make a profit, aren’t you? Of course I paid for my ticket.”
DeeDee shrugged and sat next to her.
“Very well. You’re returning to the scene of your crimes.”
There was no sarcasm in her tone, so it was unclear whether she meant the many days and hours Lauren had spent here working, or the split-second when she decided she was going to take DeeDee’s friend home. Maybe both.
“Kind of.”
“It’s really stunning. We’ve had a lot of great press lately, which got us some new exhibitions. Things are happening.” She winked. “If I’m correct, not just on the job. All I wanted was for Summer to get out of the house and enjoy herself for once. Turned out so much better than I ever could have planned. Don’t break her heart.”
Here we go. “I have no such intention,” Lauren said dryly. And what about my heart?
“I’m serious. The past year was tough, but it wasn’t easy before that either. Well, I guess you have an idea.”
“Yeah.” She had spent time with DeeDee on and off working on this project, but they weren’t exactly good friends. Lauren contemplated on how much she could reveal herself—how much she really knew for sure. “I’m not sure what you want me to say. I’m in love with her. I want her to move in with me sooner rather than later, and I’m about to turn down a job that would probably be the highlight of my career. Tell me again whose heart is on the line here.”
“Does she know?” DeeDee asked, her surprise obvious.
“No, and please, don’t tell her yet.” It would help if you didn’t go around telling people, Lauren scolded herself. “I don’t
want her to think this is a big deal.”
“Is it?”
“Yes. No.” Lauren sighed. “A few weeks ago, I would have done it without thinking. It’s just something you do when you’re asked. I never had a reason to stop and think.”
“Less than two weeks, it’s a little early to move in together,” DeeDee mused. “Classic lesbian dilemma.”
“Um…I’m not sure how to say this, but I didn’t exactly ask for your opinion…?”
“You get it anyway. Tell her as soon as possible, so you two can talk it out and know exactly where you stand.” DeeDee got to her feet. “I have to go back to work. Nice seeing you.”
“You too,” Lauren muttered. She knew it was good advice, but she also knew she was going to put off the inevitable as long as possible.
* * * *
“How’s your week so far?” It was remarkable, Summer thought as she asked the question. For the first time since she and Lauren had met, she’d been so busy the time had passed rather quickly. Date night, finally.
“Same old,” Lauren said. Her expression was apologetic. “I’m sorry I didn’t call. The beginning of a new project is just as crazy as the ending, especially when it’s a bit of a tug of war with a client, their vision, ours, and what’s possible. How’s yours?”
“Pretty good.” Summer had been looking forward to sharing her little surprise. “I think I found a nice birthday present for your Dad. I had to make some calls and check with some of my dealers—”
She laughed when Lauren’s eyebrows rose at her choice of words. “Dealing in old books, okay? You told me your Dad was a big fan of Ian Fleming. I found a first edition of Diamonds Are Forever.”
“Wow. This is amazing. He’ll be over the moon.” Lauren smiled, but she seemed tired. Maybe this was actually a good first time to go separate ways after dinner. No big deal. They were going to see each other again in two days, after all. Summer thought about when Lauren had suggested they could actually live together, and her own reaction. Had she brushed her off too quickly? No, everything was still fine and going according to plan. After her graduation—and a change in paycheck—there was still more than enough time to tackle those subjects. At least her gift would not disappoint.
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