Page 39 of Force Play

Pink stains her cheeks. “Folger’s had it all wrong. I love coffee, obviously . . .” There’s nervous laughter, and then there’s the uncontrollable, bubbly giggle that comes out of Lilah. “But the best part of waking up is an orgasm before you have a cup.”

“Ah . . . the world’s best wake up call. I miss morning sex.”

“Enough oversharing from me. Who are you meeting?” She grabs a mug and starts on my coffee.

“You’re not even going to try to talk me into a fancy drink?”

“No, you’re a lost cause where coffee is concerned. I’ve accepted that,” she says, untying her apron and leading me to a table where she takes the seat across from me.

“Do you know Dom’s friend Lara?”

“Yeah. She’s come to a few events with him in the past. She’s fantastic; you’ll love her. He set you two up?” Her brows furrow.

“He introduced us,” I hedge, thrown off by her wording. “Said she was well connected in the nonprofit space.”

“That makes sense. Sorry, I think my husband fucked a few brain cells out of me this morning.” Laughter puffs out of her and she adds, “She’ll be a great resource for you. She knows everyone.”

Before I can push for any more information, the door chimes.

Lilah’s eyes brighten as she waves the tall blonde woman over. Standing from her spot she wraps her arms around the chicly dressed woman in the same greeting she gave me. “Indie was just telling me you were coming in. It’s so good to see you again, Lara,” Lilah gushes.

“Likewise. It’s been too long. It’s been all stuffy political events with my dad’s reelection. Those are nowhere near as fun as having fancy dinners with you and the guys for a worthwhile cause.” Even her laughter is refined as she jokes with Lilah.

Tightness creeps up my spine when she steps back from the hug. Lara is stunning and commands the kind of graceful poise that only the most self-assured seem to possess.

“Lara, this is my friend Indie. I think you’ll love the ideas she has to help our local nonprofit organizations. You two are going to work so well together. I’m jealous he gets the credit for pairing you two up.”

Crystal blue eyes sweep over me appraisingly. “Any friend of Dom’s is a friend of mine.”

Lilah leaves us to finish her baking and Lara gets right down to business. As much as I wanted to dislike her on sight—a feeling I’m not ready to dig too deep into—I can’t. She’s a fucking delight. Professional, clever, and has brilliant ideas that only compliment what I’m trying to do. Her immediate passion for helping me achieve my goals is invigorating. Knowing that I owe Dom for this introduction is the only dark spot in an otherwise bright morning.

We leave Buns & Roses together with a plan to meet again in a week, and a promise from her to share some of the work I want to do with her connections to assess their interest.

“Dom’s a man of many talents, but professional matchmaking was not one I expected from him.” Our light laughter mingles between us.

Checking the time on my watch I see that I only have about fifteen minutes before my appointment. “Shoot. I need to get going. I have another appointment.” My brows draw together as I pull up the address on my phone.

“Of course. Do you know where you’re going?” Lara asks, picking up on my obvious confusion.

“Well, I thought I did, but the map isn’t loading. Do you know where the Downtown Women’s Health Center is?”

“As a matter of fact, I do.” She points down the block and gives me directions to follow. “If you see Maryann while you’re there, feel free to drop my name. She’s in charge over there, and they could benefit from your help.”

“Thank you so much; for meeting with me today, the directions and the lead. Really. This whole idea—moving across the country and taking a risk on a career outside of the corporate hamster wheel—it’s a little daunting. But it just feels right, you know?”

“If anyone can do it, it’s you. You’ve got the vision, the drive, and an unmatched devotion to the cause,” she adds softly, laying her palm on my arm. “And I’m here if you need anything.”

My eyes drop to her hand and then slice back to her face. There’s a tilt to her hand, the distinct look of interest that goes beyond working together. Delilah’s confusion over why we were meeting crystallizes into understanding. I’m an idiot. Lara’s not interested in Dom. The uncomfortable jealousy that was plaguing me earlier is long gone with the realization that Lara is queer. It’s a piece of evidence I don’t want to look too closely at for fear of what I’ll find.

The walk to the clinic is short, but with the summer heat, my skin is sticky by the time I step into the air-conditioned building. Waving my hand in front of my face I step up to the desk to check in.

Glancing around the waiting room I notice the touches the staff has added to make the space more comforting. For a lot of patients, me included, being here probably feels a little overwhelming. Soft neutral tones and low, calming music help to make this all feel a little less harrowing.

Over the course of my life, I’ve always been privileged enough to have access to exceptional health care, and I’ve seen firsthand the difference that can make through my mom. The extra time we got with her as a result is a gift I will always cherish.

I just hope that by working with organizations like this one, I can play a small role in giving that same gift to other families. But that isn’t what brought me here today.

“Indie Moreno.” A slim man in dark scrubs calls out from where he’s standing by the open doorway leading to the back.

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