by Lydia Rose
Amy eyed Catherine suspiciously and leaned toward her. “You don’t have a problem with people thinking you’re a lesbian?”
Catherine’s mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me? People can think whatever they want and I don’t give a damn.” She looked at Amy. “Do you have a problem with Sam being a lesbian?”
“No, of course, not. We’ve had her and Robin over to dinner many times.”
“But you just don’t want to be seen with her in public?”
“I didn’t say that.” Amy turned beet red. “I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Forget everything I said. I’m glad you found a friend to run with because you’ll never get me out with you.”
Catherine laughed. “You had me worried there for a minute. I thought my best friend had turned into a bigot.”
“So what have you got planned for the rest of the day?” Amy asked.
“I bought a clothes rack that I’m going to put together so I can organize my clothes.” Catherine grinned. “Then I’m going to sit on the beach with a book.”
“I wish I could join you, but I’ve got houses to show this afternoon.” Amy stood up. “I better run.” She gave Catherine a quick hug.
“Good luck today.”
Catherine organized her clothes and grabbed a bite to eat before she headed to the beach. A chair, hat and beach bag were the only things she took up to the beach. As she arranged her things on the sand, she began rubbing suntan lotion onto her body. She was trying to reach her back when someone said,
“Can I help you with that?”
Catherine turned around and saw Sam standing behind her. “Yes, you can help me.” She handed the bottle to Sam and leaned forward. Sam spread the lotion on Catherine’s back and began to cover her skin with a coating. Catherine slipped her bathing suit straps down so Sam could do her shoulders thoroughly.
“That should protect you for a while,” Sam said standing.
“Thank you. You seem to be rescuing me lately.” Catherine handed Sam a wet towel to wipe her palms. “I didn’t expect to see you today. Didn’t you go to work?”
“I was there for a while. Everything was under control so I left.”
“What time is it anyway?”
“Four thirty,” Sam said looking down at Catherine.
“Sit down on the blanket, Sam.” Catherine motioned to the blanket.
“Are you sure you don’t want to be alone?” Sam asked.
“Please sit, Sam.”
Sam reluctantly took a seat. “How’s the water?” she asked, seeing Catherine’s hair was still wet.
“Nice. Especially after sitting on a hot beach, the water felt refreshing.” Catherine watched as Sam sat cross-legged on the blanket and stared at the water. “So are you following me?” Catherine asked with a laugh.
“No.” Sam looked shocked.
“I’m only teasing you, Sam.”
Sam looked relieved and stared at the water again.
“So what do your workers think since you’ve lost interest in the business?” Catherine knew she might be sticking her nose where it didn’t belong, but she had to ask.
“They keep thinking I’ll go back to the person I was before.”
“Before what?” Catherine asked, but she had a good idea of what before was.
Sam played it cool. “Before, when I cared.”
Catherine decided to let it drop since Sam obviously didn’t want to talk about it,
“How long were you married?” Sam asked putting Catherine on the spot.
“Ten years, but it was really over long before that. Sometimes it takes awhile to realize that it’s not always worth the time and effort to save something that can’t be saved,” Catherine admitted freely.
“How long have you been divorced?”
“Officially six months, but we were separated for over a year.”
“Do you feel you’re ready to start dating again?” Sam didn’t know why she wanted to know these things, but her mouth kept spouting out questions.
“Maybe if I find myself attracted to someone, but I’m not looking,” Catherine said with a laugh. “Can I ask questions now or is this just one-sided?”
Sam chuckled. “What do you want to know?”
“Well, my big mouth friend told me you lost your partner two years ago. I’m sorry for your loss.”
Sam looked at Catherine and then looked away to hide her tears. She swallowed to control her emotions. “Thank you.”
“Are you ready to date?”
“No,” Sam said quickly. “I can’t see myself with someone else when Robin was the love of my life.”
Catherine reached over and touched Sam’s shoulder. “Then I’m glad we’re friends.”
The two women left the beach at six o’clock. “I’ll see you in the morning, Sam. Thanks for keeping me company,” Catherine said as they left the sand.
“No need for thanks, Cate. I had a good time. See you tomorrow.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Catherine decided to jog over to Sam’s house this morning instead of bringing her car. As Catherine stepped onto the porch, the front door opened.
“You getting a head start?” Sam asked as she saw Catherine already damp with sweat.
“It’s a beautiful morning and I figured why not,” she said with a shrug.
Sam closed the door behind her and they walked up to the boardwalk. “So did Amy call you last night?” Sam asked as they jogged along.
Catherine stopped running. “You too?”
Sam stood next to Catherine and nodded. “I think I’m going to hide for the rest of the day,” she said with a laugh.
“Oh, no you’re not. She’s going to be inviting every single man that she knows to attend this party. You’re not going to make me go by myself.” Catherine walked over to a bench and sat down feeling all her energy had left her body.
“What can I do about it?” Sam asked, standing over the seated Catherine. “She is your friend.”
Catherine looked up. “I can’t do this by myself.” Her voice was so low that Sam had to sit next to her to hear her.
“What do you want, me to be your beard?”
“My what?”
“When a gay person is trying to hide their homosexuality, they get someone to pretend to be their girlfriend or boyfriend.”
Catherine looked at Sam. “Would you do that for me?”
Sam laughed. “No one is going to believe you’re gay.”
“Then at least you can stay by my side and be a buffer,” Catherine insisted.
“You’re going to get me beat up by the men that will be standing in line to meet you. Better yet, why don’t you just tell Amy not to invite these single men?”
“I did, but she said it’s not a fix up. It’s men we went to school with and it’s more of a reunion.” Catherine touched Sam’s arm. “If she invites any lesbians, I’ll be there for you too.” Her grin was wide.
“Your argument is not helping, Cate. Why would she try to set me up when she hasn’t done anything before?”
Catherine shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Can we run, please?” Sam asked standing.
“Why would no one believe I was gay?” Catherine asked.
Sam rolled her eyes and didn’t answer.
They ran down the boardwalk not bringing up the barbecue again. Both women were lost in their own thoughts.
****
Catherine ran alone the rest of the week because Sam made an excuse about going to work early. She knew it wasn’t the truth, but she didn’t push. By Friday, she still hadn’t spoken with Sam and had no idea if she would be at Amy’s barbecue tomorrow afternoon.
Catherine walked into Amy’s house at six o’clock that evening.
“I thought you were going to stand me up,” Amy said as she led Catherine to the backyard.
“Sorry. The time got away from me,” Catherine mumbled as she stepped into the yard. She scanned the crowd looking for Sam. She saw her standing with a gro
up of men. Sam turned and their eyes met across the yard. Catherine smiled and her hand came up in a wave. She watched as Sam left the men and walked toward her.
“I thought you chickened out,” Sam said near her ear.
“I almost did,” Catherine admitted.
Amy handed Catherine a glass of wine and took her by the arm. “Let me introduce you to everyone.”
Sam followed as Amy led Catherine around the yard.
“Cate, do you remember Dave Patterson and Arthur Samson?” Amy asked.
“Sure. It’s good to see you.”
The two men shook Catherine’s hand.
“You haven’t changed a bit, Cate,” Dave said smiling at her.
Two more men walked over. “Cate, this is Simon James and Richard Kandel. They’re agents in my office. Guys, this is Catherine Parker.”
New people stepped through the back door and Amy went to greet the new guests.
“We hear you’re from Indiana,” Richard said.
“Yes, but I was raised here,” Catherine added.
Amy returned with two women. This time her introductions were aimed at Sam. Catherine and Sam glanced at one another.
“The food will be ready in a little while,” Amy said and walked over to another group of friends.
“It was nice to meet or see everyone again.” Catherine turned to leave the group, eyeing Sam as she walked toward the deck.
“Are we leaving?” Sam asked once she caught up with Catherine.
“No, just distancing myself from them,” she said with a nod over her shoulder. “Sam, if you have any interest in the women here, you don’t have to stay by me.”
Sam laughed. “You do the same.”
Catherine choked on her wine and Sam patted her back.
“Are you okay?” Sam asked.
“Sam, I had no interest in those guys when I was in high school and I still don’t.”
“What about the other two?” Sam asked grinning.
“Not a chance. What about Lisa and Rachel?” Catherine asked.
Sam glanced at them. “They’re cute.” Her hand went to her chin. “Maybe.”
Catherine looked at the women and then back to Sam who was holding in her laugh. “Funny,” she lightly slapped her arm.
The food was served and Catherine and Sam found a couple of chairs to sit in as they ate. Within minutes, Lisa and Rachel pulled up chairs to sit with them.
“Amy told me that you were single,” Lisa said to Sam.
“She told me the same,” Rachel added.
“Then I get here and see you brought a date,” Lisa’s hand motioned to Catherine.
“It’s a new relationship and we’re trying to keep it between us for now,” Sam said touching Catherine’s hand.
Rachel and Lisa looked at each other. “We understand. We’ve been there before ourselves.”
Lisa and Rachel got up together and went to sit on the other side of yard.
Catherine began to giggle. “You’re bad,” she said pointing her finger. “You know this is going to get back to Amy.”
“So? It will teach her not to set people up that don’t want her help.” Sam shrugged. “Will this cause you a problem? I mean my lie.”
“No, it’s priceless.”
Amy walked over to them. “Why are you two hiding from everyone?”
“Because we don’t appreciate being put up for auction, Amy. I know you mean well, but both of us can find our own mate. If we want one,” Catherine added and Sam nodded in agreement.
“Okay, no more fix ups, but I think Arthur is going to ask you out,” Amy said as her head lowered.
“Well, don’t be surprised if either one of us leaves here early.”
“Try both of us,” Sam said. “Amy, you’ve never tried to fix me up before. Why now?”
Amy shrugged and walked away.
“Did you see the look on her face when I asked?” Sam watched Amy go back to the guests. “Is she afraid because you’re spending time with me?”
Catherine looked at Sam and laughed. “No.” Then she looked at Amy who glanced their way. “That doesn’t make any sense.”
After dinner, several of the men came over to Sam and Catherine. Luckily for Catherine, Sam kept the conversation going with the men. Once Sam told them about her classic car business, the men could not stop talking about cars. Catherine stood there listening and Sam glanced her way with a wink. A smile appeared on Catherine’s face instantly.
“Would you like another beer, Sam?” Catherine asked.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Gentlemen, can I get anyone anything?” Catherine asked before walking away.
“Oh, so you aren’t attached at the hip,” Amy said as Catherine reached into the cooler.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Catherine asked as she reached for three beers.
“You haven’t spent any time with me. What’s going on with you two?” Amy asked.
“Sam’s become my friend.”
Amy eyed her suspiciously. “Is that all?”
Catherine put the bottles down and draped her arm over Amy’s shoulder. “What’s going on, Amy?”
Amy moved out from Catherine’s arm. “I just thought it would be nice to introduce you to some single men.”
“And Sam?”
“She’s been alone for two years. I thought she might want to meet someone too.”
“Honey, I know you mean well,” Catherine sighed. “I just got back here. I need time without going right into a relationship.”
“I understand,” Amy whispered.
Catherine hugged her. “Let me go deliver these beers.” Before she could get back to the group, Lisa walked up to her.
Lisa handed her a piece of paper. “If it doesn’t work out, give me a call.”
Catherine stood stunned for a moment and then walked back to the group. She handed the beers to the men and then turned to Sam. “Here you go.” Their hands touched and Catherine felt the sensation from her hand to her elbow. What the hell was that?
“Were you shocked at the destruction from the storm, Cate?” Arthur asked.
“I was and I can’t believe how bad it still looks. When I’ve driven around, all I see are empty lots.” Catherine shook her head. “What a horrible thing to happen to this beautiful area.”
One by one the men walked away and went to speak with Amy and Ray. “Maybe we should spend time with our hosts before we try to leave here?” Catherine said.
“What did Lisa give you?” Sam asked.
Catherine reached into her pocket and showed Sam the piece of paper.
“That bitch,” she said quietly. “She thinks you’re on a date with me and gives you her phone number.” Sam shook her head and grabbed the piece of paper. “I’m going to call her and give her a piece of my mind.”
Catherine reached for the paper and tore it up. “You will not.”
Sam started to laugh. “You should have seen your face.”
“Very funny. You’re bad.” Catherine looked at Sam’s smirk. “No you’re wicked, Sam.”
“So I’ve been told.” Sam was still laughing.
As the guests began to drift out, Sam said good night and left the barbecue.
Catherine helped Amy carry things into the house. “It was a nice barbecue, Amy. Despite your lame attempts at playing cupid. Although, it looked like Lisa and Rachel hit it off.”
“One of them was supposed to leave with Sam,” Amy said softly.
“And who was I supposed to leave with?” Catherine asked.
Amy shrugged.
“I had no interest in Arthur or Dave in high school. Why would I have any interest now?”
Again Amy shrugged.
“I think it’s time for me to say good night.” Catherine kissed Amy’s cheek. “Please be my best friend and not a matchmaker.”
Amy finally smiled, “Okay. I get it.”
CHAPTER FIVE
All week long, Catherine didn’t see Sam. She sent
her a text asking if she wanted to run and her answer was sorry, can’t make it. Another text sent about going to the beach and she got the same reply. Catherine remembered Sam telling one of the guys the name of her business. She went to her computer and looked up the address.
“Hi,” Catherine said walking in through the bay doors. “Is Sam here?”
The man walked over. “Are you here about having a car restored?”
“No, I’m a friend of Sam’s.”
He looked at Catherine and gave her a grin. “She’s right back there,” he said pointing.
Catherine walked toward the back and saw her leaning over a car in white overalls. Sam turned. “Cate. What are you doing here?”
“You’ve been avoiding me all week. Are you mad at me?” Catherine brought her hands up to her hips.
Sam put down the wrench and wiped her hands on a rag that was hung from her back pocket. “I’m not avoiding you and I’m not mad.”
“Then why the silent treatment?”
“Look around,” Sam motioned with her hand. “We got in two new cars and I’ve been working all week.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, Cate. Why don’t you let me take you to dinner tonight?”
“That’s not necessary, Sam. I just wanted to make sure you weren’t mad at me.”
“I’d like to go to dinner with you Cate,” Sam insisted with a roll of her eyes. “How about I pick you up at seven thirty?”
“I’ll see you then and don’t work too hard,” Catherine said with a wave over her shoulder.
Sam shook her head and watched Catherine walk out of the bay doors.
Harry came over to Sam. “It’s about time, Sam,” he said with a pat on the shoulder.
“What?”
“She’s hot and a feisty little thing,” he added.
“She’s not my...” Oh, what the hell. Why do I have to explain to this block head? She picked up her wrench and went back to work.
****
Sam pulled into Catherine’s driveway and went to the door. Catherine opened the front door and stepped out of the way. Sam looked at Catherine out of the corner of her eye and saw she was wearing a light blue pair of shorts with a sleeveless dark v-neck top. Catherine’s sandals finished off her outfit.
“Ready to go?” Sam asked
