Beautiful Dreamer

by Melissa Brayden

  “Did you know Jill is having a lurid affair with Charlie?” Devyn asked from the darkness.

  Elizabeth paused her ice cream progress mid-scoop, not knowing exactly what to say. She had figured that part out, but she hadn’t been aware that Devyn had. “Um…”

  She heard a gasp. “You did, didn’t you?” And then, “That’s right. You know all the town gossip. You just refuse to share the good stuff.”

  Since the cat was already out of the bag, she gave in. “Yes, I did know, but I think Jill likes it better that I pretend not to. I think she would rather the whole world did that. If it helps, I did let the sheriff’s department know when she went missing. You know, just in case.”

  “Well, I appreciate that part.”

  “It’s actually why I was there when you arrived, apart from coordinating with the police on the volunteer efforts.” She sampled the ice cream because one had to. “They’re kinda cute about it, though. One hundred percent obvious when they’re in the same room, passing each other adorable glances, like little smolders, and then looking away quickly.”

  Devyn stood in the doorway and shook her head at Elizabeth. “Who would have thought Jill capable of clandestine smoldering? Certainly not me.”

  Elizabeth waited until the blender finished before answering. “That’s the thing,” she said, as she poured the milkshakes into separate glasses and carried them outside with Devyn on her heels. “I’m not sure you give Jill enough credit. She’s quite the firecracker. Did you know she started a petition to get a more diverse selection of films at the movie theater? She specifically argued for LGBT representation, which makes more sense now that I know you’re gay.” She handed Devyn her milkshake.

  “Or maybe she did that for you, her good friend.”

  Elizabeth shrugged. “Or for both of us.”

  “To Jill, then.” They touched glasses in shared appreciation.

  Devyn took a sip of the milkshake and paused. “I don’t normally just hand out compliments, but this milkshake is above average. You know what you’re doing.”

  “Why not?” Elizabeth asked, not understanding the statement. Devyn looked at her, seemingly confused by the question, so she probed further. “What I mean is why don’t you just hand out compliments? It’s a nice thing to do. At least, I’ve always thought so.”

  Devyn looked pensive, considering the question. “Well, when you put it like that, I suppose I should. Where I live and in my line of work? It’s all about playing the game, staying ahead. Being nice for the sake of it can get you left behind, unless it’s a schmooze, and then it’s just all fake.”

  Elizabeth sipped her shake. “That sounds awful. Making someone feel good about themselves has never in turn made me feel like a weaker person or that I was less successful than the next guy.”

  Devyn exhaled slowly, maybe mulling over Elizabeth’s words or maybe thinking they were naïve and trite. “You’re too much. You know that? Where exactly did you come from?”

  “Your freshman year algebra class, for one. Not that you ever noticed.”

  They stared at each other, the air around them electric, their movements still.

  “Big mistake.”

  “Ah, flirting again.”

  “I’m not flirting either. I’m just watching lightning bugs in a friend’s backyard with a milkshake.” A pause. “Did you know you were gay in high school?”

  She could see the flecks of green within the hazel of Devyn’s eyes, but just barely. “Nope,” Elizabeth said, leaning into the shiver. “That awareness hit in college, making the rest of my life suddenly make sense.”

  “I knew.” Well, that was news.

  “You did?”

  Devyn nodded. “Freaked me the hell out. I felt like I had this giant secret and that my friends would hate me once they found out. Every party, every social gathering, every football game was excruciating, knowing everything I said and did was false. It’s why I ran screaming from this place.” This was interesting new information. Elizabeth leaned forward, eager to hear more.

  “Here you were, for all intents and purposes the most popular girl in our graduating class, and you were worried about being accepted?”

  “Ironic, right?” Devyn shrugged. “Worst time of my life.”

  “I think they would have understood. At least, I’d like to hope so.”

  “Things were different back then. My friends? I don’t know how they would have taken it, and I was terrified as each day went by that they would see it written all over my face.”

  Elizabeth nodded. “Yeah, I can imagine. It’s unfortunate that those judgmental girls were your measuring stick.”

  “I think so, too. Now. But that took time to see.”

  A pause. Crickets chirped quietly, and the warm night air caressed Elizabeth’s skin. She watched Devyn get up and wander to the edge of the porch, looking out at the beauty in front of them. “You’re nothing like them, you know,” Elizabeth said.

  “You don’t think so?”

  Elizabeth picked up her empty glass from the table between their two patio chairs and walked to Devyn, who handed over hers. “Nope. They suck at cornhole.”

  Devyn chuckled at the unexpected comment, and so did Elizabeth.

  It happened without warning. Devyn’s hands slid to her waist. Elizabeth still held the two glasses, one in either hand. Their mouths were inches apart. She could see Devyn’s eyes from the soft trail of light that emanated from inside the house. She could feel Devyn’s soft breath against her lips, and it made her ache. She wanted herself pressed up against Devyn. She wanted to inhale Devyn’s sweet scent. She wanted to satisfy every desperate need pulsing through her own body. She wanted. She wanted. Elizabeth knew what was coming, and the anticipation was almost too much. She closed her eyes just as Devyn’s lips met hers, accepting the kiss that was soft and slow, and then, because they couldn’t help themselves, not that at all. Yes. At last. Her arms moved to rest on Devyn’s shoulders as she held tight to those empty glasses, which kept her hands from participating in a torturous, wonderful way. Instead she held them out in the air, lost in space, in some kind of swaying dance that added a nice bit of tension to the already melt-worthy kiss.

  Devyn Winters had lips to die for.

  Soft, warm, attentive, and smooth. Could lips be smooth? They could. She now knew that with certainty. Devyn took the lead and Elizabeth followed. She asked for more. Her mouth slanted over Devyn’s, whose tongue touched her lips lightly, teasing, answering Elizabeth’s request, beckoning Elizabeth to part them for her. When she did, heat took over. With Devyn’s tongue in her mouth, she went up on her tippy-toes to even out their height difference. Her heart did a somersault. Her body lit up. Her mind went places sexy and alluring.

  As they kissed, Devyn’s thumbs moved in slow circles against her stomach, scratching at the fabric of her T-shirt. And then it was over. She blinked, as if waking from an unexpectedly wonderful dream.

  “What happened?” she asked, feeling a small smile peeking. The tingly feeling she’d had all over hadn’t left with the kiss. No, it still hummed across her skin pleasantly.

  Devyn brushed her thumb across Elizabeth’s lower lip ever so softly. “I think we just stole a moment, and I just learned you have the sexiest mouth imaginable.”

  She closed one eye. “That’s definitely crossing the flirting line.”

  Devyn chuckled. “I can admit to that. Was totally worth it.”

  Elizabeth nodded.

  There were the crickets again, only now it seemed like they were working together in composition, to underscore this moment. A cricket chorus to go with the firefly light show and the fireworks-worthy kissing. Yes sir, this had turned into quite the evening.

  “I didn’t plan on kissing you tonight,” Devyn said, taking a step back, giving them both a chance to regain their proverbial footing.

  Elizabeth used this moment to set the glasses back down on the small table. “Why did you?”

  Devyn sighed. “T
he struggle not to became too much. You were just too sexy tonight with your gorgeous hair, and cornhole grit, and the truck, and then this.” She gestured to the quiet backyard. “I haven’t seen anything this peaceful in a very long time.” She shrugged. “It felt like the right thing to do.”

  “You smell really good,” Elizabeth said. The sentence fell from her lips before she had time to think about it.

  “You taste really good,” Devyn said, not missing a beat. Her eyes were dark, and Elizabeth swallowed hard. Was she out of her depth here? The high school version of herself would have thought so. Regardless, that sentence…did things to her. She shifted, acutely aware of the physical need, nearly uncomfortable now. Devyn was so beautiful, and sophisticated, and important. She had the capability to make a person feel ten feet tall when her attention was cast their way. Elizabeth felt it now. It emboldened her.

  “Let’s do this again.”

  “Which thing?” Devyn asked, with a cheeky grin. The confidence was sexy and caused Elizabeth’s cheeks to heat. She hated how noticeably she always seemed to blush, but pressed forward, harnessing the conviction.

  “Let’s go out.”

  “You mean, out out?” Devyn said, with a sparkle in her eyes. “You’re going to have to be more specific. Or you could come over here and show me.”

  Elizabeth steadied herself at the idea of doing just that. Racy images of that possible moment flipped through her brain like the pages of a saucy novel. Where her hands would go, where her tongue would, what kinds of things she’d press against first. She bit the inside of her lip. No. Too soon. She had to slow her roll.

  “Yes, out out.” She bypassed the other offer because further physical interaction would make her body even more uncomfortable than it already was. That was, unless she was willing to go to bed with Devyn right then and there. But that wasn’t her style. Damn it. Why wasn’t it? What she wouldn’t give to be an unrestrained harlot in this moment.

  “When?” Devyn asked.

  “What about Wednesday?” Four days. Four very long days. That would give her some time to cool off, get her wits about her before they saw each other one-on-one again. She’d be refreshed and breezy. She could laugh casually and appear charming and in control.

  “I can wait until Wednesday.” Devyn picked up the glasses and headed inside. Through the window Elizabeth watched as she carefully rinsed each one. Even that visual affected her. What the hell was happening? She’d found Devyn attractive before, beautiful for days, but it was as if that kiss had unleashed a powerful, new level to her perspective.

  She joined Devyn inside and watched as she gathered her bag. “I would have done the dishes, but that’s kind of you.”

  “Well, that wouldn’t have been fair. You made the milkshakes.” She slid her expensive-looking black bag onto her shoulder. Elizabeth could never pull off a bag like that. Maybe if they made a purple, softer version. Something floral, perhaps.

  “You’re leaving?” she asked.

  “Probably wise. Don’t you think? Milkshakes and lightning bugs are hard to fight against. Consider me seduced, and I’m not even kidding about that.” She passed Elizabeth a smile that seemed to hold back a lot, and Elizabeth identified. She tried not to think about the night that could have been. “But I would love it if you’d walk me out.”

  “It would be rude not to.” They walked in silence through the darkened entryway to the lavender door. “Sorry I can’t drive you home. I’ll pick up Shug tomorrow.”

  “Luckily, I can handle a few blocks.”

  “You could probably sell four condos in that time.”

  “No, that’s crazy. Six at least.” Devyn stepped onto the porch and turned, shoving her hands into the front pockets of her jeans. “Thank you for tonight, Elizabeth from high school. It was unexpected.”

  “In a good way?” Elizabeth couldn’t resist asking, knowing she’d wonder about it later. She leaned against the doorjamb and waited as warmth moved up the back of her neck in nervous anticipation.

  Devyn nodded. “In a very good way. I look forward to going out out with you. Good night, now.”

  Devyn headed off down the walk as Elizabeth watched. Nope. This was not a satisfying ending to their evening together. As Devyn turned from the sidewalk onto the street, Elizabeth hurried after her. “For the road,” she said, and cradled Devyn’s face in her hands for one last thorough kiss.

  When she pulled her face back, Devyn shook her head and bit her bottom lip as if still tasting the sweetness of that kiss. Elizabeth sure was. “You are full of surprises. I keep saying that and then you surprise me again. And then again.”

  Elizabeth took a few steps backward, holding eye contact. “Good.” As she made her way back inside, she felt proud of herself, and also more turned on than she had been in years. She should call KC. Dexter. Somebody she could report this monumental night to.

  No. She touched her thoroughly kissed lips, enjoying the slight swell. She would tuck this away for herself for a little while. It was nice to have something all her own to take out and examine whenever she wanted.

  Tonight? She’d been kissed by a beautiful and sophisticated woman. She skipped like an idiot into the kitchen and turned off the light. She made her way through the living room, sending the whole house into darkness. Right there, in the spot where she usually watched TV and read books, Elizabeth hugged herself.

  Today had been a good day.

  Chapter Thirteen

  “We should stop at Amazin’ Glazin’ on the way home,” Jill said, as they turned the corner onto the produce aisle of Festive Foods, the town’s one grocery store. Devyn pushed the cart and Jill rode along in one of those grocery store–provided scooters that made shopping a breeze. “Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve had one of their chocolate-frosted with peanuts? Since before the accident. That’s too long.”

  “Those are the ones Mom used to bring home.” Devyn lifted her shoulders to her ears at the dose of nostalgia. She remembered how the sight of that bright yellow box would prompt her to dance around the kitchen in her pajamas because Saturday donuts were a special treat on a single-mom budget. “Done. We’re stopping. My treat. We’ll get two boxes.”

  “Well, don’t break the bank on my account.”

  Devyn leaned down and placed a smacking kiss on her sister’s cheek. “You look super cool on your grocery scooter. Just look at you zoom.”

  “Don’t make fun of me. I do not.”

  “Do, too. Scooters are trendy these days. Just wait until Charlie sees you. He’ll be out of those Levi’s in two point three seconds.”

  Jill brought the scooter to an abrupt halt in front of the bananas, which Devyn thought was entirely apropos. Jill blinked fast and furious before locating words again. “Why are you bringing up Charlie?” She stared in accusation the way she used to when Devyn borrowed her clothes without permission when they were teenagers.

  “The question is, why haven’t you?” Devyn walked on in nonchalance, pushing the cart down the aisle. She heard the sound of the scooter whirring to life behind her.

  “Why would I mention Charlie? He’s a friend. I have lots of friends, Dev. We don’t talk about them individually just for kicks.”

  “A special brand of friend, I’d say. The smitten kind, if I’m quoting correctly, and I am.” She glanced to the side and saw Jill close her eyes, acknowledging defeat.

  “He told you?” she said.

  “He told me.”

  Jill turned a ripe shade of red right there next to her kindred spirits, the tomatoes. “It’s not what it sounds like.”

  “That you’re getting hot and heavy with the liquor store guy on Thursdays? No, I’m sure it’s nothing close to that.” She made a point to smile. It was rare she ever had reason to tease Jill, who was so levelheaded and together. How could she pass up this opportunity?

  Jill glanced around and edged her scooter closer to Devyn, who watched in amusement. “Watch yourself with that thing, speed racer
.”

  Jill ignored her and lowered her voice. “Here’s the thing. Charlie’s a nice guy. That’s really all. And we spend time together, yes. That part is true. Once in a while. On Thursdays.”

  Devyn squinted. “Thursdays are specific.”

  “It’s…our day, okay? Well, it was before the accident.”

  “You can still get your Thursday sex groove on, Jilly.” Devyn smiled at Jill’s across-the-street neighbor as they passed. “Hi, Mrs. Rousch.” The elderly woman nodded with a knowing smile.

  Jill shaded her eyes and grimaced. “Perfect. Now Mrs. Rousch knows.”

  “Mrs. Rousch has sex, Jill. Everyone does.”

  “That’s true,” an elderly voice said behind them. Devyn turned around in victory and smiled at her new teammate.

  “You go, Mrs. Rousch,” Devyn said, and tipped her imaginary cap. She was really enjoying this particular afternoon. In response, Mrs. Rousch tipped hers right back.

  Jill wilted further. “We’re not talking about this anymore.”

  “Fine by me. What’s next on the list?”

  Jill paused in mortification. “Eggplant.”

  “Perfect.” Devyn pushed the cart with a playful skip in her step.

  “But I’m not the only one getting her groove on,” Jill said. “I’m on to you and Elizabeth. The whole town is. Grab a jar of spaghetti sauce. The kind with the mustache guy.”

  Devyn obliged. “It’s not a secret that we’re friends and hung out at cornhole the other night.”

  “Charlie said you were making eyes at her.”

  “I have no idea what that even means, you weirdo. How does one even make eyes? We need wine.” A thought occurred and she brightened. “Maybe we can stop at the liquor store later.”

  “Stop diverting,” Jill said. “Are you setting your sights on Elizabeth Draper?”

  “What a great question.” Devyn knew that voice well. This time it was her turn to close her eyes. Elizabeth. Of course, it was, right there in Festive Foods, behind them.