Time of Day

by Nicole Pyland

  “There was a stain?” Kinsley asked. “Wait… That’s why you sat so close to me?”

  “I guess. There wasn’t exactly a lot of space with Remy sitting there, too.”

  “Right,” Kinsley said as the importance of yet another piece of her relationship with Riley evaporated in front of her eyes. “I guess that night just meant more to me than it did you.”

  “I’m sorry, Kinsley. I don’t mean to make light of something that is obviously so important. I mean, I’m gay. I came out right after you, if I remember correctly. I know what it’s like to–”

  “See? That’s what’s getting me about all this,” Kinsley interjected. “You came out after me. I remember that clearly. In fact, Reese and I both thought you might be gay all along. Morgan, too. They’d grown up with you and knew you better than I did, but I saw it, too.”

  “Saw it?”

  “The way you looked at Morgan sometimes back then. There was also that girl at the theta party. I caught you two dancing. It just seemed like there was something to it.”

  “Theta party?” Riley tried to recall. “Yeah, I remember her. I hooked up with her that night.” She chuckled. “If you could call it that; we mostly just fumbled around in a downstairs closet during the party.”

  “You had sex in a closet while people partied right outside?” Kinsley asked as she laughed.

  “More like my hand went inside her jeans, and she lifted my skirt.” Riley laughed at that revelation. “It was intense, to say the least, but that was all it was.”

  “I guess I wouldn’t have thought you’d have that in you.”

  “Sex?” Riley lifted an eyebrow.

  “Sex with a girl you just met at a frat party, where anyone could just open the door and see you.”

  “The things you don’t know about me, Kinsley James.” The woman chuckled again, but it was deeper this time, and Kinsley felt it deep in her core.

  “I’m starting to realize that,” Kinsley replied, trying to move past the feeling inside her. “So, you stopped by.”

  “Yes, I stopped by to apologize for the other night. I think I gave you the impression that I didn’t remember things. I wanted to make sure I’d explained myself properly. I do remember. I was slightly tipsy the night you told me. Remy had just passed me two shots in a row, and that was after – I think – you gave me some mixed drink. We were pre-gaming, if I remember correctly.”

  “For Remy and Reese’s birthday party,” Kinsley added.

  “Yes. But I remember you telling me that you were gay, Kinsley.” She paused. “I’m also sorry for how the night ended. Elena called, and we needed to talk. She had some news I wasn’t prepared for; I didn’t handle it well. And I’m sorry if I gave you the impression that you had to go.”

  “You didn’t. I just felt like I should. It seemed like a private conversation.”

  Riley sighed and looked toward the glass door to the office and the street beyond before she said, “It was, but it was still rude of me.”

  Kinsley nibbled a bit on her bottom lip before she swiped her tongue across it, tasting rogue cream cheese and wondering why she always appeared to be such a dolt around this gorgeous woman.

  “We should just start over,” Kinsley suggested.

  “We need to go that far?” Riley asked as she leaned forward in her chair. “Kinsley, I am sorry if I offended you.”

  “You didn’t.” She waved her off. “It’s okay. We’re good.”

  “So, you’ll still help me find a house?”

  “Of course.”

  “Can I do something?” Riley asked as her expression turned thoughtful. “Let me take you out to dinner tonight to make up for what an asshole I was the other night. We won’t talk about house-hunting. We’ll just be two friends at dinner.”

  “You don’t have to do that,” Kinsley said, lowering her eyes immediately to her bagel that had likely cooled and hardened and now looked like the most disgusting thing in the world to her.

  “Come on. You can’t just eat a bagel for dinner. We can go to Bradley’s and grab some burgers.”

  “How do you eat pizza and burgers and still look like that?” Kinsley asked with light laughter before she realized she’d said it out loud.

  “Well, thank you; I think.” Riley smiled and nodded. “You ate pizza the other night, too. And a bagel is all carbs. Look at you.” She pointed at Kinsley. “You seem to be doing alright.”

  “I work out a lot,” Kinsley said. “To balance it all out. Morgan kind of makes me.”

  “You and Morgan are pretty close, huh?” Riley asked. “Wait.” She stood abruptly. “This is good dinner talk for two friends. Let’s go. I’ll drive.”

  “I really should–”

  “The work will be there when you get back, right?” Riley asked. “I have a mountain of it on my desk, too. But I’m determined not to try and climb it tonight.”

  Kinsley nodded, and after packing up, she locked the office and walked around the block to where Riley had parked her car. Before she climbed into the passenger’s seat, she saw Kellan and Reese walking toward them hand in hand.

  “Hey, guys,” Reese said and waved with her free hand.

  “Hey,” Riley replied. “What are you two up to tonight?”

  Kinsley lowered her head and stared at the ground. She knew what was coming next.

  “I’m just picking this one up from work, and we’re heading home for dinner,” Reese said and rested her head on Kellan’s shoulder.

  “Join us.” Riley tossed her designer bag into the back seat of her car. “We’re going to Bradley’s.”

  “Burgers?” Kellan asked Reese, who nodded against her shoulder. “We’re in.”

  “Morgan was meeting us at our place, though. I’ll text her the change in plans,” Reese said as she pulled her phone out of her pocket.

  “Want to invite Remy, too?” Riley asked.

  Kinsley looked up and met Kellan’s eyes as Kellan smiled at her. Kellan then glanced toward Riley and back to Kinsley, and gave her a knowing expression followed by one that expressed a silent apology that they’d be interrupting her dinner plans.

  CHAPTER 4

  “Was this meant to be a date?” Kellan whispered into Kinsley’s ear.

  “What?” Kinsley turned to her. “No. We’re not–” She stopped herself. “She’s with someone.”

  Kellan nodded and leaned over to Reese to whisper in her ear, likely, telling her that they hadn’t interrupted a date between Riley and Kinsley. Morgan had decided to join them, but Remy and Ryan had made other plans. Morgan sat across from Kinsley and next to Riley. She’d offered Kinsley that spot when they’d first arrived, but Kinsley had opted to sit next to Reese and Kellan instead. Riley smelled so good. Kinsley had been able to catch the scent when they’d left the office. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to sit next to her and not give herself away.

  “How’s the new practice?” Reese asked as she snagged a fry from her girlfriend’s plate.

  “Coming along. I’m still wrapping up a few of my longer cases from before I moved back, though. They were complicated divorces. Now, I’m taking on new cases. It’s a lot, but it’s coming along. I like working for myself,” Riley offered in response.

  “And you’re thinking about buying a house, right?” Morgan asked.

  “That’s the plan. Kinsley is helping, thanks to your recommendation,” Riley said to Morgan as she smiled at her and then winked at Kinsley.

  “She’s the only realtor I know,” Morgan replied. “But I hear she’s pretty good.”

  “So, how is it: living together and without me, Kell?” Riley asked.

  “You were hardly ever there when we did live together,” Kellan replied and laughed. “But I love living with Reese. I miss my friends in San Francisco, but we’re going to visit them next month. I love it here, though.”

  “Morgan, what’s going on with you lately?” Riley asked her. “Anyone in your life these days?”

  “If you mean fr
iends, I’m all good in that department. If you mean family – still all good. If you’re asking if I’m dating anyone, the answer is no.”

  “What about that woman you went out with last week?” Reese asked her best friend.

  “Didn’t work out,” Morgan replied.

  “Why not?” Riley asked.

  “Just not my type.”

  “What is your type?” Riley pressed.

  Kinsley stared at Riley, who was staring at Morgan. What was happening?

  “I don’t know. I just know she’s not it,” Morgan answered. “Pick on James for a minute. She’s single, too.” Morgan nodded in Kinsley’s direction.

  “Hey,” Kinsley retorted and tossed a fry at her. “Leave me out of this.”

  “What about you, Kinsley?” Riley turned to her to ask. “What’s your type?”

  Morgan nearly choked on her soda. Reese glanced down at the table, and Kellan played with the remnants of her hamburger. Kinsley tried to look away from Riley’s stare, but she couldn’t. Something told her to keep looking at her. Something told her to defy her thundering heart and her foggy mind, because Riley’s dark brown eyes were remarkably beautiful to stare into.

  “I don’t know that I have one.”

  Morgan nearly choked again. Kinsley glared at her, planning her murder inside her head for later that night.

  “Really? Nothing? Not even blonde over brunette or something like that?”

  “She prefers brunettes. The darker the hair color, the better,” Morgan answered for her.

  “Morgan!” Kinsley exclaimed.

  “Dark hair, huh?” Riley sipped her soda through her straw and looked so damn sexy, Kinsley was just about ready to pull it away from her, because she couldn’t take it anymore. That damn button nose just did things to her when it combined with those lips making that shape. “What else? Tell me all her secrets, Morgan.”

  “Morgan does not know my secrets,” Kinsley retorted and dropped a fry back onto her plate, suddenly not wanting to eat it.

  “I know most of them,” Morgan argued.

  “Really?” Riley smirked at Morgan and then turned her head to Kinsley.

  No, this wasn’t happening. Kinsley stood and removed her wallet from her pocket. She tossed enough cash to cover her meal onto the table.

  “I need to go. I have work. I’ll see you guys all later.”

  ◆◆◆

  “I fucked up again,” Riley said mostly to herself.

  “What are you talking about?” Morgan asked her.

  “I keep messing up with her.” Riley motioned with her open hand toward the door just as Kinsley headed out. “I need to talk to her.”

  “What’s going on there?” Kellan asked.

  “I don’t know. I just feel like she doesn’t like me,” Riley said. Morgan nearly choked for the third time. Riley turned and slapped her on the back. “Are you okay?”

  “Fine,” Morgan replied. “I’ll go talk to her.”

  “No, I think this is something I need to do. Besides, I drove her here.”

  Riley rose and was grateful she’d hit the ATM earlier and had cash. She tossed enough to cover her meal and Kinsley’s on the table, before picking up Kinsley’s money. She said her goodbyes to the people she’d invited to dinner and moved to the door.

  “Kinsley, wait up.” She moved quickly down the sidewalk toward Kinsley and stopped as the woman turned around. “I’m sorry.”

  “Sorry for what? Trying to set me up with Morgan Burns?” Kinsley asked.

  “I wasn’t trying to–”

  “Yes, you were. Riley, Morgan is one of my closest friends. That’s all she’s ever been, and I don’t want her to be anything more, okay?”

  “Okay. I’m sorry.”

  “Why is this so important to you?” Kinsley asked her and ran a hand through her dark blonde hair that fell around her face in layers.

  “It’s not. I just thought…” She stopped herself. “I’m sorry. You just mentioned Morgan before. She makes you work out; she recommended you to me. You two hang out a lot. I don’t know… I guess I just went a little crazy there for a minute. I’m trying to be a friend to you, and I’m doing a terrible job at it.” She held out Kinsley’s money. “Here. I said I’d buy you dinner.”

  “What? I don’t–”

  “Please, just take it. I’ve screwed up your night. The car is around the corner. Let me at least take you back to your office. Then, I’ll leave you alone and stop embarrassing myself.”

  “I’m going to walk,” Kinsley replied and tucked the cash into her front pocket. “I think I’d like to be alone if you don’t mind.”

  “Sure. I’m sorry.”

  “Can you let me know about the listings I sent you already? I’d like to hear back before I find more for you and Elena.”

  “I’ll look at them again tonight,” Riley replied.

  “Thanks,” Kinsley said, and the word sounded even shorter than just its one syllable. “I’ll see you later.”

  Riley stood on the sidewalk, watching Kinsley walk away from her. Kinsley’s hands were in her back pockets. Riley watched Kinsley’s ass move in those jeans and turned her head to the side, as if to take the view in even more. She shook her head and snapped out of it. Why was she always managing to upset Kinsley James? Kinsley had been nothing but kind to her. They’d known one another for over a decade. Riley rolled her eyes at herself and walked to her car. The drive to the apartment was short. When she arrived, she quickly reviewed the listings Kinsley had already sent her, and emailed back that two were options. The others, she knew she didn’t like. There was no point in waiting for Elena to finally take a look at the links she’d sent her.

  She let out an exasperated sigh and headed into the bathroom, where she took a long hot bath. When she finally emerged, she went back to the kitchen table, where she’d laid out files, and opened her computer. It was nearly midnight when she finally closed her computer and decided to go to sleep. For the fifth consecutive night, Elena hadn’t called to wish her good night. That part of their relationship had long since passed, but Elena hadn’t gone this many nights without at least calling to say good night to her.

  They’d been together for three years, but they hardly ever actually saw one another. In the beginning, Riley was in Dallas for three months. They’d had that time to get to know one another and to fall in love. She hadn’t expected to fall for an older woman like Elena, but Elena had won her over with her elegance and charm. The part where she was still in the closet wasn’t ideal back then, but Riley understood. Elena was a politician in Texas of all places. And, as a lesbian, it was hard enough to get elected in one of the blue states. Riley had understood, because Elena had promised this would be her last term. She’d leave Texas and move to Tahoe. They’d finally be together for more than two weeks at a time when they could get it.

  Things hadn’t been the same this past year. They hadn’t had the chance to take a vacation. They’d only seen one another every couple of months, and Elena still wasn’t out of the closet. Riley had been holding onto the promise of their move. She was still holding onto the promise of this move. If Elena decided to stay in Texas, Riley didn’t know what she was going to do. She wasn’t sure she’d be able to go on for another four years like this; eight years, if Elena got re-elected. With the campaigns, that would be more than ten years living in two different states, with a woman who was straight to the rest of the world. Hell, if she got elected, the party would likely try to convince her to remarry. Elena’s husband had died in a car accident just before she ran for a city council position. They’d probably want her to find another man to make an honest woman out of her. Riley fell asleep to the thought of Elena, arm in arm with a Mitt Romney lookalike, as she took the stage and waved at the adoring crowd after winning the election for governor.

  CHAPTER 5

  Kinsley noticed the paper bag from the café on the desk in her office when she came out of the bathroom. Next to the bag was a large coffee o
f some kind. She’d heard the bell chime, which was what had made her rush out of the bathroom as quickly as possible. She hadn’t heard it chime again, though, likely due to the toilet flushing. There was no one in the office now. She moved behind her desk and opened the white bag. Inside were half a dozen bagels and just as many small containers of cream cheese along with one plastic knife. Kinsley glanced at the coffee and noticed a napkin underneath it. She moved the cup to read the words scribbled there.

  “For the dinner I interrupted the other night. I am sorry.” Kinsley read it out loud and liked the way Riley wrote her name with a large letter R and a curly Y at the end.

  Riley wasn’t there, though. Kinsley sat down in her chair and didn’t know what to do. Should she rush after her to say thank you? Should she text her a thank you? Maybe she should send her an email, since their relationship was more professional than personal at this point. Kinsley had sent her a few more possibilities that met the limited criteria Riley had provided. When Kinsley checked her email, she noticed Riley had replied to her last message. She smiled and sent her own reply.

  ◆◆◆

  “You ready?” Kinsley asked Riley when she got out of her car.

  “I only have an hour.” Riley approached and tucked her car keys into her purse. “Sorry, the day kind of got away from me. I thought I’d have more time.”

  “That’s okay.” Kinsley motioned for Riley to head up the driveway and toward the front door. “I don’t think it’ll take that long.”

  Riley looked up at the modest size house before meeting Kinsley’s eyes and saying, “It’s nice so far.”

  Kinsley smiled at her, unlocked the door, and motioned for Riley to follow her inside. Kinsley explained the layout and features of the house as they walked from room to room. Riley would smile and nod every so often. She asked a few questions, which Kinsley answered, but the woman gave nothing away. When they finished looking around the house, Kinsley took her out the back door.

  “Wow,” Riley said as she looked at the lake view. It was through a lot of trees, and she could barely see the water, but it was still technically a lake view. “This is amazing. This is within my budget?” She turned to ask Kinsley.