Page 19 of Everybody Needs a Hero

Ridingin the limo up the long, sweeping driveway, Tess Landish’s multi-million-dollar house in Beverly Hills was like nothing Bryce had ever seen except on television. Aside from being behind eight-foot walls and a black iron gate, the building was enormous. Compared to the modest two-bedroom ranch house where Bryce grew up, the place was a palace. Add in a perfectly manicured lawn with gorgeous flora everywhere she looked, and it was enough to make her feel a little out of her league. Clearly noticing Bryce’s awe, Ashley leaned in close. “Sorry,” she said. “It’s a little over the top outside, but I promise the look is all for show. My mom’s not a diva.” Bryce believed Ashley’s words even after only knowing Tess for a couple of hours. Considering who she was, Ashley’s mom seemed genuine and well… normal.

Although as big inside as it looked outside, the house itself felt homey and modest. Tess had filled it with oversized furniture that looked comfortable and inviting. Rather than the furnishings looking like they came from a museum, Tess’s choices were practical. Aside from the size, nothing about the place would make a person guess it belonged to one of the most famous actresses in the world. As they walked inside, Ashley asked Bryce if she wanted a tour, and her answer was easy. “If it starts in the kitchen, and I can have something to drink,” she said. “Then yes.” Both Tess and Ashley laughed.

“Since it’s you Bryce, I imagine you are talking about water,” Tess said. “But I want something a hell of a lot stronger.” Putting her hands on her lower back, she stretched. “First though, I am going to go take a shower and see if I can relax a little. Are you two okay?”

Ashley hugged her mom. “We are okay now,” she said. “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” Tess said, holding Ashley tightly for a moment. “I am so glad to be home and have you here with me.” She waved in the direction of what Bryce hoped was the kitchen. “Help yourself to whatever you want. I’ll be right back.”

After Tess left them alone, Bryce followed Ashley into the huge kitchen. While she got her drink of water at last, Ashley skipped straight to the wine. As they both drank, Bryce looked around. The cabinets, backsplash, and quartz countertops were in shades of gray and white with black accents. Everything looked modern, efficient, and expensive. “Did you grow up here?” Bryce asked, and Ashley shrugged.

“Some,” she answered. “From fifteen until I moved away to go to college and live on campus. Moving into someplace this fancy did take some getting used to, although …” She smiled. “The pool is fantastic.”

Bryce nodded. “From what I’ve seen so far, I can imagine.”

Suddenly, Ashley sobered. “Although, I am not sure I want to think about anything to do with water right now,” she said, her voice shaking a little. “What happened on Venice Beach…” She let her words fade. Acting purely on instinct, Bryce set down her glass before wrapping her arms around Ashley to pull her closer.

“I know,” she said, kissing her forehead. Knowing how hard it was to compartmentalize tragedy, Bryce wished Ashely had never witnessed the scene at the boardwalk. “There was nothing we could do,” she whispered. “We tried, so don’t blame yourself for anything.”

Ashley nodded, wrapping her arms around Bryce’s waist and resting her head on her shoulder. “I know,” she said, but there was enough doubt in her voice to worry Bryce a little. Being a sensitive and caring woman with a huge heart, the tragedy would take a long time for Ashley to get over. If she ever could.

Lifting her head, Ashley looked into her face. “I know I’ve already said it but thank you for saving me. For all that you did.” With their lips only inches apart, the desire to kiss her made Bryce ache. The last thing she wanted was to take advantage of the situation. Ashley was emotional. Vulnerable. So, she hesitated for a moment. Then, the reality she nearly died that day washed over her.Died without telling this woman I am so attracted to how I feel, she thought a moment before she leaned in and kissed her.

In her giant master bathroom,standing under the dinner plate-sized showerhead, the hot water and steam helped Tess feel somewhat normal again. Although she didn’t think she would be able to relax entirely for days, if not months after the fear she felt, the tension in her shoulders lessened under the spray. Only the draw of how good a glass of wine would taste lured her out of the shower. As she wrapped her wet hair in a thick, white towel and then slipped on her plush, navy blue, terrycloth robe, Tess hoped Ashley and Bryce would be in the kitchen. Spending more time with her daughter would go a long way toward making her feel better. Plus, she was eager to know Ashley’s friend better. The attraction Ashley mentioned at dinner only the night before seemed to have become something deeper over the course of the day. Tess wasn’t sure what to think about that situation. Her only concern was things were moving fast only because the two women’s emotions were intensified. It seemed their life and death experience helped them bond. There was no way to know what they would be like together under normal circumstances.

But there will be time for that later, and honestly, who am I to judge these things?she thought, starting to walk through the house to the kitchen.I’ve never been able to sustain a long-term relationship with anyone. Maybe an intense situation is the key.The idea made her slow her steps. If that were true, it might explain why she couldn’t seem to stop thinking about Drew. As much as she was trying to deny the feelings, Tess missed Drew. The day they spent together was crazy and scary but somehow made her feel close to the woman. She felt like they had bonded too and if she were to be honest, a deep longing inside her wished she asked the woman to come to stay with them for a night. Somehow having her resourcefulness nearby would have been a comfort.Oh, let me be honest, I want her here for more than her resourcefulness. I miss her smile, her voice, and, frankly, how she makes me feel.

Tess figured out over a decade ago that she preferred being around women much more than men, including romantically. Exploring her feelings had proved next to impossible if she wanted to maintain her girl-next-door, sweetheart image. Not that she found herself attracted to many women or men for that matter, but occasionally, when she met someone intelligent and talented, she would take notice.Someone like Drew Andersen, she thought with a sigh. Unfortunately, aside from all she did for Tess, that didn’t mean the woman felt any attraction toward her. As Drew said more than once, she was wired to aid people.She stopped in the middle of traffic and helped a stranger have her baby today, for God’s sake. What more proof do I need?

With a sigh, Tess started into the kitchen but stopped when she saw Ashley and Bryce. They were wrapped in each other’s arms sharing a kiss. It was the first time she had ever seen her daughter kissing someone, and although there was heat to the embrace, there was a tenderness to it also. Enough to reassure her Bryce’s attraction was sincere. She wasn’t there simply to sweep Ashley off her feet but truly cared about her daughter.

Quietly, Tess backed up the way she came and walked toward the kitchen as noisily as possible the next time. “Ashley, sweetheart,” she called out. “Did you leave some wine for me?”

When she entered the kitchen again, the two women had stepped apart, but the glow around them was impossible to miss. “Oh, a little,” Ashley said, her voice pitched a little huskier than usual. “How was your shower?”

“Bliss,” Tess said, taking the wine out of the fridge. “Although I don’t know if I’ll even get past how afraid I was today.” Feeling a wave of gratitude, tears welled up in her eyes. “I wouldn’t be able to stand it if I lost you.”

Ashley came closer, wrapping her up in a hug. “You didn’t lose me,” she said. “And I didn’t lose you. We both had heroes watching over us today.” Returning the hug, Tess let her daughter’s words sink in. There was a hero in her life, and suddenly she realized no matter the costs, she needed to tell Drew the truth about her feelings. That she was attracted to her and wanted to know her more. A lot more.

16

Finally, after a long three days of waiting impatiently for the city to declare it safe to return to the area, Ashley went back into her coffee shop. Walking among what remained of the once warm and cozy space she designed herself, she heard the insurance agent scribbling notes on his clipboard. Bryce stood nearby but was sensitive enough to give her space. Ashley’s emotions were as devastated as the shop. Even though the two-story building withstood the power of the wave slamming into it, all the window glass was entirely wiped away. With nothing to stop it, the wave filled the space with a mad rush of ocean water. Based on the stains clear to the ceiling, everything was under water at one point.And totally ruined, she thought, then reminded herself she was one of the lucky few along the boardwalk who survived that day.All I should focus on is being thankful everyone I love is okay.

“Well,” the insurance agent said, pulling a form from his clipboard. “I’m sure you can see the situation for yourself, Ms. Landish. Your coffee shop is irreparably damaged.” As Ashley took the paper he held out for her, words could not express how she felt. Like he said, she could see for herself, and it broke her heart. “Luckily, your business insurance coverage is top tier. You will be reimbursed for everything.” He gave her a gentle smile, suddenly appearing more sympathetic than he had throughout the process. “Think positive, Ms. Landish. This doesn’t have to be the end of your business venture.”

“Thank you” was all Ashley could think to say as Bryce approached, slipping an arm around her shoulders. The show of support felt good, and she looked forward to when they could be alone. Proving to always be steadfast, Bryce’s strong shoulders would be a perfect place to cry.

The agent started toward the door, stepping gingerly over the glass and other debris. “Reach out to us when you find your new location,” he said. “And I’ll come to appraise everything for coverage again.”

Ashley blinked, not understanding. “New location?” she asked. She had every intention to keep Landish Coffee on the Venice Beach boardwalk. The perfect location was one of the things she attributed to her success. Gutting and remodeling the coffee shop would take time, but she hoped she could upgrade some things with the extra insurance money.

Pausing, the agent shook his head. “I thought you knew,” he said. “The building, as well as ninety percent of the others along the block, have been determined unsafe for occupancy. Eventually, everything will be torn down and replaced, but that will take months at best. Maybe a year.”

“A year?” Ashley repeated, a sinking feeling in her stomach. The news kept getting worse by the minute.

The agent sighed. “Yes, unfortunately,” he said. “Marina Del Rey and the other neighborhoods along the coastline affected sustained millions of dollars of damage. Recovery will take time and money.”

As the words sunk in, Ashley felt tears welling up in her eyes, but she fought to hold them back until the man was gone. She was more discouraged than ever, but it wasn’t the agent’s fault. “Thank you for coming out so quickly.”

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