One Golden Summer

by Clare Lydon

“No, don’t.” Kirsty held Saffron’s chin in place, their eyes locking for a blissful second, before Kirsty’s hand dropped like a stone.

  Saffron froze before regaining the ability to speak. “Anna, Anna? Your ex?”

  “Yes.” The blood seeped out of Kirsty’s thinning lips.

  “Do you want to go somewhere else?”

  “No, we have a table.”

  “Are you sure? I can work my Saffron Oliver magic and get a table at any other place.” She snapped her fingers.

  “I thought you were enjoying your anonymity in Sandy Cove.”

  “I am, but for you, I would do it.” She’d do anything, really, which she absolutely should not say aloud. It was ironic, considering Kirsty liked verbal communication, yet Saffron had to keep her true words in check.

  “No, it’s fine. As I said before, Anna isn’t that far away. The chance of seeing her with a girlfriend is always a risk.” Kirsty visibly bolstered her resolve by sitting up straighter and trying to appear relaxed, which only halfway succeeded.

  “Do you want me to pour it on? Have her think we’re a hot item and make Anna rue the day she broke your heart?”

  “Given your track record, or do I need to remind you that you just nearly knocked yourself out with the door, I’m thinking it’s best not to put myself at risk. Besides, she’s not worth it.” Kirsty did a shake of the head, as if resetting a switch. “I’ll have an aperol spritz.”

  “You got it, Captain.” Saffron, clicked her boots together and saluted. When her back was turned, she wanted to slap herself across the face. A salute? Why couldn’t she stop being so nervous and making an arse out of herself?

  The woman behind the bar, pulling a pint, raised her brows expectantly.

  “Could I have an aperol spritz…” Saffron leaned closer since a group of men charged in, “and a margarita.”

  The woman with a nose piercing and heavily tattooed left arm nodded.

  “Kirsty! Is that you?”

  Saffron casually glanced over her shoulder to see Anna and the girlfriend standing at the table.

  “Hello, Anna. How are you?” Kirsty’s frosty tone could turn a person into a snowwoman in the middle of a heatwave.

  “Have you heard the news?” Anna bounced on the balls of her feet, not picking up on Kirsty’s stiffening shoulders.

  “What?”

  Oh God. Was Anna going to announce she was engaged? Saffron wanted to run interference, but her mind went blank. Using her hair to protect being spotted, Saffron shamelessly eavesdropped.

  “Saffron Oliver has been spotted all over town,” Anna squealed like a fourteen-year-old girl.

  “Is that right?” There was a hint of a knowing smile on Kirsty’s lips.

  “All the lesbians in town must be swooning. I mean, she’s the hottest dyke walking this earth. I was hoping to spy her tonight”—Anna glanced around—“but sadly, my wish hasn’t come true.”

  Kirsty shifted on her stool, glancing down at her lap.

  The bartender finished both drinks, and Saffron paid.

  “Here you go, darling.” Saffron set the aperol spritz in front of Kirsty.

  Anna’s and her girlfriend’s jaws dropped.

  “Hi, I’m Saffron.” She put her hand out to the girlfriend first, who shook it, but didn’t supply a name. No matter.

  Anna, slightly recovered, gushed, “I can’t believe this is happening. Can someone pinch me?” She held her arm out and Saffron wanted to give it a painful twist.

  Instead, she laughed as if that was the funniest thing she’d ever heard, but it wasn’t by far and not the first time she’d heard that exact line.

  “What are you doing in Sandy Cove?” Anna still held her arm out as if Saffron should pinch her.

  Stop tempting me, bitch.

  “I heard it was beautiful here.” Saffron stared intently at Kirsty. “And, I’m happy to report, I haven’t encountered anything more stunning.”

  Kirsty’s face could rival the ripest of strawberries.

  “I bet you can’t wait to get back to the city, though. I mean”—Anna looked to her right and left—“this place doesn’t have a lot to offer the likes of you.”

  “Oh, I’m not sure I agree. I’ve found it to be just what I need.” Again, her eyes were glued to Kirsty’s.

  Anna’s girlfriend whispered something. Anna seemed to argue against whatever was said, but then let out an angry rush of air.

  Painting on a fake smile, Anna said, “We’re meeting Jane’s parents for dinner, so we can’t stay.”

  “That’s too bad.” Saffron blew out a disappointed breath in a maybe next time way.

  The two left and Saffron took a seat, reaching for her margarita, doing her best to focus on the lack of ice and not melt from Kirsty’s glare.

  Kirsty snorted to snag Saffron’s attention and for added measure, she crossed her arms. “I thought I said not to play it up.”

  “Who says I was?” Saffron sipped her drink, licking some salt off her lip.

  “Are you kidding?” Her eyes bulged. “You laid it on pretty thick.”

  Saffron placed a not-so-innocent hand on her chest. “Are you calling me a bad actor?” She released a fake titter. “Besides, I don’t think Anna noticed a thing. She doesn’t seem the sharpest. You deserve so much better than a woman who had to be reminded they had plans.”

  “She was never much of a family person.”

  Saffron cocked her head. “That strikes me as odd, since you’re close with your parents.”

  “It may have been an issue.” Kirsty adjusted her shirt sleeve.

  “I’m serious, though. You deserve better.” Saffron leaned over the table, her head ever so close to Kirsty.

  For a split second, it seemed that Kirsty might brush her lips to Saffron’s, but pulled back instead.

  “This is hard, isn’t it? Staying in the friend zone?” Saffron didn’t budge, but the hope burning inside churned into unease in the pit of her stomach.

  “Maybe we should call it a night to be safe. I mean, we’ve both been clear. Nothing can happen between us.”

  “Yes. You’ve been adamant about that.” Saffron gestured she was only calling a spade a spade.

  “Oh, nice guilt trip. If I remember correctly, you also said it wouldn’t be a good idea since our lifestyles are so different.”

  Saffron slouched, but wasn’t ready to give up the fight. Not one that mattered this much to her. “You know what they say, opposites attract.”

  “Been there. Done that.” Kirsty hooked a thumb over her shoulder, indicating Anna who was long gone.

  “We can’t let the booze go to waste.” Saffron gestured to both of their full glasses. “Tell you what, we can talk about Ginger’s party. Keep it strictly professional.”

  “Can you keep the compliments to yourself?”

  Saffron rested her head on bent elbow, letting out a frustrated breath. “What woman hates to hear how amazing she is?”

  Kirsty made a circle in the air with two fingers. “Bullseye! That’s exactly what I’m talking about. You can’t keep doing that.”

  “What?”

  “Being charming. It’s driving me insane. This isn’t a date. Kindly refrain from saying things you would say on a date.” Given Kirsty was admonishing, her tone didn’t come across like she meant it.

  “You have a lot of rules for friends.” Saffron crossed her arms to tamp down the desire to grin. Kirsty was doing her best to stop whatever was happening between the two, but Saffron guessed from the desire building in those sexy greys, Kirsty wasn’t being all that honest about staying friends.

  “Do you agree to the terms?”

  “Can you refresh my memory?” Saffron tapped her temple.

  “Here’s the gist. The moment you start being charming, I’m outta here.”

  “I will do my absolute best to be nothing but a beast.” Saffron offered the smile that made movie audiences swoon, according to numerous sources.

  Kirsty licked her
lips.

  Saffron continued her smouldering look.

  Kirsty cleared her throat.

  Saffron boosted her left eyebrow to the perfect angle. It’d taken years in front of the mirror to master it and to make it look effortless. And, Saffron believed deploying it right then would be make or break.

  “Fuck.” Kirsty blew out a breath.

  “Yes.” Hopefulness whooshed through Saffron.

  “This isn’t going to work, is it?”

  “What do you mean? I’m having a grand time.” Oddly, even with all the back and forth, Saffron didn’t want to be anywhere else.

  Kirsty started to speak, her lips forming the word no, but she stopped, sighing. “Shall we go back to yours?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.” Saffron let out a victorious whoop.

  “You really can’t control yourself, can you? Everything about you exudes charm.”

  “Not sure about that. Most think I’m stuck up, because I hide behind a bitchy veneer. With you, I don’t want to be anyone else but the real me.”

  Kirsty’s chest hitched. “Are you okay with ditching the drinks now?”

  “I don’t see anything but you.” Since the moment Saffron first laid eyes on Kirsty.

  Chapter 21

  They swerved a gaggle of teenagers on the way back, both Kirsty and Saffron keeping their heads down and feet moving lest the group spy who Saffron was. Now was not the time to stop and pose for selfies. Not when the air around them was thick with unsaid words and feelings.

  Kirsty still wasn’t sure how that sentence had dropped from her lips, but it had. Her heart jumping ahead of her mind. “Shall we go back to yours?” Daring. Kirsty had taken control and rolled the dice. From here on in, it was unchartered territory.

  That thought made her heart skip a beat.

  Saffron glanced Kirsty’s way as the Beachcomber came into view.

  Beside them, the sea shimmered under the burnt orange sunset. But all Kirsty could see were the flash of Saffron’s eyes, a strip of white when she smiled. Even in dim light, her smile had wattage.

  Saffron took Kirsty’s hand as they climbed the stairs to her veranda and front door. Still no words had been spoken.

  Every muscle Kirsty possessed contracted at the thought of what might happen next. Had they been building up to this moment since the day they met? Perhaps.

  Saffron managed her front door far better than the one in the bar, pulling Kirsty through with no ceremony. She walked straight through to the open-plan living space with purpose, snapping on the lights.

  Kirsty blinked, glancing around. There had been changes since she was last here. A new painting. A fresh rug. Some flowers in a vase. Stylish patterned cushions. It even smelled more lived-in, like Saffron had settled.

  “Have you been shopping? It feels different in here. More like someone actually lives here full-time.”

  Saffron turned, draping all nearly six feet of her against her kitchen island.

  Damn, she was sexy.

  She nodded. “What you said got through. I’ve never put down roots, so why not start with a vase or a local painting of the harbour? Even though I might not stay in this house, whatever I buy can come with me. So, I did a little shopping. Made the place feel a little more like me. Turns out, I have an eye.”

  “Good for you. I know that’s not your normal.”

  “None of this is.” Saffron’s stare was loaded. “Do you want a drink?”

  “Sure.”

  “Wine, beer?”

  Kirsty shrugged. “Surprise me.”

  She walked over to the island. Somehow, the lounge was too far from Saffron. The bar had been too public and had too much of Anna. The walk home had been too concrete and crowded. Now it was just the two of them, she wanted it to be softer, closer. She hoped that’s what Saffron wanted, too.

  Unless she’d read this wrong.

  She really hoped she hadn’t read it wrong.

  Saffron busied herself in the fridge, getting drinks. The pad Kirsty had seen before was on the island. The one Saffron carried everywhere with her. The one she guarded with her life.

  Kirsty couldn’t help it. She lifted the cover. When she saw the intricate work there, she couldn’t stop herself looking closer.

  “These are incredible. Did you do all these?”

  Saffron cast her gaze to the floor, then returned it to Kirsty. She nodded.

  Kirsty flicked through some more. “You’re not just some hobbyist. These are so richly drawn and beautiful. Have you worked these up into paintings, too?”

  “Some of them.” She gave Kirsty a glass of sparkling wine before shutting the pad. “It’s just some stuff I’ve been working on.” She glanced up into Kirsty’s eyes, her sapphire gaze reaching in and gathering Kirsty close. “A lot of the reason I started sketching again is you.”

  Kirsty put a finger to her chest. “Me?” Electricity crackled in the air.

  Saffron nodded. “You told me to be who I wanted to be. To slow down. You and Ginger both.” She gave a wry grin. “So, I did. I finally remembered who I am and who I really want to be. When I got into acting, I thought that would make my parents proud. It didn’t.” She shook her head. “Then, after they died, I stopped caring about anything else. All my old passions. The things that truly make me tick. I threw myself into my work and put my art aside. I even put my sister aside, which I’m not proud of.”

  Kirsty reached out and took Saffron’s hand. A bolt of desire flashed through her. Her breath hitched in her chest.

  Had Saffron felt it, too?

  “You were young.”

  “Still.” Saffron’s chest heaved. She put down her wine.

  Kirsty followed suit.

  Saffron stepped closer to her. “But now I live here, I’ve reconnected with Ginger. Nothing has made me happier in ages. Spending time with my sister, having time for my art. But what’s been the icing on the cake is meeting you. Because you care about everything you should. You always have. Your family. Your friends. Your passions. I love those handwritten notes you put on your wine: it shows who you are.”

  Kirsty’s heartbeat roared in her ears as the weight of Saffron’s intense stare pressed into her. “I love my job, that’s all.”

  “Most people don’t. Most people settle. You didn’t.”

  “You know who you are, too.” Kirsty gripped the island with her right hand. “You’re Saffron Oliver, movie star supreme.”

  Saffron smiled. “Also Saffron Oliver, stupidest woman alive when I’m around you. You might have awakened my soul and told me to be true to myself, but you also make me walk into doors. Did you ever wonder why I did that?”

  Kirsty shook her head. “Because you’re clumsy?”

  “Only when I’m around you. Because what you think matters.” She lifted Kirsty’s left hand and gently kissed her knuckles. The effect was the same as if she’d just pressed her tongue to Kirsty’s core. Thunder rolled down Kirsty. She gripped the kitchen island like her life depended on it.

  “You matter, Kirsty McBride. You matter far more than I’ve been prepared to admit until now. Yes, I’ve fallen for the town, but in doing so, I could easily fall for you, too.”

  Saffron moved forward, closing the gap between them.

  Kirsty tried to take a steadying breath. It didn’t work. She didn’t want it to. When Saffron Oliver was this close to her, she wanted to feel everything.

  Only, it wasn’t the movie star she was about to kiss. This was Saffron Oliver, the real deal.

  Saffron reached out and cupped Kirsty’s cheek with her palm.

  An arrow of lust rooted Kirsty to the spot. If she’d had doubts before, they were all gone now. Her body leaned forward at the same time Saffron’s mouth edged closer to her.

  “You think we can do this without any interruptions this time?” Saffron’s voice was so quiet it was almost a whisper.

  As Saffron’s warm breath caressed her lips, there wasn’t a single atom of Kirsty that didn’t s
woon. “I really hope so.”

  At last, Saffron pressed her lips to Kirsty’s. It was worth the wait.

  This time was different. They both knew where this was going. They were both on the same page. Saffron couldn’t have been clearer.

  She could fall for Kirsty.

  As that thought almost made her fall forward, Kirsty airbrushed it from her mind and focused on the here and now.

  On Saffron-Fucking-Oliver kissing her into next week.

  No cameras needed to roll for this. This was the movie star working without a script, her lips whispering sweet nothings right into Kirsty’s soul.

  Kirsty gripped Saffron’s waist, pulling her closer. She turned so the kitchen counter pressed into her back as Saffron advanced, one hand on Kirsty’s bum, the other skating up and down her side.

  Kirsty closed her eyes and let herself be swept away from all the stresses in her life. From all her doubts. They’d all disappeared, with one sweep of Saffron’s lips.

  She wanted Saffron, and the feeling was mutual. Her heart burst as that thought soaked through to her bones.

  Saffron reached down and cupped her breast.

  Something fluttered in Kirsty’s chest. The counter-top was still pressing into her. Reluctantly, she pulled her lips away.

  “Saff?”

  Exquisite blue eyes focused on her.

  “You never did show me your bedroom. Now would be a good time.”

  Saffron took a deep breath, then gave her a nod. She gripped Kirsty’s hand. When they arrived, the biggest bed Kirsty had ever seen took up half the room.

  She blinked. “That’s a big bed.”

  Saffron ramped up her heated stare. “I’ve got big plans.”

  Kirsty gulped. Had she ever been this turned on by anyone? She couldn’t recall.

  She was about to see Saffron Oliver naked. Kirsty stilled as Saffron’s arms encircled her. This was where the age gap was going to be most apparent, wasn’t it? Seventeen years wasn’t something you could hide.

  Saffron must have noticed the hitch in her breath. Her brow furrowed. “What’s wrong?”

  Her voice was so tender, Kirsty almost melted. She shook her head. “Nothing. This is perfect. You’re perfect.” She wasn’t lying. Saffron’s skin was unblemished, not a wrinkle in sight. “It’s just, I’m 49. And you’re not.”