Love Waits

by Gerri Hill

  Ashleigh was a bundle of nerves as she pulled into the parking lot of the brand-new Holiday Inn out on the north side of town. She sat in her car, looking about nervously, knowing with her luck, Gina would be pulling in at the same time. But all was quiet as she got out. She took her bag, hurrying across the parking lot to the lobby. She was immediately engulfed in a hug as Crissy ran to meet her.

  “Oh, my God,” she shrieked dramatically, as if they never saw each other. “I can’t believe you’re finally here.”

  Ashleigh returned the hug. “Hi, Crissy. Missed me or just needing moral support?” She glanced around. “Who all’s here?”

  “Quite a few already. Too many to name. And yes, you were the class president. You should be doing this job.”

  “But you live here. We agreed you were better suited for this job,” Ashleigh reminded her.

  “Well, it’s been a little fun. I’m so glad so many could come up early tonight.” She shoved her toward the desk. “Go check in. I’ll meet you in the bar.”

  “Okay.” She took a deep breath. “Is Gina Granbury here yet?”

  Crissy smiled. “Oh, my goodness, yes. You will not believe how she looks.”

  Ashleigh frowned. What? Did she gain two hundred pounds? Did she shave her head? Was she covered in tattoos? Piercings? What? But before she could ask, Crissy had hurried off to greet a new couple who walked in. The man looked somewhat familiar but Ashleigh couldn’t place him. She didn’t dwell on him as she turned to the desk, smiling at the clerk as she gave her name.

  So Gina was already here. Wonderful. Might as well get it over with. She signed without looking, took the key card without thinking and robotically walked to the elevators, finally glancing at her receipt, finding her room number.

  “I should have had one more margarita,” she murmured as the elevator whisked her to the third—and top—floor.

  She methodically unpacked her bag, walking aimlessly around the room, stalling as long as possible. The happy hour gathering was casual, but what did that mean? Khaki causal? Or summer shorts casual? She eyed the clothes she’d packed, deciding it was Calloway...summer shorts casual would be fine.

  So she stripped, taking a somewhat leisurely shower, finally feeling the effects of the tequila as her mood turned from nervous to mellow. And mellow was what she needed if she was to see Gina for the first time in twenty years.

  As she dressed, she wondered what her reaction would be. For that matter, what about Gina? Was she feeling any of the trepidation Ashleigh had been fighting for the last month? And what in the world did Crissy mean about how she looked?

  Just go down there.

  She took a deep breath, staring at herself in the mirror, pleased with what she saw. Her years of activity, of biking and the cursed jogging that Pam insisted on, had kept her in good shape. Her body was toned, her skin tanned, her face clear. She looked good. Great, in fact. She ran her fingers through her hair, the layers making her look carefree and...tousled. She blew out a breath, stirring the bangs on her forehead. Tousled? Well, she couldn’t put it off any longer.

  She shoved cash in one pocket and her key card in another, then strode to the elevators, knowing the time had come. She ignored her nervousness, pushing it down, trying to muster up even a little excitement for the evening. She would see old friends, most of whom she’d not spoken to since the tenth reunion. She would renew friendships, she would visit with Crissy, the one person she saw most often, and she would avoid Gina Granbury at every turn.

  As soon as she hit the lobby, she heard laughter and loud conversations coming from the bar. The party appeared to be in full swing. She hesitated only briefly before going inside, thankful for the sparse lighting as she stood in the back, her eyes darting around the room. It didn’t take long. Like a magnet, she found Gina. She was sitting at the bar chatting with Crissy and another woman whose name eluded her. It didn’t matter. Her eyes were locked on Gina.

  And as if on cue, Gina slowly turned, sensing—as she always used to do—Ashleigh’s gaze on her. Ashleigh waited, her thundering heartbeat deafening in her ears, her pulse pounding, her palms sweating. Now she knew what Crissy meant when she said she wouldn’t believe how Gina looked.

  Stunning.

  Tall and slender, wearing loose-fitting shorts and stylish Teva sandals, her dark hair shorter than Ashleigh remembered, her skin tanned a lovely brown, her face as fresh and appealing as it had been twenty years ago. And the eyes...those dark, expressive eyes...they captured Ashleigh’s, holding her, pulling her as they always had.

  But she stood rooted to the spot, the others in the room fading as they stared at each other. It was only then that she recognized the nervousness—the uncertainty—in Gina’s eyes. Then sounds penetrated, movements blocked her vision, and she saw Crissy wave at her, beckoning her over.

  She tried to appear relaxed—cool and indifferent—even though she was as nervous as she could ever remember being. But the awkwardness she felt was short-lived as Crissy tugged on her arm, pulling her face-to-face with Gina Granbury.

  “Oh, my God. I can’t believe you two haven’t seen each other in twenty years,” she shrieked. “Hug or something,” she said, shoving them together.

  It was surreal what happened next. Gina’s arms slipped around her, pulling her close and Ashleigh went with it, sinking into the hug, her body coming alive at the contact. It lasted mere seconds, but it was long enough for her to realize her body recognized Gina’s, if only on a subliminal level.

  “How are you?”

  The words were quiet, nearly whispered in her ear. She pulled away, forcing a smile to her face. “Good. Great.” Then, “It’s been awhile,” she said.

  Gina didn’t say anything, merely nodding. “Want something to drink?”

  “Oh, yeah. Definitely.” Definitely.

  Gina raised an eyebrow, an expression Ashleigh used to find extremely sexy. She ignored the lure of the eyebrow and turned to Crissy. “What’s everyone having?”

  “Open bar, sweetie. Get what you want.” She pulled Gina to her feet. “I’m going to steal Gina for a second.”

  “Sure.”

  Ashleigh leaned on the bar, impatiently tapping the wooden surface. “Bourbon and Coke,” she said. “A double.”

  “You have a preference?”

  “The good stuff,” she said, spinning around, watching as Crissy settled Gina at a table. What in the world did they have to talk about?

  “Gina, you look absolutely gorgeous. Wait until you see some of the others. Let’s just say, time has not been kind.”

  Gina laughed. “Well, you held up pretty good.”

  “Darling, a personal trainer and a little Botox does wonders.” Crissy pulled her chair closer. “I want to fill you in on all the gossip before things get started.”

  “Okay.”

  “First of all, and you’ll probably be shocked at this, but Ashleigh Pence is...gay,” she said, the last word barely a whisper.

  Gina feigned shock. “You’re kidding?”

  “No, I’m not. Can you believe it?”

  “When did this happen?”

  “College. She came home after the first semester, heartbroken and in tears. She confessed she’d had an affair with another girl, and the girl broke her heart.”

  Gina leaned back in her chair, surprised that Ashleigh had gotten that attached to her new girlfriend that quickly. “Well, I’ll be,” she said.

  “Oh, yeah. It was quite the talk back then. Of course, now, well, everyone is used to it. I’m surprised you didn’t know. I mean, you two were inseparable.”

  Gina shrugged. “I guess you don’t tell best friends everything.”

  “And you remember Robin Weathers?”

  “She was a cheerleader, right?”

  “Right. Guess what? She joined a convent.”

  “A nun?”

  “Yeah. And she’s coming too. That should be interesting. Ashleigh has turned into a potty mouth. I hope she doesn’t let one of
her four-letter words fly around Robin.” Crissy stood, smiling and waving toward the door. “New arrivals. Go mingle. I just wanted to share the gossip about Ashleigh so you wouldn’t be totally blown away if she told you.”

  She hurried off, leaving Gina sitting alone. Inevitably her eyes were drawn back to Ashleigh at the bar. She wasn’t sure what she expected her to look like. In her mind’s eye, Ashleigh was still nineteen, as she’d been the last time Gina saw her. But the beautiful girl she remembered had grown into a gorgeous woman, moving with a grace that she’d always possessed. And the hug? God, how unexpected was that? And awkward. At least for her and no doubt for Ashleigh too.

  As she stared, Ashleigh slowly turned. Gina waited, wondering if that old magic was still there. They’d always had a knack for knowing when the other was watching, knowing exactly where the other was in a crowded room. And now, just as Gina had felt Ashleigh’s presence earlier, Ashleigh apparently felt Gina’s eyes on her. Gina didn’t look away when Ashleigh found her. Despite her earlier apprehension over seeing Ashleigh again, the initial shock was over. After twenty years, she thought the least they could do was have a normal conversation.

  Perhaps Ashleigh thought the same as she made her way over to the table. Gina was unable to keep her gaze from straying, Ashleigh’s shorts showing off tan, muscular legs.

  She blushed slightly when she finally raised her head, surprised at the amused expression Ashleigh sported.

  “I couldn’t for the life of me figure out what Crissy needed to talk to you about. Then it dawned on me.”

  “You’re gay,” Gina said with a smile. “And I’m just totally shocked.”

  “I’m sure you are.”

  Gina motioned to a chair, silently asking Ashleigh to sit. “And so they think I’m straight?”

  “No one has seen you since then. Why would they think otherwise?”

  “I just assumed you would have—”

  “Outed you?” Ashleigh shook her head. “No. I didn’t want to go into all that with anyone.”

  Gina leaned forward. “So, how have you been?”

  “Good. Wonderful, in fact. I live in Houston. I work for a law firm.”

  Gina raised an eyebrow.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “You’re kidding. You?”

  “Why is it so hard to imagine that I’m an attorney?”

  “It’s just not what I would have thought.” She paused. “Did you ever get that huge office in a downtown high-rise?”

  “As a matter of fact, I did.”

  “Good for you.” Gina brushed the drop of water away that slid down her glass, finally asking the question that had her most curious. “So, are you seeing someone?”

  There was only a slight hesitation as Ashleigh glanced at her. “Yes, yes I am. A...a lovely woman. We’ve been together for a few years now,” she said.

  “That’s great. I’m glad you found someone.”

  “Yes. It’s a...it’s Faith,” she said. “Her name. And what about you?”

  Gina shook her head. “No. Single.”

  “Really? Still playing the field?”

  “What does that mean?”

  “Well, the last time I saw you, you were sleeping with practically every girl at school, both gay and straight.”

  Gina looked away, embarrassed. “Yeah, well, I had a lot of running to do.”

  “Running from your guilt, perhaps?”

  “My guilt? What did I have to feel guilty about?”

  “Oh, please.”

  “What? You speak from experience?”

  “Me? I certainly had nothing to feel guilty about.”

  “No, you didn’t. Why should you? We were kids. I don’t blame you.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Ashleigh, that’s twenty years of water under the bridge,” she said, repeating Tracy’s words to her. “We don’t need to rehash it. I don’t expect an explanation or anything.” Gina was surprised by the angry flash in Ashleigh’s eyes.

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  Gina shrugged, not certain she wanted Ashleigh to know just how hurt she’d been. Like she’d said, they were kids. Did she honestly expect them to be together forever? Well, yeah, at the time she did. So, she tried again to explain.

  “You know, I tried to be the one to take the high road, to let you off the hook,” she said. “But let me tell you, the pain I felt that day, it still smarts,” she admitted. “If I had to do it over again, I’d make you come to me. I’d make you be the one to end things.”

  Ashleigh stood up quickly, shoving her chair back. “I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about, but if you’re trying to turn this around and make me the bad guy, to somehow blame me for what happened, well...you’re goddamn crazy as hell,” she said before storming off.

  Gina watched her leave, expecting her to exit the bar altogether, but Crissy intercepted her, dragging her off to talk to another couple who had just come in. She reminded herself that Ashleigh had been the class president, had been voted most popular...she’d be expected to talk to everyone, to know everyone. To remember everyone. But Gina recognized the squared shoulders, the straight back. She grinned. Oh, yeah, Ashleigh was pissed. She raised her glass in a silent salute. The civil conversation she’d envisioned had soon turned offensive, surprising her a bit. Twenty years under the bridge, sure, but they still had a passion between.

  Shame it now involved anger instead of love.

  Ashleigh finally escaped from Crissy, heading to the bar for another drink. She knew Gina still sat at the table...alone. And damn if she didn’t feel sorry for her. It reminded her of high school, with Gina on the outside looking in. That is, until they... well, until they became friends. And lovers.

  “You’re the double bourbon? The good stuff?” He wiped the bar in front of her, smiling in that flirty way Ashleigh couldn’t stand. “Want another?”

  Of course, flirting back meant you really got the good stuff. “Twentieth class reunion. What do you think?” she asked with a wink. “Do I need another?”

  “Or two.” He leaned closer. “And I’d say judging by this crowd, I better keep the bottle hidden for you.”

  Instead of trying to come up with a witty reply, she dropped a twenty on the bar, hoping the tip would suffice. He slid a fresh drink her way. “You’re a good man. Wish me luck,” she murmured as she turned away from him, fresh drink in her hand.

  Oh, and damn if her gaze didn’t bring her back to Gina. But this time, no, she refused to go to her. And really, what was with the garbage Gina was spewing about feeling guilty? Ashleigh knew she had no reason whatsoever to feel guilty about anything. Hell, Gina was the one who—out of the blue—had decided they needed to expand, needed to see others, needed to branch out.

  “Fucking bullshit,” she murmured.

  “Excuse me?”

  Ashleigh turned, smiling at...Sherry? No, but damn, what was her name? Janie? She frowned, knowing it was on the tip of her tongue.

  “I’m Debra. I wouldn’t expect you to remember me. I—”

  “We had chemistry together,” Ashleigh said, hoping her memory was correct. At the other woman’s bright smile, she knew her guess was right.

  “You do remember. Yes. Mr. Arnold’s class. I missed our tenth so I thought I’d make this one.”

  “Glad you did. There’s a good crowd this year.” Ashleigh sighed, not wanting to be rude, but not wanting to make small talk with a woman she didn’t know. Of course, right then, her alternative was Gina, who was making her way over to the bar.

  “Oh, that’s Gina Granbury, isn’t it?”

  Ashleigh nodded. “Yes.”

  “You two were best friends, weren’t you?”

  “Yes, we were.” Ashleigh looked around, trying to find an escape route. She wasn’t certain she could be civil to Gina right now.

  “Wow. She’s...”

  Ashleigh turned to her. “She’s what?”

  “Gorgeous. I mean
, wow. Look around. Most of us look old and married. But she—”

  “Excuse me?”

  “Sorry. I didn’t necessarily mean you.” Debra smiled. “Are you married?”

  “No.”

  “Divorced?”

  “No.”

  “Oh?” Then she frowned. “I hope you’re not one of those who forsake marriage and just live together. God created marriage for a reason. It’s the glue that keeps our traditional families together. Why if it wasn’t for marriage—”

  Ashleigh held up her hand, stopping her. “Debra, I’m gay. I’m not really interested in your family values speech.” Okay, so she would be rude. “I think that’s way overrated. It’s bullshit.”

  Debra’s eyes were wide as she took a step back. “You’re... you’re gay?”

  Ashleigh nodded. “Yes. Very.”

  Debra took another step back, then glanced at Gina who finally made her way over. Debra looked between the two of them, then took another step back. “I...I need to go.”

  “Sure. Nice to see you again.”

  Debra fled and Ashleigh turned to Gina. “Debra something or other.” She waved her hand dismissively. “I just told her I was gay.”

  “Oh. That explains the look of terror on her face.” Gina smiled. “Or did you make a pass at her?”

  “As if. She was launching into a speech on the benefits of traditional marriage and about to go into the whole family values thing. I was about to vomit.” Then she spun around. “And what the hell are you doing over here? I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

  “We haven’t seen each other in twenty years. Do we have to fight?”

  “Why not? I do believe that’s how we ended things twenty years ago. With a fight.”

  “Do you really want to talk about that again?” Gina leaned against the bar. “Look, I was terrified of coming here. I was actually afraid to see you.”

  “You were?” Ashleigh relaxed a little. “I was too,” she confessed.

  “But now that I’ve seen you, it’s not so bad. We’re adults now. And that was a long time ago.” She shrugged. “Despite the history between us, we were really good friends at one time.”

  “So you want to forget the history, and just—”