The Movie Star: A Lesbian Romance

by Lydia Rose

Wendy walked into her mother’s room. “Hi, Mom, how are you feeling?”

  “Better, Wendy.” Arlene moved up on her pillows. “Did you have a good time?”

  “I did.” Wendy held up her bag of shells. “I got more shells.”

  Arlene chuckled. “More shells?” she asked as Wendy sat on the edge of the bed. “Quinn is a sweet woman, isn’t she?”

  “Yeah, I think we’re going to be good friends.”

  “I’m glad, Wendy. You can use a friend.”

  “I know, Mom.” Wendy leaned over and kissed her mother’s cheek. “You better get some sleep or Harper will have my head.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Wendy was having breakfast with her mother in the morning, less than a week after she and Quinn went to the beach. The color seemed to be returning to Arlene’s face. “You look good today, Mom.”

  “I feel good, Wendy.” Arlene smiled. “You know what I would like for lunch today?”

  “What, Mom?” Wendy was shocked that her mother had an appetite today.

  “A corned beef sandwich from Art’s place.”

  Wendy returned the smile. “Sure, Mom, I’ll pick you up one for lunch. How about you Harper?” Wendy took everyone’s order.

  At eleven thirty Wendy walked into Art’s place and placed her order. “Sheila also give me Quinn’s usual and what does Tina usually have?”

  “Tina likes the same thing that Quinn does.”

  “Okay, put those sandwiches in a separate bag for me please.” Wendy walked into the hardware store.

  “Hi, Wendy. How’s your mom?” Tina asked.

  “Better today. She wanted a sandwich from next door.”

  “That’s great. I hope that means she’s turned the corner on this problem.”

  “Me too.” Wendy put a bag on the counter. “I picked up a sandwich for you and Quinn.”

  “That was sweet of you, Wendy. You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I was there anyway.” Wendy looked around. “Where’s Quinn?”

  “Making a delivery.” Tina answered and smiled. She could see the disappointment in Wendy’s eyes.

  “Okay, I’d better get this back to Mom before her appetite leaves.”

  “Thanks for lunch, Wendy.” Tina waved as Wendy walked away.

  ****

  “I smell lunch,” Quinn said when she returned to the shop.

  “Wendy bought us lunch.”

  “She did?” Quinn asked as she opened the bag.

  “Arlene got her appetite back and she wanted a sandwich from Art’s.”

  “That’s good, isn’t it?”

  “I hope it’s not a fluke and she’s really got her appetite back,” Tina said softly.

  Quinn got out her phone and began to type. Wendy, thanks so much for lunch. Mom and I appreciate it. I’m buying dinner when we go out. Glad your mom is feeling better. Q

  Wendy heard her phone signal a message and she looked at the screen. A smile appeared on her face automatically.

  “Who is texting you?” Arlene asked.

  “Just Quinn.” Wendy put the phone back in her pocket.

  ****

  Saturday morning, Wendy drove to the field for their first softball game. The team greeted her as she walked over. Quinn as usual was over talking to a group of spectators. She was laughing with the men, but as if sensing Wendy’s presence, she turned toward her and smiled. Her hand came up in a wave before she returned her attention to the men.

  The women were now out on the field tossing the ball to each other. “How is your mother?” Quinn asked as she moved closer to third base.

  “She still has her appetite so we’re keeping our fingers crossed,” Wendy said with a smile.

  The team defeated the opposing team easily. Wendy was so surprised how well these women played together and she was happy to be part of the team.

  “We’re all going to Stella’s,” Mary announced to the team. “Wendy, do you need a ride or are you driving over?”

  “I’ll meet you there, Mary,” she answered.

  Once all the women were assembled at the bar, the drinks were ordered. Quinn ordered a hamburger and fries. “Do you want anything?” Quinn asked turning to Wendy.

  “No thanks, Quinn.”

  The waitress put the hamburger platter in front of Quinn and she picked up the burger and took a large bite. “They make the best burgers here,” she said with her mouth full.

  “I can tell,” Wendy said with a laugh, and then she stole a fry off her plate.

  “Do you want a bite of this, too?” Quinn asked with a laugh.

  “No, I’ll just eat your fries.” Wendy popped another fry into her mouth.

  “Jill, would you bring another side order of fries, please,” she said to the waitress as she walked by.

  “Afraid I’m going to eat all your fries?” Wendy asked with a smirk.

  “Yep,” Quinn answered, finishing off her burger and just watched as Wendy ate her fries.

  Jill brought the fries to the table.

  “Thanks, Jill,” Wendy said with a wide smile, and took the plate.

  “Hey, I ordered those for me because you ate most of my other fries.”

  Mary leaned over to the two women. “You know there are other people at the table. Don’t you think you two should be interacting with everyone else?”

  “Hey, I’m trying to eat. Wendy you talk to them. I see these ladies all the time.” Quinn took the plate of fries and put them in front of herself.

  Wendy started to laugh, but not before she grabbed a couple of fries.

  As the evening wore on, Quinn stood up. “I’ve got to go guys. I’m opening the store in the morning.”

  “You work seven days a week?” Wendy asked raising her eyebrows in question.

  “No. I usually get some time off during the week and I didn’t work today.” Quinn answered. “Ladies, it’s been a pleasure and a great game today.”

  “So did you enjoy your first game, Wendy?” Mary asked her friend.

  “I did, Mary. It was fun.”

  “Are you sure you’re not a lesbian?” Justine asked. “You play like one.”

  “Justine,” Mary reprimanded. “How can you ask such a thing?”

  Wendy giggled. “Don’t worry about it, Mary. I’m not offended and the last time I checked, Justine, I was still straight.”

  “That’s too bad,” another teammate Sara said, pouting.

  “Sara, you are much too young for me even if I was a lesbian,” Wendy said laughing. No, I’d be interested in Quinn instead. Oh great. Where did that come from? “I think that’s my cue to leave. Good night, all.”

  “Let’s have lunch next week,” Mary said before Wendy left the bar.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Quinn didn’t hear from Wendy the following week. She was busy herself so Quinn went about her business as usual. Saturday morning she stopped into the café for breakfast since it was her turn to open the store. She was sitting there eating at the counter holding court with the rest of patrons sitting around her. At the end of the counter was someone she didn’t recognize, so she asked.

  “Hey, I’m Quinn. Are you here for the summer?” She asked the man in shorts and a t-shirt.

  “No, I’m just taking a few weeks for myself,” he answered not looking at Quinn directly.

  “You seem to know everyone in town,” he said casually.

  “Well, it’s a small town.” Her answer caused the other patrons to chuckle.

  “Don’t let her fool you. Everyone stops at the hardware store for something and Quinn never forgets a name or face,” Harold Walker said to the stranger.

  “I even thought I saw Wendy Harris walking around town,” he said, picking up his coffee cup.

  “Hang around here long enough and we’ll all look like movie stars.” Quinn was not about to expose Wendy and she knew the rest of the town would protect her too.

  “So it wasn’t her?” he asked again.

  “I don’t know who you’re talk
ing about,” she said wearing a wide smile.

  Realizing he wasn’t going to get anywhere, the stranger said. “I guess I was wrong.” He dropped some money on the counter and left the café.

  “Thanks everyone, for keeping Wendy a secret.”

  “We all understand, Quinn. She’s here to take care of her momma and not have to deal with a bunch of fans,” Harold said.

  “I’ll see you guys later. Time to open the store.” Quinn walked down the street not noticing the stranger watching her from across the street.

  The store started out busy with tourists needing things for opening their summer homes. By one o’clock the store finally slowed down and Quinn left the counter to her two helpers while she went into her office.

  Cathy popped into the doorway a few minutes later. “Sorry to bother you, Quinn, but someone is asking for you.”

  “Who?”

  “Wendy Harris,” she said wide eyed. “You know her?”

  “Yes, and she doesn’t want to be bothered while she’s here in town. Her mom’s very sick.”

  “I know, Quinn.” Cathy rolled her eyes. “Should I send her back?”

  “Please.”

  A few minutes later, Wendy appeared. “Knock, knock.” She was wearing a big smile.

  “Hey, come on in and have a seat.”

  “Hi,” she said, taking a chair.

  “How is your mom today?”

  “Good. Very good.”

  “See. You’ll be back in front of the camera in no time.” Quinn knew she would be disappointed when Wendy left to go back to California.

  “Not unless a great script comes in the mail. So are you working all day?”

  “Until four when we close.”

  “Would you like to go to dinner tonight?”

  “Sorry, I can’t tonight.”

  “Oh, hot date?” Wendy asked still smiling, but tried to keep her disappointment from showing.

  “No, but I’m supposed to meet some friends at a bar out of town later. I’d ask you to come, but it’s a gay bar.”

  “Oh, I don’t want to barge in with you and your friends.” Wendy stood. “We can have dinner another night.”

  “I’m sorry, Wendy.”

  “Don’t be sorry, Quinn. How else are you going to meet a woman that is going to sweep you off your feet?”

  Quinn chuckled. “Certainly not at this bar. Most of the women there are too young for me.”

  “Well, have a good time,” she said, leaving the office.

  Quinn sat there wondering why Wendy seemed so disappointed. Yes, they were friends, but it seemed that Wendy wanted to be invited.

  The rest of the day Quinn wondered if she should extend the invitation to Wendy to come with her. Her friends would be impressed to meet the beautiful Wendy Harris, but then she thought about her reputation. If anyone saw Wendy at a gay bar, it would be all over the internet the following morning. She decided to leave well enough alone.

  Quinn walked into the bar and spotted her friends sitting at a table away from the dance floor. “Hey, you two,” Quinn said, leaning over and kissing them.

  “Quinn,” Claudia said. “We’ve missed you.”

  “Claudia’s been saying it’s been too long since the three of us got together,” Sharon added.

  “Sorry, but you know the store is very busy at this time of the year.”

  “The tourists are back?” Sharon asked.

  “Most of them.”

  “So what else have you been doing?” Claudia asked.

  Quinn shrugged. “Guess who is living in Remington?”

  “Who?” Sharon asked. “You know we will never be able to guess.”

  “Wendy Harris,” Quinn said with a wide smile.

  Claudia grabbed Quinn’s hand. “The woman you’ve been drooling over for eight years?”

  Quinn nodded as she rolled her eyes.

  “What is she doing there?”

  “Her mom lives in town and she’s back to spend time with her since she’s very sick.”

  “Have you met her?” Sharon asked.

  “She’s on my softball team. Wendy went to college with Mary.” Quinn explained.

  “Really?”

  “Oh, girl, it’s time for one of your famous barbecues and soon.” Sharon rubbed her hands together licking her lips.

  Quinn chuckled. “I might be able to arrange that.”

  “When?”

  Quinn thought about her schedule and then said, “How about Wednesday evening?”

  Claudia and Sharon looked at each other before answering, “Yes.”

  “Okay. I’ll check with Wendy and get back to you.”

  “No,” Sharon said quickly. “Text her now.”

  “Anxious much?” Quinn laughed, pulling out her phone and began typing.

  Hey, are you up for a barbecue Wednesday evening?

  “Okay, I sent her a message. Can we now talk about something else?” Before anyone else could speak, Quinn’s phone chimed.

  “What did she say?” Sharon asked.

  Quinn read, What’s the occasion? Quinn typed her answer. My friends, Claudia and Sharon want to meet you.

  “Well?”

  “She asked what the occasion was. I told her you two wanted to meet her.”

  The response came quickly. Oh, so you want to show me off to your friends???

  Quinn laughed and typed. Yes, please, would you?

  You want me to say yes even though you ignored me all week?

  Quinn no longer was laughing. Did I ignore you? I didn’t hear from you.

  Only teasing, Quinn. What time?

  “Wendy wants to know what time,” she said turning to Claudia and Sharon.

  “Five o’clock,” Sharon answered. The nursery they both owned would be closed by four o’clock that day.

  Quinn typed. Five?

  Can I help?

  It will only be the four of us. I think I can manage on my own.

  Wendy’s response was an emoticon with a sad face.

  Quinn giggled. Come over in the morning. You can help me make the sides and then you can go home. Meat will be smoking all day. Okay?

  See you Wednesday morning, Wendy responded. And why are you texting with me? Shouldn’t you be dancing?

  Quinn smirked and began typing. No one has asked me to dance.

  Well, if I was there, I would ask you.

  If you did, that picture would be on the internet the following morning.

  You worry too much about my rep, Wendy wrote.

  Well, someone has to, because you aren’t doing a very good job.

  So funny. Go have a good time with your friends and don’t get into trouble

  I won’t. Good night, Wendy

  Good night, Quinn

  “Okay, we are all set,” Quinn said.

  “What was that all about?” Sharon asked.

  “Wendy wants to help me make the side dishes,” Quinn answered Sharon, but she wasn’t sure herself. Wendy seemed to be flirting with Quinn, but then she thought maybe she was just teasing.

  “What were you sharing recipes?” Sharon asked.

  “She also wanted to know why I was texting her instead of having fun,” Quinn said with a laugh.

  “She is straight, right?” Claudia asked.

  “Yeah.” Sadly, yes.

  “You know those people in Hollywood will sleep with either sex.” Claudia sighed. “I just wanted to make sure she’s not looking for fun at your expense.”

  “Trust me, Claudia.” Quinn sucked in a breath. “If she wanted to sleep with me for fun, I wouldn’t turn her away.”

  “That’s because you’ve wanted to sleep with Angie Wilson for years.” Sharon leaned over the table toward Quinn. “Does she know that your screen saver is different pictures of her?”

  “Of course she doesn’t, and you two better not tell her.” Quinn could just imagine the look on Wendy’s face if she saw that. She would run in the other direction thinking Quinn was a stalker.


  “How much is that little bit of information worth to you?” Sharon threatened.

  “Do you want to meet her or not?”

  “Okay, we’ll stop teasing you.”

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Monday morning at work, Quinn sent Wendy a text. Good morning, beautiful. She was still laughing when her mother walked into the store.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “Nothing, Mom,” Quinn said, putting her phone on the counter.

  A customer came in and Quinn went off to help them find what they were looking for. As she was in the back of the store, her phone chimed. Arlene couldn’t resist looking at the message.

  I think you sent me a text that was meant for someone else???

  Arlene looked at the text that Quinn had sent. After the customer left the store, she asked, “Do you have something to tell me?”

  “Huh?” Quinn asked, not understanding.

  “Is there something going on between you and Wendy?” Tina asked pointing at Quinn’s phone.

  As they were talking another text from Wendy came through. What’s going on, Quinn??

  “Mom, can we finish this conversation in a few minutes? I better call Wendy and explain it was just a joke.” Quinn disappeared into the office and called her.

  “Well?” Wendy asked as she answered.

  “Well, what?”

  “Was that text for me?”

  Quinn tried not to laugh. “Yes.”

  Wendy was silent.

  Quinn began to laugh. “It was a joke, Wendy. You said last night that I had ignored you so I didn’t want to ignore you this week. I’m sorry if I freaked you out.” Quinn was back peddling so fast she almost tripped on her own words.

  “I thought the text was meant for someone you met last night and not me,” Wendy said softly.

  “How about we start over?” Quinn asked nervously. “Good morning, Wendy. I hope you are doing well. How is your mom doing?”

  Wendy began to laugh. “Got you.” She was screaming with laughter.

  “What?” Quinn asked, not understanding what had just happened.

  “I knew it was a joke. I thought I would pay you back and freak you out instead. I wanted you to think I was insulted by your text.”

  “Insulted? I called you beautiful,” Quinn said firmly.

  “I know, but you didn’t really mean it. You said that to make me think you were flirting as a joke.”