Arms Wide Open

by Donna Jay

  “We haven’t both dated a married woman, though.”

  That was true. Yvonne would never be shared or share another person’s partner.

  “No, we haven’t.”

  “Tim seems nice.” Her expression was thoughtful. “Does he know, or were you two running around behind his back?”

  Appalled by the idea, Julie clenched her jaw. “I would never cheat or help someone cheat. Tim knew. In fact, he played a large part in getting us together.”

  “Oh, I get it. The lesbian fantasy. Of course he played a part in it.”

  Julie shook her head emphatically. “It wasn’t like that.”

  “You never let him join you? Or…you know, watch.”

  “No!” God, the very idea of it was horrifying. “Never. Sadie’s bisexual.”

  Yvonne let out a heavy breath. “I don’t understand.”

  Feeling a little more relaxed, Julie bit back a smile. “Well, that’s when someone’s sexually attracted to both men and women.”

  “Not that. I mean how someone could share their partner.” She shook her head.

  “It’s called being in an open relationship.”

  “I know that.” Frustration crept into Yvonne’s voice. “But I still don’t get it.”

  “Perhaps you don’t have to.” Julie held Yvonne’s gaze. “Not everyone understands why people are gay, but that doesn’t mean what we’re doing is wrong.”

  “That’s kind of different, don’t you think?”

  “How so?” Julie asked, genuinely curious.

  If a man or woman happily let their partner take a lover, who was she to judge? She and Sadie had amazing chemistry. The sex was off the charts, and the arrangement suited all three.

  Once, while Tim was out of town, she’d stayed the night. In the morning they both agreed it felt like they’d crossed a line. Not wanting to complicate their relationship, they never spent an entire night together again. Whether Sadie had told Tim about the overnighter or not, she didn’t know to this day.

  “What we’re doing is an act of love, and we aren’t hurting anyone,” Yvonne continued.

  “How do you know what they’re doing’s not the same in their eyes?”

  According to Sadie, if Tim hadn’t suggested she take a lover, she never would have. Until he planted the seed, Sadie had always believed in monogamy.

  “Someone could’ve got hurt.” Yvonne cut into her thoughts.

  She was like a dog with a bone. But Julie had the perfect reply, because she too had thought about it many times over the years.

  “They could’ve, but they didn’t. You want to know why?”

  Looking dubious, Yvonne nodded.

  “Because no one was lying or cheating. Affairs end marriages. Doing stuff behind your partner’s back ruins trust, and that’s a hard thing to bounce back from.”

  “So you’re saying it’s okay to screw other people, as you so eloquently put it, as long as your partner knows?”

  Exasperated, Julie exhaled a heavy sigh. “I’m saying who are we to judge?”

  “Well, why didn’t you just say that?” A cheeky grin spread across Yvonne’s face.

  “No wonder Ginger ran away.” Julie shook her head.

  Glad the conversation was over, she picked up the remote.

  “Didn’t you get jealous knowing she was going home to someone else?”

  Fuck.

  Apparently the conversation wasn’t over.

  Julie slumped back against the sofa. “That was the beauty of it. At the time, I didn’t want a committed relationship. Not once did I have to explain to her why, or worry she’d fall in love with me. She loved her husband, end of story. We had awesome sex, nothing more, nothing less.”

  Yvonne winced, and Julie kicked herself for adding the last part.

  “Oh, hey, babe. Don’t you dare do that. We have awesome sex.”

  When we have it.

  “Have you ever thought about taking a lover? You know, to fill the gap I’m not filling?”

  “No! Never. You’re my world.” And by God, she meant it. “Sex pales in comparison to the love we share.” She pulled Yvonne into her lap and wrapped her in a fierce embrace. “Never, ever, forget that.”

  Chapter 9

  Mid-morning Monday, Yvonne pushed aside the contract claims and made her way to the staffroom. No matter how busy they were, Gary insisted everyone stop for a break at ten and another at three. He said it gave the team time to bond. While he wasn’t wrong, Yvonne didn’t share any more about her personal life than she had to.

  Five steaming mugs were already placed strategically around the oval boardroom table, thanks to Fiona.

  Yvonne took her usual seat. She picked up her mug, inhaling the aroma of lemon and spice.

  The scent of Fiona’s coffee drifted in Yvonne’s direction, taunting her. She loved coffee, but it didn’t love her. Other than her morning brew, the rest of the day it was herbal tea for her.

  Nick, another co-worker, wandered into the room.

  “Morning, ladies.” He winced, gingerly lowering himself into his seat.

  “Morning.” Yvonne set her cup down on the glass coaster. “Are you injured?”

  He clutched his ribs. “Rugby.”

  Yawning, Jason entered the room. “Harden up, poofter.”

  Right at that moment, Gary walked up behind Jason. “Come with me.” His voice was calm, but Jason’s shoulders rose up around his ears all the same.

  Head down, he looked like a school boy summoned to the principal’s office as he was marched past the glass windows encasing the staffroom.

  “I don’t think he meant any offense,” Fiona said.

  “I know,” Yvonne replied.

  “Hey, what about me?” Nick asked, looking like it hurt to breathe let alone speak. “I’m the one who got hurt.”

  “Pfft.” Fiona gave him a smug look. “I’m sure you’ve been called worse.”

  “I didn’t mean the name calling. I meant my ribs.”

  “What happened?” Fiona blew on her coffee. “Did you get rucked?”

  Listening with half an ear, Yvonne hoped Gary wasn’t too hard on Jason. He was young and spirited and she had a lot of time for him. He was a great quantity surveyor, and they worked well together.

  However, Gary had no tolerance for bigotry. That included anything perceived as a derogative term.

  “How’s the team this morning?” Gary strolled back into the staffroom like it was any other morning. “Anyone do anything exciting over the weekend?”

  Quiet as a mouse, Jason slumped into his chair. He glanced at Yvonne and mouthed, “Sorry.”

  She mouthed back, “It’s fine.”

  And it was. Jason didn’t have a homophobic bone in his body. He didn’t have much of a filter either, but he’d never been rude to Yvonne.

  ***

  Back at her desk, Jason wandered over. He pushed some papers aside and perched on the corner. “I meant no offense.”

  “None taken.”

  “Gary thinks highly of you.”

  “He has a funny way of showing it,” Yvonne said.

  “I can’t argue with that.”

  Most of the time he was barking out orders, wanting constant progress updates, running around like a madman keeping everyone but his admin team happy.

  A smile softened Jason’s blue eyes. “He’s a hard taskmaster, but the business wouldn’t be thriving without his drive.”

  “True.” Yvonne picked up her pen, ready to get back to the claim a subcontractor had just submitted. “You might as well pull up a chair while you’re here. I’ve got to sign off the progress claim a plumber put in.”

  “Which project?”

  “The birthing centre.”

  “Would it be inappropriate to make a joke about plumbing and birthing?”

  “Yes, it would,” Yvonne said around a smile.

  ***

  An hour later, Yvonne jumped when her phone pinged. Putting aside her paperwork, she read Sara
h’s message. ‘How was your weekend?’

  She replied with one word. ‘Good.’

  ‘Everything still okay at home?’

  Sarah had been asking the same question since the last time they’d caught up in person. Making a split-second decision, Yvonne tapped out a reply.

  ‘Wanna meet for lunch?’ She tossed her phone aside then quickly snatched it back. ‘Will go for my walk tonight.’

  ‘No walk?’

  ‘Snap!’ Yvonne chuckled. ‘See you soon.’

  At twelve o’clock, she made her way toward reception.

  “Wow, is it that time already?” Fiona glanced at her watch.

  “Sure is.” Yvonne was met by a blast of cold air when she pushed open the front door. Shutting it again, she rushed back to her desk and threw on her jacket.

  “You might want your umbrella, too,” Fiona said as Yvonne attempted to step out again.

  “I won’t need it. I’m driving.”

  “Oooh.” She waggled her eyebrows. “Another date with your wife?”

  “Something like that.” Yvonne shut the door to a smiling Fiona.

  Five minutes later, she hurried into the café. This time, she arrived ahead of Sarah, but it was too cold to stand around outside waiting for her.

  She hadn’t made it as far as the counter before the café door whooshed open and in she rushed.

  “Hi, you.” Shivering, Sarah gave her a quick hug. “I’m so over this weather.”

  “It’ll be spring before you know it.” Yvonne said.

  September was just around the corner, and although she wasn’t a fan of frosty mornings, watching new-born lambs frolicking in paddocks was a sight she would never tire of.

  “What are you having?” Yvonne got her wallet out.

  Without taking her eyes off the chalk board, Sarah replied, “I’ll have the lunch special.”

  Yvonne stepped up to the counter. “Two bowls of soup, please.”

  She took the card with 42 printed on it and led Sarah to a table as far away from the front door as possible. She didn’t fancy a blast of cold air up her skirt every time someone entered the café.

  Slacks would provide a little more warmth, but she refused to wear them to construction sites. For some reason, the minute she did she was treated like one of the boys, back-slaps and all.

  Draping her jacket over the back of the chair, Yvonne lowered herself into the plastic seat.

  “You’d think they’d get more comfortable chairs if they want their customers to stick around, wouldn’t you?” Sarah wiggled from side to side, trying to get comfortable.

  “It’s lunchtime, most people don’t have time to linger.”

  “Good point.” Sarah looked beyond Yvonne. “Here comes our soup.”

  The decadent aroma of carrots, onions, celery, herbs, and spices assailed her nostrils as the bowls were placed on the table, along with complimentary, crusty bread rolls.

  She scooped up a spoonful and blew on it before taking a sip. The combination of flavours exploded on her tongue. “Mm, this is good. Almost as good as Julie’s.” She made the best vegetable soup in the world.

  “I assume things are okay judging by the way your face lit up when you said her name.”

  “Did it?” Yvonne hadn’t even realised. “We’ve talked, a lot.”

  “Talking is good.” Sarah absently dropped bits of bread into her soup. “Spill.”

  “Did I ever tell you Julie had an affair with a married woman?”

  ‘No, you did not!’ Sarah’s mouth fell open. “No wonder you thought she was cheating if she’s done it before.”

  “No, no. She was single at the time.”

  “Ah, so the other woman was cheating.” She nodded as if she understood.

  “Wrong.”

  “I’m lost.” Sarah picked up her spoon.

  “Her husband knew.”

  “Wow. How does that work?”

  “Sadie’s bisexual.”

  “No shit, Einstein. I figured that much out for myself.”

  “Would you let me finish?”

  Grinning, she scooped up some soup.

  “Her husband was away a lot for work. From what Julie’s told me, he encouraged her to take a lover.”

  “There’s such a thing as toys, you know?”

  “Yes, I know.” Yvonne gave her a pointed look.

  “Oh, shit.” Sarah choked on a mouthful of soup. “That’s not what I meant.”

  “Relax. Sure there are toys, but they’re not the same as the real thing, are they?”

  For a long time, Sarah studied her. She took her glasses off and swirled them by the arm.

  When Yvonne couldn’t stand it any longer, she blurted out, “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “I’m wondering where my prim and proper friend has gone. Last week, the mere mention of sex made you blush. Now, here you are openly discussing the topic.”

  “I’m fifty, almost fifty-one.” She shrugged. “It’s time I was more open. And to be honest, since I opened up to Julie, we’ve become closer.”

  “I’m happy for you.” Sarah put her glasses back on. “A relationship’s a lot like a garden.”

  “Stop.” Yvonne held up her hand. “Please don’t tell me you have flowery names for your lady bits.”

  “Of course not, petal,” Sarah replied without missing a beat. “If you want your relationship to thrive, you have to nurture it. If you don’t, it will wilt and die.”

  “That was deep.” Yvonne pushed her empty plate aside.

  “So’s your love for Julie.”

  “It is. I’ll do anything to keep our love alive.”

  “Including share her?”

  “Now you’re being silly.” Yvonne grinned, unwilling to admit the thought had crossed her mind.

  Chapter 10

  With Yvonne’s birthday fast approaching, Julie considered making a booking for two at the local pub. The atmosphere was relaxed and their beer-battered fish was to die for.

  Thoughts of the last time she’d surprised Yvonne made her think better of it. Unbeknown to her, Yvonne had a deadline to meet for work. She was uptight all night which in turn ruined what should’ve been a relaxing evening.

  “What would you like to do for your birthday?” Julie asked, erring on the side of caution.

  “Nothing,” Yvonne replied without looking up.

  “Come on, we have to do something. We could ask Sarah and Neil if they’d like to join us for dinner. They’re good people.”

  “They are, but they’re also away this weekend.”

  “Oh, really. When did you find that out?” Julie cocked her head to the side.

  “Yesterday. She texted me.”

  Screwing up her face, Julie folded her arms across her chest. “And you didn’t tell me?”

  “What?” Yvonne dragged her eyes off the magazine she’d been reading.

  “Why the secrecy?”

  “It’s not a secret. I just didn’t think to tell you.”

  “Why not?” Julie stifled the righteous smile trying to burst forth. It probably wasn’t the best of times to be winding Yvonne up, but she couldn’t pass up the opportunity.

  “Do you expect me to tell you about every phone call and text I get? Here.” She threw her phone to Julie.

  “No thanks.” She tossed it back. “I trust you.”

  She counted backwards, waiting for the penny to drop. Three, two….she didn’t get to one.

  “Point taken.” Yvonne pointed a finger. “But in fairness, Sarah’s a close friend, whom you’ve met several times, not an ex-lover.”

  She had a point. “True.”

  “I get it, though, we don’t have to share every conversation we have.”

  “But we do need to trust each other.”

  “That we do.” Yvonne nodded slowly.

  Not liking the distance between them, even though it was companionable, she uncrossed her arms and joined Yvonne on the sofa.

  “May I have
the honour of taking you out for your birthday.” Julie raised Yvonne’s hand and kissed her knuckles. Her chivalry earned her a gorgeous smile.

  “We could pretend it’s our first date and play footsies under the table.” Julie waggled her eyebrows.

  “We do that at home, and we certainly didn’t do that on our first date.”

  They didn’t do it on their second either. It took weeks for Julie to get past first base.

  “Remember the first time we made love?” Yvonne asked, rubbing the back of Julie’s hand with the pad of her thumb.

  How could she forget? It was so unexpected, she was dumbstruck. “I’ll never forget it.” She smiled at the memory. “You grabbed me by the shirt collar and whisked me off to your room. I was speechless.”

  “I told you you’d know when I was ready.”

  “You sure you haven’t got an inner domme trapped in there?” Julie tapped Yvonne’s chest.

  “Pfft, I’m assertive, not controlling.”

  “I can work with assertive.”

  “Now who’s acting like a dog with a bone?”

  As tempted as she was to tell Yvonne she was willing to sit on her haunches and beg, Julie didn’t want to push her luck.

  “So, how about I take you out for dinner for your birthday? Let me woo you all over again?”

  “You don’t have to woo me, you’re stuck with me.”

  “Is that a yes?”

  “Yes! Now shut up.” Yvonne laughed.

  ***

  After paying the taxi driver, Julie held the pub door open, letting Yvonne enter first.

  At seven on a Saturday night, the place was busy but not packed. By eleven it would be rocking. They’d be long gone before then.

  A fireplace in the corner created a warm and inviting atmosphere. Soft jazz filtered through speakers, and the aroma of bar food hung in the air.

  “Would you like to have a drink at the bar first, or sit at a table?”

  “Let’s sit at the bar. It reminds me of Cheers.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  A gentleman sitting at a table alone smiled as they walked by. Julie tipped her head in greeting.

  They pulled up two barstools near the middle of the bar and put their feet on the brass foot rail. A woman on her own, busy scrolling through her phone, paid them no attention. Two blokes sharing a pint said hi, then went back to bantering about cattle sales that day.