Summer Fling

by Jean Copeland

  “You guys know I’m right.”

  “I don’t think you’re right at all,” Viv said.

  Kate whipped her head toward her. “You’re on relationship-advice probation until I see how this reconciliation with Maia turns out.”

  “Is this what Jordan wants?” Didi said.

  “I haven’t talked to her about it yet, but by the time she gets back, I guarantee you she’ll see things my way.”

  Didi glowered as she picked at her salad. “I think you’re just missing her, and it’s making you loopy. Wait till she gets home before you make any life-altering decisions.”

  “Jordan’s probably missing you even more,” Viv said. “I’m gonna text Daddy and see if we can borrow the company jet to pay your girl a visit—well, you can. Didi and I can go shopping at the Grove.”

  Didi’s face lit up. “That’s the most romantic idea I’ve ever heard.”

  “She’s there on business,” Kate said. “I can’t just swoop in on her.”

  “I was talking about shopping at the Grove,” Didi said.

  “Look, nobody said nothing about swoopin’ in on nobody while they’re working,” Viv said. “The three of us can wing it out to the left coast for a long weekend without anybody’s permission, can’t we? You can meet up with Jordan when she’s free.”

  “Come on, Kate,” Didi said, her eyes demonic. “When was the last time we cashed in on the obscene wealth of our friend’s parents? We can hit every A-list restaurant and club in LA and act like entitled douchebags throwing Viv’s money around. It’ll be a blast.”

  Kate glared at her. “Yes. That’s exactly how I’d like to spend the weekend.”

  “Viv is right in that we haven’t had a weekend away together in ages.”

  Viv checked her phone. “Daddy says the jet is free this weekend. What do you say?”

  “You’re going to leave Maia for three whole days?” Kate said.

  Viv swallowed hard and flipped her hair over her shoulder. “Sure. If Didi can leave Rhea for the weekend, I can do it, too. Remember, I’m a new Vivienne.”

  “Rhea won’t mind at all,” Didi said with a frown. “Last night she said I’m smothering her.”

  “She was speaking figuratively, right?” Kate asked.

  “For now,” Didi said with a mischievous wink at Viv.

  “Look, I’m warning you both—I’m through representing anyone on domestic charges. Pull yourselves together, and stop acting like emotionally stunted adolescents.”

  Didi and Viv exchanged glances as they tried not to smile.

  “If this one wants to sit home and brood all weekend,” Didi said, pointing at Kate, “let her. I’ll be happy to join you on a left-coast jaunt. I have vacation days.” She glared at Kate for effect.

  Viv pouted and bit into the orange slice at the bottom of her glass. “It won’t be the same if it isn’t the three of us.”

  “Nice going,” Didi spat. “You just screwed me out of a free summer vacation.”

  “All right, fine,” Kate said. “I’ll go, but I have to be home by Sunday night. I’m on the docket Monday morning.”

  “We’ll leave Thursday and be home by Sunday,” Viv said. “Here’s to a girls’ weekend.”

  As Didi and Viv raised their glasses and made a small, rowdy scene, Kate shielded her face from the patio patrons with her menu.

  * * *

  They arrived in Los Angeles Thursday night and were checked into the Beverly Hilton by eight p.m., West Coast time. As soon as they entered the suite, Kate plopped onto the sofa and began taking off her watch and jewelry.

  “What are you doing?” Didi asked as Kate turned on the TV.

  “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m settling in for the night. I want to return Jordan’s text.”

  “You bitches ready?” Viv emerged from the bedroom glammed up for a night on the town. “What is this?” She pointed to Kate stretched out on the sofa like she was a piece of installation art.

  “It’s eleven o’clock in Connecticut,” Didi explained.

  Viv rolled her eyes as she threw lip gloss into a bedazzled Coach clutch. “’Bye, Felicia.” She grabbed Didi’s hand and headed toward the door. “Order room service if you get hungry.”

  “Stay out of trouble, girls,” Kate called out from the sofa. “Remember, Viv, you’re not single anymore.”

  “Neither are you,” Didi said. “Instead of texting, why don’t you call her and see if she’s free tonight?”

  “Didi, you’re keeping your sugar mama waiting.” Kate blew her a kiss and then gave a dismissive wiggle of her fingers.

  When the door shut, Kate picked up her phone and texted Jordan, contemplating if she should tell her she was in town or go for the romantic-surprise glimpse across a crowded room tomorrow night.

  Hey sexy songstress, how’s it going?

  I miss u!! <3 Rehearsing now for my acoustic set tomorrow nite.

  Miss you, too. I’ll let you get back to it.

  Noooooo! Talk to me

  Lol. Ok but I don’t want to disturb your rehearsal.

  You’re not. Alexandra’s keeping me on a tight schedule, but I can take a well-deserved break.

  I’ll bet she is, Kate thought. Her throat tightened as she wondered about what other plans Alexandra had for Jordan.

  You’re gonna be a star by the time she’s done with you.

  Not likely. She already explained it’s a one in a mil chance but def. thinks I have a sound that could catch on.

  You definitely have something, alright. Is there still such a thing as a recording couch??

  Kate was grateful their conversation was taking place through text as her rising jealousy would’ve been impossible to mask in a phone call.

  A what?

  Never mind. Still coming home Sunday?

  Yes. Can’t wait to see u!!!! <3

  You too!! <3. Break a leg tomorrow night!!

  After they said good night, Kate felt slightly better about the situation. Jordan seemed herself, but she’d only been out here for seven days. Once her song and video reached a mass audience, that would signal the end of Jordan Squire, website designer, and the emergence of Jordan Squire, the music industry’s next It Girl. Then how long before Jordan outgrew Connecticut and Kate? It wasn’t a question of if but when.

  Kate couldn’t even fault her. She knew what was in her heart, but as Jordan’s star rose, she wouldn’t be able to keep her feet on the ground. Kate loved her enough and cared enough about her dreams not to stand in her way. No matter how much it hurt.

  * * *

  Kate kept the secret of her presence in LA for the twenty-four hours until she’d found out the name of the club in West Hollywood where Jordan was playing her acoustic set. Disguised in a fedora and sunglasses, she slipped into Harlot’s Web on glimmering Santa Monica Boulevard, trailing behind Viv and Didi, who sauntered in with all the subtlety of a Lady Gaga music video. Peering around them, she ripped off her sunglasses as she inventoried the array of gorgeous young women in the packed nightclub. It was like Connecticut’s entire lesbian population had assembled in one space.

  She put her sunglasses back on to sulk incognito.

  “Will you take that shit off, Kate,” Viv said. “You’re not Bette Davis walking into the Brown Derby.”

  “I don’t want Jordan to know I’m here till after the show. I might distract her.”

  “Yeah,” Didi said, “because you don’t look like a distraction now wearing sunglasses inside a dimly lit club.”

  “You said you wanted to make believe we’re entitled douchebags, didn’t you?”

  “Uh, I was kidding,” Didi said.

  “Make up your mind,” Kate said. As they settled at their reserved table off to the side of the stage, she took off her hat and pushed her sunglasses up into her hair. “I don’t know what made me think I could be low-key with you guys around anyway.”

  A waitress brought over a bottle of Cristal, and Kate relaxed into the environment aft
er several large, consecutive sips that tickled her nose.

  “Hey, is that Jordan over there?” Viv asked.

  Kate glanced over and caught the unmistakable sight of her girlfriend huddled with trendy-looking people who had an air of style, sophistication, and power. An older woman, older than Kate, had her arm around Jordan’s lower back and appeared to be lightly rubbing her as they engaged in lively conversation and laughter with two young men with hipster pompadours and tight suits. Alexandra, Kate thought. Her lips puckered at the taste of her name. And she was worried about all the young, beautiful women in the club? That tall, dark, and sexy Vogue cover cutout was all over her like a knock-off Versace pantsuit.

  “Aren’t you going to go over there and say hi?” Didi asked.

  “Can’t you see she’s busy? They’re probably offering her a contract as we speak.”

  “All the more reason she should have her girlfriend slash lawyer by her side,” Didi said. “Go surprise the leather pants off her.”

  “That tall bitch look like she making her an offer, all right,” Viv said. “But it don’t look like recording got anything to do with it. If that was Maia with a woman hanging on her like that, I’d be over there toot sweet, puttin’ a bitch in her place.”

  “Well, it was nice knowing you, ‘new Vivienne,’” Kate said. “I’ll talk to her after the show. Besides, how will I see what might happen between her and Alexandra if she knows I’m here?”

  Didi glared at her in disappointment. “Et tu, Kate?”

  “It’s possible, Didi. You seem to have placed her on this pedestal of perfection, but how well do we really know her? It’s only been a few months.”

  “Mm-hmm,” Viv uttered. “And if she like older women, she struck gold with that old, mummified hack.”

  Didi’s jaw hung open for a moment. “Kate, you were just defending her honor the other day.”

  “That was before I saw her out in this element. She looks so natural out here, like this is exactly where a woman like her belongs.” Kate sighed, forgetting her surroundings. “She probably won’t ever come back.”

  “Kate,” Viv said, pressing her hand.

  When she snapped out of her unpleasant musings, Viv and Didi looked genuinely concerned.

  “Don’t project too far ahead here,” Viv said. “They haven’t offered her a contract yet. They’re just demoing her, seeing how she does in a live performance.”

  “Look at her,” Didi gushed, gazing off at Jordan in the distance. “How could they not?”

  “Didi,” Viv said. “You’re not helping.” She turned to Kate and caressed her shoulder. “Look, sista, we joke with you. We like to see you get all worked up, but all teasing aside, we love Jordan, and we love you in this relationship with her. Don’t write it off yet.”

  “Thanks,” Kate said. “But ironically, your jokes have injected some much-needed reality into this situation. I don’t know why I let you two talk me into coming here.”

  “We’re in LA for the weekend,” Didi said. “We’re supposed to be having fun, and we were until your doom and gloom showed up and pissed out our bonfire.”

  “We thought spending a little time with Jordan would make you feel better,” Viv said, “not question things even more.”

  “I can’t help it,” Kate said. “I’ve been trying to live in the moment with her, but every time I think I can do this, something else reminds me how ridiculous it is to try. When you strip away the layers of romantic fantasy, the unvarnished reality is that Jordan and I just don’t make sense.”

  “You’re not really going to break up with her,” Viv asked.

  Kate shrugged. “I’m afraid that’s the direction it’s headed whether I’m the catalyst or not. She won’t have time to devote to a relationship, and I certainly don’t want one with a touring musician.”

  “No, no, no,” Didi said, her eyes glued to Jordan, who was making her way over to them. “Please don’t do it now.”

  “Kate!” Jordan charged at her through the crowd. She flung her arms around Kate’s neck and nearly choked the air out of her.

  “Surprise,” Kate mumbled, lost in Jordan’s effervescent smile.

  “I’ll say. I can’t believe this. It’s so awesome to see all of you,” she said, passing hugs around to Viv and Didi. “I’m not so nervous about performing now that I know I’ll see your faces in the audience.”

  “You’re going to be great,” Didi said, eyeing her like a groupie. “Nice pants,” she muttered. “Turn around.”

  Kate whacked her arm.

  In her zeal, Jordan grabbed Kate again and hugged her with all of her body. Kate inhaled her hypnotic scent as the tingling from Jordan’s touch radiated through her. In that moment of sensory overload, breaking up with her was the furthest thing on her mind.

  “Thank you for coming, baby,” Jordan whispered. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “Me, too,” Kate said softly. And it was the truest thing she’d said all night. She’d missed Jordan to the point of distraction all week, finally realizing she was in much deeper than she’d admitted to anyone, least of all herself.

  “Jordan,” the husky voice called out. “We have to get you backstage now, honey.” Alexandra stood smiling at Kate and her friends, her hand extended for Jordan to take it.

  “Alexandra, this is my girlfriend, Kate, and her friends, Didi and Viv.”

  “Hey, how’s it going?” she said and hadn’t waited for their response. “We have to get your hair and makeup touched up now. Your stylist’s waiting.”

  Kate stood steaming as elegantly as possible watching Alexandra drag her girlfriend away like she was hers and Kate was some fawning sycophant.

  “Stylist?” Didi muttered.

  Kate and Viv smirked.

  “She’s got handlers already. Impressive,” Viv said.

  “If I know Jordan, the novelty of having her ass kissed will be short-lived.”

  Didi glared at her. “Who gets tired of being treated like a queen?”

  Kate’s and Didi’s eyes fell on Viv for the answer.

  “So, who’s ready for another round?” Viv asked, displaying a wall of gleaming white teeth.

  * * *

  When Jordan finished her near flawless five-song set, she had the audience cheering long after the reverb faded. Kate clapped her hands raw, but inside she was wound up tighter than the strings on Jordan’s Ibanez Talman, a condition three cosmos should’ve easily remedied. As Alexandra, her PR minions, and various newly won fans descended on Jordan, Kate began to feel the way Alexandra had looked at her, like just another fan clamoring for her attention.

  Jordan approached and took Kate’s hand. “We’re going to my producer’s house for a party. She’s up on Sunset.” She said it like she’d been living in Los Angeles forever. “I’ll ride with you guys, and we can follow them.”

  Will Alexandra allow that, Kate wanted to say but took the safe, passive-aggressive route instead. “Uh, we sort of have plans for tonight,” she lied. “Viv’s cousin over on Roxbury is having a party, too.”

  “Oh.”

  Kate savored the disappointment in Jordan’s eyes. It was a shameful victory, but it was all she had to cling to as her grip on her emotions steadily slipped away.

  “Where are you staying? Can I come by tonight and stay with you?” Jordan asked.

  “We’re at the Beverly Hilton, but don’t alter your plans because I showed up. Do your thing, and we’ll catch up when you get home.”

  “When I get home?” Jordan’s tenuous smile faded to black. “Let’s have dinner tomorrow night. Come with me to the dinner party.”

  “What dinner party?” Kate asked, unable to conceal her growing frustration.

  “Swag Music’s VP is having us over for dinner. Please come with me.”

  “Are they offering you a deal?”

  “I don’t know. It’s up in the air right now. They have a couple of acts they’re considering, so Alexandra says that while they like my sound, i
t’s not guaranteed they’ll sign me.”

  “What’s going to happen if they do? Will you have to move out here?”

  “Alexandra says I’ll have to come out to cut the album, but no. I wouldn’t have to move here.”

  By this point, Kate felt the vein in her temple pulse. “When you get a chance tonight, ask Alexandra what she thinks about you keeping your lawyer girlfriend back in Connecticut. My guess is that it won’t fit into her agenda for you.”

  “What do you mean?” Jordan glanced over Kate’s shoulder as something seemed to summon her attention. She looked back at Kate. “What’s the matter, Kate?”

  “Nothing. Just kidding,” Kate said and forced a smile.

  “You don’t sound like you’re kidding. Or seem like it.”

  “Okay, so I was a little serious, but there’s no point in getting into it here.”

  “Then why did you bring it up?”

  “Jordan, don’t act like I’m being unreasonable. Look where we are right now. Look where you’re headed. Things are going to change. I can’t move to accommodate your new career. I’m only licensed to practice law in Connecticut and New York.”

  “Whoa. What new career?” Jordan’s eyes darkened with apprehension. “I’m a graphic design artist from Connecticut.”

  Kate softened her demeanor. “For now, baby. These people seem serious about what they do, and I doubt they would’ve invested the time and money in getting you out here if they didn’t see real potential.” She turned to see what was vying for Jordan’s attention. Alexandra was motioning Jordan over. When she turned back, Jordan’s eyes floated in pools of tears. “Go to your party,” she said, cupping her face in her hands. “We’ll get together for breakfast tomorrow if you want.”

  “What about dinner?”

  “We’ll talk about it over breakfast,” Kate said as she thumbed away the tears under Jordan’s eyes. “Now go have fun, and spray some hag repellent on yourself to keep Alexandra off you.”

  “Promise we’ll be together tomorrow?”

  “Promise.” Kate kissed her forehead and then her lips.

  Jordan smiled and headed back into the evil clutches of Alexandra the Mediocre and her flying monkeys, glancing over her shoulder at Kate. Didi and Viv ambled over once Kate was alone.