Tangled Hearts

by Laurie Ames

  Marsha nodded dumbly. “Coffee would be great.” She sat down at the island, feeling a little like she had just walked into an alternate universe as Brandy set a steaming mug of coffee down in front of her.

  “Breakfast is almost done. I hope eggs and toast are okay. I wasn’t sure if you were vegan or gluten free or anything, but it’s all I had on hand.” She shrugged apologetically, and Marsha quickly replied, “That’s perfect.”

  The next few minutes were filled with silence, but to Marsha’s surprise it didn’t feel awkward. It felt…almost homey, Brandy bustling around the kitchen while she sipped her coffee. She was startled out of her musings by Brandy setting plates on the island with a clatter. “Thanks,” she murmured, trying not to be too obvious as she watched her out of the corner of her eye.

  “I’m not going to disappear,” Brandy commented with a hint of amusement as she took a bite of egg, “If that’s what you’re worried about.”

  Marsha blushed at being caught and shook her head. “Sorry. I’m just trying to take it all in, I guess.”

  Brandy nodded understandingly, but Marsha caught the worried glint in her eyes. “Was last night…okay?” she asked hesitantly.

  “Oh, it was more than okay!” Marsha hastily reassured her, voice softening as she added, “I really had a fucking good time, so to speak.”

  “I did too,” she said, relief evident in her tone, “I just wanted to check. Sometimes people get weird about…well, about me, when they’re not drunk or in the moment.” Words didn’t seem enough to assure Brandy that she wouldn’t run away, so she crossed the floor and pressed an arm around her shoulder.

  “Sounds like we both might have been worried about someone disappearing,” she said gently. “I’m not going anywhere Brandy. Your being so young is just another appealing part of you, and if I’m being honest, after last night I’m hanging around.” She let her lips curve into a smirk at the end of her sentence to try to inject some levity into the situation and was rewarded with a wink from Brandy.

  Going back to her stool, Marsha took a quick bite of egg to ease the moment of silence between them. “Mmmmm,” she moaned with a full mouth at how unexpectedly delicious they tasted and immediately took a second bite. Brandy watched with interest and a hint of arousal; her eyebrow quirked at Marsha’s response.

  “It should be illegal for eggs to be this good,” Marsha mumbled around a mouthful, “You didn’t tell me you were a chef!”

  It was Brandy’s turn to blush as she rubbed the back of her neck and looked away. “I’m not really, they’re just eggs, with some seasonings and a little bacon fat.”

  Marsha chuckled thinking about how different this woman in front of her was from the cocky flirty woman she had met at the bar last night. It was endearing to see such a different side of her, and she felt himself swoon a little.

  “I was thinking about that, actually,” Brandy said.

  “What? Being a chef?” Marsha asked.

  She chuckled and shook her head. “No, that we don’t really know anything about each other. I don’t want to seem like I’m pushing for anything, but I had a really great time last night, and I’d like to see you again. And, you know, maybe in a context where we actually talk and get to know each other.”

  Marsha couldn’t resist teasing her. “What, there wasn’t enough talking last night?”

  Brandy’s eyes widened and she quickly shook her head. “That’s not what I meant! I just…ah-”

  “I would love to get to know you more,” Marsha softly said, deciding to put her out of her misery.

  “You would?” Her voice was hopeful, and Marsha nodded to confirm her answer.

  “By the way,” Marsha asked hesitatingly, “Just how young are you?”

  “Oh no you don’t, you’ll have to guess!” replied Brandy.

  “Okay, this shouldn’t be hard to guess,” replied Marsha as she tilted her head sideways. “You have the hot body of a twenty-year-old but the maturity of a thirty-year-old. I am guessing you are around twenty-seven or twenty-eight.”

  “Saying I’m old, are you? Well I’m twenty-one,” said Brandy with an upturned smirk on her face.

  Marsha’s eyes and mouth suddenly froze wide open in an expression of stunned surprise. “Pardon me, did you say twenty-one?”

  “Why, what’s wrong?”

  “I knew there was a considerable age difference, but I had no idea I was robbing the cradle,” replied Marsha.

  “Well that sounds a bit rude. How old are you?

  “What’s your guess?”

  “Thirty?”

  “Not even close. I’m thirty-six.”

  “Well, you don’t look thirty-six and your age doesn’t bother me in the least. In fact, I find older women hot and after being with you … well uh … you seem even hotter to me. I know that sounds weird or something but that’s how I feel. I think I have real chemistry with you. Do you still want to get to know me better?

  That exact moment, Marsha was at a loss for words. What have I done? It was as if Brandy was speaking in a language she didn’t understand. Her heart began to break in two. She struggled to find the right words. “We could work on that,” she replied timidly, not sure she really meant it. The back of her mind was telling her to run for the exit and don’t look back.

  “How about a late dinner on Monday?” asked Brandy enthusiastically.

  For a moment, the only sound in the room was crickets. “Y-Yes that could work,” Marsha replied with a disingenuous smile. “I get off work at 5:00, so maybe meet at 7:00?”

  Brandy nodded excitedly. “Awesome. Where do you want to go? I was thinking maybe Lulu’s, but I don’t know how far that is for you.”

  “It’s actually pretty close to me,” Marsha said, “So that would be no problem.”

  “Great! Let’s call it a date,” Brandy replied, feeling a buzz of electricity at the sincere excitement in her voice.

  Marsha glanced at her watch and saw it was nearly noon. Looking up at Brandy apologetically, she said, “I actually should probably go, I promised to meet a friend in a little bit.”

  Brandy waved her off as she started clearing her plate, “Of course. Don’t worry about picking up, I’ve got it. I’ll see you Monday.”

  Marsha nodded and started to walk away. As she got to the door, she stopped and hesitated, then turned abruptly around. She surprised herself when she crossed the kitchen, then leaned over to plant a soft kiss on the corner of Brandy’s mouth. “Thank you for last night and this morning.”

  Brandy pulled her in for a proper kiss that started out pleasurable but quickly became overheated. By the time she pulled back, Marsha felt lightheaded and could feel herself getting turned on all over again. “Any time,” Brandy said, a trace of her self-assured attitude from the night before coming through.

  Giving her a final kiss, Marsha tore herself away, “I’ll see you Monday night.”

  Marsha could feel Brandy’s gaze as she paraded her ass across the room towards the door. It took all her willpower not to turn around and beg Brandy to suck her pussy one more time. Checking her watch, she cursed when she saw the time. Nicki would probably be at her place already, but her phone had died overnight, and she had no way of saying she’s late.

  Looking around to get her bearings, she sent a quick prayer of thanks to whatever gods were watching out for her when she realized she was only a ten-minute cab ride from her apartment. By the time she got to there, she was nearly half an hour late, but figured Nicki would forgive her.

  She almost laughed when she saw her waiting outside her building, playing on her phone and looking very put out. When she saw her walking towards her, Nicki started to say something snarky before pausing and looking her up and down. “Same clothes as last night,” she said with a smirk. Got laid huh?”

  “Shut up,” Marsha said, “Or no wine for you.”

  Nicki raised her hands in playful surrender and followed Marsha up to her place. She managed not to say anything until Ma
rsha had poured them some wine before casually asking, “So, how was the rest of your night?”

  Marsha let out a painful sounding groan, but truth be told she needed to talk with someone about her feelings for Brandy. She proceeded to give Nicki an abbreviated version of the previous night and morning, and then waited for her response.

  Nicki looked to be deep in thought, and right when Marsha was starting to get worried, Nicki finally looked at her and said, “Well, I suppose that’s an acceptable reason to be late to brunch.”

  Marsha burst out laughing at the unexpected comment, and Nicki grinned at her. “Seriously though, I always suspected you were lesbian. I’ve noticed how the hottest men always gravitate to you, yet there is never a connection. Maybe in the future, you can throw me your castaways…. please?

  “Okay,” Marsha said, not really meaning it. “So, we’re still besties?

  Nicki grinned, then bust out in laughter. “Marsha, I don’t care where you put your pussy. As you know, I’m completely supportive of the LGBT community. Yes, of course we are still friends.”

  “Thanks Nicki, I had agonized about telling you. By the way, you know anything about Brandy Wilder?”

  “Actually yes. I’ve seen her before at the Junction when she performs. Other than that, she’s never been one for socializing. Suzy and I actually kind of wondered if she might be lesbian because there has definitely not been a shortage of men throwing themselves at her. But as it turns out, she was just waiting for you to make an appearance!”

  Marsha rolled her eyes at the teasing, but she couldn’t deny that it put her a bit more at ease to know that Brandy didn't do this type of thing often. Performers are free to live their lives, and if that includes partying with groupies on a regular basis that was fine. It just wasn’t her thing; she liked commitment and monogamy and stability, and it was refreshing to know that Brandy might be interested in those same things.

  Her good humor quickly evaporated, however, when Nicki hesitated and then asked, “And it doesn’t bother you that she’s, you know…” she trailed off, but her meaning was perfectly clear.

  “No, Nicki,” Marsha replied sharply. “If you’re referring to her being an exotic dancer, then it is definitely not an issue.” She paused for a moment to try gather herself and contain her thoughts. Exhaling loudly through her nose, Marsha shook her head in frustration. “Honestly, I’m more concerned about our age difference. I mean, you’ve known me for how long? Do you think I’m wrong to be attracted to someone fifteen years younger?”

  Nicki winced and shook her head. “I’m sorry,” she said apologetically. “The exotic dancer thing, well that’s fine. It actually was the age difference that I was hinting about.”

  “Okay,” sighed Marsha. “But I think I really like her. She’s caring and funny, and absolutely mind blowing in bed. She just seems…I don’t know, it’s so hard to explain. I’ve never clicked with somebody like that, it’s almost as if we’ve known each other for ages instead of only one night. I almost wish we were getting dinner tomorrow instead of Monday.”

  Nicki feigned gagging and said, “Its your first time. Don’t become one of those lovesick puppies that can’t stand to be away from their lover for more than an hour!”

  “Hey! Like you’re one to talk- I don’t think I could have pulled you away from that guy last night if I tried,” Marsha shot back.

  Their banter turned to the topic of Nicki’s love life- or, as she put it, her lack thereof, for the next hour, until she finally stood. “Where did the time go? I’ve got to go,” she said begrudgingly. “I promised Suzy I would help them move later tonight and I need a shower before I head over. We’ll do brunch next time.”

  “Why would you shower before doing manual labor?” Marsha asked as she wrinkled her nose in confusion.

  Nicki opened her mouth, closed it, then shrugged. “Because I want to, that’s why!” She gave a quick hug and then paused, staring her down. “I better get updates on everything as it happens with your new hot lady!”

  Marsha laughed. “I’m not going to real-time-text you about our dinner date!”

  Nicki grumbled and said, “Fine, fine, just keep me in the loop! But I don’t want to know the intimate details!”

  Marsha shooed her out the door, promising to keep her updated, before collapsing onto the couch. Her mind wandered over the events of the previous 24 hours, and she shook her head at how quickly things had changed. She certainly had been looking for a possible relationship but never expected to meet someone so young. Despite her reservations, she was feeling renewed optimism about seeing Brandy again.

  Heaving herself off the couch, she walked over to the closet and began perusing her clothes. She had the rest of the weekend to kill, and she intended to use the time to make sure her clothes for their first date would be enough to make Brandy swoon a little.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  ____________

  “Earth to Marsha! The new contractor is going to be here any second!”

  Marsha jolted out of her daydream and smiled apologetically at Lexi. “Sorry, I know. I’ve got everything ready to give them a tour when they get here.”

  Lexi looked at her appraisingly and shook her head. “I don’t know where you just went, but it sure looked like it was somewhere nice.”

  Marsha laughed and nodded. The rest of the weekend had dragged on, and she spent most of it trying not to obsess over Brandy. Despite her best efforts, her overactive imagination had gotten the best of her as she replayed that night and thought about their next night together.

  The front office door chimed as it opened, and Lexi hurried out to greet the contractor. Marsha heard her talking to them and gathered her promotional materials about the work the Bridge was doing. They had been trying to get someone who was a musician or a producer to come in and work with fundraising for the charities. Lexi was convinced she had found the perfect person, and it was Marsha’s job to show them the center and get them up to speed on procedures.

  Marsha tried to mentally banish all thoughts of Brandy from her mind so she could focus on her work before leaving her office to meet the new contractor. When she walked into the front office, she suddenly stopped dead in her tracks. There was Lexi talking to none other than Brandy herself. Blinking hard to make sure her mind wasn’t playing tricks on her; Marsha felt her stomach sink when it was still Brandy standing there. Part of her was screaming to turn around and go hide in the women’s washroom.

  Schooling her expression into a neutral mask, Marsha stepped up to the chatting pair. “Oh! This is the case manager I was telling you about! Brandy, this is Marsha. Marsha, Brandy.”

  Brandy’s eyes widened like saucers when she saw Marsha, but her face was otherwise the picture of cool professionalism. “It’s a pleasure to be here,” she said, reaching out to shake her hand.

  “The pleasure is all mine,” she replied, wincing internally as she registered that the words were a nearly verbatim re-enactment of their first meeting.

  Brandy cleared her throat and looked at the ground before redirecting her gaze to Lexi. “So, you said Marsha will be showing me around today?”

  Lexi didn’t answer for a second, her eyes flitting shrewdly back and forth between Marsha and Brandy. Mercifully, she didn’t say anything and instead nodded and focused back on Brandy. “Yep, I’ve just got a little bit of paperwork to go over with you first. Marsha, want to meet us at the Sylvia Rivera room in twenty?”

  Marsha nodded and forced a smile. “Sounds good.” She watched them go down the hallway towards Lexi’s office and waited until the door shut behind them before sagging against the wall. Twenty minutes didn’t feel like nearly long enough to figure out how she was going to handle this. She went out one of the side doors to get some fresh air and sent a quick SOS text to Nicki. Breathing deeply to try to calm herself, she cursed Nicki for not checking her phone. ‘Okay. I can do this. Just need to be the consummate professional and do my job, this doesn’t have to be a huge deal if I d
on’t let it be.’

  Internal pep talk done, she checked her phone one last time in the hopes that Nicki would have responded in the last thirty seconds before she exhaled sharply and went back inside. Making her way to the Sylvia Rivera room, she only had to wait a minute before she heard Lexi and Brandy approaching. They rounded the corner and came to a stop in front of Marsha.

  “Okay, this is where I leave you,” Lexi told Brandy. “I promise you’re in capable hands with Marsha!”

  Heat rushed to Marsha’s face as she saw Brandy avert her eyes, knowing she was undoubtedly thinking the same thing as her, and remembering just how capable her hands could be.

  “Just make sure you keep her in line, she’s a feisty one!” Lexi teased before turning and heading in the direction of her office. Marsha barely resisted the urge to bury her face in her hands, and she cursed her body for responding with excitement to the thought of all the different ways Brandy could keep her in line. She glared at Lexi’s back, sure she had been hoping for a reaction with her comments, before shaking her head and looking at Brandy.