Hearts of Emerald Bay

by D G Barnes

  The question now was, what was she going to do about it? Sit around the beach house for the rest of the summer and mope or go back to her apartment in the city and mope. She could try and lose herself in finishing her new novel, but no, that didn’t hold any appeal at the moment. As she sat there and contemplated her next move, she heard the screen door squeak open. She stopped breathing for a second, her pulse quickened, and her stomach twisted. Mac? Had she come to apologize, to try and explain it away. How could she? She was kissing another woman, and she had seen her. There was no explaining it away.

  “Dana? Sweetie? Are you here?”

  Confusion washed over her. That wasn’t Mac’s voice. But she knew whose it was, and it wasn’t possible.

  “Dana, it’s Jen. Where are you?”

  Dana’s lips moved into a smile. Of all the people she wanted to see right now, Jenny was at the top of the list. She leaped from her spot on the bed, placed her cup on the dresser, and rushed out of the room and down the hall, stopping dead in her tracks in front of her friend. She stared at Jenny, not believing her eyes. Her hair, her beautiful long flowing blonde hair was gone. Instead, she wore it short, above the ears short and streaked with blue highlights, something new for Jenny. Feeling the stare, Jenny brought a hand to her hair and smoothed it.

  Dana opened her mouth to speak when an image came to her: the woman in Mac’s office. She had short blonde hair with blue streaks. She held a finger up and made a slow circular motion. “Turn around.”

  “What?” Jenny asked, not understanding.

  “Turn around, Jenny,” she repeated firmly.

  As she turned, Dana studied the back of her head, realizing immediately who she had seen with Mac. “It was you!” She spoke softly, trying to understand what the hell was happening. None of this was making any sense. “Why are you here? Why aren’t you in Europe?”

  Jenny turned to face her. “We finished up earlier than expected and that thing in Vancouver was handed off to another team. So, I wanted to stop by and see how you were doing and catch up.”

  “Okay,” she said with reserve. “I can accept that, I guess.” The sounds of the ocean and a dog barking in the distance were the only noises that permeated the beach house for several long moments. She stared at her friend and studied her face, immediately seeing the guilt in her eyes. Damn right she should feel guilty. You don’t go around kissing your best friend’s girl. Also, what the hell was with that hair? She looked like a bloody circus clown. A thousand thoughts were banging around inside her head, threating to give her a migraine and she wanted to scream.

  The night Gail had walked out on her, there had been a bottle of Chablis in the fridge, and she had found it helped deaden the pain. There was a bottle in her fridge right now, and it beckoned her. She pinched the bridge of her nose and shook her head before looking back at Jenny. “Don’t move.” She stomped off to the kitchen and retrieved the wine from the fridge. She paused long enough to twist off the cap and pull a long swallow before heading to living room. The woman who professed to being her best friend, the one she was about to grill, still stood rooted to the spot where Dana had left her. Only her head moved as she followed her movements with her eyes. Dana glared at her as she passed, images of the blonde with her tongue half way down Mac’s throat only minutes before played in her mind.

  “Sit.” She pointed to the sofa, not caring about the tone in her voice. She should sit too. She wanted to but wasn’t sure she could trust herself not to slap Jenny’s face. The pain and anger she felt clawed at her. The fear of losing Mac tore at her heart. She turned toward the window and took another large drink. With her belly empty, it went straight to her head. She had planned on having Mac make her supper, but that idea went to hell when she caught her lip locked with the bitch that sat her sofa. Another tilt of the bottle and she felt a pleasant buzz, and the room teetered. She frowned. No, she was pissed off, and she didn’t want to feel pleasant.

  “Dana? Please come sit with me.” Jenny patted the sofa. “Let’s talk this out. This is a huge—”

  “Don’t!” She held up a hand traffic-cop style, her back still to Jenny. “Just…don’t!” Her tone of voice would have been alien to Jenny as she had never spoken to her like that in all the years they had know each other, and for a moment her stomach stirred with guilt. She took one more mouthful of wine while she watched the reflection of Jenny picking at her fingernails in the window. Going over what she wanted to say in her head, she walked over to a small table by the fireplace and ran her finger over a figurine of two young girls playing in a puddle, a gift from her to Jenny when she bought the beach house. Finally settling on a few words, she turned to face her.

  “Why were you trying to suck the tonsils from my girlfriend’s throat?”

  “I’m sorry this happened. It wasn’t what it looked like.”

  “So, your mouth wasn’t lip locked with hers?” She took another drink.

  Jenny dropped her head. “It was,” she said quietly, “but…” She looked up. “I didn’t know you and Mac knew each other, let alone that you were a couple. And I kissed Mac; she didn’t kiss me. In fact, she pushed me away almost immediately.”

  “Almost immediately?” Dana lowered her brow.

  “What?”

  “You said almost immediately.”

  “Yes. Because I caught her off guard. It took her a second to realize what was going on and respond. Unfortunately, that was the second you witnessed.” Regret filled her voice.

  Dana took another long drink of wine to let this new information sink in. When the bottle left her mouth, she swayed a bit. Feeling enough buzz, she set the bottle on the coffee table. “So, you're telling me Mac is innocent in all this and that you’re a lecherous homewrecker.” She crossed her arms and frowned.

  “Essentially, yes. But I think lecherous homewrecker is a bit harsh.” Jenny conceded and tried to make light of it with a smile. “We’re okay then? You and me?” She stood and opened her arms.

  “Not so fast, sister. You’re not off the hook yet. You still haven’t explained why you were kissing her to begin with.”

  Jenny grimaced and sunk back onto the sofa. “I’m not sure how to explain it.”

  “How about you just come out and say it.”

  “Well, okay. We are–we were friends with um benefits,” she said meekly, glancing away then back.

  Dana blinked. It would certainly explain how Mac knew who Jenny was on the day they met. “You and Mac? Have been…?”

  Jenny nodded.

  “For how long? And why haven’t you ever told me?” She was unsure if she should be mad or amazed by the coincidence. She was undoubtedly annoyed Jenny had kept this from her.

  “I met Mac the year I bought the beach house. But we didn’t start…” She paused, searching for the right words.

  “Sleeping together,” Dana raised an eyebrow. “You can say it.”

  “Right. Sleeping together until about three years ago. But Dana, it was only during the summers when I would come here for the weekends and such. I never told you because, well, I was afraid of what you might think of me.”

  Tears welled in her eyes and her lip quivered, making Dana reconsider her anger. She thought it funny that she could know someone forever and never really know them. Low sniffling made her heart sink. Jenny was her best friend and had been there through many hard times. She trusted her; she would never hurt her intentionally.

  She plopped down on the sofa next to her and grasped her hand. “Jennifer Marie Chatsworth! You are my best friend, and I love you more than anything. I wouldn’t and don’t think any less of you because you’re banging a bartender on your holidays. What hurts is that you didn’t feel you could tell me about it.”

  “I’m sorry,” Jenny mumbled. “You’re right. I should have told you.” She wrapped her arms around her.

  They held each other in silence for a moment before Dana spoke. “Jenny, I need you to answer one more question though. Okay?”

&nb
sp; Jenny raised her head and nodded. Dana wiped the tears from her cheeks. “Do you have feelings for Mac?” The thought made her sick. “I need to know. Because if you do, then I can’t go on seeing her.”

  “No. I mean, I like her, and she’s a really nice person and fun to be with, and the sex is great.”

  Dana raised an eyebrow.

  “Sorry. Didn’t need to mention that bit. But, to answer your question. No. I don’t have any feelings for her. She’s a friend, and from now on, one without benefits.” She gave her a toothy grin and held up two fingers. “Scouts honor.”

  “Three fingers.”

  “What?”

  “Scouts use three fingers in their salute.”

  “Oh, okay,” she said and raised the third digit. “So, are we okay?”

  Dana leaned in and kissed her forehead softly. “Yeah. We’re good.” She reached for the bottle of wine and offered her a drink.

  “You and Mac then. You really like her?” Jenny accepted the bottle and took a sip.

  “I do. But I’m wondering now if this thing between us is a good idea.”

  “I thought we straightened that out. Mac wasn’t stepping out on you.”

  “No, that’s not it.” She paused to collect her thoughts. “I ran into Gail this afternoon.”

  Jenny sat up straight. “And what did she have to say?” Annoyance laced her voice.

  “Nothing much really. She and Clair are getting married next month.”

  “What? Wow!”

  “My reaction exactly.” Dana flashed back to her encounter earlier in the day. “A whole lot of feelings and memories came back to me, ones I thought I had banished. It scared me, Jenny. I don’t want to go there again. I’m afraid I’ll make the same mistakes with Mac I did with Gail.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes, fighting to hold back the pent-up emotions.

  Jenny pulled her in tighter and held her hand. “You say you made mistakes with Gail. Fine. Do you know what they were? More importantly, did you learn from them?

  “Yes, to both. I guess.” She sniffed.

  “Then just don’t make them again. That’s all.”

  “That simple, huh?”

  “That simple. Now, go fix your face and find Mac. She said she would be at the Anchor if you wanted to talk.” She kissed her on the cheek. “I’m crashing here tonight, so makeup sex will have to be at her place.”

  Dana laughed uneasily. She felt better and was happy Jenny had shown up but doubt still lingered. She would see Mac and hear what she had to say on the matter. Thoughts of sex entered the picture but only if Mac satisfied her in other ways in the trust category. If she did, she could start the making up by making supper. Now that her nervous stomach had settled, it was screaming for food.

  ***

  Mac flipped through the channels on the TV, not seeing any of the images that flashed by. She clicked it off and tossed the remote onto the sofa. “Damnit,” she muttered and stood to pace the room for the hundredth time. Was Jenny talking to her? Did Dana believe her? Maybe she should have called her or went to the beach house herself. She didn’t want to lose Dana, not like this. Not over a stupid misunderstanding.

  That’s it. She had waited long enough. Where was her phone? She was calling Dana now. A loud rap on the door startled her, and she hesitated a moment before moving to answer it. Giving into the knocking, she opened the door and found Dana standing there. Her heart leaped but quickly settled with Dana’s intent glare. Oh fuck.

  “Mac, we need to talk,” Dana said flatly. One of her hands gripped the other, her fingers twisted around each other as if she worked out an agonizing kink.

  Mac's shoulders fell, and her heart sank into her stomach. Nothing good ever came from those four words. “Dana, please. Let me explain.”

  “Jenny explained everything, but…” Her eyes darted from Mac to the stairs leading to the outside. “I need to hear it from you.”

  Mac nodded. “Of course. Please, come inside.” She wanted to take her in her arms and kiss away the hurt, but Dana kept her distance as if she didn’t want to be touched. Once inside, she closed the door and directed her to the sofa. She took a deep breath; she needed to get the words out before they ignited in her head. “Dana, this is a big misunderstand. I slipped. Jenny was there. She kissed me. In a moment of happiness to see her, I kissed her, but then I thought of you.”

  Dana looked up from her position on the sofa. Her uneasy expression triggered an urgency in Mac.

  “It was only a quick kiss. It was meaningless. When I realized what I was doing, I pulled away. I stopped it. What Jenny and I had is over.” She sat beside Dana and grasped her hands. “Please, believe me. I never want to hurt you.”

  “I believe you,” she whispered, a smile touched the corner of her mouth. “I just needed to hear it from you.” She leaned close and kissed her.

  Relief washed over her, and she pulled Dana closer for another kiss. It was the sweetest tasting kiss ever. She had thought she would never taste Dana’s mouth again, and she was going to make sure to savor every second of this one. She parted her lips, and a tongue quickly joined hers in a slow dance.

  Her hands played at the hem of Dana’s shirt. Sliding under to caress the warm skin, they wandered up her sides and cupped her braless breasts.

  Dana broke the kiss and pulled out of Mac’s reach. “Not so fast, tiger,” she purred, as she lifted her shirt slowly and gave her the briefest peek at the underside of her breasts. “You want this?” She teased, swaying her hips seductively.

  Mac swallowed and nodded. She was all sorts of turned on.

  “Well,” Dana said as she lowered her shirt, “I need to be fed first. I haven’t eaten since before noon, and by the lustful look in your eyes, I’m going to need all my strength.” She tapped her nose as she brushed past and made her way the kitchen, not sounding the least bit apologetic for getting Mac fired up and leaving her hanging. Maybe she deserved that.

  Mac watched her ass for a moment, thanking the universe that this evening had worked out, before she followed.

  Dana must have felt her eyes on her. “I hope you’re not objectifying me right now, Miss Mackenzie.”

  “Damn straight! Comin’ in here all sexy like that, demanding to be fed.” She slid into the kitchen beside her. “I think I earned the right.”

  Dana turned and faced her, an eyebrow raised. “You do, do you? I have your right, right here and a left too.” She held her fists in front of her and backed slowly away from her until the counter stayed her retreat.

  Mac grinned and moved closer, pushing against the hands on her chest. Dana wasn’t a match for her when it came to physical strength, but she played along. She ran her hands to Dana’s waist and then tickled her mercilessly. Dana shrieked and squirmed, trying in vain to twist out from under the hold.

  “Mac, no! Stop! Please!” Dana laughed so hard, tears flowed. She thumped her fists on Mac’s shoulders, pleading for her stop. “Please. You’re going to make me pee myself!”

  Mac continued the torment for another moment before she took pity on her and relented. She cupped Dana’s face and kissed away her tears. “You are so beautiful. Don’t ever change,” she said softly.

  Dana paused to catch her breath before she stroked Mac’s cheek with the back of her hand. “I won’t if you won’t.” She leaned in and kissed her, holding it for a long beat. “Now, woman! Get me some food,” she ordered playfully.

  Mac stepped back and threw her a loose salute. “Aye, aye, Cap’n.”

  An hour later, Dana sat back in her chair. “That was delicious. Thank you, Mac.”

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it.” She had made Pineapple Chicken, one of her favorite dishes and quick to prepare, along with a fresh garden salad. She had laughed at Dana when she shoveled the first few forkfuls into her mouth like some sort of mad woman. Her cheeks flushed pink, and Mac adored the expression of slight discomfort.

  “Let’s get these dishes cleared away,” Dana suggested as she stood.

>   Mac took the plate from her and set it back on the table. Taking Dana’s hand, she pulled her close. “Dishes can wait. Time for dessert.” She tangled her fingers in the hair at the back of her head and pressed their lips together.

  Dana moaned against her mouth as her hands moved up Mac’s back and down again, finding the hem of her shirt. She tugged it upward, and Mac raised her arms, allowing her to rid her of the garment. Her bra was next, and she made short work of it as it too soon fell to the floor.

  Mac guided her backward to the sofa, stopping long enough to pull off her shirt. Her eyes traveled to Dana’s bare breasts. Damn, they were beautiful. She palmed them, gently squeezing. Her own body responded to the softness of the flesh beneath her hands and to the sound of Dana’s murmur.

  Dana reached for Mac’s waist and pulled at the snap of her pants, quickly undoing it before she pushed them off her hips, letting them fall. Her own shorts were much less of a challenge and soon joined Mac’s in a heap on the floor.

  Dipping down, Mac kissed the slopes of Dana’s breasts, then guided her onto her back and lay on top of her. “Do you remember the first time I had you in this position?” Mac kissed the column of her neck.

  “Un-huh,” Dana whispered, and pushed herself against Mac’s thigh.

  “I’ve wanted to do this ever since that night. Just like this.” She gazed into her brown eyes as she brushed the hair from her face. She kissed the corner of her mouth and her jaw, then her collarbone before caressing the nipple with her lips. Dana gasped, and Mac’s mouth hovered centimeters above the erect nipple. Her tongue darted out and flicked it before it quickly retreated, then she did it again and again. Dana arched her back, trying to get more. Mac switched to the other breast and repeated the tease.