by Nance Sparks
“But you don’t walk on the top rail, sweetie. You and Scott got divorced and you went out to pasture, like an old gray mare.”
“You know, sometimes you can be a real dick.”
“I know, but my honesty is what you love most about me. So, how does the photographer fit in, exactly?”
“Where do I start? We met on the first day of kindergarten. She was this super shy kid who wouldn’t let go of her mom’s leg. I took her hand and told her my name and she told me hers. We sat together at the same table, and we were inseparable from that point on. We did everything with each other, always staying at one house or the other. Each year, I’d go on camping trips with her family for Memorial Day and Labor Day and then we’d enjoy sunbathing on the dock at the lake house up north for my family’s vacation in the summers. As we grew older, deeper feelings developed between us. We’d hold hands under the blanket while watching movies and would curl up in each other’s arms at night on sleepovers. God, we’d talk for hours, all the time, about anything and everything. There was this apple tree in the woods behind the elementary school, we called it our spot. It’s where we shared our first kiss. A quick little peck at first, ya know, to see what it felt like and then a longer kiss and I swear it was like the Fourth of July erupted inside my body. Shivers and fireworks everywhere. She was all of my firsts, my first love, my first experience, my first everything.” Andrea picked up her whiskey and tipped the glass back. “You and Kay hired my Riley to shoot your wedding.”
“Holy fuck.” Sara picked up Andrea’s glass and held it up to the bartender and then held up two fingers. He nodded and quickly showed up with the two rocks glasses of whiskey. “Kay is definitely getting lucky tonight. She was in charge of the photographer, and this earns her a triple gold star. Shit, Andrea, I had no idea. Why haven’t you ever shared this with me?”
“It never came up. My life went down a different path.” Andrea looked up, hoping that explanation would suffice.
“I call bullshit. We’ve been besties for far too long and this is definitely something you share with your lesbian best friend.”
“You’ve never told me about your first or anyone prior to Kay.”
“I was drunk off my ass and barely remember my first. Yes, I was that teenager. So, what happened? Why on earth would you let something like that go? I need so many more details!”
“Oh, details? You want more details? Okay, my parents went out one night and were supposed to be out late. We finally had the entire house to ourselves and could share a real experience instead of just touching under the covers, inside our pajamas. Safe to say we were seriously enjoying ourselves. Until my parents came home early. Apparently, when I’m on the edge, I can be extremely vocal. They kicked in my bedroom door and pulled Riley’s face out from between my legs. It was the most amazing orgasm that I never got to have. Everything ended at that moment: the sleepovers, the vacations, everything. My parents wouldn’t talk with me about it. Riley was banned from my life. I was grounded for months, forbidden from seeing her and couldn’t go anywhere that she might be. I lost my best friend, my first love, my everything, all in a split second. It was devastating. I can’t remember a time in my life when I felt more lost or alone.” She stopped to take a sip of her drink as the memories hit hard. “Then there’s Scott. He kept asking me out and asking me out until finally at the end of my senior year I said yes and went to a party with him. I was so lonely. It felt good to be desired, to be the focus of someone’s attention again. One alcohol-filled evening led to the back seat of his dad’s car. The condom broke and poof, everything changed. How’s that for details?”
“Double. Holy. Fuck. How could I not know this about you after all these years? Who are you?” Sara blinked a few times and then tipped back the contents of her rocks glass. “Whoa, that burns. How can you drink that shit straight?” She tapped her palm against her chest and coughed again. “Okay, so you’re an adult now. Why keep up the facade?”
“No facade, I honestly felt like I was doing the right thing, the responsible thing. I married Scott a few months before Syd was born, and then we had Olivia a couple of years later. I worked really hard to keep my family together, tried to make it work. When it didn’t, well, by then, I had school and two kids and then a full-time job. Besides, I haven’t met another human being who rocked my world like she did. I’m sorry I never told you about her. It was just part of me that got buried trying to figure out my life after I ended up pregnant. It hurt so much back then and I had no one but myself to blame.”
“Well, maybe it’s time to unbury it. Maybe it’s time to stop blaming yourself for one small moment in time.” Sara reached across the table and took hold of Andrea’s hand. “You have your entire vacation to figure it out. Maybe this is your second chance. Time for some soul searching. Figure out what it is that you need. What it is that you want.”
“I’ve already hurt her so deeply. I have no right to even ask her for the time of day, let alone consider anything more. Besides, no way she’s single. She’s too incredible.” Andrea buried her face in her hands.
“You won’t find any of that out sitting over here shooting doubles of whiskey. Go talk to her.” Sara reached across the table and pulled Andrea’s hands away from her face. “Are you listening to me?”
“I will. She’s going to find me when she’s done working. We’ll catch up then.” Andrea smiled.
“One more thing, and I’m only saying this because you’re my very best friend in the entire universe. Don’t you dare do anything to fuck up my wedding pictures!” Sara squeezed her hand.
“Has anyone told you that you can really ruin a heartfelt moment?” Andrea shook her head.
“Only everyone who knows me!” Sara squeezed her cheeks.
“There you are!” Kay walked up to the table. “We’ve been challenged in a Jenga game. You in?”
“Go. Kick some Jenga ass. We’ll catch up later.” Andrea smiled.
“Honey, I have so many more questions and I need so many more details!” Sara leaned forward and kissed Andrea’s cheek. “Come on over and join in on the fun when you’re ready. Love you, sweets.”
“I will. I love you too.” Andrea shook her head and watched Sara make her way across the room. She looked past Sara and caught sight of Riley staring at her before disappearing behind the camera and moving around the room again.
Andrea took a sip of whiskey and thought back to the last time that she’d been the focus of that lens. The noise in the room seemed to fade away, and suddenly she was sitting beneath the apple tree in their favorite spot deep in the woods behind the elementary school. She remembered how much it hurt to see the tears well up in Riley’s eyes. She hadn’t thought about that evening in years, yet every single detail came flooding back. The pain in Riley’s eyes, the tears sliding down her cheeks. She still felt so much guilt for causing all of it. She tipped back the last of her whiskey. That evening by the apple tree had been the last time she’d seen Riley, and it was surprising how Riley still had that same incredible effect on her. Her body remembered. The moment she saw Riley, her body thrummed with desire for her touch, her caress. Riley had known, even as a teenager, how to take her to places that no other had ever been able to do. What it would be like to experience that with Riley now? Could it be as powerful as it had felt back then?
Chapter Six
Shortly after nine, Riley was able to make her way into the back room where her equipment tote was stored. She sat in the seat next to her gear and rubbed her face with her hands. Her heart was still thumping wildly in her chest. Every time she’d looked up, she was aware of the hazel eyes watching her every move. It had made it so hard to focus on the job. She had to get it together, since tomorrow would be a fourteen-hour day of the same thing. Once upon a time, they had been completely in love. Granted, it had been the love of a teenager; wild, consuming, and dramatically perfect. As an adult she understood that, but God, it
was so good to see her again after all these years. Riley took a deep breath and focused on putting her gear away properly. She’d worry about the job tomorrow. Tonight, she needed to finish up so she could spend some time with a certain stunning woman in a sexy black dress.
She spotted her right away, chatting with the two brides and a few family members around a larger table. The room was emptying out and the servers were cleaning up the last few items on the buffet table. Riley’s stomach grumbled reminding her that she hadn’t stopped tonight to eat. Well, too late now. She walked over to the bar and ordered Jack on the rocks. She sipped the whiskey and watched Andrea interact with her friends. She could hear her laughing at something that had been said. It was so good to hear that laugh again. She looked around the room once again for Scott. She hadn’t seen him all night, but it was Andrea Daniels now. He must be around here somewhere. She wasn’t sure she could deal with seeing them together as a couple. Despite the years, the hurt was still very real. Riley took a deep breath and then another swig of Jack. She’d deal with it when he came around.
Andrea twisted in her chair, their eyes met, and a huge smile spread across her face. She leaned into Sara and said something and then stood and made her way toward the bar. She still had that same sexy swagger that had her ass swinging fluidly from side to side.
“How long have you been standing there?” Andrea asked.
“Just a minute or two.”
“Why didn’t you come over? I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I didn’t want to interrupt. I’m the photographer, not a guest.” Riley felt Andrea’s fingers curl around her own. Her heart rate shot up.
“Well, you’re off duty now aren’t you? Consider yourself my plus-one. Let’s grab a drink and find a table.”
Riley picked up her refilled glass and rested her free hand on Andrea’s lower back. She felt Andrea shiver and take in a sharp breath of air. Riley squeezed her eyes shut. It’s Daniels, remember? She pulled her hand away and focused on making her way to a table in the corner.
“You didn’t have to move your hand. It felt nice to have it rest there again.”
“It’s not my place. So, where’s Scott? I haven’t seen him this evening?” Riley tried to keep her tone neutral. After all these years, he was still one of her least favorite people on the planet.
“He’s probably at home with his wife.” Andrea looked over and smiled. “We’re divorced.”
Riley stopped and looked into Andrea’s eyes. She didn’t try to hide her smile. Electricity popped and arched between them. The look in Andrea’s eyes told her that she felt it too. She pulled a chair out for Andrea and then took the seat next to her.
“It’s so great to see you.” Andrea’s smile turned shy and she played with her glass.
“How have you been?” Riley asked.
“I’ve been good. You?”
“Can’t complain. It’s hard to believe it’s been fifteen years since I last saw you. It was the evening before I left for college, also the day you told me you were pregnant. I never found out if you had a boy or a girl?”
“A girl. Actually, I have two daughters. Sydney, the older, is fourteen, and Olivia just turned twelve. Syd’s all tomboy. She plays volleyball in the fall, swims in the winter, and then it’s softball in the spring. I laugh sometimes because she loves the same sports that you did in high school. I’d swear you were her mom if that was at all possible. She reminds me so much of you. Same dark brown hair, same piercing green eyes. I can’t look at her and not see you, though she was blessed with my dimples when she smiles.” Andrea smiled and the dimples appeared. “Liv is more like me. She’s more of a girly girl. Strawberry blond and hazel eyes to boot. She wants to be on the cheer squad and takes two different dance classes.”
“How long were you and Scott married?” Even if they were divorced, his name left a bitter taste in her mouth. She tried to wash it down with a sip of whiskey.
Andrea grew quiet for a moment. She looked down into her glass and swirled the ice around in circles. “He should have gone off to school before Sydney was born, but the parental collective urged him to stay and attend community college. A year later, he quit college and we moved to Wisconsin when he was promoted at work. We were so young and full of resentment toward each other for the predicament we found ourselves in. It was a loveless marriage. I guess you can’t force feelings. We’d nitpick and argue and then we kinda stopped talking altogether. It was like we coexisted, just going through the motions out of obligation. After a while, I don’t even think we were even friends anymore. I tried, we both tried, but after a couple of years we finally admitted that it wasn’t going to work.” Andrea scratched her chin and inhaled deeply.
Riley could see the emotion on her face. She’d always been an open book. Her eyes gave away her secrets. It seemed there was more she needed to say, so Riley remained quiet and waited.
“Syd was almost two when we called it quits. I’d even put a deposit down on an apartment. I hadn’t been feeling well, and I thought it was just the stress of it all, but it kept getting worse, not better. I went to the doctors and low and behold, I was pregnant with Olivia. We tried once more, to keep the family together, but it didn’t take long to realize that we were doing more harm than good. It wasn’t healthy for either of us to live like that. All said and done, it was a little over four years. I kept the name for the kids. He’s a good dad and we got along much better once we were apart. His wife, Cathy, is a good person and she treats the kids well. They live close by and we share custody.” Andrea smiled. “I didn’t mean to dump all of that on you. It was certainly a long answer to a simple question. I guess I wanted you to know it wasn’t—Shit, I’m sorry I said so much. I’m rambling. I’m nervous. I don’t know why I’m nervous, but I am. It’s so good to see you.”
“It’s good to see you too. Don’t be nervous, I’m still just me. And you? Did you remarry after the divorce?” Riley asked. It wasn’t subtle, but she didn’t care. She needed to know.
“No, not remarried and not seeing anyone right now. Really, nothing serious since the divorce. The girls are both busy with sports and after-school things. My job keeps me busy too. I finally went to college. I took night classes for years and years. That’s how I met Sara. We were in the same program and now we work together. I’m a registered nurse.” Andrea lifted her glass to her lips.
“I bet you make a great nurse.” Riley smiled, trying not to stare at Andrea’s lips on the glass. “Do you enjoy it?”
“I do. It’s a demanding job and also quite rewarding. I’m up for the shift supervisor position.”
“They’d be lucky to have you. You’ll have to let me know when you find out.” It was presumptuous, perhaps, to assume they’d stay in contact after this, but why not?
“What about you? Where are you living these days?” Andrea reached across the table and touched the back of Riley’s hand.
“My furniture lives in Illinois, just west of Chicago. I bought an old warehouse and converted it. The photography studio is downstairs, and I live in the loft above. It works for the time being. I travel quite a bit doing custom shoots. Luckily, I have Jodie. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without her. She travels too, so I can have a break now and then. She also runs the studio when I’m out of town.”
Andrea pulled her hand back. “I kind of figured you’d have someone to share your life with. She’s a lucky lady. How long have you two been together?” She continued to play with her glass.
“Wait. What? Jodie? No, we’re not a couple. We’re amazing friends and we work great together but nothing more than that. I met her on campus in Missouri. We were both in the photography program at school and shared a dorm room that first year. She’s got a great eye for the shot. When my studio took off and the work became more than I could handle, she agreed to help me out on a few jobs. It worked out so well that she ended up moving to I
llinois. She was supposed to work this wedding with me, but another wedding had been postponed a week so we ended up double booked. She’s in New Mexico.”
“If not Jodie, then—”
Riley smiled. “It’s kind of like you said, nothing serious at the moment.”
“Really? How is that even possible?”
“Well, I travel a lot. Only being around for a few days a month doesn’t make me the best relationship material.”
“Don’t you get lonely?”
Riley looked down at her drink. Sure, there were times when she was lonely, even when there was a warm body next to her. She usually tried to stay busy enough that she could ignore the loneliness and the emptiness. But admitting that opened up an area for conversation she didn’t want to get into.
“Unless you’re not alone in all of those hotel beds.” Andrea’s eyebrow quirked when Riley didn’t answer. “Look at you. I bet you have to beat the women off with a stick.”
“I wouldn’t exactly say that. My job is to disappear into the background. I do my best work when people don’t notice I’m around. Those are the shots my clients pay for.”
“I’m glad you lowered the camera and let me see that it was you. I still can’t believe you’re here.” Andrea yawned into the back of her hand. “Excuse me. I think the day is catching up with me. I just flew in this afternoon.”
“It’s a hell of a flight over isn’t it?” Riley smiled.
The table buzzed twice and then a ringer sounded.
“Oh, crap, I think that’s me.” Andrea opened her handbag and pulled out her phone. “It’s one of my daughters, would you excuse me?” Andrea tucked her handbag under her arm after accepting the call. “Hello.”
She stepped away from the table. Riley picked up her drink and leaned back in her chair watching Andrea’s expression. There seemed to be great concern with what was being said on the other end of the call. She didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but she couldn’t help it, since Andrea hadn’t gone far from the table.