Chapter 3

She pointed to her shoulder so I pulled up her tiny sleeve to look at it. There was nothing wrong with her there. Still, I leaned in to place a kiss on the skin of her shoulder.

“Poor baby… You’ve suffered a great ordeal.”

She stuck her lower lip out comically, and nodded.

“What else hurts, darling?”

She pointed to her neck.

I leaned in while I tried to calm my erratic heart. I pressed my lips finally to her hot throat. I mouthed lightly, and she stretched her neck in response, breathing deeply. When my tongue touched her skin for the first time, my phone buzzed in my back pocket.

I leaned back in frustration. “Shit.”

I looked at the caller ID. It was Jesse. I looked at Suzie, and she was already standing up.

“Hey! You guys okay?“

“Yeah, we’re fine. Heading over to you now.”

“Okay! Wanna have lunch? We found this great seafood stand a little further up. You can’t miss it.“

“Sounds great.” I watched her put her jacket back on.

“Want me to order for you?“

“Sure. They got fried shrimp?”

“Yep! A basket with fries and sauces.“

“Awesome! Yes, that. Suz? Jesse’s asking if you want him to order for you. They’re at a seafood place.”

“Um… I don’t know, shrimp?”

“I already told him fried shrimp and fries.”

“Oh! Then oysters? Or a lobster roll, I guess.”

“Jess, do they have okay oysters?”

“Yep, they’re fresh.“

“Awesome! A dozen raw oysters then. And some beers too, please.”

“Thank you! See you in a bit.” I clicked on him.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have any beer if I’m already this unsteady on my bike.” She said bitterly.

“I’ve got more bandaids.” I smiled softly at her as we glided next to each other. She smiled back then looked away shyly.

I was riding a bike on the beach, but I really did feel like I was flying instead.

We chatted and laughed with Jesse and Ash at a rickety table at the little stand. I had my arm draped over Suzie’s chair but she didn’t protest. She stole my shrimp as I slid a few of her oysters into my mouth, with that lovely lemon and sea salt.

“Right?” She exulted, taking another one along with me.

I sighed deeply, chewing on my briny delicious treat.

Ashley was staring at us.

“Would you like one, dear?” I asked her.

“I’ve never had one…”

“No time like the present!” I pressed. “Some swallow it whole, like a seagull. I think that’s a damn shame though. I believe food should be tasted. Some eat it plain and some put lemon and salt on it before eating it.”

I pushed the plate over to her. She glanced at Jesse. He shrugged and took another sip of his beer. I knew he hated oysters, he’d much rather have fish and chips.

She took an oyster shell and squeezed lemon on it then sprinkled it with salt.

“I just, um–” she mimed tilting the shell into her mouth.

“Yep! Nothing to it.”

She scrunched up her eyebrows as she led it to her mouth. She chewed in concentration. We all stared at her.

She swallowed it while I took a swig of my lovely lager.

She wiped her mouth then looked at us. “That was–disgusting.” She grimaced.

We laughed, she laughed too.

“I’m sorry! I guess it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.” I apologized for subjecting her to it.

“Blegh!” She shivered then washed the taste down with her spritzer.

I shared a tiny secret smile with Jesse, and he gave me a tiny shrug in return.

We biked back to the house with no further accidents and got back in time to watch the sun set on the west-facing balcony. The beach house had wicker love seats and throw blankets stocked in a little closet.

We sat with glasses of Jesse’s dad’s expensive wine as we looked out to the horizon.

“Mor?” She said from my lap. There were only two loveseats so she’d draped her legs over one arm of the seat and laid her head on my lap.

“When will you know about your contract?”

“I spoke to Mr. Sullivan yesterday, and he seemed optimistic about this new publishing company.”

“I might even get an advance.”

“Yeah! Maybe! He said they were loaded, huge players in the game, and were welcoming to new authors if they saw potential.”

“Dude! Really?” Jesse perked up at my comment.

“What am I missing?” Ashley cried.

Jesse filled her in, “Mor is looking for a publisher to print her novel. Looks like it might happen!” He smiled widely at me.

I scratched at my neck in embarrassment. “Well, nothing’s set in stone.”

Suzie hugged me hard.

“Dude! You have to tell us the next time you hear from Sully! We can celebrate.” Jesse shouted.

“Shh! You’ll jinx it!” I yelled, still hugging Suzie to my side.

He rolled his eyes. “Hey, how about a movie?”

“Ooh, yeah! Suz, you’re going to love the big screen.”

She hummed as she traced the knit of my top.

I went into the kitchen with Jess to make popcorn and nachos while the girls settled into the entertainment room.

“What movie were you thinking of?”

“Something super gay!”

I frowned at him. “What?”

“Yeah! We should continue to normalize lady lovin’ for Suzie!”

I raised my eyebrows, speechless. “I–I–uh…”

“Don’t worry! I’ll handle everything!”

I panicked even more at that. “Dude. What are you planning?”

“Told you! A gay movie. But it has to be one with a happy ending, so let’s do Imagine Me & You. It’s fitting! She was married, Suzie was married. She falls in love with a lesbian and discovers her true feelings.”

I gaped at him. “I don’t think it’s on any streaming service though…”

“No worries! I have a DVD!”

I looked at him suspiciously. “Did you plan this?”

“No!” He said in a high pitched voice as he separated the popcorn into two bowls then popped in a second bag.

“You did! You sneaky fuck.”

“Mor, I said I’d be your wingman so let me do my winging…” he raised his eyebrows and challenged me to object.

I shook my head. “I had nothing to do with this. Understand?”

“Yes! Of course! You can claim plausible deniability.”

I fixated on cutting up jalapeños for the nachos while I tried not to panic.

We went back, and I settled in on the couch under the same blanket as Suzie, handing her the popcorn and nachos.

“So what are we watching?” Suzie asked while she munched.

“An oldie but a goodie!” Jesse said happily. “Imagine Me & You.” He knelt as he slipped a disc in the PlayStation.

“Don’t remember it. Is it a black and white movie?”

“No, it’s a lesbian rom-com.” I supplied casually.

She turned to look at me.

“It’s pretty tame if that’s what you’re worried about.” I clarified when I saw her wide eyes.

“Uh–yeah.” She went back to munching on her popcorn.

“Aw! That’s sweet! Who stars in it?” Ashley asked.

“Lena Headey and Piper Perabo. Mo has a major boner for both of them.”

I tossed a popcorn kernel at Jesse on his way back to the couch. He caught it and popped it in his mouth, grinning cheekily.

“That true?” Suzie’s eyes bored into mine.

“Uh, yeah, I’ve been in love with Piper since she did Coyote Ugly. Fuck, that was hot.”

“Let’s see the woman of your dreams then.”

My heart gave an irregular thump.

The movie was funny. Bittersweet with the sweet dude’s heart getting broken, but the burgeoning affection between the two women on the screen was delicious tension that echoed all crushes.

The lingering touches and gazes were perfectly crafted to create tension. But when they kissed? That kiss was the hottest thing my young gay-me eyes had ever beheld when I’d watched it the first time. The swipe of her thumb roughly along the other girl’s lips before taking a hot kiss from her mouth. Yikes! It still sent shivers down my spine.

I looked over at Suzie to see her face every now and then. She seemed to be enjoying the movie, laughing at the appropriate times then groaning when they had to break away from a potential embrace. I had to admit this wasn’t one of Jesse’s more terrible ideas.

Maybe it would get her in the mood.

My brain floated back and forth between watching the familiar movie and fantasizing about taking Suzie in my arms and kissing her soundly.

I was also terrified. Of not living up to being a potential partner for her. At failing at trying then getting shot down with no further second chances. At making her upset and violating her trust or privacy or safe space we’d created. My brain was over-flooding with my overthinking anxiety again and I stamped on it forcefully while I instead pushed up the affection I had for this woman.

If it happened, it happened and if it didn’t happen then… my brain froze.

I focused on the climax of the movie. She was standing on top of a car shouting at the girl that was, predictably, hopping on a plane to leave forever.

The poignant ending scene winded down and Ashley was sniffling loudly. I looked over at her. Jesse was comforting her.

“That was so beautiful!” She cried. “They were soulmates! And nothing c-could keep them away from each other!” She hiccuped lightly.

Geez, how tipsy is she? I thought in amusement. Looking over at Suzie, she was looking at Ashley with her eyebrows slightly scrunched up.

“Hey.” I tried to get her attention, and she turned to look at me. “You okay?”

“Yeah.” She said simply. She got up to toss the unpopped kernels and wash the dishes.

Jesse made eye contact with me and tilted his head. He was nonverbally asking if it went all right.

I nodded and gave him a little thumbs up. He smiled back wanly.

I got up to go help her and took the glasses of wine with me.

I dried what she washed then stowed them in the cabinets. I put some soft music on in the kitchen to fill the dead space.

After a minute, her shoulders started to relax.

“So, she was straight? And then, what? Fell in love with a woman?” She was focused on the sink and dishes as she spoke.

“Yeah, I guess. Happens more often than you’d think. You get caught up with life and stop asking yourself what you want. What you want your life to be.”

She hummed. “I haven’t played Dance Dance Revolution in decades.” Her mind went back to that adorable scene in the movie where they danced at an arcade.

I chuckled. “No, me neither. It was fun.”

“Yeah. It’s nice to be silly and let loose like that, huh?” She made eye contact with me.

“Yeah, definitely. Scream in glee, make dumb faces, play with legos.” I smiled softly. “Just dance whenever you feel like it. It’s the best ever.”

“Yeah.” She seemed sad now.

“You… haven’t–uh–didn’t have that?”

“No. It was a little bit more buttoned up than that… before.”

I assumed she meant her marriage that had ended with her heart ripped to teeny tiny shreds all those years ago.

I hummed quietly next to her. When she wasn’t more forthcoming, I bumped her shoulder lightly, and she bumped me back in response. We smiled lightly at each other in understanding.

I texted Jesse discreetly and asked him to be ready with the next activity.

We went back into the entertainment room to see all the couches pushed to the edges of the room and the wooden floor bare.

“What are you doing?” Suzie asked.

“We’re playing a dancing game with their fancy video games.” Ashley said in delight.

“Did you–” Suzie questioned me suspiciously.

I winked at her, and she smiled brightly.

“Everyone grab a remote! Just hold it in your hand and we can go through an elimination challenge.” Jesse handed them out.

“Anyone want drinks before we start?”

“Can you make us strawberry margaritas?” Suzie cried as her eyes sparkled.

“Sure! Anyone want anything in particular? I can make more stuff.”

“Margaritas sound great!”

I overheard Jesse explaining how the game worked while I blended the pink slush and fixed slices of strawberries then placed tiny umbrellas in the fancy glasses.

I came back with a tray of the pitcher, salted glasses, and a tray of chips and salsa.

“Okay! Everyone ready?”

I snapped on my remote and took a place next to Suzie. She was smiling like a lunatic.

The elimination tournament was a blast. We took snack breaks, trash talked each other, and Ashley twerked wildly on Jesse.

I was horribly distracted with Suzie’s movements and slightly tipsy so I was the second to be eliminated after Ashley.

Ashley and I kept eating as Jesse and Suzie became increasingly more competitive. We cheered on our respective favorite people.

“You got this baby!”

“Whoop! You go girl! Come on Suzie!”

Jesse won by 25 points and he bowed then hugged Suzie.

“Let’s go again?” Jesse’s eyes were glittering too.

It was one AM by the time we were exhausted, and left the dirty dishes in the kitchen forgotten until the next day.

Everyone hugged goodnight and Suzie whispered to me she wanted to sleep in the next day.

“Hey Jess, we wanna sleep in tomorrow, okay? Text if anything but kinda wanna sleep in until maybe ten or eleven, please.”

“Sure!” His grin was way too eager so I twisted a piece of the skin on his side discreetly while I hugged him.

“You did good today though… Thanks.”

He winced when I pinched him but then smiled widely at me at my reluctant gratitude to his wingman services.

“Have a good night.” He said conspiratorially.

“Oh, yeah. Tonight got her excited too! We may need a late morning tomorrow too.” He whispered at me then winked.

I chuckled and had to hug him again, clapping his back. He absolutely lived for warm hugs and I wasn’t always a standoffish jerk. Sometimes I was affectionate with him too.

We went back to the room and she was rooting through her luggage, so I took the bathroom first, taking a quick shower and brushing my teeth.

She took the shower next while I went to lounge on the bed, scrolling through my phone.

She came out with dripping hair and an adorable matching pajama set with soft cotton shorts. She dried her hair a bit while looking at me.

She tossed the towel then came over to my side of the bed. She leaned on the headboard, and it made my blood freeze instantly.

“Yeah?” I squeaked out.

“Do they have tea here?”

“Uh–yeah.” Her pink lips were right there and she was talking about fucking tea. “You know, black tea, chamomile, some other stuff, probably fancy loose leaf.”