by Cass Sellars
“Is his page open?” Syd lobbed toward the small huddle that was now Jen, Darcy, and Parker. Mack was studying her notes and added more as her wife rattled off names.
“That would be her page. And definitely open.” Jenny showed Darcy and Parker the profile picture of an androgynous woman straddling a platinum Harley Davidson motorcycle.
“And definitely family,” Darcy delivered as she whistled appreciatively. “Come to Darcy, baby.”
Syd looked at her ex and shook her head.
Parker wondered if Darcy ever thought of anything else but was mildly afraid of the ensuing reply.
“Yes. Definitely family,” Mack said, glancing at the screen. “That cover picture is at TPL. I recognize the neon signs from behind the bar.”
“Maybe Syd knows her. I mean, she practically lived there once upon a time,” Parker blurted out before pinching her lips shut when Syd shot her a look and threw a stress ball at her, connecting with the top of Parker’s head. It bounced onto the desk where Parker trapped it and stuck out her tongue at Syd.
Then, conceding the distinct possibility, Syd motioned for them to hold up her profile picture. The girl had short light brown or blondish hair cut into a blended faux hawk. She had an angular face and a sturdy build that would have made her stand out. Syd had known all the regulars at the Pride Lounge, especially anyone presenting potential competition as this woman would have.
“Nope, must have been after I became pastor at the Church of Parker.” Syd laughed at the collective groans that fell over the room. Parker lobbed the stress ball back at Syd which she caught easily as she winked back at her. “Steve might know, though.” She snapped a picture of the screen with her phone and texted it to her friend who was the longtime bartender at The Pride. Hey babe, know this girl?
Yup, Taylor, comes in every Sunday night like clockwork. Doesn’t seem like your type, Syd. She likes the girly girls. Thought you did, too.
Just the one, Steve. Thanks for the 411.
Come visit soon, Syd, miss ya.
Will do.
“Okay, he says she’s a Sunday night regular. Maybe we could see if we can get a conversation started. She apparently has a taste for the very feminine, so that lets me and Mack out.”
Mack smirked at Syd’s comment.
“You kind of weren’t ever in, just so you know.” Parker gave her a disapproving look and stifled a laugh.
“My love, it’s for the greater good. Mack needs us.” Sydney looked innocently at Parker and she folded her clasped hands over her heart.
Not looking up from the tablet, Jenny mumbled, “Uh, Mack, you were never an option either, by the way.” Darcy looked like she was enjoying the banter as the two women were reined in by their partners.
“Well, okay. If I must tart myself out to that tasty little treat, I will. But I won’t like it. At all. After the first day or two.” She laughed and rubbed her hands together.
“Someone better call and warn her to wear body armor and a garlic necklace.” Syd looked at Darcy.
“Not nice, Hyatt.” Darcy smiled broadly at her.
Parker seemed thrilled that Darcy would be hitting on someone else for a change. Syd couldn’t help but notice how fast Darcy had moved targets.
“According to her profile, she’s single and yesterday’s post says, Ugh, please no more blind dates! Where is my perfect blonde?” Jenny read the update to the group.
“Right here, lover,” Darcy cooed at the screen, fluffing her blond locks.
Jenny clicked through her pictures. “Okay. She drinks beer, goes to the gym, plays softball and basketball, and drives an SUV. Apparently someone cut her right out of the Lesbians for Dummies manual.” Jenny laughed. “In fact I think I just read the profile of my own wife.”
“What’s wrong with that?” Mack feigned hurt.
“Absolutely nothing, sweetheart,” she replied as she blew her a dramatic kiss.
“Are you up for this, Darcy?” Mack asked.
“Gee, you want me to offer myself up to a very hot chick in a gay bar and get her to spill her life’s story before falling into my soft, waiting arms? I just don’t know if I can stand the pain.”
Syd watched Parker laugh at Darcy’s theatrical presentation, in spite of wanting to dislike her.
Mack looked exasperated. “Actually I want you to gently coax information about her job out of her before you drain her blood.”
“You people are just no fun,” Darcy sighed and smiled.
* * *
The sweaty man dragged three pallets from a white box truck he had parked at the storage facility. The machine wobbled as he awkwardly pushed and shoved them into the large room. He briefly considered this location not appearing as professional looking as the other place, but he couldn’t risk the heat. The good part was that he could conceal the inventory in one spot and leave it. A total of twelve pallets sat in the unit waiting for the anxious buyers to come around with their $300,000.
He was being forced to share the proceeds on some of it, but with the extra product he was moving, that was small change. His partner thought small, just moving consumer goods, but he knew he could sell some commercial gear, too. The last units he sold brought $50k a pallet and he had liberated two. No one even knew they were missing.
It amazed him how stupid rich C-level employees could be. They got so used to people kissing their asses and telling them what they wanted to hear, they hadn’t missed the crap load of product disappearing over the last six months.
At this rate, he planned to pay off his condo, buy a nicer Benz and settle onto easy street. He would make sure to keep his head down and be ready in case he could move more merchandise no one was paying attention to.
After the last of the pallets was tucked in for the night, he stopped by to pick up his car. His luxury vehicle was always a hit with the ladies at the bar and he steered toward the Silver Lake Country Club. He had no intention of dating these women, just convenient playthings to pass the time. Women were all the same, he’d learned. Socialites weren’t any harder to get—they just dressed better.
Chapter Twelve
Syd pushed open the lobby door to let Mia inside. Parker thought she looked thin and pale. Mia smiled at them both as she followed down the hall and into Parker’s apartment. She only managed to hold it together for a second after Syd had gathered her in for a hug. Mia’s body was shaking against Sydney who simply rubbed stilling hands over her back. Finally Mia backed away and pressed her hands down the front of her shirt to smooth out imaginary wrinkles.
“Sorry. I don’t know why that happened. I’m probably just tired.” She hugged Parker before straightening her shoulders and looking around the open room. “So, it’s really great in here, and it really couldn’t be more convenient to work. I can’t wait to see it all.” Her enthusiasm appeared genuine but Parker imagined being anywhere without Sandy felt like a new punch in the raw places she was collecting in her stomach.
“I keep having to remind myself that Sandy’s gone.” Mia answered the question no one had asked out loud. Parker wondered how long she would have to endure the pain that must keep renewing in her mind.
“I can’t imagine how much it hurts.” Sydney pushed her hair behind her shoulders. “We’re here for you if you ever need to talk.”
“I know,” was all Mia managed.
Sydney put a steadying arm around her shoulders and guided her farther into the loft behind Parker. Mia looked around making appreciative remarks about the polished concrete floors, the sparse modern furnishings, and the open industrial kitchen that sat under the bedroom. Then she walked toward the stairs. Parker caught Sydney’s eye and they stood at the bottom instead of following her up, giving her a bit of space to adjust and contemplate.
They heard her footsteps circle the room, pausing at the closet and bathroom, before she leaned over the railing to address her friends.
“You did an awesome job up here as well, Parker.” She turned to come back down the stair
s and glanced back again to take in the sleeping area. “It’s so different from the house. Maybe that would help.” She shrugged and seemed to fight new tears from spilling down her face. “I have a bedroom set that’s mine—well, it was ours. I would like to bring it with me if I could. It might not be healthy and all that, but I guess I’m not ready to give up where she and I slept together just yet.”
“Of course,” Parker said. “Jen was just saying that they needed a bed for their extra room. I’ll talk to her about it.”
“I really don’t have any other furniture to speak of. I just have our clothes…my clothes.” She couldn’t fight back her tears any longer and Parker wrapped her arms around her. Parker was struck by how fragile she seemed and couldn’t fathom processing the grief that Mia was.
“You can take as much time as you want to think about this, Mia,” Syd said quietly.
“No, I like it, I really do.” She spoke to Parker as she rubbed the heels of her hands against her eyes. “Can I move in next week? I mean, if that’s okay. Maybe just a few odds and ends to start with.”
“Of course.” Parker took her hand when she stepped back. “We can move the rest of my things out this week and it will all be yours. Anything you need, we’ll be right over there.” She pointed toward the hall and Sydney’s loft.
Mia looked around again and, almost to herself, said, “Yeah, I can do this. I’ll be fine.”
Parker’s heart broke for Mia as she clasped her shaky hands together and walked toward the door.
“I can give you a check right now,” Mia said suddenly, rummaging through her large shapeless shoulder bag.
“No. Don’t worry about it until next month. We’ll deal with the lease when you start moving your stuff over, okay?” Parker wanted to make the transition as easy as possible despite her inner businessperson screaming to get it all in writing first. “Call me whenever you think you want to start and we can help.” She glanced over at Syd who nodded in agreement.
Mia hugged them both again before she walked to the lobby door and looked back. “You’re good friends. Thank you. I’m going to be okay.”
The door clicked shut behind Mia. Parker linked her arms around Sydney and walked back into their living room. Parker stood quietly in the embrace, grateful for the foundation they had.
“I have something for you,” Sydney spoke softly as she handed over a folded packet of papers she had balanced on the back of the sofa.
Parker looked curious and she unfolded them. “What is this for?”
“It’s so, if anything happens, you aren’t ever battling my mother for property. It will automatically be yours. My lawyer said that it was ironclad.”
“Is this about what Sandy’s family did to Mia?” Parker refolded the documents and stroked Sydney’s cheek.
“Yes, and because it’s smart and because you deserve to be taken care of. We already have the medical POA and since you’re going to be with me forever…” Sydney winked at her and turned to kiss the hand grazing her cheek.
“I love you. It’s not necessary since you aren’t going to go anywhere until I’ve been dead thirty-five years,” Parker joked. “And I wouldn’t survive if I ever lost you, Syd.” Her voice was serious now. “Let’s do mine then, too, okay? Make sure you don’t ever have to live across the hall from my mother.”
“Anything you want, always.”
“You’re just saying that because we’re going to a bar with your ex.”
“Actually, I mean it but I do have great timing.” Syd smiled, withdrawing her key and pushing Parker toward the car.
* * *
When they arrived at TPL, Steve came from behind the bar to kiss Parker on the cheek. “You are lovely as always, my dear.”
“Great to see you, too, handsome. We’ve missed you.” Parker smiled and returned the kiss.
“Hey! You barely even stop making drinks when I come in,” Syd teased her oldest friend, feigning indignation.
“That’s because I do not enjoy fondling you.” Steve shot Sydney a scornful glance.
“First of all, yuck. And second of all, you actually have no desire to fondle her either, which saves me from breaking your fingers.” Syd sent a mock scowl to the very gay bartender.
“Parker, how can you be with such a brute?” Steve said with an exaggerated lisp while he fanned himself which made Parker laugh even harder at the two of them.
“Could we please have a cab, a ginger ale, whatever light beer you have on tap, and my—”
“Scotch? Like I didn’t know that one.” He rolled his eyes at her. “Quite the little party back there, hmm?”
They teased each other but Syd missed visiting with him as often as she used to at the bar. Once upon a time, she would hit the Pride at least three days a week before selecting some random female companion for the evening. That was all before she started seeing Parker and couldn’t make herself touch another woman.
“We just came to watch you work.” She made air quotes.
“I used to watch you work. Now I have to watch Paula Tucker scoop up all the women, Tequila.” His pet name for her referenced her talent for separating women from their clothes. It always made her laugh and Syd knew it had long stopped making Parker jealous over her lover’s dubious past.
Steve handed over the drinks and Parker carried three of them to the back table.
“Thanks, Steve, I miss you, too.” She was handing him her credit card as Darcy walked in wearing tight jeans and a very revealing ribbed tank top. It barely covered her assets which struggled to remain inside the all but transparent white cotton. Her hair was down and blown out into a carefree blond mass across her shoulders. She had lined her eyes heavily and dusted some shimmering powder across her chest. Coral gloss made her lips look full and shiny.
Darcy, locking eyes with Syd, blew an exaggerated kiss in her direction. She stepped next to Sydney and pressed her chest hard against Syd’s bare arm.
She spoke quietly with her back to Parker’s table. “You know we could skip all this and find a place to go, just the two of us.” She flashed her eyes and pursed her lips almost imperceptibly as she spoke. “We were good together once upon a time. I miss you and I really miss how you used to make love to me.” If she knew it was inappropriate as hell, Syd couldn’t tell, since the words continued to rush from her lips unchecked. “I remember the way my body responded to you. I recall some pretty exquisite nights in our past. I know you do, too, right?”
Syd scowled at her, leaning away. “What goes through your mind, Dean? I know you realize that my girlfriend is sitting right over there. Have a little class.” Syd couldn’t wait until this case was over.
“What she doesn’t know…” Darcy skimmed a finger over Syd’s hand, a move which was blocked from Parker’s view by Darcy’s body. Sydney jerked back roughly as she fired a territorial stare at her. She then stepped closer to the predatory blonde who seemed to care little about what Sydney wanted.
“Not if you were the last woman on earth.” Syd glared and snatched the receipt off the bar, folding it into her wallet with her card. She shook her head, catching Parker’s watchful eye from the back booth.
Syd walked quickly to the table. “Drinks okay?” she asked, attempting to change the subject when she noticed Jenny staring at her, too. She kissed Parker very gently and held her mouth to hers for a bit longer than necessary. “Remember, I love you more than anyone ever has, please.”
“I do,” Parker replied, issuing a contented sigh. She pushed her hand over Sydney’s firm thigh and turned to watch Darcy settle herself at the bar. Syd noted that Darcy was seemingly unfazed by the less than pleasant exchange. She perched on the edge of the barstool and arched her back. She planted a straight, shapely leg that ended in a high-heeled boot anchored onto the wood floor, hooking her other foot around the silver leg of the stool. She looked poised and tragically practiced at the art of planned seduction. Syd briefly wished she could choke her.
Shortly after eight p.m.,
a woman Syd recognized as Taylor Westin cruised into TPL wearing black jeans, heavy black boots, and a gray Silver Lake Fitness T-shirt which stretched tightly over her sculpted arms. Her short dirty-blond hair was spiked over her multipierced ears. An array of heavy silver rings adorned her fingers.
Syd watched Steve slide her a bottle of Coors Light. Knowing what all the regulars drank made Steve very good at his job and filled his tip jar, often more than once a shift.
Tilting the bottle in salute, she rocked back on her heels scanning the array of familiar faces, none of whom seemed to interest her. She looked over the dance floor before heading for a bar stool.
As if waiting for her cue in a choreographed dance, Darcy spun her stool, nicking Taylor’s leg with her shoe.
“Oh! I am so sorry.” She giggled playfully and covered Taylor’s arm with her coral tipped fingers.
“Quite all right.” She calmly took a sip from the amber bottle, running her eyes over the lean, leggy blonde. “I’m Taylor, and you are?”
“Darcy.” She put out her hand in greeting. “Do you want to sit down and have a drink with me?” Darcy was obvious about finding the dashing Taylor Westin very appealing and did nothing to hide that fact from her.
Taylor took the hand in a very light grip. “Love to.”
The foursome watched the exchange as Syd shook her head. “Amazing how easy that was for her.” She could still feel Darcy’s fingers on her arm and longed to wash the experience from her skin.
Mack chuckled. “Compared to that, I’m not sure I ever had game.”
“Oh, you had it, sweetheart. I just had it surgically removed after our second date.” Jen nudged Parker who smiled and gripped Syd’s leg tighter.
