by Lydia Rose
“Just tell me you’ll try. I’ll pay for your ticket.”
“I can pay my own way,” Quinn said with a grin.
“So you’ll try? I mean with our relationship?”
“Yes, Wendy, I’ll try.” Quinn began to finally smile.
“Good,” Wendy said and punched Quinn’s arm.
“Ow. What was that for?”
“For putting me through this. I’ve never cried over anyone before.”
“I’m sorry. If it makes you feel any better, I cried a lot, too.”
“Yes, and if you don’t agree with something, talk to me. Don’t push me away.”
“I won’t push you away again, Wendy.” Quinn held up her right hand. “I promise. When are you leaving?”
“I have to report in two weeks.”
Quinn put her finger to her chin. “What will we ever do with that time?”
Wendy grabbed Quinn’s hand and pulled her toward the steps. As she did, Quinn’s phone signaled a text.
“It’s my mother. She said if you’re spending the night to let your mother know.” Quinn laughed. “I guess my mother expected us to make up.”
Wendy pulled out her phone. “Mom, I’m staying with Quinn tonight.”
“Okay, honey,” Arlene said with a laugh. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Good night, Mom.”
The two women now flew up the steps. Neither thinking nor worrying about what would happen over the next three months.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Over the last two weeks, Quinn and Wendy spent all their free time together.
“You will try and visit me,” Wendy sighed, “won’t you, Quinn?”
“Yes, and I hope if you find a long weekend, you’ll come here.”
Wendy squeezed Quinn tight to her body.
“You won’t go and fall in love with anyone else while you’re out there?” Quinn whispered.
“Quinn, why would you think that?”
“Because California is filled with beautiful people. I know you can have your pick.”
“You’re right, Quinn, I do have a choice.” Wendy smiled looking at her lover. “I’ve chosen who I want to spend the rest of my life with.” She kissed Quinn’s lips softly. “If you have any doubts, talk to me. Please, Quinn. We need to communicate. Hollywood is full of rumors. Most are untrue, but a story is put out there. So if you read that Brad and I are dating, it isn’t true.”
“How can you say that now?”
“I know, Quinn.” Her arm went around Quinn’s waist. “I hired a car to take me to the airport.”
“Why? I could drive you.” Quinn insisted.
“Don’t you think we should keep our good-byes private?” Wendy smiled. “I don’t want someone taking a picture as I try to drag you onto the plane.”
Quinn giggled. “Or me trying to keep you from boarding the plane.”
“Can I see your laptop?” Wendy asked.
“Why?”
“I want to set up Skype on your computer.”
“I know how to set it up.” Quinn insisted because she didn’t want Wendy to see all the pictures of her on that computer.
Wendy grinned. “I know you have a lot of pictures of me on that computer. More than a few people have told me.”
“Yeah, well,” Quinn shrugged. “What can I say? You’re a beautiful woman.”
“I want some pictures of you for my phone.” Wendy jumped off the bed and grabbed her phone.
“Wendy, I have no clothes on and my hair is a mess.”
“It looks sexy.” Wendy began snapping away. “Now give me that look that you’re going to miss me.”
“No, that picture will have me crying.” Quinn shook her head.
“Then give me one saying how much you want to make love to me.”
Quinn covered herself with the sheet and crawled toward Wendy. She licked her lips and her green eyes were smoldering.
“Wow, that’s it.” Wendy giggled. “I can use this when I’m lonely.”
****
A car service was picking Wendy up in a few hours. The two women made love most of the night and they took a shower together in the morning. Wendy applied her makeup and transformed herself into the Hollywood celebrity that she was.
“How do I look?” Wendy asked, finally dressed.
“Gorgeous, baby.”
Wendy smiled at Quinn and leaned over touching her lips softly with her own. “The next three months are going to fly by.”
“Maybe for you,” Quinn said softly.
“Would you check on my mom from time to time? I don’t want her to have a relapse and not tell me.”
“Of course I will.” Quinn knew spending time with Arlene would make her feel closer to Wendy. The two women shared more than hair and eye color. Arlene was an older version of Wendy.
“Quinn, I have to tell you that this script has me falling in love with a woman, too.”
“What?”
“Yes. In the beginning I’m married to Brad, but then I meet Julia.”
“Julia Paige?”
Wendy nodded.
“Why did you wait to tell me this?”
“I wasn’t sure how you would react. Just remember, it’s only a movie.”
“But Julia Paige is a lesbian.” Quinn’s heart fell.
“Yes, and happily married.” Wendy slipped her arm through Quinn’s arm. “She does nothing for me, honey. It’s going to be hard to pretend there is.”
“Do you have any love scenes with her?”
Wendy nodded. “Honey, when we’re filming those scenes there is nothing less sexy.”
“I know,” Quinn said, but in her heart she was fearful.
“Remember that, okay?” Wendy squeezed her arms.
“I’ll try. Wow, Julia Paige.”
“Don’t let me find any pictures of her on your computer,” Wendy growled.
Quinn laughed out loud. “No worries, honey, it's you I want.”
“That’s better. Now walk me downstairs so I can say a proper good-bye before my car gets here.”
No sooner did Wendy’s car pull away, Quinn’s mother appeared.
“How are you doing, honey?” Tina asked.
“I miss her already, Mom, and she’s barely down the street.”
“Let’s go have a cup of coffee.” Tina led Quinn into the house. “It’s the beginning of August. The store will be busy for the next six weeks and you have your softball games.” Tina chuckled. “You’ll barely have any time to miss Wendy.”
“Tell that to my heart, Mom.”
CHAPTER TWENTY
Wendy got to the studio on Monday morning. She met with the director and cast. Wendy spent the week in wardrobe fittings and learning her lines. Each night she would spend on the phone or Skype with Quinn.
Wendy was sitting in her trailer going over her lines for the next scene when someone knocked on the door. “Come in,” Wendy called out.
“Hey, Wendy. Am I bothering you?”
“Not at all, Julia. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No thanks.” Julia took the seat across from Wendy at the table. “Are you ready for the next scene?”
“As ready as I can be,” Wendy said with a laugh. “Is something wrong?” Wendy asked seeing how fidgety Julia seemed. “Just tell me, Julia.”
“Are you going to be okay with the kissing and love scenes, Wendy?” Julia asked, not meeting Wendy’s gaze.
Wendy laughed. “Are you afraid it won’t look believable?”
Julia shrugged.
Wendy pulled out her phone and went to her picture gallery. When she found a suitable photo, she turned the phone around. “This is my girlfriend, Quinn.”
Julia took the phone from Wendy and stared. “She’s very pretty, but…”
“You thought I was straight?”
Again Julia nodded.
“Not anymore,” Wendy said giggling.
“Does Arthur or Brad know?”
“I think that st
ory they published about me and Quinn may have gotten me this part, but no one has asked if the story was true.”
Arthur Thomas is an amazing director. Wendy had tried to be in one of his films for years, but he always saw her as a TV actor and nothing more.
“I think I will keep this information to myself,” Julia said laughing. “My wife was already jealous that you and I were doing this film. The only thing keeping her jealousy at bay was that you were straight.”
“I’m in love with Quinn. You can tell her I don’t have any interest in you.”
“Gee, thanks, Wendy,” Julia pouted.
“I’m sorry, Julia. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“I’m only teasing you, Wendy. I’m happy for you and Quinn. When do I get to meet this woman?”
“I don’t know, Julia. Quinn and her mother own a hardware store in North Carolina. It’s hard for her to get away,” Wendy said sadly.
“Well, if she does make it out here. The four of us should have dinner together.”
“Trust me, Julia. If Quinn makes it out here, we won’t be spending our evenings out on the town.”
The two women laughed as another knock on the trailer door sounded.
“I guess it’s back to work,” Wendy said standing. She put her arm around Julia. “We’re going to make every man jealous that you and I are in love in this movie.”
“That’s creepy, Wendy. Men don’t get jealous of two women together. All they’re going to want is to join us in bed.”
“Eww,” Wendy said, stretching out her disgust.
“Yeah. My feelings exactly.”
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
“Quinn, stop moping,” Tina Waverly said, poking Quinn’s arm.
“I’m not moping. I’m bored.”
“Why don’t you call Wendy?”
“Because she told me they were going to be on location today at the beach. I doubt she has time to talk to me during the day.”
“Well, you’ll never know unless you try,” Tina said, walking away.
Quinn looked at her phone and whispered, “May as well try.”
Wendy picked up on the first ring. “Hi, honey.”
“Wendy?”
“Of course, it’s me. Who else would answer my phone?” Wendy asked laughing. “Now that you have me, talk to me.”
Quinn laughed. “How is the beach?”
“Dreary today. Julia and I are freezing and we’re supposed to kiss for the first time today.”
“I wish it was me instead of her,” Quinn said quietly.
“Me too, Quinn.” Wendy exhaled. “Is the store still busy?”
“Not today. Most of the tourists have left because it’s been raining for days.”
“Then get on a plane and come see me,” Wendy said matter of fact.
Quinn chuckled. “Soon, love, soon.”
“Quinn, I’m sorry, but they are calling me back to the set. Wish me luck.”
“You’ll do fine, Wendy. Just don’t have too much fun with Julia.”
Wendy giggled. “Don’t worry, I won’t. I’ll talk to you tonight.”
“Love you.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
Tina came out of the back room and saw the smile on her daughter’s face. “I guess you reached Wendy?”
Quinn nodded. “Yeah. I’m going to see if I can get out to see her this weekend. I’ll leave Friday morning and be back here Monday night.”
“Why don’t you stay longer, Quinn? I can handle the store.”
“No, Mom, you work hard enough.”
“Well, go see if you can get a flight,” Tina said, pushing Quinn toward her office.
Quinn made her reservations and then picked up the phone to contact Wendy’s assistant. She wanted her arrival to be a surprise and hoped that Cindy would help her.
****
Quinn arrived in California at noon pacific time. A driver held up a sign with her name at the luggage pick up.
“I’m Quinn Waverly,” she said, walking over to him.
He reached for luggage. “I’m James. Let’s get you settled.” James led her out to the town car. “I’m supposed to take you right to the studio.”
“Thank you, James.” Quinn sat back in the car nervous about seeing Wendy after seven weeks.
Cindy met them in a golf cart as they pulled into the studio lot. “Hello, Quinn. I’m Cindy.”
“It’s nice to meet you Cindy, and thanks for arranging this surprise.”
“It’s my pleasure. Wendy has told me so much about you.”
“She has?” Quinn asked surprised.
“Of course. I can tell how much she loves you when she talks about you.” Cindy smiled. “Wendy is still on the set. I’ll take you to her trailer where you can wait for her.”
Quinn settled into the trailer and opened the refrigerator. She took out a bottle of water and waited. Quinn waited so long, she fell asleep on the sofa. The next thing she felt were soft lips kissing her. Her eyes opened and Wendy was there. “Hi.”
Wendy grinned. “Hi,” she said shyly. “This is a wonderful surprise. Who helped you pull this surprise off?”
“Cindy,” Quinn said, sitting up.
“I’ll have to give that girl a raise.”
Quinn nodded as her lips found Wendy’s again. “I’ve missed you so much,” she said as their kiss ended.
Wendy wrapped her arms around Quinn and squeezed. “I’ve missed you too, Quinn.”
A knock on the trailer door interrupted their kissing.
“Come in,” Wendy said, sitting next to Quinn.
“Wendy,” Julia said as she walked in and then stopped. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had a guest.”
Wendy held out her hand. “Julia Paige, this is my girlfriend Quinn Waverly.”
Quinn stood up extending her hand. “I’m happy to meet you. I love your work, Ms. Paige.”
“Thank you, Quinn, but call me Julia. Your woman here doesn’t stop talking about you. I feel as though I already know you.”
“I hope she was kind?” Quinn asked chuckling.
“All good, Quinn.” Julia turned to Wendy. “Quinn, you have a wonderful woman. Wendy and I have become good friends.”
Quinn raised her eyebrow.
“Friends, Quinn,” Julia said rolling her eyes. “My wife would have my head if it was anything more.” Julia turned to Wendy. “I guess they’re both the jealous type?”
“Seems so, Julia.”
“I hate to tell you this, but Arthur wants to do the last scene over.”
“Really?”
“Yep.”
“Honey, do you want to come watch me work?”
“Yes.”
Cindy got Quinn situated so she could watch the scene, but out of the way of the crew trying to film.
“I got your message,” Bill Connors said, walking into the house.
“Thanks for coming over, Bill.” Rachel watched as Bill approached trying to kiss her. She turned her head and his kiss landed on her cheek.
“What’s going on, Rachel?”
“Bill, I’m sorry, but I’m in love with someone else.”
Bill’s face showed his anger. “It’s her, isn’t it?” he shouted. “You’ve fallen in love with Lucy. Tell me,” he demanded.
“Yes,” Rachel whispered. “I’m sorry, Bill.”
“Sorry,” Bill growled. “She seduced you and transfixed you. Rachel, listen to yourself. You’re not a lesbian.”
“Well, I’m her lesbian, Bill. Lucy did not seduce me. I wanted her.”
“You have no idea what you’re saying. This can’t be true.” Bill reached for Rachel and pulled her to his body.
“I love her, Bill. I love her with all my heart. I’m sorry, but I won’t change my mind.”
Quinn watched as the scene unfolded in front of her. It was as if Wendy could be speaking about them. Not Rachel talking about Lucy, but Wendy in love with Quinn. Her heart swelled as she watched the scene come to an end.
“Cut,” the director said. “Very good everyone. That’s it for today.”
Wendy walked off the set and went right to Quinn. Her smile was radiant as her lips kissed her softly. “Are you ready to get out of here?” She whispered into Quinn’s ear.
Quinn nodded and looked at the people standing around them and she saw the director approaching.
“So, that story was true?” Arthur asked.
“Yes, Arthur. This is Quinn.”
Arthur held out his hand to Quinn. “I’m glad to know you. I guess I have you to thank for these wonderful scenes Wendy has given us?” He nodded at Wendy with his head.
“I don’t know about that, sir. Wendy is a wonderful actor.”
Arthur smiled. “Good to know you, Quinn.”
“You too, sir.”
Wendy grabbed Quinn’s hand and they quickly left the set. “It won’t be long before my relationship with you is the latest story. Are you sure you’re going to be able to handle this?”
“As long as I’m with you, that’s all that matters,” Quinn answered, taking Wendy’s hand.
Once Wendy had Quinn in her condo, she closed the door and pushed her up against it. Her kisses were demanding as she reached for the zipper on Quinn’s jeans.
“Honey, hold up.”
“No, I need to touch you now,” Wendy said against her neck as her hands pulled down Quinn’s jeans and underwear. Once Wendy found Quinn wet and waiting, she plunged two fingers into her.
They were both panting when Wendy slowly removed her fingers. “Now that’s what I call a welcome.”
“I am not letting you out of this condo for the rest of the weekend.” Wendy took her hand and pulled Quinn toward the bedroom.
It was nine o’clock when they both laid exhausted. Quinn’s stomach began growling. “When did you eat last?” Wendy asked chuckling.
“Last night.”
“Well, I better feed that monster. Come on, let’s raid the refrigerator.”
The two women didn’t even bother to dress. Wendy opened the refrigerator and took out leftover Chinese food from the night before.
“Do you want me to heat it up?” Wendy asked, taking out the container of food.
“Nope, just give me a fork.”
Wendy and Quinn shared the food and then began to kiss each other again standing at the kitchen island. Quinn lifted Wendy onto the island and grinned. “And now for dessert,” she said, spreading Wendy’s legs.
