Just One Moment

by Dena Blake

  * * *

  With minimal interaction with Lila, the rest of Shay’s day had gone well. Working a full eight-hour day was exhausting and had taken more out of her than she’d expected. She didn’t know how she’d managed to pull off the twelve-hour stints she’d worked in the past. The thought of going home to Chloe was all that had gotten her through the final hour.

  When she opened the door to the beach house, the magnificent aroma of her favorite mushroom risotto hit her square in the nose. She dropped her bag just inside the door and headed into the kitchen. Chloe stood at the stove stirring the risotto as she gazed out the window at the beach. She was dressed in a pair of white leggings and a flowy quarter-sleeved, royal-blue top that left her shoulders bare—shoulders that begged to be kissed as her midnight hair draped lazily across them. She couldn’t imagine a more beautiful sight than that of her wife standing in front of her right now.

  Chloe leaned into her as she moved in behind her and wrapped her arms around her waist. “How was your day?”

  “Tiring. Who knew I did so much?”

  “I did.” She chuckled. “You’re super smart.”

  “You think so?”

  “I know so.” She turned in her arms and gave her a wonderful “hello” kiss. “I missed you today.”

  Shay had never thought she’d hear that again, and her heart pounded. “I missed you more.” She kissed her again.

  Chloe spun around to the stove and returned to stirring the risotto. “Now go change.” She bumped her with her butt. “This will be done soon, and I don’t want it to get lumpy.”

  “On it.” She brushed Chloe’s hair to the side and kissed her neck. “I can think of so many things to do besides eat dinner.” Chloe squirmed against her, which only prompted her to move closer.

  “Not going to happen. I want to hear all about your day,” Chloe said, but Shay couldn’t leave the sweetness of her neck, not yet. “I said go.” Chloe rested her head back on Shay’s shoulder and blew the words out slowly.

  She growled against Chloe’s neck as she backed up and took the hallway to the bedroom. Chloe seemed to have forgiven her for her transgression, and that made her happy. Even though she hadn’t remembered the affair, it had been apparent that the impact on Chloe had been significant. Seeing Lila at the office today had brought it front and center in her mind again. She still wondered why Lila hadn’t mentioned anything about it. Would she in the future? She had the job she wanted, the one most of the other people in the office didn’t think she deserved. Perhaps Lila had only thought of her as a means to an end. Now that she couldn’t remember, she was content to let it stay buried in her own lost memories.

  By the time she made it back to the kitchen, Chloe had already plated the mushroom risotto and set the small, round oak table they rarely used for eating. They ate most of their meals either out on the deck or on the coffee table in front of the TV.

  “Is there anything I can help you with?”

  Chloe pointed to the bottle of pinot gris on the counter. “You can open that.”

  “Finally, something I can do.” She smiled widely at Chloe as she opened the drawer, took out the wine opener, and pulled the cork. The glasses were already on the table.

  “Tell me about your day.”

  “It was a struggle at first, but Amber helped me get logged into my computer and get organized.” She took a bite of risotto and moaned. “This is delicious.”

  The smile on Chloe’s face was radiant. “It’s not my best. There are a few lumps because someone interrupted my process.”

  “The lumps were made with love, which just makes it better.”

  Chloe covered her mouth as she laughed, trying to hold in the bite she’d just taken. “I’ll remember that the next time you complain about them.”

  Shay batted her eyes and let her mouth fall open. “Me? Complain about something so delightfully delicious?” She shook her head. “Never.”

  The tip of Chloe’s fork glistened as she pointed it toward her. “I’ll be sure to remind you of that remark in the future.”

  The future. Chloe was talking about their future. Maybe life would go on after all. Shay couldn’t contain her smile as she ate. She couldn’t imagine any other place she’d rather be than right here with Chloe, and it seemed she felt the same way too.

  After dinner, they cuddled up on the couch to watch a movie, a romantic comedy, Chloe’s choice. The mushroom risotto had tasted just as wonderful as she’d remembered. The wine that had accompanied it had made her sleepy. Preventing her eyes from fluttering shut was impossible.

  * * *

  “Baby.” Chloe’s voice resonated in her head. “You’re going to be late if you don’t get up now.”

  Light blinded her as she tried to open her eyes. “I don’t want to go to class.”

  Chloe chuckled. “Not class, silly. Work.”

  “Can’t I stay home today?” She found Chloe’s hand lying on her stomach and laced their fingers together.

  “You can, if you want, but I have to go to the gallery today,” Chloe said softly.

  “Well, that’s no fun.” She snuggled in tighter and breathed in the citrusy scent of orange and spice she’d come to adore. “I’m sorry. I fell asleep last night.” She should’ve never moved to the couch. She’d been so tired, she’d fallen asleep after the first scene.

  “It’s okay. We have plenty of nights ahead of us.” Chloe kissed her on the head.

  Did she really mean that? She twisted to look into her eyes and saw her eyes twinkle. Yes, she did.

  Shay hadn’t told Chloe about knowing what she’d done with Lila as Rachel had suggested. It was the wrong thing to do, but she wanted to remain in this new bubble of euphoria as long as she could. It was only wishful thinking to hope her indiscretion would be lost in her memory forever.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  For some reason, Chloe was nervous as she waited for Whitney. She’d asked her to come to the gallery for lunch and to pick something up on the way, as usual. She didn’t know how she was going to tell her the news. Whitney had urged her to reconcile her feelings for Shay and move forward. At the time, she wasn’t quite sure she could manage it, but she’d done just that. She’d forgiven her completely and let her back into her heart. She looked up when she heard the chime on the door, her heart racing when Whitney entered, hands full of food.

  “Wow. Did you buy everything on the menu?”

  “Possibly,” she said with a slight lilt. “The baby is hungry.” She set the bags of food on the table in the back of the gallery.

  “How’s the little bambino doing?” she asked as she touched Whitney’s stomach.

  “The little bambino is eating like the Hulk.”

  “Well, hopefully he or she won’t come out with that nasty green hue to their skin.”

  After the food was all unpacked and they’d each sat on a stool at the high-top table in the corner, Whitney took the first bite of her pasta and stared at Chloe. “What’s the emergency?”

  “No emergency. Is it a crime to want to have lunch with my best friend?”

  Whitney gave her a sideways smile as she swirled another forkful of spaghetti. “Not that I mind an impromptu lunch, but you’re fairly predictable.” She put the pasta into her mouth and chewed. “A lunch invitation the morning of usually indicates you need to talk something out.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I guess I’ll have to plan better next time.”

  “No need. I’m here whenever you need me.” She touched her belly. “You may have to start coming to me, though.”

  “I can do that.”

  “What’s up?”

  “I slept with Shay.”

  Whitney choked on her pasta and reached for her drink. “Jesus. Warn me when you’re going to tell me something like that.” She wiped her lips with a napkin. “Was it good?” She took another drink. “I mean, how do you feel about that? How does she feel about it? I need all the details.”

  Chloe chuckled. �
��I love that you don’t hold back.” She took a breath and thought about the other night. “It was absolutely wonderful.” Her face filled with heat, and suddenly she was smitten all over again. “God, I must have been blind. I think I’ve fallen harder for her than the first time.”

  Whitney held her fork in front of her mouth and smiled. “You have. I can see it in your face every time you talk about her.” She took another sip of her drink. “You were reluctant when we talked last. What changed your mind?”

  “Shay’s different now. Better somehow.”

  “Paying more attention to you?”

  She nodded. “Like she used to, and she’s so much more relaxed.”

  “Makes sense since she doesn’t remember all the stress of buying the beach house and opening the gallery.” Whitney raised her drink in the air. “It’s like fate has given you a do-over.”

  “Seems so.” She lifted her own drink and touched it to Whitney’s.

  Whitney sucked a gulp through the straw. “By the way, don’t plan on taking your cat back anytime soon. Jackson has gotten pretty attached to her. This father thing is really kicking in, and Ginger’s loving it. Besides, it’s good practice for him.”

  “That’s fine. Shay doesn’t remember her. We got her during the blank period. Thanks for taking her in. I’ve just been so busy lately, I wouldn’t have been able to take care of her.”

  “Busy exploring your wife’s body, I hope.”

  “That’s new, but yes. I’ve also been prepping for a show in St. Augustine this coming weekend.”

  “Is Shay going with you?”

  Chloe shook her head. “I haven’t told her about it yet.”

  “Why not?” Whitney spun another wad of pasta on her fork and ate it.

  “Before things evolved between us, I was planning to go alone.”

  “I think it would be good for the two of you to get away for a weekend together. You can stay at your mom and dad’s getaway place in town.”

  “I guess I should.” A weekend away from everyone with just the two of them sounded incredible.

  “Damn right you should.” Whitney took a bite of bread. “I’d kill for a romantic weekend away right now.”

  “What’s stopping you?” Chloe asked.

  “We’re trying to get the nursery ready.” Whitney widened her eyes. “Who knew there were so many shades of yellow and green.”

  “You’re sticking with not finding out the sex?”

  “Absolutely.” She tilted her head. “Well, maybe. I want to know, but Jackson’s staying firm.”

  “Does he go to every appointment with you?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “You can always make a phone call.”

  “Believe me, I’ve thought about it more than once since I had the ultrasound.”

  “Lavender’s a good color. You can accent with violet.”

  Whitney raised her eyebrows as though she hadn’t considered that choice. “I do like purple.”

  “I’ll be happy to help you paint.”

  “Nope.” She picked up their plates and took them to the trash can. “You’ll be too busy doing other things with your wife this weekend.”

  The thought made her warm. Being that close to Shay again had been wonderful. From that moment forward, Chloe knew she would want her every day. Whether her heart was ready for that, she didn’t know. Shay’s intentions seemed to be pure, and considering she didn’t remember that they had separated, Chloe had to believe they were.

  As soon as Whitney left the gallery, Chloe flipped the sign to Closed and got in the car. She couldn’t wait to share her idea of a romantic weekend with Shay.

  “Hey…” Shay drew the word out slowly when she answered the phone. “I was just thinking about you.” The smile in Shay’s voice rang through the line.

  “I bet you say that to all the girls.” She hadn’t thought about what she’d said until the words were out of her mouth.

  Shay rebounded quickly. “Nope. Just the love of my life.”

  “I’m in the parking lot. Can you come down?”

  “Be right there.” The excitement in Shay’s voice was unmistakable, and it made her smile.

  She’d gotten out of her Tahoe and was leaning against the hood when Shay came out the door and rushed to her. The huge smile on her face was beautiful, and Chloe couldn’t contain the thrill that filled her. Suddenly she’d been swept into Shay’s arms and was being fully kissed. There was no warning, no preamble, just a full-on take-me-now kiss, and it felt wonderful.

  When they parted, she caught movement in her peripheral vision. She glanced over to see Lila standing between the parking lot and the door staring. Shay seemed to notice her too but didn’t pay her any attention. She refocused on Chloe, touched her bottom lip with her thumb. “Sorry. I’ve been thinking about doing that since I left this morning.”

  “It felt exactly like that.”

  They both laughed before Shay kissed her again, longer, deeper this time. When she came out of the blissful haze Shay had so easily taken her to, Lila was hurrying into the building.

  “I know you just went back to work, but do you think you can take Friday off?”

  “Let me check.” Shay took her phone from her pocket and checked her calendar. “I think I can arrange that.”

  “Great. Then let’s do it. Better yet, why don’t we take the weekend away from everything? I have a show in St. Augustine this coming weekend. We can go early and have some alone time.” She raised her eyebrows, waiting for Shay to respond.

  Shay blinked a couple of times and then smiled. “Just the two of us? Really?” She nodded. “I’d love that.”

  “Sounds like a plan.” She welcomed the blissful peace she felt. It was wonderful to be in love again.

  * * *

  They’d gotten on the road later than planned. Chloe had woken up early to pack the Tahoe with all the paintings she had at the house, but they’d had to stop by the gallery to pick up a few more. The gallery owner had been very specific about the pieces she’d wanted Chloe to display, which included a few already on display at the gallery in town.

  The three-plus hour drive to St. Augustine had been filled with laughter and carpool karaoke. Chloe had to admit that Shay took home the prize for that one. You’d never know it, but she was always into the newest music, whereas Chloe could barely remember every other word in the chorus. She already owed Shay another home-cooked meal, a back scratch, and whatever that led to, which she was actually excited about.

  By the time they’d delivered the paintings to the gallery in St. Augustine and had made it to the house, she was worn out. Shay had let her off the hook for cooking, and they’d ordered Chinese to eat in. She’d make good on the bet when they got back home to the beach house. She didn’t have any excuses. She’d lost fair and square and would deliver on her promise.

  She was so full of noodles she could barely move when Shay started the music on her phone and pulled her to the middle of the room. The Bluetooth speaker they’d brought along was small, but mighty. “Let’s dance like we used to.” Shay must have sensed her reluctance because she did some weird, crazy moves.

  Chloe shook her head and laughed. “God, that’s horrible. No self-respecting woman would set foot on the dance floor with you.”

  Shay raised her eyebrows and danced around her in a slow, fluid motion. “Is this better?”

  Chloe tilted her head and squinted. “A little bit.”

  Shay’s mouth dropped open, and her hands went to her hips. “You’re tough.” She toed off her sandals and moved across the room with a sensuous grace that lit each of Chloe’s senses. Her black, skinny jeans wrapped her legs perfectly, and the yellow tank top she wore clung to her like a woman with desire. Each movement was filled with purposeful clarity, a sort of seductive certainty she’d never seen in Shay before.

  Shay danced closer, near enough for Chloe to feel her breath on her cheek as she whispered, “How about this?”

  She nodde
d as Shay danced in place in front of her. “Much better.”

  “Then what are you waiting for?” Shay held her hands up in front of her and wiggled her fingers, silently begging her to join in.

  God, Shay was sexy, she thought as she slid into place across from her, matching her rhythm. She’d never forgotten just how attractive she was, but it had been so long since they’d danced together like this. The only thing stopping her from taking her into the bedroom right now was her fear of discovery, the terror of opening the vault to her emotions and letting them spill out into the unprotected jungle between them. The gashes had healed, and she wanted to let go so much, but the fear was still there, tamping down her emotions. She had to let go, or this would never work between them.

  A slow tune came through the speakers, and Chloe picked up her phone to change it. Shay took the phone from her hand and set it back on the counter. “Just leave it. We can dance to this. Right?” Shay took her into her arms.

  She nodded. “We can.” She could feel Shay’s heart beating against her chest. It made her own heart race. This was a dangerous position to be in—right here in Shay’s arms with every part of their bodies touching. All her erogenous zones came alive.

  The evening crackled with possibility as Chloe’s feelings came back full force. Thoughts of being pressed up against the door into a passion-filled kiss that blossomed into so much more shot through her head. She didn’t push them away. This was the Shay she’d been captivated by so many years ago, only different. The old Shay seemed to mingle with the new, and she’d somehow fallen in love with both of them, yet so much deeper this time.

  Soon Shay’s lips were on hers, her tongue doing magical things in Chloe’s mouth that were creating incredibly erotic sensations in the rest of her. They somehow made it to the couch. Air whooshed out of Chloe’s lungs as she fell backward onto it. Shay followed immediately, straddling her—hands in her hair, mouth on her neck. Where had this strong, bold Shay come from? Chloe had no idea, but she wanted more of her. She reached around, grabbed her ass, and tugged her closer as she reveled in the sensation of Shay’s tongue bathing her neck, her fingers curling under her shirt collar, drawing it back, and starting on her shoulder. She let her hands glide up Shay’s back under her tank top, felt the warm, soft skin beneath it and moaned. This wouldn’t do. The shirt had to come off. Cool air chilled Chloe’s neck when Shay’s mouth abandoned her to raise her arms in the air, letting her slide the shirt over her head. The motion quickly reversed when Shay grasped the edges of Chloe’s shirt and slid it off as well.