Finding Home

by Jamey Moody

  Olivia’s smile was immense then playful, “Proper, huh?”

  “Yes. There is no way I’ll be able to top the date you took me on, but I would like the opportunity to try. Will you go out with me?”

  Olivia chuckled, “Yes, I will. When?”

  “How is your work week?”

  Olivia sighed, “Busy, getting back from being gone.”

  Frankie nodded, “How about Friday?”

  Olivia nodded, “Friday will be great.”

  “I’ll let you know the details later. Now, if it’s okay with you, I would like to stop talking.” She pulled Olivia close, her lips hovering over Olivia’s as she stared into her velvety brown eyes. She brought their lips together firmly and took Olivia’s mouth possessively with her own.

  They were holding one another close, enjoying the kiss when the door opened. Startled, they pulled apart.

  “Whoops.”

  Olivia bowed her head, smiling, then looked up, “Elizabeth, I’d like you to meet Frankie. Frankie, this is my boss, Elizabeth.” She had laughter in her eyes as she watched the recognition on Frankie’s face.

  Frankie hopped up and extended her hand, “Nice to meet you.”

  Elizabeth smirked, taking her hand, “Nice to meet you.” She wanted to mention something about the bike drive-by yesterday, but didn’t because she knew Frankie was important to Olivia.

  “I didn’t know you were coming by this evening, Elizabeth,” Olivia said standing.

  “Obviously. Sorry to interrupt. I needed to grab a set of plans and hoped to discuss something with you if you were still here.”

  “I’ll go so you can finish work,” Frankie said, turning to Olivia.

  “I’ll walk you out. Be right with you, Elizabeth.”

  She walked Frankie to her car, “I’ll call you when I get home.”

  “I can’t wait,” Frankie said kissing her lightly and opening her Jeep door.

  Olivia wrapped her hand around Frankie’s neck pulling her in and brought their lips together in a crushing kiss. Breathless, she said, “Okay, you’d better go before she comes looking for me.”

  Frankie got in her car still smiling. She started the car and began backing out, her eyes never leaving Olivia’s. With a small wave she drove off.

  Olivia took a deep breath trying to calm her heart before going back inside with a grin plastered across her face.

  ***

  The next day Elizabeth picked up her office phone, “Hello?”

  “Elizabeth, this is Frankie Dean, Olivia’s friend. We met last night.”

  “Right. That was some kiss I walked in on,” she said, teasing.

  Frankie’s cheeks turned red as she cleared her throat. “Uh, yes well.”

  “It’s okay Frankie, I’m teasing. What can I do for you?”

  “I know this sounds crazy, but I’m taking Olivia out on a date Friday. That subdivision is a special place to us both and I had an idea, but I need your help.”

  Elizabeth considered this for a moment. It had been a long time since she’d been part of something fun like this and if anyone deserved it, it was Olivia. “Why don’t you tell me what you have in mind.”

  ***

  Sofia looked up into the stands and saw Frankie watching their volleyball game. “Looks like you have a cheering squad,” she said to Olivia.

  She looked up and smiled at Frankie, “I sure do.”

  “You’re looking kind of lovestruck there, OK.”

  Olivia chuckled, “Maybe I am.”

  Veronica served the ball and they turned their focus back to the game. They won the point and the game.

  Frankie came out of the stands and walked up to them, “Good game. Sofia, I didn’t know you had such a wicked serve.”

  “Thanks.”

  Frankie winked at Olivia and kissed her on the cheek.

  “Oh no you don’t. I’m worth more than a peck on the cheek.”

  Frankie brought her lips to Olivia’s for a quick sweet kiss. “Better?”

  “Better,” she said smiling.

  “I’m not even going to tease you two about that. I’m happy you’re together and now all is right with the world.”

  They all laughed. “I don’t know about the world, but all is right in my little piece of it now,” said Olivia.

  “Mine too. I’ve got to gather these balls so I can lock up.”

  “I’m going to help. Sof, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Have fun,” Sofia said, walking away.

  They gathered the balls and made sure the doors were locked.

  “Thanks for helping,” Frankie said as they walked to the dressing room.

  “I have my reasons,” Olivia said, walking in and looking around. The room was empty and she turned around and put her arms around Frankie’s neck. She pulled her in and brought their lips together. Frankie deepened the kiss and backed Olivia up to the wall. She flipped them around taking Frankie’s hands and pinning them to the wall.

  “I’m not going to make love to you for the first time in a dressing room,” she said, looking at her seductively.

  “I do own a gym so it could be appropriate.”

  “I didn’t say it wasn’t going to happen, just not the first time.”

  Frankie answered by nodding.

  “That doesn’t mean I’m through with you though,” she said, claiming her lips again. Frankie moaned when Olivia put her thigh between her legs.

  After a moment, Olivia stepped back, “We’d better go before I finish what I didn’t really mean to start.”

  Frankie smiled, looking from one of her hands to the other still pinned to the wall and raised her eyebrows.

  Olivia smirked, letting her go, “I can’t wait for our date Friday.”

  “Me too,” she said, putting the towels in the hamper.

  “You haven’t told me where we’re going.”

  “It’s a surprise,” she said as they walked out of the dressing room and into the office.

  “You have to at least tell me what to wear.”

  “Look at you two,” Desi said, walking up and bringing them both in for a hug. “This makes my heart so happy.”

  “Thanks, Des.”

  “See you tomorrow,” she said walking out.

  “I had no idea so many people wanted us together,” said Olivia.

  “Me neither. Hey, you never did tell me how work went in Houston. Is everything ok?”

  “Oh, that’s right, we never did talk about that. We had more pressing things to get to. But Frankie, I never thought I’d like being in charge, and you know what? I did! I loved it.”

  Frankie chuckled, “I’m sure you were a natural.”

  “After getting everyone on board, I was able to try some things that I couldn’t here. They worked, so now I can do them here, too.”

  “Congrats! I’m not surprised, you are so talented.”

  “Thanks, but I had such a good team. My assistant Lucy is so good. She’s creative and works well with clients.”

  “Sounds a lot like you.”

  “I can’t wait for you to meet her.”

  “I’d like to but, isn’t she in Houston?”

  “She is, but she’s coming here for the race.”

  “Really!”

  “Yes. We both stayed at the same hotel. She hadn’t found a house yet. Well, she did while I was there. Anyway, she and I and another woman staying there, Jenna, would meet for happy hour after work.”

  “Sounds like fun.”

  “Lucy and Jenna would make sure I got my workouts in after I told them about the triathlon. So, now they think they’re my coaches. They are both coming up next weekend to watch me race. Can you believe that?”

  “I can. You are quite mesmerizing. Who wouldn’t want to cheer you on?”

  “You’ll love them both.”

  “Do they know what was going on between us?”

  “Yes. I wasn’t the most fun person to be around when I got there. I tried to focus on work and fo
rget about what was going on here. But they could tell.”

  “I see. So, does that mean they’re going to kill me?” Frankie said hesitantly.

  Olivia laughed, “No. They know it was a tough situation.”

  “I’m curious, what did they think?”

  Olivia looked at her playfully, “Honestly, they thought you were an idiot.”

  “They got it right.”

  “No they didn’t,” Olivia said, wrapping her arms around Frankie. “I didn’t have to push you into Laura’s arms, remember? I don’t think any of us knew what to do.”

  “I’m glad we got through it, and right this second we’re in one another’s arms and I’m going to kiss you like my life depends on it, because it does.” She leaned down and pressed her lips tenderly to Olivia’s, then harder and harder until their bodies molded together and their tongues danced with abandon. They finally parted both panting looking intensely in the other’s eyes speaking without words.

  When Frankie could finally speak, “I’ll walk you to your car.”

  “That’s a good idea,” Olivia said breathlessly.

  At Olivia’s car, Frankie pulled her close. “Do you mind if we get dressed up for our date Friday? I mean, we’ve never really done that.”

  “I don’t mind at all. I’m glad you work out because your heart may stop when you see me in a dress.”

  Frankie smiled, “My heart usually stops whenever I see you.”

  Olivia leaned up and whispered in her ear, “Mine does too.” They held one another close for a moment.

  “You fit perfectly in my arms,” Frankie said nuzzling her neck.

  “Mmm, hurry up Friday,” she murmured, running her hand through Frankie’s hair.

  They pulled apart, want in their eyes. Olivia sighed, “Bike ride tomorrow?”

  “Let’s ride to the park.”

  “Sounds good.”

  Frankie leaned down and brought their lips together for one more kiss. “Text me when you get home?”

  “I will.”

  ***

  When she got home, she texted with Frankie and couldn’t stop thinking about that kiss in the office. It made them both speechless. She got out of her clothes and was about to step into the shower when her phone buzzed. She smiled thinking it was Frankie, but when she picked it up, Jenna’s name was on the caller id.

  “Hey you,” she said, answering.

  “Hey yourself, how are you?”

  “I’m good.”

  “Okay, I couldn’t wait. I’ve been thinking about you since you left. How are things with Frankie? Please tell me she woke up and you two are together.”

  Olivia chuckled, “Couldn’t stand it?”

  “No, the idea of you up there, hurt. I just wanted to check on you and make sure you’re alright.”

  “I’m good, really good,” Olivia said, unable to hide the happiness in her voice.

  “Care to explain.”

  “Turns out Frankie and I don’t communicate very well because of fear.”

  “You aren’t special, that happens to lots of people.”

  “It’s not going to happen to us anymore. We sat down and talked honestly. She thought I had moved on the day I told her goodbye.”

  “What? Why would she think that?”

  “She saw me with my boss at a swanky restaurant right before I came down there and thought I was on a date. Then she saw me the day after I got home with her again. Her mind was as messed up as mine was when I told her I’d back away.”

  “So, what you’re saying is that both of you are idiots.”

  “Were. We are no longer idiots. We have learned how to ask questions and communicate.”

  Jenna released an audible breath over the phone. “That’s good for Frankie, but bad for me.”

  “Jenna—”

  “Seriously Olivia, I am very happy for you. You are obviously in love with her and she’d be crazy not to be in love with you. I’m not fooling myself that there was anything between us, but…” she trailed off.

  “Incredible sex! I don’t know about you, but damn Jenna!”

  “I know! It was incredible for me, too. Wasn’t it obvious from both of us?”

  They both started laughing. “I will never forget that night.”

  “Me neither.” Jenna paused, “Hey, that’s not going to cause a problem for you and Frankie is it?”

  “I hope not. I wasn’t planning on telling her. Because I don’t even want to think about what she was doing with Laura. However, I’m pretty sure nothing happened between them. She said she knew within a couple of days that it wasn’t going to work.”

  “Well, I’ll do whatever you need me to.”

  “I did tell her that you and Lucy were coming to the race. I’ll be so glad to see you both, and she’s excited to meet you.”

  “I’ll be glad to meet her. As much as I wanted to fall for you and you for me, I know it ain’t happening. We had some Earth-shattering sex when we both needed it.”

  “I agree. I had no idea it would be that good though,” she replied, giggling.

  “Me neither. When we were holding each other, I felt like we were in a halcyon cocoon where no one could hurt us. And I so needed to feel that at the time.”

  “Halcyon? Word of the day? I would never have thought of that but, you’re right. It felt so calm and peaceful where no one could touch us.”

  They were both quiet for a moment, lost in the past.

  “Okay, how’s your training? Are you ready? Only a week and a half to go.”

  “Yes, Coach! I’m ready. Frankie and I are going on a long ride tomorrow after work and I’ll swim in the morning. Only a few workouts left.”

  “I’m so proud of you, and Olivia?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m really glad we’re friends.”

  “Me too, Jenna. They sent me to Houston to save a project and I think you ended up saving me.”

  “I think we saved each other. I’m going to go, call me anytime.”

  “I will and thanks.”

  “Love you, Olivia.”

  “Love you too.”

  ***

  Olivia walked into the pool area and saw Stella sitting on the bench. When she looked up and saw Olivia coming towards her, a smile quickly appeared, brightening her face.

  “You look much better than you did for our last swim.”

  Olivia grinned and sat down beside her. “I feel much better.”

  “I wonder why?” she said, teasing.

  “Because of you! You’re the one that made us stop acting like middle schoolers and actually talk.”

  “You weren’t acting like middle schoolers. It’s hard to be vulnerable and tell someone what you’re feeling, even when those feelings are caused by a misunderstanding or incorrect interpretation. You didn’t know what Frankie saw and you couldn’t understand why she hadn’t talked to you. I’m just glad you finally talked.”

  “God, me too. All these feelings I have for Frankie can go to her now. I don’t have to try and hold back or wonder why. I can relish them, even wallow in them and feel good.”

  “I love that.”

  “And maybe even better is that Frankie isn’t holding back either. I can feel …,” she trailed off.

  “Love? Don’t be afraid to say it.”

  Olivia smiled shyly, “It is love. I’m not afraid to say it. I love Frankie and have for a while, and I think she loves me too.”

  “Really? Of course she loves you too! But you haven’t said it to one another yet?”

  “No, I was about to the night we talked, but my boss walked in.”

  Stella chuckled, “I may have heard something about that.”

  “Yeah, we were in the middle of a, let’s just say, life affirming kiss.”

  “Oh wow, that was some kiss.”

  “It was and most of them have been since. One thing Frankie and I can do is kiss,” she said giggling.

  This time Stella laughed, “It is so good to see you li
ke this.”

  “Everything feels like it’s in place now. Frankie and I are on the same page, my training is on point and I’m ready to make this triathlon mine! And two friends I made in Houston are coming up to cheer me on.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes. One was my assistant on the project and the other was staying at our hotel. We’d meet up everyday after work. They made sure I got my training done before drinks or dinner. They claim to be my coaches now.”

  “I’m so glad to hear that. I was a little concerned about you. I didn’t want you diving into work to forget about things here. That wouldn’t have been good.”

  “They kind of helped me through it so I wasn’t sad and miserable the whole time, especially since I didn’t hear anything from Frankie.”

  “What’d y’all do? Anything fun?”

  Olivia thought back to their happy hours, her night out with Jenna, and then the night they spent together. “It wasn’t really the things we did, it was more about how they made me feel.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Between them and the success with the job I regained a lot of the confidence I left here when I got on that plane. Lucy and I were badass on the job.” Olivia contemplated for a moment and then said, “And Jenna made me feel wanted.”

  Stella quirked her eyebrow, “Wanted, huh? That’s a very powerful aphrodisiac.”

  “It is and sometimes hard to resist,” she said wistfully.

  “You know, it wouldn’t be wrong if you didn’t resist.”

  “What?”

  “Who says you had to resist? The way things were with you and Frankie when you left seemed to be done. I mean, it wasn’t unreasonable for Frankie to think you were out on a date. I know you so I knew there was no way you’d be dating that soon, but while you were in Houston and not hearing from Frankie, and someone made you feel desirable, why wouldn’t you?”

  Olivia sat there for a moment thinking about what Stella said. She turned to her and said, “Jenna is the woman that was staying at the hotel, she sat down next to me at the bar the first night I got there and bought me a drink,” she said, looking away with a smile. “She was already friends with my assistant Lucy, but neither of us knew that at the time. Her wife died a year ago, so she’s a widow at thirty-five. We became friends easily; I hope you can meet her next weekend when they come to the race. She liked to flirt with me and I liked it too,” she said, looking back at Stella. “I told her about Frankie so she knew the situation. The last night I was there we all went out to dinner and Lucy was with a date, so Jenna and I went back to her room for a drink. She walked me back to my room and the want in her eyes for me made me pull her inside. I think we both needed to feel wanted. She hadn’t even looked at another woman since her wife.”