by Rachel Lacey
“Okay.” Josie looked up at the dragonfly displayed on the screen. It had been captured in such detail, its wings seemed to shimmer. A beautiful shot, but she wasn’t sure she envisioned it on the wall of her bar.
He clicked the touchpad and another photo appeared. This one was a closeup of two women’s hands, clasped tightly.
“Oh,” Josie said. “I really like this one.” She could immediately picture this photo as a framed print on the wall of her brand-new gay bar. For a moment, she had the irrational urge to grab Eve’s hand like the ones in the photo.
“I do too,” Eve agreed. “It’s exactly what I had in mind.”
“That’s one of mine,” Michael said with a pleased look before moving on to the next photo.
They scrolled through his collection, eventually settling on two nighttime shots of New York City, the handholding photo, and a closeup of a dragonfly tattoo that could have passed for the one on Josie’s shoulder. Collectively, she thought they represented Dragonfly’s vibe. They finalized all the details for framing, and Michael promised to have the prints delivered on Thursday.
She and Eve stepped outside into the warm sunshine. Eve reached into her purse and slipped a pair of sunglasses into place.
Josie checked the time on her phone. “Want to grab lunch, or do you need to get back?”
Eve hesitated a moment before nodding. “Sure. That’s fine.”
“Cool. What are you in the mood for?”
“How do you feel about sushi?” Eve asked. “There’s a good place not far from here.”
“Sounds great.”
Ten minutes later, they were seated across from each other at a little table in the middle of the restaurant.
“How do you know Michael?” Josie asked, toying with her water glass to keep from staring at Eve.
“Business,” she answered. “I used to work with his wife.”
“Your marketing business?”
“Before that,” Eve said. “When I was working for a larger company.”
“Have you always lived here in Manhattan?” She knew she might be pushing her luck, but she couldn’t resist the chance to get to know Eve a little better.
“Only for the last five years.” Eve lifted her water glass and took a sip.
“Where did you grow up?”
“Indiana,” Eve answered, giving Josie an amused look. “So many questions.”
“Sorry,” she said with a shrug. “I’m just curious. How did you get from there to here?”
Eve stared at her for a long moment, as if deciding how to answer that question. “I had a falling-out with my family.”
“When you came out?”
Eve nodded, a shadow passing over her expression. “They’re not supportive.”
“I’m sorry,” Josie said. She had a lot of friends with similar stories, and it made her even more grateful for her own family. “That’s shitty.”
“It is what it is,” Eve said with a shrug. She exhaled deeply, staring at her water glass. “I’d always been fascinated with New York, but I couldn’t afford to live here at first, so I accepted a marketing position in New Jersey.”
“New Jersey, huh?” she asked with a smile. “I can’t quite picture you in the suburbs.”
“Well, I always had my sights set on the city.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. And is that where you met Lisa? In New Jersey?”
Eve cleared her throat. “Yes.”
“How long were you together?” She knew she was prying now, but Eve never volunteered this kind of information on her own, nor would she have any qualms about putting an end to it if she became uncomfortable with Josie’s questions.
“We lived together four years, married for one.” She looked up. “We got married the day after they legalized it.”
“That’s badass,” Josie told her, and boy was she in trouble, because she liked Eve more and more with every new tidbit she learned about her.
A smile toyed with Eve’s lips. “It was a good day.”
“I’m glad.”
Their sushi arrived then, interrupting the conversation. And Josie watched as Eve buttoned herself up—metaphorically speaking—soft smiles and personal confessions vanishing behind her professional veneer. When she next spoke, it was to remind Josie about the bartender interviews she’d scheduled for the following afternoon.
Their conversation continued in this vein as they ate, although Josie didn’t really mind. She knew these glimpses into Eve’s personal life weren’t things she shared often or with many people. So she chatted happily about the weather, the prints they’d selected, and the relaunch on Friday as they finished their meal.
But as they walked outside into the sunny April afternoon, she reached for Eve’s hand and gave it a quick squeeze, just to thank her for it. And Eve squeezed back before shaking her hand free and leading the way toward the subway.
13
“Another round!” Josie slammed her shot glass on the table and threw her head back with a laugh. Rum spread a delicious warmth through her belly, scrambling her thoughts. She was at one of her favorite bars—just for fun, because she didn’t own this one—with two of her favorite people, and it was exactly what she’d needed tonight.
“I’ll get it.” Adam pushed back from the table and headed toward the bar while Kaia sipped her martini, staring into it thoughtfully.
“You’re awfully quiet tonight,” Josie said, nudging her friend with her elbow.
“Actually, I was thinking about the girl I went out with last week,” she said with a shrug. “I thought we had a really good time, but she hasn’t texted.”
“Maybe she’s waiting to hear from you first?” Josie suggested.
“Nope. I texted her a few days ago, said I had fun, and suggested we get together again. Crickets.”
“Ugh,” Josie said. “I’m sorry.”
“I mean, we only went out twice, so it’s no big deal.” She swirled her martini glass. “But I just thought we had a connection, you know?”
“Yeah, I do.” She thought of Eve.
“Speaking of connections,” Kaia said, perking up. “Any new developments between you and Eve?”
“Not really.” Her cheeks flushed hot. “I mean, nothing’s happened since that kiss on Friday night, but…”
“You both want it to,” Kaia finished for her.
“I know I do,” Josie admitted.
“I hope you guys aren’t gossiping without me,” Adam said as he arrived at their table with a fresh round of drinks. He plunked glasses in front of Kaia and Josie before going back for his own.
“Josie was just about to tell us how much she wants to jump Eve’s bones,” Kaia told him with a wicked grin as she took another sip of her martini.
“Pretty much can’t stop thinking about it,” she agreed, knowing the alcohol had loosened her tongue and not much caring.
“Damn, girl,” Adam said with a playful lift of his eyebrows. “Tell us how you really feel.”
“I feel good,” she said as she tossed back the shot in front of her. “I’ve been so overwhelmed and stressed out about everything at Swanson’s. I really needed this.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Adam said, raising his glass. “You were definitely overdue for a night out. So a gay bar, huh?”
“Yeah.” She looked at her two best friends, sobering. “It’s a pretty big change.”
“A good one, I think,” Kaia said. “There really weren’t any good gay bars in this part of town, which is why so many of us hung out at Swanson’s in the first place.”
“It’s exciting, but also…terrifying, and a little bit sad,” Josie said.
“Explain that last part,” Adam said.
“I’ve lost all my regulars,” she told him. “I know I didn’t have many, but I had a few, and I’ll miss them. And this morning, my Uncle Timothy—my dad’s brother—reamed me out on the phone for destroying Swanson’s legacy.”
“Hold up.” Kaia placed her hands on th
e table. “I thought your family was always super cool and supportive.”
“They are.” Josie shrugged with a sigh. “I guess I should have expected a few ruffled feathers about turning Swanson’s into a gay bar, though. It all happened so fast, I didn’t have time to discuss it with them before I made my decision.”
“Which is fine, because the bar is yours,” Adam said adamantly. “You’re the one working your ass off night after night, the one paying the bills, the one whose name is on the deed.”
“I know.” She nodded. “Everyone else has been great, and I’m sure Uncle Timothy will come around. It’s…I don’t know, big change like this is always scary, and I’m not used to moving so quickly. Eve and I are going to be interviewing new bartenders tomorrow.”
“Ooh, hire me,” Adam said, tapping his glass.
“What?” She gave him a skeptical look. “Really?”
“Yes. I cover for you all the time. It’s fun, and I could use the extra cash.”
“But you have no real bartending experience, and you already have a job.”
Adam made a face. “Being a bank teller isn’t all that. I’m honestly starting to hate it. Just try me out on weekends or something and see how it goes. Maybe, if I’m having enough fun and making enough money, I’ll quit my job and work for you full-time.”
“Well, okay,” Josie said, reaching out to take the hand he’d extended toward her, shaking on their deal. “In that case, you’re hired.” She grinned as she imagined working with Adam every day. Really, what could be better?
“I don’t want a job, but I’ll bring you lots of new customers,” Kaia said. “And no more free drinks.”
Josie flinched, remembering her conversation with Eve.
“I mean it, Jo,” Kaia insisted. “From now on, I pay.”
“I guess, but…I’ll still slip you a beer on the house when I can,” Josie said, resting a hand on Kaia’s arm. “And thank you.”
“Of course,” Kaia said.
“Hey, speaking of drinks, I’m working on a new signature cocktail for the bar. What would you want to see on the menu? What do you look for in a drink?”
“I want something so smooth, I don’t even taste the liquor,” Adam said.
“And I like to feel the burn,” Kaia said. “Just enough flavor to get it down.”
“Wow, that’s helpful,” Josie said, rolling her eyes at them. “Fruity?”
“Fruity is always good,” Adam agreed. “But everyone’s doing that. What if you made something different, something minty, maybe? Like a mojito, but not.”
“Hm, interesting.” Josie pressed her fingers against her lips. “I like that.”
“Or a bitter drink like a Manhattan,” Kaia suggested.
“And if you do go fruity, make it something fancy like pomegranate or passionfruit,” Adam said.
“This is going to be fun,” Josie said. “I’ll have you guys over to taste test for me later this week.”
“Just say the word,” Adam said.
“All right, well, as much as I hate to end our night early, I’ve got foster kittens at home who’re ready to be fed.”
“You and your foster kittens,” Kaia told her with an affectionate look. “Is this the litter Eve found?”
She nodded. “I was finally able to take them, while the bar’s closed.”
“I would say bummer, but I know you actually live for this shit,” Adam said. “So, good for you.”
“I do,” Josie confirmed, standing from her chair, and whoa, she was drunker than she’d realized. “I’m glad to have them.”
“They’re lucky to have you,” Kaia said as she stood. “And I’m happy to see you getting back to the things you enjoy.”
“Me too.” Josie led the way outside, letting the cool evening air serve as a slap to the face to restore her senses for the subway ride home. Briefly, she wondered if she needed to be slapped back to her senses when it came to the other monumental changes in her life, but she’d set this train in motion, and she was going to ride it to the end of the line, no matter where it took her.
Eve was in bed, reading on her Kindle, when her phone dinged with an incoming text message. She frowned. Who in the world was texting her at eleven o’clock on a Tuesday night? She picked it up, revealing Josie’s name on the screen, and then her frown deepened as she fought her body’s instinctive reaction, the warmth already flushing her skin and the tingle deep in her belly.
Josie had no business texting her at this hour. It was completely unprofessional, and Eve should just ignore it until she got to work in the morning. She put her phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode and set it on the table beside her bed, then stared at it for a moment in frustration before snatching it back up. Her finger swiped across the screen, bringing up the text.
Someone misses you.
Josie had attached a selfie holding Blanche beneath her chin. The kitten’s eyes were wide, her chin wet from a recent feeding. Josie was fake pouting into the camera, eyes twinkling mischievously, wearing a shimmery tank top that matched the turquoise streaks in her hair.
Eve pressed a hand against her heart, which was racing at the sight of her. And maybe there was a tiny pinch in her chest at the sight of Blanche’s little white face. The kitten had a habit of falling asleep on Eve’s belly after her feeding, and it was sweet. Comforting.
I doubt that, she texted back. Such a boring thing to say, but how else could she respond? There was no way she was going to flirt with Josie over text message. If anyone at the network ever got wind of it… She set her phone down, but it dinged with another message before she’d even had a chance to let go of it.
Josie had attached another selfie. This time, she was holding up Blanche’s little paw in a faux wave. And seriously, what was Eve supposed to say? What could she say? The whole thing was ridiculous.
And her body was humming with electricity.
She huffed out a breath, annoyed with herself for allowing her infatuation with Josie to get to this point, annoyed with Josie for sending silly selfies, annoyed with everything that had led to this moment. She picked up the phone and dialed. “What are you doing?”
“Sending you cute pictures of your favorite kitten?” Josie answered.
“We’ve been over this, and you can’t—”
“They’re just kitten pictures, Eve,” Josie said, giggling. She sounded like she’d been drinking. That might explain the sparkly top too. Had she gone out tonight? With who?
Stop sending them was what she meant to say, but what came out was “Are you drunk?”
More laughter. “A little bit.”
“Maybe you should drink some coffee before you feed the kittens.”
“Aw, look at you, being all overprotective of them,” Josie teased. “I’m not that drunk. Believe me, I would never endanger them, but it’s very sweet that you care.”
Eve sighed into the phone, annoyed that she found even drunk Josie charming. “All right, then. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“’Kay. Oh, I hired a bartender tonight,” Josie said.
Eve rubbed at her brow. “What?”
“Adam wants the job, at least part-time.”
“Adam.” She tried the keep the skepticism out of her tone. “Does he have any bartending experience?”
“Not officially, but what he lacks in experience, he makes up for in charisma. The customers love him.”
“We’ll talk about it tomorrow.”
“Okay.” Josie’s voice was soft and dreamy. A tiny meow drifted over the line, and the sound stirred something in Eve’s chest that felt an awful lot like longing.
“Good night, Josie.”
“Night.”
She ended the call, put her phone back on “Do Not Disturb,” and set it beside the bed. She glanced at the place where she usually put the box of kittens at night. Thank goodness she wouldn’t have to wake up three times tonight to feed them. Good luck to Josie dealing with that while fighting a hangover.
Yep, Eve
definitely got the better end of this deal, all by herself in her comfortable bed. Unfortunately, she’d never been a very good liar, not even to herself.
14
Come up before you leave. I need your opinion on something.
Eve stared at the text from Josie, trying to think of an excuse to say no. She’d purposely avoided Josie’s apartment today, not wanting to be alone with her or to see the kittens. Better to keep her distance on both fronts. She and Josie had spent the afternoon interviewing bartending applicants and had successfully filled the available positions, although Eve hadn’t been able to talk her out of hiring Adam. In her experience, hiring friends was a recipe for disaster, but maybe Josie needed to learn that lesson for herself.
At any rate, Eve had planned to make a quiet exit tonight for everyone’s sake. She had no idea what Josie wanted to see her for, and it was probably better that she didn’t find out. She composed a text telling Josie she had a commitment after work, and then she deleted it with a sigh. What if Josie’s request was work-related? So Eve climbed the steps to her apartment a few minutes after six. She rapped her knuckles lightly against the door, half hoping Josie wouldn’t hear her and she could just go straight home as planned.
“It’s open,” Josie called from inside.
Eve gripped the knob and opened the door, where she found Josie sitting cross-legged on her kitchen counter, a row of cocktail glasses in front of her.
“Hey,” she said with a smile.
“What’s all this?” Eve asked, stepping closer.
“Contenders for my new signature drink.” Josie gestured to the glasses in front of her. “But I need your opinion on which one you like best.”
“That sounds more like a job for Adam and Kaia than for me,” Eve said. Taste-testing drinks in Josie’s kitchen was definitely not a good idea. To distract herself, she wandered into the living room, watching the kittens as they staggered around their playpen like little drunks.
