“You did what?!” Vivian hissed through the phone, and Elena winced as it echoed loudly in her ear.
“Vivian, I am not going to repeat myself,” Elena said, glancing up and around her office nervously. Despite knowing that no one could hear her, Elena still felt as if every ear in the entire universe was currently tuned in to her very private admission of secret studio sex with her lesbian babysitter-turned-lover.
“Oh my God!” Vivian exclaimed. “Elena!”
“Feel free to stop shrieking in my ear any time, Viv.”
“I will not sto—What?” Midway through Vivian’s response, Elena heard another voice echo from the other end of the line. She couldn’t be sure, but it sounded like Vivian’s assistant, which meant that Vivian had gone in to work today as well. It didn’t surprise Elena. She and Vivian both were workaholics, though Elena herself had slowed way, way down in the last two years in order to spend as much time with Lucas as possible. “Jeanine, I don’t give a damn about that right now, because my best friend just got laid for the first time in four years, okay? Four years, and it was with a woman. Okay? Do you see the importance of this conversation now? The new spread can wait.”
Elena’s entire body felt like it caught fire in that moment as she fumed. “Vivian Warren! Shut your mouth this instant!”
“What? It’s true, and besides, I didn’t say your name, so relax.”
Elena rolled her eyes as she pressed her fingertips to her temples. “Everyone in your office knows exactly who your best friend is, you idiot,” she said.
“Oh.” Vivian laughed. “That’s true. Sorry, but hey, don’t be embarrassed. It’s something to celebrate not something to be embarrassed about.”
“Thank you for that encouraging pep talk, dear.”
“You are quite welcome. So, spill. I need details, and when I say I need details, I mean details along the lines of trashy-romance-novel details. Catch my drift?”
“Go buy a book then, Viv, because you won’t get any details out of me, and you know it.”
Vivian sighed heavily into the phone. “I’m demoting you. You no longer hold the position of best friend, because best friends share everything with each other. I even tell people that Lucas is my son sometimes.”
“Oh, you do not,” Elena said. “And I can’t be demoted. It’s in the contract.”
“We wrote that stupid best-friend contract when we were seven, Elena.”
“Yes, and it still stands,” Elena told her. “It clearly states that none but me can hold the position of best friend in your life and none but you can hold it in mine.”
“It also says that you will always share your gummy bears with me, and I will always share my Milk Duds with you,” Vivian countered.
“Yes, well, have I ever broken that sacred covenant? I do believe I have always shared my gummy bears with you.”
“True, even though you hardly ever eat candy anymore.” Vivian sighed again. “I love gummy bears.”
Elena chuckled as she leaned back in her office chair and twirled a pen between her fingers. “I know you do.”
“So, you’re not going to tell me anything?” Vivian asked. “Not even a little bit? Are you at least going to tell me if it was good?”
“Very well, but this is all you get,” Elena said.
“Spit it out already!”
“It was amazing.”
Vivian giggled like a little girl. “I want to squeal again.”
“Please don’t.”
“So how amazing are we talking here, Elena?”
“Nice try, Viv.”
Vivian huffed out a breath. “What kind of best friend calls just to say that sex has occurred but then refuses to share any details of the occurrence?”
“The evil kind.” Elena let out a low, playful laugh to suit the statement. “Besides, I am still in the office.”
“Oh, so you can have sex in the office, but you can’t talk about sex in the office? I call bullshit, but I will let it slide for now. You do realize, though, that you will likely end up telling me more at some point, right?”
“Most likely,” Elena admitted, knowing the chances were pretty high. They had never been good at keeping things from one another, and Elena would likely feel the need to gush to someone at some point, given how incredible the sex with Allison had actually been.
They stayed on the phone with one another for a long time, even after they both fell silent. It was something they had done many times in their lives. After a long silence, Vivian quietly asked, “You really like her, don’t you?”
Elena sighed. “I really do, Vivian,” she whispered. “I really, really do.”
* * *
Hey gorgeous! You up for an adventure tonight, or do you have to pick the little man up?
Elena’s body erupted in tingles as she read Allison’s text. It amazed her how easily all things Allison Sawyer seemed to do that to her. She contemplated her mysterious offer as she stared at her phone, her thumbs stilled over her keypad. She had already informed her parents and Lucas that it was likely he might have to spend the night there, thus it would be easy for Elena to simply use that to her advantage and take Allison up on her offer.
What sort of adventure?
You’ll see. The next text sent an address and told Elena to meet her there at nine that night. Elena laughed softly when she read the end of the message. Oh, and wear jeans, Elena, because damn. Just damn.
Elena didn’t have a clue what adventure the other woman had in mind, but she found she hardly cared. She just wanted to be there, wherever Allison was.
* * *
The night air was warm and wonderfully breezy as Elena stepped out of the cab and onto the curb. The address Allison had given her was that of a small bar; it was small, but from the looks of it, lively. A large poster plastered across the window right next to the door read OPEN MIC-NIGHT! Intrigued, Elena made her way inside, her black pumps tapping as she walked.
Patrons packed the place, filling tables in front of a large stage at the far end of the building as well as standing around the bar waiting for drinks. She took a moment to glance around for a flash of wild golden hair, but it was useless. There was no way Elena would find Allison in this crowd, so she made her way to the bar instead.
Weaving through the bodies, Elena felt several people brush against her, and some in ways that obviously could not be deemed as accidents. As always, she shuddered at the contact and did her best to weave through the crowd a little faster. When she found a thankfully empty stool at the bar, she plopped down and waited for the bartender to take notice of her. Familiar with the routine of being a well-dressed woman sitting alone at a bar, she counted in her head, avoiding the urge to roll her eyes:
And in 3, 2, 1…
“Hey there, pretty lady.”
Elena didn’t even bother making eye contact with the man who approached her nearly as soon as she sat down. Anyone who started with “pretty lady” was doomed from the beginning. She avoided his gaze, straightened her back, and said, “No, thank you.”
“Oh come on. Don’t be like that.”
Elena did make eye contact with him then. “Don’t be like what?” she asked. “I said ‘No, thank you’. Would you prefer I rudely turn you down?”
“You’re a sassy one.” He let out a nervous laugh and pulled a bit at the collar of his wrinkled navy button-up shirt.
“No. Currently, I’m being quite polite. You, on the other hand, are not.”
He ran a hand over his buzzed dirty-blonde hair and offered up what Elena assumed he considered to be a charming smile. It came off as more predatory than anything. “Don’t like compliments?”
“I don’t care for men who don’t understand the meaning of the word ‘no’.”
His eyes hardened as he simply stared at her for a moment.
She thought he might actually try another pass at her before he finally just sneered “whatever” and walked off.
The bartender showed up a moment later. “What can I get ya, ma’am?”
“Absolut neat.” She was going to need something with a little kick to start her off, especially if it was going to take a while to find her date. As she waited for her drink, she pulled her phone from her clutch and typed out a text to Allison, letting her know where she was.
“Well, well.” Another voice spoke from behind her, and Elena closed her eyes and sighed at the deep register. “Beautiful woman alone at the bar?”
The man stepped around her and into view. “That’s a crime.”
Elena arched a brow as her gaze scanned down his body. He was a younger guy, barely out of high school from the look of him, and Elena was appalled to see that he was actually attempting to rock the circa-early-2000s frat-boy look of khaki cargo shorts, a bright pink polo with a popped collar, and a white ball cap only partially on his head. Her lip curled as she shook her head. “So is your attire, dear.”
The guy had a typical “psh” reaction before muttering that she was a bitch and stalking off.
The bartender arrived with her drink, and Elena took a sip, reveling in the slight burn as the vodka slithered down her throat.
It wasn’t long before she was approached again. This man, at least, was dressed well. He wore a lovely dark gray button-up and black slacks. His face was nicely groomed, and the soft blue of his eyes paired beautifully with his dark hair. “Hello.” He greeted her with an incline of his head.
Elena narrowed her eyes and did her best to appear confused as she stared at the man’s lips.
“Something in my teeth?” he asked.
She did her best to appear even more confused at that, and then she let out a sigh and shook her head. She offered him a strained smile and said, “Lo siento. No hablo inglés.”
The guy stared at her for a moment, as if contemplating whether or not to believe her, but then he just nodded, mumbled a “sorry” and wandered off.
Elena had a few moments of merciful peace before she noticed a woman with auburn hair and strikingly bright eyes making her way toward her. She wondered for a moment if she truly was the intended target of the other woman, but given the way those bright eyes were pinned on her, Elena would bet almost anything that she was. While Elena wished that she could avoid come-ons entirely, she did prefer those made by women. She had encountered a few women who had seemed to take on that whole playa persona, but for the most part, Elena had much more respectful encounters with women than she did with men. They typically accepted a “No, thank you” with much more grace and ease than the men did.
A moment later, those striking eyes were right in front of her, taking in every detail. “Evening,” the woman said, her smile bordering on a smirk. “Can I buy you a drink?”
Elena was surprised by the thick Australian accent but found it lovely. She smiled at the woman and shook her head. “No, thank you.”
The other woman nodded. “Fair enough,” she said. “Already have a date?”
“Yes, actually,” Elena told her. “I am meeting my…my girlfriend.” It felt so strange to say that. She had only said it once before, at the zoo, and it had felt weird then. But just as it had that day, saying the word had also sent a jolt of excitement rippling through Elena’s gut.
“Yeah?” the Aussie asked. “Sounds nice. What’s she look like? Maybe I can spot her for you?”
Elena smiled. “Blonde, bright green eyes, a stunning smile, and undoubtedly wearing some kind of tank top or three-quarter-sleeve button-up.” She paused for a long moment as she looked out into the crowd before sighing and adding, “Beautiful.”
The other woman smiled. “Excellent description, Elena, and given that lovey-dovey look you had in your eyes while you said it, I’d say Alli’s done quite well for herself.”
Elena startled, eyes wide and confused. She blinked rapidly, her mouth opening and closing, but then the other woman just laughed and stuck her hand out.
“Macy Davis.” Her eyes scanned over Elena’s figure. “It’s nice to finally meet the woman who’s turned my best mate into a puddle of goo.”
Clearing her throat, Elena smiled and reached out to shake Macy’s hand. “Macy,” she said. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you. Allison speaks quite highly of you.”
“You too. Really, really highly, if you know what I mean.”
Elena’s cheeks flushed heavily as she cleared her throat again and nodded.
“I’m not so good with censorship.” Macy laughed at herself.
“I thought you were hitting on me when you first walked up,” Elena said, and Macy nodded, grinning.
“I was.” She leaned her elbows on the bar and settled in beside Elena. “But only as a test.”
“A test?”
“Yeah. To make sure you were loyal. It’s my duty as her best mate.”
“I see,” Elena said. “I’m glad she has someone looking out for her in such a manner.”
“Always have, love,” Macy told her. “Always will.”
Elena could hear the sincerity in Macy’s voice and the fierce protection of Allison that shone in her eyes and posture as she spoke of her. It was heartwarming, and reminded Elena greatly of her own best friend.
“Speaking of Allison,” Elena said. “Have you seen her? I sent her a text, but she never responded.”
“Sure she did,” Macy said. “That’s why I’m here.”
“Oh, I see. So, is this the part where you tell me that if I break her heart, you will break my face or something along those lines?”
“Something like that.”
“I thought as much.” Elena took a sip of her drink. “Well, dear, you needn’t worry.”
“I know.” Macy shrugged.
“You do?”
“Oh please. I only just met you, I know, but you two are so bloody in love with each other, it’s borderline disgusting.”
Elena’s heart shot into her throat as those words sank into her. She couldn’t think of anything to say in response, because her brain felt like it was on fire as she closed her eyes and pondered her feelings for Allison. Was it love? It definitely could be.
An image of Allison playing with Lucas flitted through her mind, and a smile tugged at her lips. It definitely might be.
“Relax,” Macy said. “Before your face overheats and explodes.”
Elena’s eyes fluttered open again. She swallowed and smiled at Macy, who leaned over and nudged her with her elbow. “But just so you know, if you do hurt her, I’ll have to come after you, and I used to wrestle dingoes in Oz. So you would be lucky to live to tell the tale.”
Elena started to laugh but fell silent and gaped when Macy simply stared at her, serious as ever.
“Is that…are you being serious?”
Macy stared at her only a moment longer before she grinned and shook her head. “Your face, love. That was priceless.”
Elena inclined her head and pointed at the woman. “You had me for a moment.”
“Americans think Australia is literally just a ton of blokes in board shorts, shrimp on the barbie, and dingoes stealing our babies or something. Thanks, Meryl Streep, for that last one, even if it was based on a true story.” Macy barked out a loud laugh. “So, it’s easy to pull one over on most of you.”
“I would imagine so. I would love to visit Australia.”
“Alli wants to go too. I’m thinking of asking her along after graduation.”
“Oh?” Elena was about to inquire for further details when the lights in the bar dimmed considerably and the static sounds of a woman tapping on a microphone distracted her.
“What’s this?” Elena glanced up at the stage.
Macy grinned and pointed to a very familiar blonde walking onto the stage behind the woman at the microphone and sitting down with an acoustic guitar. “Your date just arrived,” she said, and Elena’s heart began to race.
