“It’s different?” Emma checked.
“Yes.” Keira moved to stand in front of Emma. “Come on.” She tugged on both of Emma’s hands and moved to the side so Emma could lie down on what would be her side of the bed for the night. Maybe for longer, if Keira had anything to say about it. Emma obeyed silently. Keira felt the woman’s eyes on her while she walked around the bed and pulled the blankets back further for herself. She climbed in and rolled onto her side to face Emma. Emma matched the posture, and they stared, which was no longer all that awkward because they’d been staring at one another non-stop for days every chance they got.
“You’re beautiful,” Emma said into the silence after a few moments and ran her hand over Keira’s cheek. “Crazy beautiful. I’ve wanted to tell you that for a while now.”
Keira’s eyes closed and opened back up slowly to see that Emma’s expression was that of reverence. Emma was looking at her with reverence. No one had ever looked at her the way Emma Colton was looking at her right now. That floored her. It terrified and excited her all at the same time.
“I have to tell you something,” Keira whispered.
“What?” Emma continued to run her thumb back and forth over Keira’s cheek and kept that same look on her face.
“I haven’t been with anyone since…” Keira sighed. “Since Michelle died.” She waited for Emma’s expression to change to that of shock or surprise, but it remained reverent and almost worshipful.
“Oh,” she offered. “That’s why you want to wait?”
“It’s one of the reasons,” Keira continued with her confession.
“Was there ever something between–”
“No,” Keira objected. “Michelle and I were friends and sisters after a while. She was very straight.”
“And you never had–”
“No, I never had feelings for her like that. It’s not like I needed to get over her romantically or anything. I was just grieving and only recently started thinking about dating again. Kevin and I are in the same boat, but for different reasons. I lost a sister. He lost his girlfriend.”
“I understand,” Emma replied thoughtfully.
“I was a little less discerning about my dates before,” she stated, trying to find the right way to say it.
“Less discerning?”
“I’ve never been a one-night stand kind of girl, but I did date a lot. I’d go out with a woman a few times; we’d like one another; but then nothing would come of it, or I’d meet someone else I was into, and it would go on and on.” She paused, checking Emma’s expression, but it remained the same. The thumb also continued to slide across her skin. It tickled a little, and normally, she wouldn’t be able to stand it, but it was the perfect combination of tickling in a good way and tickling in a bad way. She loved it. “Michelle was always on me to focus a little more; to find one woman and actually put all my effort into a relationship instead of looking for the next one. I kind of got in this habit, I guess. The woman after Kellan was the last. That didn’t go on for too long. It kind of turned into a conditioning thing, I think. I’d date someone; it’s not all there; I’d start trying to find the next person. And the cycle continues, because that’s what I was used to.”
“I can understand that too.”
“You didn’t do that though,” Keira countered.
“In my early twenties, I did.”
“After Hailey?”
“I couldn’t find anyone that made me feel how she did. I dated, and then dated some more. It became a habit. As soon as I found an interesting woman, I’d start thinking that there’s probably another, more interesting one out there. This one didn’t make me feel like she was the one. I’d move on,” she explained.
“And now?” Keira asked, not sure why in this moment, that question was so important to her.
“Now, I’m done with that,” Emma stated confidently, and her thumb stopped moving for emphasis. “Regardless of what’s happening between you and I, I’m not doing that anymore. I’d rather be single and wait than date and date and date.”
Keira laughed lightly and replied, “Okay, Dr. Seuss.”
Emma smiled and said, “What about you?”
“I kind of made this promise to her after she died that I’d finally try things her way.”
“That’s why you haven’t been with anyone?”
“I haven’t met anyone I wanted to be with like this,” she professed. “I had my moments where I’d meet a woman at a bar. It was tempting to ask her out, but then something would happen. I’d change my mind. She’d say something I didn’t like or disagreed with, or she’d talk about how she wanted five kids. I knew I didn’t want five kids. Instead of trying anyway and then finding someone else later, I’d just end it there.”
“And now?”
“I’m not planning on ending anything at the moment,” Keira answered and ran her hand up Emma’s back under her shirt.
“I meant what I said before, Keira. We can wait. We can go slow. We can pause. We can do whatever–”
“I like this pace, thanks.” She gave Emma a shy smile. “Just lying here with you is nice. I’m not saying I want to wait forever, okay? Just so we’re clear.” Her eyes went wide.
“Got it.” Emma winked. “Tomorrow is going to be a very long day. I know we’ll both be busy and probably not have any real time together.”
“Plus, everyone you work with will be there. We can’t exactly be out in the open.”
“Yeah,” Emma agreed and the thumb on Keira’s cheek began to move again. “After it’s all over though, do you want to come to my place? You can stay over. We can have a lazy Sunday,” she proposed, and Keira noted a bit of nervousness in her tone and expression.
Keira leaned in and kissed Emma gently, intending only on that, but Emma’s hand moved to the back of her head and in her hair. Her lips moved so easily against Keira’s that they sank back into their earlier slow rhythm. She registered the tingling sensation on her lips and on every other spot Emma touched with her hands. When Emma slid more tightly against her, her body instinctively pulled her even closer. Emma fit against her so perfectly. She thought about Michelle’s words to her one night when they’d been working together.
◆◆◆
“So, it’s done with Kellan now?” Michelle asked.
“We were never official, but yeah. I like Kellan; I do. But–”
“But there’s someone new, isn’t there?” Michelle rolled her eyes.
“She’s great. You’ll love her. She’s got this awesome laugh that’s infectious, and–”
“Again, Key?”
“Again, what?” Keira fired back.
“You just started dating Kellan. You two were doing so well. Now, there’s someone else?”
“Kellan’s great, but I don’t see it going anywhere,” Keira explained. “Honestly, the sex is only okay. And it kind of felt off. It felt like maybe we’re–”
“Supposed to be just friends? Yeah, I know. You told me that. I can understand it, but this is your deal, Key. You find someone, date for a minute, end it because you find someone new, and it happens all over again.”
“That’s called dating, Michelle.”
“But it’s not productive,” Michelle argued. “Just stop always looking for what’s next and maybe you’ll find your forever.”
◆◆◆
Keira watched Emma sleep, feeling more than exhausted herself but not being able to resist the beauty before her as Emma’s chest rose and fell. Emma exuded calm and peacefulness. Keira finally began to consider that Michelle may have been right all along.
CHAPTER 16
Emma awoke to the sounds of gurgling. Something was gurgling. She wondered for a moment if it was her. Was she gurgling? No, she wasn’t gurgling. It was coming from another room. She opened her eyes and rolled over to see that the bed was empty. Keira wasn’t gurgling. Then, she registered it: the sound was coming from the kitchen. She smiled, slid out from under the warmth of the blankets
and rubbed her eyes. She ran a hand through her hair, trying to tame it. She glanced in the mirror above the dresser, moved a few stray hairs into place, and straightened her shirt before heading toward the kitchen.
“Good morning,” Emma greeted a fully dressed Keira Worthy in the kitchen.
“Hey, good morning.” Keira turned to her.
“You’re dressed. How did you do that?”
“You are a really heavy sleeper.” Keira moved toward her to kiss her cheek.
“And you’re the one that’s always running late,” Emma reminded.
“I’m making positive changes in my life or haven’t you heard?” She winked, causing Emma to smile. “I woke up about an hour ago and didn’t want to wake you. Luckily, you do sleep hard. I not only took a shower and dried my hair, but I forgot to pick out my clothes before I went in there and had to come back to the bedroom in my towel. When I saw you were completely out, I just changed right there.”
“Wait. You were in a towel, and then you were naked? I slept through that?” Emma asked.
Keira laughed, poured two thermoses of hot coffee and said, “This is for us. I did promise you good coffee. I’ll add the milk for you while you hop in the shower. We’ll drink it on the go.”
◆◆◆
Two hours later, they were in Golden Gate Park; both already exhausted and both wanting to spend time alone but acknowledging that it wasn’t possible today. The moment they arrived, Keira went off to make sure everything was going as planned. Emma went to meet up with Mason and Ivy, who were at the welcome table.
Two hours into the event, Emma was sitting behind the welcome table, greeting people who wanted to register for events or raffles. When Mason returned to take over for her, she made her way over to one of those inflatable obstacle courses hosted by NFL Play 60. She was standing off to the side watching four adults attempt to make their way down the slide part together when she felt a hand on her back.
“Hi there.”
“Hey, long time no see.” She turned her head to the side to take in Keira, who was dressed casually to fit the day and was also now wearing a Play 60 t-shirt over her other shirt.
“Nice shirt,” Emma commented.
“Thanks. One of the players gave it to me.” She nodded in the direction of one of the NFL players that came along to help out with the event.
“He did, did he?” Emma lifted an eyebrow as she continued to take him in.
“You do know I’m gay, right? We’ve had that discussion?” Keira toyed with her.
“I do, but does he?” Emma pointed at the player.
“It doesn’t matter what he does or does not know,” Keira informed. “I’m not interested. He’s also married with like two kids or something.”
“How did you learn that so fast?” Emma turned back to her.
“I didn’t. I knew it already. I’m a football fan.”
“You are?”
“Yes. Why do you seem so surprised?” She laughed again.
“Sorority girl and football fan. You’re are surprising,” Emma shared.
“Sorority girls can like football.” Keira retorted but enjoyed the back and forth. “And I happen to be a 49ers’ fan, thank you.”
“You are?”
“Michelle and I kind of adopted them as our team when she started dating Kevin. He’s a major fan. But I’ve always enjoyed watching games on Sundays.”
“I learn more about you every day,” Emma commented.
“I hope that never changes,” Keira replied with a smile. “I should get going. I have to get on the donor lunch. I’ll try to find you after.”
“You’re doing an amazing job, Keira.” Emma placed her hand on Keira’s forearm, figuring that wasn’t too intimate a touch. “Everyone I’ve talked to today has told me how much fun they’re having. Even Ivy is impressed. That woman doesn’t impress easily. She told me how this is ten times better than last year’s event.”
“She did?”
“I wasn’t here last year, but I can tell you that this is amazing, Keira. It’s fun. It’s getting people up and moving and learning about healthy lifestyles. And, somehow, you also managed to do all that while sticking to a government budget for the event. You are definitely in the right career.”
“Thank you.” She placed her hand fleetingly on top of Emma’s before removing it. “I should go.”
“Okay. Find me later.”
“I will.” Keira winked and turned to walk off in the direction of the tent.
“I seriously cannot believe how awesome this thing is.” It was Ivy’s voice from behind her. “We’re hiring her next year too. Think she can top it?”
“I know she can,” Emma replied without looking away from Keira as she did.
◆◆◆
Keira helped the catering staff arrange and clean and then moved onto the band to make sure they had everything they needed during a break from the music. Then, she moved in and out of the groups of people, listening to them covertly as she went to try to hear any negative feedback that she could help. One woman mentioned needing another drink. Keira nodded for one of the wait staff to take care of her. This was Keira’s element. She liked the planning, but she loved the day of stuff more. Michelle was better at the behind the scenes and the numbers. Keira actually preferred to do this part alone. Michelle was always worried about the expenses and how much they spent on the food or the decorations and how it cut into their bottom line. Keira wanted to make money too, but she also wanted to create the perfect event for their clients. It wasn’t about the money for her. If it had been about money, she would have gone down a different path or even stayed at her last job at the big firm where she made a nice income.
She could have worked her way up to partner one day and brought in enough money to buy a nice house. She could have afforded a new car and taken nice luxury vacations. Those things sounded nice, but Keira wanted the business with Michelle. It became their dream, and she wanted to work hard and make what she could while doing it. She wanted to make sure her clients had the best. She wanted their weddings to be the days they’d always imagined for themselves and maybe even a little more. She wanted the retirement parties to be the proper send-off, and the birthday parties to celebrate the day they came into the world. She loved this part of her job and hated that she might have to give it up.
◆◆◆
“Emma?” The voice came from behind her just as she was instructing Mason where to put the remainder of the extra supplies to take back to the office on Monday.
“Angela?”
Emma turned to see the woman she’d met during speed dating. Angela had blonde hair that was loosely tied back but mostly falling down around her flushed face, light brown eyes, and black-rimmed glasses. She was attractive, to be sure, and was wearing jeans and one of the Play 60 shirts Emma had seen everywhere all day.
“Miss Hanny, can I go back to the course?” A young boy tugged on Angela’s arm.
“Sure. Mr. Taylor is over there. Make sure he knows you’re playing, okay?”
“Okay.” The boy ran off.
“Sorry, I’m Miss Hanny to the kids but Angela Hanneburg to grown-ups.”
“Are you here for a school thing? Olivia mentioned you were a teacher,” Emma replied, still a little taken aback by seeing her here.
“We brought all the kids, yeah. It’s a fun event. Some of their parents are here, but we’re chaperoning the ones that are alone. We did it last year too. But, I’ve got to say, this year’s is much bigger.”
“It is, yeah. I wasn’t here last year, but I’ve been told.”
“This is your department, right? I remember you saying you worked for the Health Department.”
“Yeah, I do,” Emma offered in reply.
There was a moment where they both looked at each other, then away and around, and then back at each other. Neither appeared to know what to say to the other. It was awkward for Emma, who had been given Angela’s phone number but hadn’t called her yet, a
nd probably just as awkward for Angela as the one that hadn’t been called.
“So, we were going to give the kids another ten minutes and then take the bus back to the school for their parents to pick them up.”
“Sounds like fun,” Emma lied.
◆◆◆
Keira helped Katie load some boxes into the catering van and turned back to help pick up another stack when she noticed Emma talking to someone she recognized. She couldn’t remember her name, but she knew she was a friend of Kellan’s, or maybe it was Greene. She knew for sure she wasn’t a friend of Hillary’s. She also knew she’d seen her recently. Then, it hit her. She’d seen her at speed dating. Her name was Angela. She’d sat across from her that night. They’d talked about how they’d both been roped into doing the favor for Olivia to help with her new business. Angela was talking to Emma. Emma was laughing at something Angela had said. Angela laughed at Emma’s reply. They looked comfortable together as they talked and laughed. Keira lifted the next stack of boxes but kept her eyes on the two women about forty yards away. She had no right to be jealous. She and Emma had been on exactly two dates. They hadn’t spoken about exclusivity. Emma had been honest with her in telling her that someone from speed dating had checked her box and wanted to go out with her. She could go out with Angela if that was what she wanted. Keira shouldn’t walk over there and interrupt them, trying to claim Emma as her girlfriend. They weren’t girlfriends. She had no claim on her. She watched as Emma laughed again. She gritted her teeth. She loved Emma’s laugh. She didn’t like it directed at Angela Hanneburg, though.
“Hey, Keira? Are you planning on handing those to me today?” Katie’s voice came from behind her in the van.
“Yeah, sorry.” Keira turned and passed her two boxes.
“You’re staring at her. When are you planning on doing something about it?”
“I did do something about it,” Keira informed.
“You did?” Katie asked.
“We’ve gone out twice now. She stayed over last night.”
“She did? How was it?” Katie lifted an eyebrow and stopped stacking the boxes and other equipment in the van.
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