Page 29 of The Love We Make

“Thanks, but I’ll take a rain check on seeing the inside of your home.”

“All right. I’m so sorry. What you must think of—”

“Nora. Stop. I don’t think any less of you. Just let it go now.”

“Okay.” I think better of planting a quick kiss goodbye on her cheek. “Thank you so much for taking me home. I owe you.”

“You’re very welcome,” Mimi says, a gorgeous smile on her face.

I could luxuriate in that soft smile of Mimi’s for a good long while because it makes me feel instantly better. But I get out quickly and shut the door behind me. My dog sitter, Chad, appears at the front door, three excited creatures behind him.

Princess does that dance with her front paws she always does when she sees me. Izzy yaps until I pick her up. Rogue hangs out at the outskirts of whatever the other two are doing.

I thank Chad for his love and care for my precious babies and sink onto the couch. Princess and Rogue are at my feet, Izzy’s on my lap. I text my assistant Mimi’s address so she can send flowers. Then, I leave a message with my personal trainer asking for a grueling, punitive session tomorrow, even though Sundays are my only day off from working out.

“Mommy fucked up tonight, babies.” Three sets of ears are perked all the way up, yet they don’t understand me. That’s the beauty of talking to pets. They always listen but they can never judge you. “Mommy tried to kiss another woman.” Izzy looks at me as though I just told her I’m going to sell her to the highest bidder. “I know. I shouldn’t have done that, but I had too much wine. Story of my life, right?”

I let my head fall back, and Izzy’s body heat is so comforting and soothing, and the wine I’ve drunk all night is still very much in my system, and I’ve exhausted myself with all my stupid antics to such an extent, I fall asleep on the spot.

* * *

When I wake, I’m stretched out in the couch, with both Izzy and Rogue draped over me. Who needs a blanket when you have dogs to keep you warm? As soon as I stir, Princess brings me one of her toys. Instinctively, I reach for my phone. There are messages from my assistant and personal trainer, but also the message Mimi sent last night for me to read again this morning.

No apologies required. Your friend, Mimi.

My head hurts and my mouth is dry, but I can see things clearer now. This message is the very reason I’m drawn to her. I can’t explain it to myself any further just yet, but I feel it in my core. I feel something. But I am myself again. I am sober, level-headed Nora Levine and this version of me doesn’t go around trying to kiss people. How strong did I come on? Exactly how obnoxiously did I behave? I look at Mimi’s message again and it stops my train of thought. What if she’s right? What if, surprisingly simply, no apologies are required. She should get a nice bunch of flowers delivered to her doorstep soon enough. Then my phone rings. It’s Imani.

“Good morning, sunshine,” she says. “How’s the head?”

“Oh, god, Imani. I’m so sorry about last night.”

“It’s all good, Nora. You’re probably making it much worse than it really was, but, um… why on earth did you want me to leave so badly?”

“Argh. Don’t ask,” I groan.

“But Iamasking.”

“I tried to kiss her. I tried to kiss Mimi.”

“Tried?” Imani asks, as though she could have easily guessed—or she already knows.

“She stopped me.”

“That Mimi is real a class act,” Imani says.

“Because she stopped me from kissing her?”

“Because she texted me after she dropped you home last night. And yes, also because she didn’t take advantage of a tipsy Nora Levine in her house.” Imani chuckles. “Now, would you like to tell me why you suddenly felt the irresistible urge to kiss this woman, aside from drinking too much wine?”

“Oh, I don’t know. She’s, um…” I can’t explain it to Imani either. “I’m attracted to her. There’s something about her that gets to me.”

“Uh-hum.” Imani sounds as though she’s got me all figured out already. “She sure is an attractive lady.”

“Did you really want to set her up with Simone?”

“Why not?” She clears her throat. “This was before I knew you were attracted to her.”

Did I really admit to being attracted to Mimi? I hope this conversation doesn’t open a can of worms I’d rather stay closed for the rest of my days.

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