by Lydia Rose
“You bought flowers,” she said as she slid into the front seat.
“And a bottle of wine.”
“They weren’t expecting you to bring anything,” Nadine asserted.
Kim was happy that the darkness hid the roll of her eyes. “It doesn’t matter if they expected anything. I wanted to bring something and I see you aren’t going empty-handed either.”
“I’m doing it again, aren’t I?” Nadine asked trying to sound remorseful.
“You just can’t help yourself.” The rest of the ride was quiet except for the directions Nadine gave her. Pulling up to Amber and Cheryl’s home, Kim realized they lived in the same neighborhood. She was a few streets over in a new development whereas this home sat in the original neighborhood. “I love craftsman style homes,” Kim said as they walked toward the front door.
“Cheryl is a big fan too. She had a lot of work convincing Amber on this home because the rooms are much smaller in this age of home. Cheryl had to remove one of the four bedrooms to make Amber a walk-in closet and master bath.” Before they could knock on the door, it opened.
“Come on in you two,” Cheryl said smiling.
Kim handed Cheryl a bottle of wine. “Thanks for asking me tonight,” she said stepping into the house.
Amber came out of the kitchen wiping her hands on a towel. “Hi,” she said giving them both a hug.
Kim handed the flowers to Amber and watched a wide smile open on her face. “Thank you, Kim. I just love flowers,” she said over her shoulder looking at Cheryl as she spoke.
“Thanks, Kim,” Cheryl mumbled knowing she was going to be in the doghouse again.
“Don’t pout, Cheryl,” Nadine said hugging her friend. “I brought your favorite cake.”
Cheryl’s eyes opened wide. “German chocolate cake?” she asked hopefully.
“You bet, sweetie.”
*
The evening had been fun as far as Kim was concerned. Amber and Nadine finished getting the food on the table while Cheryl showed Kim around the beautiful house. “You’ve really kept the integrity of the house while bringing it into this century. Did you do all the work yourselves?”
“I have an uncle in the construction business. He and I did the work and I got to learn a lot in the process.” Cheryl leaned toward Kim. “I left the decorating to Amber.” She wrinkled her nose. “I didn’t have any interest in that part of the project. She and Nadine had fun doing it.” They were on the way back down the stairs when Cheryl stopped. “Nadine is so good at finding things that look expensive, but getting them at a cheaper price. She should have been an interior decorator instead of going into finance.”
Kim realized now that Nadine didn’t follow her dreams, but chose the safe road instead. The road that her dad had chosen and she had followed. “Nadine seems like she loves her job.”
“Yeah, but you didn’t see her when she was decorating this place.” Cheryl began her decent, but looked back at Kim. “How is it going with her?”
“We’re still friends,” she said with a shrug.
“That’s too bad.”
“Nothing I can do at the moment.”
Again, the two women were quiet during the trip back to Nadine’s apartment. Kim pulled up in front of her apartment building and shut off the engine.
“I’m sorry, Kim. I know you are looking for more from me.”
“It’s okay,” she said a little too quickly.
“I don’t think it is and I feel really badly.”
Kim knew she had to make a move and this was it. She reached for Nadine’s hand and brought it over to her lap. “I like you, Nadine. I wish you would stop worrying about our ages and money. There is more to life than money.”
Nadine stared at her until a smile slowly appeared on her face. “I’ll try really hard, but I can’t make any promises.”
“That’s all I can ask for.” Kim was now holding onto Nadine’s face as her other hand unbuckled the seatbelt. Her body moved over the center column until her mouth was inches from Nadine’s lips. When she didn’t see any movement, she moved forward. Their lips touched softly at first and then the kiss deepened. Kim’s heart was pounding because Nadine was kissing her back. Slowly she released their lips and stared at the dark eyes. “Thank you again for spending the evening with me.”
Nadine nodded her head and reached for the door handle. Now she tried to get out of the car without releasing her belt. Kim watched her struggle for a moment then popped the belt. “Good night.”
“Good night, Nadine. I hope we can do this again really soon.” She watched as Nadine just looked at her for a moment before she closed the car door. Kim sat there until Nadine was safely inside the building. I want to kiss you again.
CHAPTER 9
The moment Nadine stepped into her building her fingers went to her lips. She kept them there as she walked to her apartment. Behind the closed door, she let out a ragged breath. “She kissed me.” A sweet kiss, but one that touched me all the way down to my toes. Nadine chuckled remembering how she tried to escape without releasing her seatbelt. What are you going to do now, Nadine? Unfortunately, there was no one in the empty room to give her an answer.
She changed her clothes and climbed into bed with her head spinning. Nadine wanted to explore what their relationship could grow into and on the other hand her fears of falling for someone so young invaded her consciousness. It just couldn’t work out. She’ll eventually tire of you and leave you for someone her own age. If only Kim hadn’t kissed her, she wouldn’t be in this mess.
*
Work had been her salvation Monday morning even though she hadn’t gotten much sleep. Phone calls kept her mind off Kim, but the moment she sat idle her face was in the forefront. “I’ll just have to stay away from her,” she said softly to the empty room.
“Who are you going to stay away from?” her secretary asked.
“No one important,” she said quickly.
“Your face isn’t saying that.” Arlene took a seat in front of her boss’ desk. “Who is she?”
“Someone I shouldn’t be thinking about.”
“But?” Arlene asked.
“Everything about her is wrong for me,” Nadine answered looking at Arlene’s face.
“But you like her more than you want to?” Arlene asked smiling and Nadine nodded. “So maybe she isn’t wrong for you?”
“Maybe,” Nadine finally admitted.
“You’ve dated women that you thought would be perfect for you and they turned out to be totally wrong. So, give it a shot. She might turn out to be the love of your life.”
Nadine laughed. “You are such a romantic, Arlene.”
“I am. I didn’t think Henry was right for me either. Remember?” Nadine nodded her head. “Boy, was I wrong.” Arlene stood up. “Keep me posted.”
“I will.” Her phone dinged.
“Would you please give me Cheryl’s cellphone number? I want to thank them both for a lovely evening.”
Nadine typed out Cheryl’s number. “I’m glad you weren’t bored sitting with three old people.”
Kim’s response came quickly. “I want to ask them to my house next Saturday night for dinner. Will you come too?”
Nadine looked at the question. How could she say yes and stay away from Kim? Her fingers seemed to have a mind of their own. “Yes.”
A half hour later, Kim sent her another text. “Set for 7. I could use a sous chef. Know anyone?” Nadine sat there laughing.
“What time do you want me to come over?” Nadine waited.
“Is five too early? I’m making beef bourguignon.” Nadine smiled.
“I’ll see you at five. Need an address.”
Kim typed out her address and put her phone back on her desk. Feeling better than she had since Sunday night, she began working again.
At four o’clock her phone rang. Smiling at Cheryl’s face, she accepted the call. “Hey.”
“I thought you said she didn’t have any money.”
“What are you talking about?” Nadine asked of her overexcited friend.
“She lives in that new development near my house.”
“Those homes are gigantic,” Nadine answered, having watched them go up on the way to her parents’ home.
“Do you think? If she lives there, she has money.”
“Maybe she’s house sitting or something for a friend.” Nadine thought having no other explanation.
“Keep telling yourself that, but something is up.”
“I guess we will find out on Saturday night,” Nadine said not believing her own words.
*
Saturday evening Nadine drove into the complex and let the GPS lead her to Kim’s house. As the voice announced she was at her destination, Nadine looked out the window at the house. It wasn’t one of the large homes that were filling the complex, but instead a modest home amongst the glut. She grabbed the bakery box from the passenger seat and opened the car door. As she pressed the doorbell she could hear the chime playing inside.
“Hi,” Kim said as she opened the door. “I see you didn’t come empty- handed.”
“You knew I wouldn’t,” she answered as Kim released her from a hug. “Your sous chef is ready to work.” As she stepped further into the house, she sucked in her breath. “This house is gorgeous.”
“Thank you. Let me take the box from you so you can take off your coat.” Kim took the box and placed it on a table in the foyer. Now she took Nadine’s coat and hung it in the foyer closet. She watched as Nadine was peeking into rooms she could see. “How about we get dinner in the oven and I’ll give you the nickel tour?”
“Nickel? It’s more like the hundred-dollar tour.” Nadine followed Kim into the kitchen.
“I got a good deal on this house.” Kim put the box on the large countertop and walked back to the island where the vegetables sat. “Can you cut up the vegetables while I brown the meat?”
“Sure.” Nadine took a seat and picked up the knife that was sitting on the cutting board. “You got a good deal?”
“Yeah. You saw those large homes as you pulled in, but the builder planned on having homes like mine throughout the complex. He thought singles or young couples might want to start out with a smaller home. Unfortunately for him, he was wrong. For me it was perfect.” Kim continued to brown the meat without turning to face Nadine. “He couldn’t sell the model or get anyone else to want a small home, so I stole this one. I got the house with all the upgrades at below the base price.”
“Yeah, but when you want to sell, you’re going to have a hard time.” Nadine rolled her eyes at herself. She couldn’t help thinking about ‘what ifs’ in her line of work.
Kim turned and faced her. “I don’t want to sell. This house is perfect for me.” She shrugged her shoulders. “If I ever find someone to share my life with, the house is big enough.”
“Suppose your mate wants to live somewhere else?” Nadine couldn’t believe what was coming out of her mouth
Kim silently chuckled. “I guess I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”
The meal was now put in the oven and Kim offered, “How about a glass of wine?”
“How about you show me around first,” she said with a grin.
“As you can see, this is my kitchen.”
“And what a kitchen,” Nadine complimented as she had when she walked into the room.
“I told you I got the house with all the bells and whistles. You can see the first floor is very open. I loved that aspect.” The informal dining area opened to a large living area.
“Did you decorate this yourself?” Nadine asked loving the look of the home.
“Not a chance. My friend Sam picked out most of these things. I fell in love with the craftsman style first and then when I walked inside, I was sold.”
They were now walking through the foyer and to the guest bedroom. “This is a great size for a guest room.”
“It has its own bathroom too.” Kim watched as Nadine’s eyes opened wide when she got to the bathroom doorway.
“You weren’t kidding with all the bells and whistles and you are right.” She turned to face Kim. “If your girlfriend doesn’t want to live here, she’s an idiot.”
“So, when are you moving in?” Kim asked with a grin.
“Ha, ha. Very funny,” Nadine said pointing her finger firmly.
“Upstairs is the master bedroom suite.”
Nadine followed Kim up the stairs where she flicked the light on in the room. “Holy cow, this room is enormous.”
“Yeah, but there are only two bedrooms and that’s why he couldn’t find buyers.”
Nadine walked through the room taking note of the king-sized bed and followed through the open door of the bathroom. Her eyes lit up when she turned on the lights. The entire bathroom was marble and glass. “Is tomorrow too soon for me to move in?” Nadine touched the standalone deep soaking tub and looked at the large shower. “You could have a party in there,” she said pointing her finger. “The house is beautiful, Kim. Now I’m going to worry about you having a large mortgage.”
“Nadine, please.”
“I know. I’ll shut my mouth now and accept that glass of wine you offered.”
They went back down the stairs and into the kitchen. Kim poured her wine and took out a plate of appetizers. “Help yourself,” she said putting the small plates on the island.
“I’ll wait on the appetizers until Cheryl and Amber get here. I’ll just enjoy my wine as I look at your beautiful kitchen.”
Kim went to the refrigerator and took out a bottle of beer. She now walked over to a machine and placed the bottle inside. Nadine watched as she pushed a button and the beer went into her glass.
“What’s that?” Nadine asked not understanding what she was looking at.
Kim removed the bottle and walked toward the sink. “This machine makes your beer taste like it came right out of the tap.” She rinsed the bottle and placed it in the recycling can hidden inside a cabinet.
It wasn’t long before the front doorbell rang. Kim put down her glass and walked to the front door. “Hi,” she said opening the door to her new friends.
“Hey,” Cheryl said moving into the foyer. “I love the outside of your house.”
“Me too,” Amber added and hugged Kim.
“Thanks. Let me take your coats.”
“Hey, guys,” Nadine called from the kitchen.
The women followed her voice and took in the rooms as they walked toward the kitchen. “This house is fantastic,” Amber said into Nadine’s ear.
“I know.”
They now turned when Kim walked in the room. “How about something to drink?”
Cheryl spotted the beer. “I’ll have one of those.” Then she turned to Amber.
“I’ll have wine.”
Nadine poured the wine for Amber as she took a seat next to her. Kim was now retrieving the beer from the refrigerator. Cheryl watched as she placed the beer in the machine.
“I saw that machine on TV. How does the beer taste?” Cheryl asked.
“Taste it,” she said handing her the glass.
Cheryl took a sip. “I love it. What kind of beer is this?”
“It’s a microbrew. Have a seat Cheryl.”
After dinner, Amber finally asked, “Can we see the rest of the house?”
“Nadine, show them around. I’m just going to put the coffee on.”
“Sure.” The two women now followed her. “Wait until you see the master bedroom,” Nadine said as they looked at the guest bedroom and bath. “Kim said the builder couldn’t sell this model and she got it for a steal.” Upstairs the women let out a gasp. “I know. This room is unbelievable. Wait until you see the bathroom.”
“You are so wrong about this woman, Nadine,” Amber said taking her arm. “This girl has money.”
“Maybe she inherited some money from a relative,” Nadine said.
“Yeah, or she robbed a bank. Maybe she’s a drug d
ealer.” Cheryl was going through all the possibilities.
“Well, whatever she does, it is very lucrative. No matter how cheap she got this house, it had to be a lot of money,” Amber added.
“Don’t let this one slip through your hands,” Cheryl said putting her hands on Nadine’s shoulders.
“I am not a gold digger,” Nadine insisted.
“We know you aren’t, but you thought she was poor.”
“Yes, and maybe I was wrong, but I won’t agree to date her just because she has money.”
“Of course not but there is nothing to hold you back now.”
“Her age?” Nadine asked raising her eyebrows at Amber.
“I think her age might be fun.”
“Until she gets tired of the old lady.” Nadine walked out of the bathroom and saw Kim coming into the room.
“I thought you all got lost.”
Cheryl and Amber popped out of the bathroom. “No. We were having an orgy in your shower,” Cheryl said smirking.
“Anytime you want to borrow it for that, let me know. I can make myself scarce for a few hours.”
“Like hell she will,” Amber said quickly. “I won’t share my wife with anyone.”
The three women laughed at Amber’s jealousy. “She loves me,” Cheryl said placing a tender kiss on her lips. “I love that about her.”
“Oh, brother,” Nadine said moving toward the doorway. “They may be borrowing your bed for a while.”
Kim followed Nadine out of the room and down the stairs.
After dessert, Amber and Cheryl got up to leave. They were headed to Amber’s parent’s home in the morning and it was a two-and-a-half-hour trip.
Amber pulled Kim toward her. “Thank you so much for inviting us to dinner. We promise the next time not to run out on you.”
“I understand, Amber.” Kim returned the hug and now did the same with Cheryl.
“Love the house, Kim.”
“Thank you for coming over.”
Nadine now stepped forward and hugged her friends to her. Cheryl couldn’t leave without making a comment. “Don’t scare the girl away. She’s good for you.”
Nadine shoved Cheryl toward the door. “Good night, Amber and Cheryl, and you’re lucky I love you so much,” she said with a laugh.
