Page 99 of February

“Beignets. Then, chips.”

???

Monica wrapped her arms more tightly around Bridgette, running her hand over Bridgette’s stomach, wishing her own was as flat as Bridgette’s was, and worrying only for the first time about their age difference in regard to the fact that Bridgette would probably be seeing her naked soon. Being nearly thirteen years apart meant that Monica had a few more lines andwrinkles and curves than Bridgette did, and she knew Bridgette hadn’t ever been with a woman her age. She only hoped that it didn’t turn Bridgette off.

“Morning,” Bridgette muttered, and her hand ended up on top of Monica’s, pulling it up between Bridgette’s bare breasts and holding it there.

“Morning,” she said as she moved in closer. “Did you sleep okay?”

“I did. You were holding me,” Bridgette replied.

“I was. I went to the bathroom around three, and you looked a little cold, so I thought I’d help warm you up.”

“I’d say you did that,” Bridgette said and moved her ass back against Monica’s front.

Monica closed her eyes for a second, wishing they had time because she’d held Bridgette for most of the night, and she’d woken up more than ready for more than just a snuggle and a good morning kiss. Just when she thought about maybe suggesting to Bridgette that they be a little late to the office, her phone rang on her table.

“Sorry,” she said.

“It just better not be the flirty room service guy from last night,” Bridgette said as she let go of Monica’s hand.

“He wasn’t flirty.” She chuckled as she rolled away.

“You didn’t see where his eyes went when you opened the door.”

“Probably the same placeyoureyes go all the time,” Monica replied.

“Yeah,myeyes. My eyes are allowed to go there. We’re dating.” Bridgette slipped out of bed. “I have to pee. I’ll be right back.”

“Dad?” she said into the phone while she rolled her eyes at Bridgette.

“Hi, honey.”

“Everything okay? It’s early.”

“Yes, everything’s fine. I just wanted you to know that I made a decision about something last night.”

Was he about to tell her he was retiring? If he retired, she’d have to return to New York right away. She’d likely be the next CEO, or at least, would have to be at the board meeting where he named his desired successor, which would be her, and it would be put to a vote. Then, her entire life would change. She’d be in charge. She’d have the next thirty years of her life set for her, and that would be the end of it. She’d hardly ever see Aaron if he went to school at Tulane because she’d never have any real time off even if she got better at taking vacations. Monica knew her father’s life. His phone never really stopped ringing. She’d have no time for her personal life. She hardly did right now, but it would get worse. She’d have no time for Bridgette, and that thought hit her hard. Monica tried to swallow, but her throat was too dry, so she couldn’t. She pictured her house in the city, cold and empty. She pictured her office with her expensive artwork picked out by an art buyer but nothing that was really Monica’s taste. She pictured that small painting of the square that she’d bought here and how she’d love to find a place for that on one of her walls, but it wouldn’t go with the rest of the décor of her house. She saw everything coming to an end – her time here, her new relationship with Bridgette – and it physically hurt her.

“Dale Musgrave called me last night. We’re going to go ahead and start the buying process.”

“What?” she asked. “That’swhat you decided? Dad, I’m–”

“They’re worried, Monica. They don’t think they’ll be able to pay their employees the quarterly bonuses, with the increase in the medical insurance they cover that just popped up, so the employees will figure it out soon, and they’d rather give them good news and the prospect of a severance or a new job with us.”

“Dad, I have to meet with them today. I have ideas. Bridgette has ideas.”

“That’s the daughter, right?”

Monica wanted to tell him that Bridgette was so much more than their daughter, but now wasn’t the time. They also hadn’t exactly discussed what Bridgette was to her yet, and Monica thought they should before she told her father about them.

“Dad, just give me some time here.”

“Hecalled me, Monica. I didn’t callhim.”

“I know. Just let me take it from here, okay? I need to talk to them today. You wanted me to handle this. I’m handling it, I promise.”

“Fine. But we have the lawyers at the ready, so let’s get this moving along. He’s nervous, Monica.”

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