Page 22 of Stroked
Luce: Just pretend you’re talking to me.
Me: Sorry, but I don’t see you that way. lol
Luce: RUDE! I am fabulous! But point taken. Maybe pretend you’re in a public place. Why don’t you just go out? Take the pressure off?
Me: I already told her to come over and she was bringing food. Plus, it’ll be late anyway.
Luce: Up to you. A date would be easier.
Me: I’ll try that for next time. You’re right. But I don’t want to change plans now.
Luce: Awww! Next time?
Me: Bye, Bitch!
James poked his head in my door. “We’re ready, Miss Lindsey,” he said, very professionally.
I stood and felt a renewed energy as I went back to the gallery.
Chapter 12
Valentina
I made it home and made coffee. Amy’s was weak, but it was hot, and she seemed to enjoy it. My parents had me hooked on real coffee, dark and very strong. I showered and dressed, then opened my laptop to get to work on some online networking, research, and after that, emails.
I tried to focus, but all I could think of was Amy. She was delicious in more ways than one. Our conversation had been fun at the club, and I lost track of the amount of drinks we all had. I normally wasn’t so forward, but it also wasn’t often I was in a position to do so, either. Being in the closet made it quite difficult to find a lover.
My first real experience was in college. Until then, I thought I was just curious or that it was normal to think of women the way I did, but being with men always felt awkward. I brushed it off as their inexperience or just being unattracted to those men. However, one night at a bar, another woman from college and I had some drinks and ended up fooling around in her dorm. I knew, then, it wasn’t curiosity. Sadly, she was just enjoying her college years and sleeping with any and everyone she could. But she wasn’t looking to routinely be with women. She was very kind about the whole thing and never told a soul. At least, not that I knew of. And typically, in college, gossip traveled like wildfire.
Since then, there had only been a handful of times I connected with any women that way. I did try to date several men, longing for some intimate physical connection. But it never felt right, so I eventually quit the charade. But because of my circumstances, I couldn’t openly date.
I hid behind work when my family asked why no wedding or babies yet. They would never accept this. And my family was so important. They came here from Brazil, and we were all raised Catholic. It wasn’t even acceptable that I was on birth control in college, so I hid that as well. But I was hoping I would eventually become attracted to a man, and certainly tested the waters. I wasn’t ready for children and knew most college men were promiscuous, so I always demanded they use protection even though I was on the pill. Better safe than sorry.
It had been quite some time since I had any physical connection with a man or a woman, and something about Amy called to me. She was naturally beautiful, but carried herself differently. Confidently. It may have been a mistake, though. I had planned, originally, for a one night stand, but I longed to see her again already.
I even told her I would come back. I was sure to invite myself over and not suggest we go out. And since I enjoyed cooking very much, it made sense to stay in. Based on what I was told about her at The Lounge, I didn’t expect a text.
But after lunchtime, as I still typed and scrolled away, using the time to catch up on work that didn’t require conversation, since my head was still pounding, a text came.
It’s her.
She wanted me to come tonight. I didn’t even think before I replied I would be there.
That was such a childish move. I barely waited for the phone to finish alerting me. I didn’t want to come off as needy. From what the other women said, she was not a relationship person. But I badly wanted to see her. And touch her. And taste her.
I was feeling the effects of the drinks still, so she must have been as well. We needed some comfort food. And I needed to get my head straight before going back. Cooking was always helpful for that. And I had supplies for the perfect dish.
Chapter 13
Amy
The afternoon went perfectly. We got a lot of pieces moved in and placed just as the plans showed. The colors were beautiful. I knew we could get the rest done the next day and didn’t feel bad about leaving at seven.
Traffic was still heavy on the way home, so I wouldn’t be able to freshen up much. Even though I was feeling better, my early morning, my hangover, and the busy day were catching up to me.
As soon as I got in, I put my blazer away, made coffee for the morning, and tidied up my bathroom.
As I went back to the living room, I noticed the coffee table still pushed out of the way. I considered leaving it there, just in case, but decided to put the room back together. The sculpture on the table was close to the edge. I moved it back to the middle, glad I hadn’t knocked it down.
