Hurricane Season

by BJ Phillips

  “Yes, I’ve heard of her.” Shawn’s stomach rolled over. She decided to keep it light and not assume anything.

  “Has anyone ever told you that you look like her?”

  “Yes, they have. Outstanding author and fine human being.” Shawn barely glanced sideways at Carrie as her lips flirted with a smile. “From what I hear, of course. So, you’re a fan of her books?”

  “Sure am. I’ve read every single one she’s written. I guess I just hope to meet Ms. Right and have a wonderful love affair like in one of her books. They’re so romantic. I mean, who wouldn’t want her sweetheart to make a declaration of love out on Sanibel Island beach at sunset? That’s from my favorite book of hers, Island Magic.”

  “True, that does sound quite romantic. So that one is your favorite. What’s your next favorite?”

  Carrie thought for a few seconds. “Second Chances, I think. That one was actually pretty funny, as well as romantic. How many of her books have you read?

  “All of them, actually,” Shawn said softly. “I had to, since I wrote them.” She kept her eyes glued to the road ahead.

  “You really are S.K. Richardson?” Carrie stared at Shawn. “I don’t think it actually occurred to me that you could be her until last night when I noticed you resembled the picture on the back of her—I mean your—book. I didn’t even connect you. I knew you were a writer but it never occurred to me you could be her. Or she could be you. Or…oh, my God. Now I can say I kissed S.K. Richardson. How exciting!” Carrie paused and took a deep breath. “You know I’m kidding of course. I kissed Shawn Richards. So S.K. Richardson doesn’t exist, does she?”

  “Well, in a way, she does. She exists on paper. She exists on legal documents. As a real, flesh and warm-blooded person, no. She’s kind of my alter ego. Like Iron Man or something.” Shawn kept her eyes on the road, not sure what was coming next.

  “I think I like Shawn Richards much better. You’re real.”

  “Yes, I am.” Shawn glanced back at Carrie, and then reached for her hand again. “Quite real.” She felt she’d been holding her breath and could begin to breathe again. Okay, that wasn’t so bad. They rode in companionable silence the rest of the way.

  Chapter Thirteen

  BY THE TIME THEY arrived, the popular hangout was already very busy. Shawn felt Carrie’s hand reach for hers as they walked to the door. She liked that she could feel Carrie’s hand was smaller than hers, but not tiny. Now that her secret identity was out, she was hoping Carrie didn’t turn into another Jen. She and Carrie were pretty evenly matched in so many ways, with the easy give and take they shared quite comfortably. Carrie was fun to be with and they laughed a lot together. She was happy just to have her as a friend. Then she heard that voice in her head asking, who are you kidding? You wanted to sleep with her the minute you first saw her. When was that? Was it just a few weeks ago?

  Shawn scanned the room looking for an empty table and found one just being vacated in the corner near the dance floor. She looked at Carrie for an okay before heading there with Carrie in tow. Once they were seated and drinks ordered, Shawn heard a song she liked and wouldn’t trip over herself dancing to.

  “Want to dance?” she asked, holding out her hand.

  “I’d love to,” Carrie said as she stood.

  They found a spot on the dance floor and Carrie reached her arms up Shawn’s shoulders to embrace her neck, her body in full contact with Shawn’s. Shawn tried not to react as she felt every inch of her touch. As they danced slowly, her hands at Carrie’s waist, Shawn realized how perfectly Carrie fit against her. How it felt like they’d been dancing together for their whole lives. How wonderful Carrie’s hair smelled–a bit like coconut. And her fragrance–something clean like soap and water, yet sweet. She knew this was just a first date, yet it felt like something more. And that something more made her heart race and stomach clench at the same time.

  Shawn pulled away from Carrie just a little bit so their bodies were not quite touching. She needed to put a little space between them. She wasn’t ready to feel like that again about anyone. She didn’t want to lead Carrie on, either, letting her think she could give her something she just couldn’t.

  Carrie looked up at Shawn. “Are you all right?”

  “Uh, yeah, I’m fine. Just thought you might be uncomfortable.” Shawn looked away.

  “I’m good,” Carrie said as the song ended and a fast song came on next. She backed away from Shawn about a step. “Hey, let’s try a fast one.”

  Shawn seemed to relax a little as the music started and they began dancing again. She was so entranced watching Carrie’s body move to the music, she almost forgot to move herself. Carrie seemed to have a natural feel for the rhythm and flow of the sound and went with it. Shawn would’ve been happy just watching her. They danced to several fast songs, laughing and singing along with the music. When the next slow one came on, they were ready to sit down.

  “I love dancing,” Carrie plopped into her chair with just a tiny sigh, looking out at the couples on the dance floor.

  “You’re a great dancer. It’s been a while since I’ve danced with anyone, so I’m afraid I’m a little rusty.”

  “I’d never have guessed. You’re pretty good yourself especially the slow dancing. I really enjoyed that,” Carrie said, smiling softly and reaching for Shawn’s hand. “You know, if you aren’t comfortable with anything, all you have to do is say so. Did you feel uncomfortable slow dancing with me?”

  “Maybe a little.” Shawn squeezed Carrie’s hand gently. “It’s not your fault, it’s just me. Besides, I like dancing with you so I’ll get over it.”

  Their drinks arrived. They clinked their glasses as Shawn said, “To a fun evening.”

  “It already is,” Carrie answered.

  They sat out one song, watching the other couples dance as they sipped on their drinks. As another slow song started, Shawn put out her hand. “Want to try that again?”

  Carrie nodded. “I’m up for it if you are.”

  Shawn led her to the dance floor, this time holding her close, but not too close. She felt Carrie’s body in her arms, breathed in the fragrance of her hair once more, and almost lost track of the music. As that song ended she let go of her slowly and laughed a bit nervously as she reached for Carrie’s hand for the fast song coming on. They danced several more numbers, afterward sitting down to sip on sodas this time, since Shawn was driving.

  “This place is nice,” Shawn said. “I don’t remember it from when I was here last.”

  “It’s sort of new. A couple of years old, but already very popular. I thought you’d like it, since they play a mixture of music, from oldies to current stuff.”

  Another song had started, so to be sure she could be heard Carrie leaned over, talking directly into Shawn’s ear: “Hey, you want to go? I’m ready when you are.”

  Shawn could almost feel Carrie’s lips touching her ear. The feel of her breathing on her earlobe nearly sent her into a tailspin. She managed to say, “Uh, yeah, I think I’m ready. Want to head back?”

  Carrie nodded.

  Shawn took Carrie’s hand as they headed toward the door. Just before they reached the door, a voice called out, “Hey! Is that you Shawn?” Shawn dropped Carrie’s hand and turned around just in time to find herself nearly nose to nose with a face she hadn’t seen in years. Her face lit up with a huge grin.

  “Kelly! You haven’t changed a bit. How are you?” she said to a slightly taller and more substantial woman with short dark blonde hair, wearing cargo shorts and a T-shirt. They grabbed each other in a hug.

  After Shawn released her, Kelly put her arm around Shawn’s shoulders and said into Shawn’s ear, “Obviously not as well as you are. Who’s tonight’s cutie?”

  “Get outta here. I suppose I should make formal introductions. Kelly, I’d like you to meet my friend Carrie Alexander. Carrie, this character is an old friend of mine, Kelly Bradley. We haven’t seen each other since…when?”

  “I
’d guess at least three years, maybe four. You’d never know it, of course. Shawn here never seems to change.” Kelly looked appreciatively at Carrie. “And you, my dear, if you want to hear some Shawn stories, I could tell you some great ones. Like the time—”

  Shawn cut her off. “Not now, Kelly.” Shawn laughed. “I don’t want to lose her as a friend when we’re just getting to know each other. Maybe some other time. We do have to get going.” She handed Kelly her cell. “Here, punch in your number. Let’s get together in the next few days, lift a few, and catch up on stuff.”

  Kelly put in her number, and when she heard her own phone buzz in her pocket, she handed Shawn’s phone back. “Let’s make it soon. We’ve got a lot of catching up to do.” She smiled at Carrie. “And nice to meet you, Carrie. I hope I get to see more of you.”

  Carrie reached out her hand to shake hands. Kelly took it and gallantly bent over, lightly kissing the back of her hand. “Till we meet again, fair lady,” she said as Carrie blushed.

  When Shawn and Carrie were back in the car and on the road, Carrie asked, “So you and Kelly have known each other a long time? Did you grow up together or something?”

  “Or something. I’m not sure we actually grew up.” Shawn shook her head, chuckling. “True story, we met in fifth grade. I was a little bit of a runt back then, and a bit too much of a tomboy for some of the kids in my class. The first time they picked on me, Kelly came to stand next to me and told them they could take on both of us at once. From that day on, she was my best friend. Kelly and I realized we both liked girls about the same time, and of course we came out to each other before even telling anyone else. She’s always been more butch than I ever was, but she doesn’t hold that against me.” She paused. “Maybe that was more information than you were looking for?”

  “Just curious. Is she always so gallant? You know, kissing hands and all that?”

  “Oh…so she impressed you with that. Well, that’s just Kelly. I think she sees herself as a knight in shining armor. Kind of a female Lancelot or something. I’ve used someone like her in several of my books as a main character. And she always gets the girl in the end. Whatever you do, don’t tell her that. Her head would get bigger than it already is, and she’d probably want me to pay her part of my royalties if she knew.”

  “She probably would.” Carrie giggled. “She didn’t appear to be with anyone at The Lighthouse. Doesn’t every knight have a damsel?”

  “The last time I saw her she was with someone, but I don’t know, now. Unfortunately, over time we sort of lost contact.”

  “How come?”

  “My fault, totally,” Shawn thought for a few seconds. “Jen, the woman I was with at that time, didn’t care for Kelly, and it was mutual. I should’ve followed my nose right then and realized Jen wasn’t right for me, but I didn’t. Instead, I stopped talking to Kelly. I’m just glad she’s talking to me again. Seeing me with you, she must have assumed it was over with Jen, since I hadn’t told her.”

  “You guys do need some one-on-one time. I’m glad I got to meet her. She seems very nice. I already like her, and I’d like to get to know her better.”

  “Oh, you would, would you?” Shawn grinned as she started to reach for her phone. “Well, I’ve got her number here and maybe I could set you up with her if she’s available. You did say you liked the characters in my books, and she’s definitely a character. I’m pretty sure she likes you already.”

  “Very funny. She is cute, all the same.”

  “Well, just let me know if you’re interested. Like I said, I have her number now.” She patted the pocket of her shorts as if to reach for her cell again.

  By then, Carrie was laughing pretty hard. “Cut that out,” Carrie managed to say. “You’re so funny. Kelly seems very nice, although I think I like you better. At least for right now,” she teased back. “I was thinking more along the lines of a double date. Maybe we could go out together.”

  “Tell you what, I’ll mention that when I talk to her. I’ll bet she would like that.”

  They reached Carrie’s house and the easy joking stopped as Shawn walked her up to the house. She could feel the tension rise as they stopped on the porch to unlock the door. Carrie wasn’t quite ready for the evening to end as they went inside.

  Shawn hadn’t really noticed what Carrie’s living room looked like earlier. That kiss last time had set her brain spinning. Now she looked around the living room and thought how much the room reflected Carrie. Comfortable, Old Florida style furniture, cane and wicker painted white, probably inherited from her grandmother. The cushions might’ve been recovered, but that was it. An antique oak table under the window facing the front yard had a double-headed lamp meant to be between the two chairs. The sofa was a comfy three-seater with a printed cover in shades of coral and green, with palm branches printed as a background. Like Shawn’s house, this one had a small brick fireplace for chilly winter evenings.

  “Would you like to stay for a glass of wine? We still have some left from dinner,” Carrie offered. “Or I could make some coffee.”

  “Thanks, but I really should go. I enjoyed the evening with you. Maybe we could do something again soon. We could go out or I could cook something next time.”

  “That’d be nice. I’d like that,” Carrie said. She stepped in closer to Shawn for a goodnight kiss. Shawn softly kissed Carrie, deepening the kiss when Carrie’s lips parted. She backed Carrie up to the wall next to the front door as their bodies pressed together, the kiss becoming more urgent. Shawn’s hands moved to cup Carrie’s butt as Carrie’s fingers threaded into Shawn’s hair, urging the kisses on.

  Shawn suddenly realized where things were headed, broke the kiss and backed away.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I did that,” Shawn said softly, looking away. Her hands in her shorts pockets said the evening had come to a screeching halt.

  Carrie put one hand on Shawn’s chest. “I’m not sorry at all. I liked it. A lot. If I didn’t like what was happening I would’ve stopped it. Why do you think I encouraged you the way I did?”

  “Um…I think I’d better go,” Shawn said quickly, and without looking back at Carrie, she was out the door and into her Jeep.

  Carrie watched Shawn’s Jeep back out of the driveway. Damn, if that was just a taste, wonder what it would be like to finish what we started

  Chapter Fourteen

  A FEW DAYS LATER, Shawn and Kelly sat out on Shawn’s front porch with cold Coronas on ice in a cooler and batter fried fish, French fries, and hush puppies from The Fish Fry.

  “This is definitely hitting the spot. That Fish Fry bag sure brings back some fun memories. Thanks,” Shawn said, stuffing another hush puppy into her mouth.

  “Yeah, it does. All right, now give. What happened with you and Jen?” Kelly pulled the top off the takeout ketchup and dipped some fries.

  “Well, I hate to say this, but you were right about her. She didn’t really love me. She wanted me to be someone I’m not. Even though I tried very hard, I couldn’t do it. All the socializing and all that she wanted to do just didn’t leave me time to write. She was only happy when I was paying attention to her.”

  “Yeah, I could say something here. Being your friend, I won’t.”

  “Go ahead, Kelly, say I told you so and get it over with.”

  “Okay, I told you so. You didn’t hear it from me, though.” Kelly grinned widely.

  Shawn laughed. “You know, I’ve really missed you. You’ve always been a good friend and you know me better than just about anyone else. I should’ve realized that when you and Jen butted heads, it wasn’t all your fault. Not that some of it wasn’t, mind you.”

  Kelly nodded. “True, I’ll admit some of it was me but most of it was her fault. She just wasn’t right for you. How long has it been since you broke up?”

  “It’s been over a little over a year. Well, it was probably over long before that. She finally moved out when I was no longer entertaining enough for her. I stayed
out there afterward, thinking maybe I belonged in California and that I could still write there. Hey, it was San Francisco, for crying out loud. I should’ve had all kinds of story fodder there. For some reason I didn’t. I couldn’t. I hardly went out and I wasn’t writing very much. I pretty much wallowed in self-pity for a while. Probably much longer than I should have.”

  “What made you come home? How long have you been back?” Kelly reached for another piece of fish. “I don’t know why, but I guess I always thought you’d eventually come back here.”

  “I’ve been back for about a month. I don’t know what made me come back. I guess I just woke up one day and realized I wasn’t where I wanted to be.” Shawn took a swig from her beer bottle. “When I asked myself where I did want to be, there was only one answer—home. So one day I packed up everything, shipped some boxes back here, and with the rest packed into my Jeep, I drove back to Florida. Good thing it wasn’t in the winter because I would’ve hated driving in snow.”

  “Well, you’re back now. Just in time for hurricane season, too. I hope you’ll stay this time. Hey, maybe you’ll find some nice local girl and settle down. Speaking of…Carrie seems like a nice girl. Is she anyone serious?”

  “You’re the second person who has said that to me about finding a nice local girl and settling down. How funny. I don’t know. I like her and she likes me. Anyway, I’m putting an addition on this house, so yeah, I’m staying this time.”

  “Well, that’s a start…”

  “Funny, she only lives two houses down. You can’t really see much of the houses from each other. These places were built long enough ago and the trees and shrubs are so big that you can barely see the houses from the street unless you’re standing practically at the end of the driveway. Good thing everyone here has mailboxes on the road with the numbers on them, or you’d never find anyone you were looking for.”

  “True, that’s how I found you. Looks like you repainted the numbers on yours recently or at least it looks like you did. But back to Carrie…”