by C. Fonseca
“Just give me five,” Lili said. “I’ll get my stuff together.”
She relaxed into Lili’s comfortable office chair and waited.
Jess studied the photograph of Aruishi, Lili, and Ben at the beach that sat on the Danish-styled sideboard in Lili’s living room. It was the only photograph she’d seen of the three of them together. Aruishi appeared a lot younger—maybe two years old—and sat on Lili’s shoulder, her hands clenched in her mother’s hair. Ben stood slightly behind them with a huge grin. All three of them looked happy.
She took a sharp intake of breath, with the now-familiar ache in her chest, as she noticed the framed memorial card with Ben’s photograph. Seeing the date of his passing made it so final.
“Would you like to join me? I’m having that whiskey.”
Jess wiped her eyes with the back of her hand before turning around, relieved to find Lili standing with her back to her at the drinks cabinet.
Freshly showered, Lili had changed into loose-fitting striped pyjama bottoms that sat nicely on her hips and a white tank top that showed off her toned shoulders. As Lili reached for glasses from the overhead shelf, Jess looked away before she caught her staring. She sat down heavily on the sofa. “I’d like that.”
“You have a choice. Aberlour 16 or Suntory Hibiki.”
“I’ll leave it to you. I’m not familiar with either,” Jess said.
Lili placed two curved glasses and a squat bottle on the coffee table in front of them and sat down at the other end of the sofa. She poured a small measure in each glass and handed one to Jess. “I’ll introduce you to the Scottish Aberlour, then. Spicy with a gentle oaky splash. Tell me what you think.”
Jess sipped the dark amber fluid and coughed as the warmth hit the back of her throat. “Oh…” She drew a sharp breath.
Lili laughed and held up her glass. “Slow,” she said, drawing out the word. “Tilt the glass slightly towards your lips. Just sip a small amount—only to cover the surface of your tongue. Even good whiskey will burn if you take a gulp. Hold it in your mouth for ten seconds, and you should begin to taste the sweetness—like raisins. After you swallow, open your mouth slightly, and you’ll taste other floral and plum flavours.”
Lili sipped from her glass. “Hmm…”
Jess’s gaze rested on Lili’s mouth—the curve of her slightly parted lips, her sweet smile. She swallowed hard and coughed again, even though she’d yet to attempt a second taste.
“Sip really slow,” Lili said.
Lili edged back into the corner of the couch and stretched her legs out in front of her to ease her achy lower back. It was nice of Jess to call by the restaurant to check on her. Unnecessary, but a pleasant surprise.
Jess lifted her glass and tried to emulate Lili’s movements. When she pursed her ruby lips and sipped the honey-coloured spirit, she didn’t cough this time, and a rosy blush flushed her cheeks. Sultry. Despite herself, despite all the tension between them lately, Lili was entranced.
“Hmm…I do like it,” Jess said in a squeaky voice.
Lili laughed and found herself leaning over to give Jess’s forearm a gentle pinch. “You’ll be a single malt connoisseur in no time.” She winced as the sudden movement tugged at her back. She rubbed at the tender spot on the left side of her waist.
Jess placed her glass on the table. “Your back is still bothering you, even after the shower.”
It was a statement, not a question. Lili couldn’t deny what was obvious. “Yeah, it was a long day on my feet.”
“Has it been giving you trouble for long?”
“Only since I caught Ru from sliding off the donkey at the market.”
“Ah, that would do it.” Jess stood up and dragged the leather ottoman in front of the couch. “Can you remember if the pain was sudden or has worsened gradually?”
“It was like a pull. It hasn’t been too bad, but being on my feet for so long today hasn’t helped.” Lili tilted her head and stared at Jess. “Why are you asking so many questions about my back?”
Jess returned to the couch, pulled the ottoman footstool between her knees, and patted its padded surface. “Sit. I’ll check it.”
“Thanks, but all I need is a good night’s sleep. It’s a bit tender, so I don’t think I can stand to be touched.” Lili didn’t want to risk making the situation worse if Jess didn’t know what she was doing. The idea of a gentle massage was tempting, though. As was the thought of Jess’s warm hands on her back… Hmm.
“I may be able to help. Sit.” Jess patted the ottoman again. “I’m not just saying that. I have a BSc in physiotherapy. I’ve completed over one thousand part-time clinical hours, and part of my course included remedial massage.”
Lili knew she was staring at Jess with her mouth wide open. “Aren’t you a career athlete? How on earth did you have the time?”
Jess grinned. “I began competitive cycling in school and rode for the university team during my three years of physio studies in London. After that, I transitioned into sports physiotherapy, working part-time with British Cycling. I trained, cycled competitively, and got my degree. I sometimes volunteer at the Children’s Clinic in London. Trust me, Lili, I’ll be gentle.” Jess raised her eyebrows, and this time she nudged the ottoman with her foot. “What have you got to lose?”
“You’re full of surprises.” That was an understatement. Jess was always creeping up on her, surprising Lili with her seemingly limitless talents. She scooted to the edge of the couch and moved onto the four-legged ottoman in front of Jess. What do I have to lose? My mind—or more?
“Okay, just relax,” Jess said, her hands resting on Lili’s bare shoulders.
Lili flinched at her touch. It was a reflex action—Jess’s hands were warm and strong, just as Lili had imagined.
“Relax,” Jess repeated gently, and applied more pressure, her thumbs gently pressing into the knots in her shoulders. “You’re so tense.”
“Ah-ha.”
“Drop your head forward, and slowly move your chin to your chest. That’s it,” she said, and Lili complied. “The shoulders and neck are connected to the heart chakras. Feel how the tension drains away as you lift your heart centre up and soften your jaw. It releases pent-up tension from your whole body.” Jess’s low voice soothed.
Lili dropped her shoulders and allowed her body to relax. “You learned this while becoming a physio?”
Jess laughed quietly, and her hands stilled. “No, from a Buddhist yogini.”
“So, natural therapy combined with traditional practice? I thought all physios were hard taskmistresses.”
“It has its place. Physiotherapy is about recovery, rehabilitation, and pain management.” Jess moved her hands to Lili’s lower back. “Here?”
“Yes, there. On the left. Yep. That’s the spot.”
“You’ve had no numbness or tingling in your legs? No pain anywhere else?”
“No…” Lili said slowly as Jess explored her lower back with practised fingers just under the hem of her tank top. Lili sighed and then flinched as Jess’s hands dropped away suddenly.
Jess cleared her throat. “No other problems that you know of?”
“None at all.” As a chef, Lili believed in a healthy body image and liked to set a good example. She took pride in keeping fit. Allowing anyone to witness her fallibilities was not her style, especially when that person was Jess.
“Good. I’m just going to try some soft-tissue massage to increase the blood flow. It should ease your pain.” Her voice was steady and confident. “Do you feel comfortable with that?”
“Ah-ha,” Lili murmured and leaned back into Jess’s hands as they curved around her waist. She relaxed as the tension left her body. “That feels good.” She sighed. If she were a cat, she’d be purring.
“It’s working, then,” Jess whispered close to her ear. “Now just stretch to th
e right. And now back against my hand again. Good. I think we’re done. How does it feel?”
Lili couldn’t answer immediately. Her cheeks heated and warmth spread through her entire body. Lili chastised herself about the direction her mind was taking. Jess was just being professional.
She leaned forward, away from Jess’s hands, stood carefully, then moved back to her place on the sofa. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Thank you, that feels so much better. I mean…thank you.”
“You’re welcome. Hopefully, you will sleep well tonight. But you may need more soft-tissue massage and some stretching soon”—she lowered her gaze—“if you feel comfortable with me helping with that?”
Lili reached for her glass and finished her drink in one gulp, hoping the whiskey burn would bring her back to her senses. “Sure. Thanks, Jess.” She sighed again. “You do have magical hands.”
Jess cleared her throat, and looked down into her glass.
“Oh, I’m so sorry.” Lili put her head in her hands. “Please tell me I didn’t just say that aloud.”
Brilliant. She’d managed to embarrass them both. If she sank into the couch and disappeared, it would be a blessing.
Chapter 14
For the previous few nights, Jess had not been visited by her demons and had slept through peacefully until around six a.m. Not last night. But last night, her restlessness hadn’t been due to bad dreams.
She’d crawled into bed at one-thirty, spent hours tossing and churning over Lili’s surprisingly flirtatious behaviour, and hardly slept at all. It had been extraordinarily hard to maintain a professional reserve with Lili during her massage and manipulation session. Lili was exhausted, in pain, and vulnerable, and Jess had had to disregard her friendly flirtation and not act on the pleasant sensations that surfaced as she ran her hands over Lili’s tense muscles. But it was difficult to ignore the signs that something might be changing between them. Was Lili beginning to understand that Jess’s motives for paying off the debt and buying a bicycle for Aruishi were well intentioned, with no hidden agenda?
She got out of bed, showered, and made her way to the kitchen. Lili wasn’t there. There was a note on the bench, informing Jess she’d gone for a surf, after which she’d collect Ru from her parents and take her to kindergarten in Portarlington. The massage must have helped if Lili could surf this morning.
Twenty minutes later, after two coffees and a banana, Jess sat on her bicycle, glanced down at her gloved hands, and smiled. Magical hands. She’d helped relieve Lili’s discomfort, and that actually made her happy. Jess turned onto the open road and pedalled the gradual incline. It was a long hill, and she directed all her energy to her legs. She kept the top part of her body still, staying light on the pedals, and moved her legs rhythmically. The smooth riding technique meant she’d have plenty of energy after she crested the hill. She slid forward on her seat and positioned her hips just right to produce the best muscle force, given her tall height.
Since her accident, hill climbing had become the most challenging. A good warm-up and climbing fitness were the keys to improving her speed and power. Cassie in the rehab centre had told her that over and over. And so, to maintain her strength, Jess chose a hilly route at least once a week. For a proper workout, she’d have to drive out to the Barabool Hills near Geelong or over an hour into the Otway Ranges. Challambra Crescent, the torturously steep road in Geelong that had been part of the 2010 International Road Cycling Championship route was another option, but not for today.
Coming to the end of her thirty-one-kilometre loop, Jess had the Portarlington Pier in sight, and her GPS watch guided her to the Foreshore Reserve. At the edge of the park, Jess dismounted and reached into the saddlebag for her phone. Should she take a chance and text Lili? She looked left towards the shops and cafés. Oh, what the heck. Jess pressed the messenger app and typed.
Hi. If you are near Portarlington, are you free for a coffee?
It was more than a minute before her phone chimed a return message.
Yes. Just dropped off Ru. A coffee would be good. Where are you?
Jess texted back.
Foreshore Reserve. Near the carpark. Where shall we meet?
Jess’s jersey and shorts weren’t the most appropriate café gear, and she scowled as a trickle of sweat ran down her back. She’d feel a whole lot better if she could shower and change into fresh clothes, but she’d messaged Lili on impulse. Thank goodness she’d taken time to pull her hair into a fishtail braid this morning, which lessened the damp hair and helmet-head look.
She received the directions.
Keep coming along the main road. Portarlington Bakehouse. Table out front. I’ll order. Espresso, hot milk on the side. Right?
Just as Jess spotted the well-signed weatherboard bakery with its red-brick chimney around three hundred metres up the street, it occurred to her that Lili remembered how she took her coffee.
Perfect.
Perfect in more ways than one. Agreeing to meet her for coffee must be a sign that Lili was comfortable about their interaction last night.
It took her a couple of minutes to wheel her bicycle to the bakery and secure it to the bicycle stand. She removed her gloves, tucked her helmet under her arm, and strode towards the sidewalk table where Lili sat under the shade of the Bakehouse awning. Her friendly smile was a welcome sight.
Jess had a way of carrying herself that was casual and sexy. How did she manage that?
Maybe being in the public eye, with all the social pressures that went with it—as if Lili would know anything about that—gave her self-assurance beyond her twenty-nine years. She appeared both insouciant and mature on the outside, but during the storm, Lili had got a glimpse of pain and turmoil within. She was beginning to form a picture of what lay beneath Jess’s cool and controlled surface.
Jess was smart. A physiotherapy degree was not an easy one to get. Lili had never considered that, as an elite athlete, Jess would have bothered to pursue another career, but that was clearly a stupid assumption.
Yeah, smart, but also beautiful.
And as Jess slid elegantly onto the bench seat across from her, that last part was reinforced. How did anyone manage to look so good in stretchy spandex?
“Hi,” Jess said.
“Hello, how was your ride?”
“It was great.” Jess nonchalantly tossed her braid over her shoulder and removed her wraparound sunglasses.
She became engulfed in the fathomless deep pools of Jess’s eyes. Look away. She’s interested in Haley—not me.
“Lili.” Jess tilted her head to one side.
“Yes?” Lili sat up straighter.
“Thank you for the coffee.” Jess added a dash of hot milk into the espresso cup and slowly stirred. “You went surfing. How was it?”
“Sensational. Thanks to you, I loved being out on the water this morning.” She grinned. “Perfect waves.” Lili was grateful for Jess’s help, and it was pointless being churlish about Haley and Jess, she supposed.
“I’m glad I could help. Your back better?”
Lili put her arms above her head and stretched from side to side. “Virtually pain-free.”
“Don’t overdo it for a few days.”
“I won’t,” Lili said. “Honestly, I feel good.”
“I’m glad.” But Jess looked uncertain. Then she suddenly smiled. She pointed to the laden plate on the table in front of her. “And whose is this?”
“It’s mine, but I’ll share. The croissant is filled with frangipane, and look at these toasted almonds on top. Flaky and golden—pure indulgence—give it a try.”
“It looks good. But I’ll stick to coffee.”
Lili scooped out a smidgen of pale-yellow cream filling with a piece of the pastry she’d broken off and held it out to Jess. “Go on, I insist. It’s nutty and luscious, their speciality, rivalling a
ny French bakery.”
Jess leaned forward, and Lili popped the morsel into her mouth. She chewed delicately and licked the powdered sugar that dusted her lips.
Lili momentarily closed her eyes and caught her bottom lip between her teeth as she recalled last night and Jess’s lips as she’d sipped the whiskey.
“Definitely indulgent. That cream is rich, and probably loaded with a thousand calories.” Jess wiped her mouth with a napkin and sipped her coffee.
“But it is yummy. Anyway, everything in moderation. You’ve probably burnt off loads of energy on your ride. You need to refuel.”
“It wasn’t a taxing circuit.” Jess grinned. “Only thirty kilometres.”
She stared at Jess. “Just a ride in the park, eh?” She pushed the plate with the remaining croissant closer to her. “On second thought, I think this is yours.” She looked over at where Jess had parked her bike. “So, have you always been good at sports?”
“I took part in a lot of different sporting activities when I was young. I tried everything. Track and field, gymnastics, netball, swimming.”
“I can imagine. You were a country kid from Wylie, weren’t you?”
Jess nodded.
“I bet you were involved in Little Athletics. Probably won a load of medals?”
Jess pushed the plate back towards Lili and ran her finger around the edge of her cup. “I remember getting a few ribbons in track and field.”
“What about cycling?” Lili asked.
“I actually didn’t get on a racing bike until after I arrived in England.”
“Really? Wasn’t your father a medal winner too? A gold medal winner.”
Jess pursed her lips. “Yes, he was.”
Hmm. She’d struck a nerve. Should she go further? It seemed to hurt Jess to talk about her parents, but talking might help with the burdens she carried. If only Jess would open up to her.
“When did you start competitive cycling?”
“The boarding school I attended focused on both sports and academia. We were encouraged to take part in interschool competitions. My life changed after I started cycling.”
