by Aurora Rey
Of course, if she was being completely honest, Graham also liked the implication that she and Mat were a couple. The more time she and Mat spent together, the easier it was to think of them that way. And Will had been right. She might like the idea of playing the field, but she remained a romantic at heart, wired to want to be with one person at a time. She’d not admitted as much to Mat, afraid of jinxing things. The invitation to go out with Dom and Renata felt like an unspoken confirmation that they were moving in that direction.
She headed out to the living room, where Jess and her friend Cara were debating pizza or Chinese for dinner. “I was going to ask you to break our tie,” Cara said, “but it looks like you’ve got plans.”
“I do.” Graham couldn’t suppress a smile. “But my vote is always pizza.”
“Yes.” Jess pumped a fist. “Are you going out with your lobsterman again?”
“I am. Along with her cousin and his girlfriend.”
“Ooh, double date. That means it’s serious,” Cara said.
Graham laughed, amused, but also happy to have her own take on the situation confirmed.
“Do you want it to be serious?” Jess asked.
They hadn’t talked too much about where Graham wanted things to go, but Jess knew her pretty well. She nodded slowly. “You know, I think I do.”
Cara, who was visiting from New Hampshire, grinned. “We won’t wait up for you, then.”
Graham slipped on a jacket. “Thanks. Enjoy your pizza.”
Cara rolled her eyes. “Next time, we’re getting Chinese.”
Jess picked up her phone. “Deal.”
Graham walked down the hill toward Bradford, turning left and heading toward the East End. She tucked her hands in her pockets and looked up at the sky. The sun was setting, but they had a good couple hours of daylight left. She let out a contented sigh. It was hard not to appreciate the beauty of a summer evening.
“Graham.”
At the sound of her name, Graham turned. Mat jogged down the street in her direction. Graham smiled. “Hey, you.”
Mat caught up to her and gave her a kiss. “Hi.”
Despite the brevity of the contact, heat rose in Graham’s cheeks. It was the sort of bubbly, elated feeling she thought she’d outgrown. It went remarkably well with the sexual energy that seemed to simmer just below the surface whenever she was around Mat. “Is Dom not with you?”
Mat shrugged. “He headed to Renata’s apartment so they could walk to the restaurant together.”
Graham smiled. “That’s sweet.”
“He’s definitely in full courting mode.” Mat rolled her eyes.
They started to walk. Graham shrugged. “I think it’s romantic.”
Mat looked over at her. “Should I be taking notes? Is that something you want?”
Want might be a strong word, but she did think it was nice. Or would be nice, in the grand scheme of things. “Nah. This is cool.”
Mat slipped an arm behind her waist and gave a little squeeze. “It’s nice to bump into you, though.”
“Agreed.”
When they got to Ciro & Sal’s, Dom and Renata were already there. They held hands and looked at each other with adoring eyes. If Graham felt a tiny twinge of longing, she promptly brushed it aside. Dom made introductions and hugs were shared all around, then they headed down the gravel path to the restaurant entrance.
Inside, the air was warm and smelled of tomatoes and garlic. The dim lighting made the space feel cozy. Their table sat against an exposed brick wall and the light fixture above appeared to be an antique cheese grater. Graham took a seat against the wall and Mat slid in next to her. Their knees touched under the table. It was romantic as hell and she intended to let herself enjoy it.
Dom suggested ordering a bottle of wine. Graham happily agreed and turned her attention to Renata while he and Mat settled on one. “Mat said you’re in real estate?”
Renata smiled. “I got my license last year. My dad has a small agency and I work for him. I’m hoping to learn and eventually buy the business when he retires.”
Graham nodded. “That’s awesome. You grew up here, right?”
“I did. Both my parents are from old fishing families, although they got out of the fishing business a couple of generations back. What about you?”
“My aunt—she owns the Failte Inn—moved here in her twenties.”
“Is that how you wound up here?”
Graham thought back to her teenage years. Spending time away from her parents had been such a thrill. To be somewhere so queer during her formative years only added to that. “Sort of. I spent time with her when I was younger and loved it. I got an internship with the Dolphin Fleet during grad school, then was lucky enough to land a full-time position when I graduated.”
“It gets into your blood, doesn’t it?”
“That’s a good way of describing it. I’m not sure what I would have done if I’d had to decide between a job offer and moving back full-time.” Graham chuckled. “I’m glad I didn’t have to.”
Renata nodded with what seemed to be more than polite interest. “You’re a marine biologist?”
“Technically, I’m a naturalist. My degree is in environmental conservation. More about overall ecology than a single species. And I only have a master’s degree, not a doctorate.”
Dom chuckled. “That’s more than any of us have.”
Graham blushed. “In school, there was such a hierarchy.”
“I didn’t say that to make you feel bad. You should be proud,” Dom said.
She glanced at Mat, who nodded. “Thanks.”
“So,” Renata said, as though sensing Graham’s desire to change the subject, “I hear you’ve been out on Dom and Mat’s boat.”
“Just once. Dom was sick and Mat was desperate.” Graham smiled at the memory of her day with Mat. Not romantic by any means, but it might be her favorite of the times they spent together. Well, aside from some of the time in the bedroom.
Renata laughed. “That’s one more time than me. Dom keeps saying it’s dirty and nothing special.”
“Well, he’s right about the dirty part, but still.” Graham turned her attention to Dom. “You should take Renata out on the boat. She wants to see where you work.”
Dom got a look of alarm on his face. He looked from Graham to Renata, then to Mat. “Okay.”
Mat set an elbow on the table and leaned toward Renata. “Do you actually want to or is Graham trying to convince you that you want to?”
Graham let out a “hey” and Renata said, “I do want to.”
Dom nodded. “Okay.”
Graham narrowed her eyes at Dom. “You’re not playing that girls are dainty and delicate game are you?”
Before Dom could say anything, Mat lifted a hand in the universal symbol for stop. “I can tell you right now, man, the right answer is no.”
“Thanks, pal, but I’ve got this one.” Dom turned to his girlfriend. “I’m sorry I haven’t invited you out. It is dirty, not to mention smelly and not at all glamorous. But if it’s important to you, of course I want to.”
Renata turned and cupped his cheek. “Thank you.” She dropped her hand and grinned. “Maybe just a short outing though. Unlike Graham here, I’m perfectly fine never knowing how to bait a trap.”
Their dinners arrived and everyone sampled everyone else’s food. Graham talked about her family and learned more about Mat’s. She was a lot closer to the Pero clan than Graham had realized, even with the family business. The time flew by and Graham found herself sad and a little surprised when the plates were cleared. But then they ordered a pair of desserts to share, along with coffees. While waiting for them to arrive, Graham excused herself to go to the restroom. “I’ll join you,” Renata offered.
They stood at the sinks, side by side. Graham offered Renata a smile. “I’m glad we did this.”
“Same. So, are you and Mat,” she paused, making Graham wonder where the question might be going. “Sleeping
together?”
Before she could stop herself, Graham laughed out loud. For all the unknowns about what she and Mat were to each other, where their relationship might be going, that was one she could answer. “Yes. Yes, we are.”
Renata frowned and Graham feared she made a misstep. She forgot that Mat came from a traditional, probably Catholic, family. But instead of clamming up, or saying anything judgmental, Renata gently grabbed her arm. “Do you have any pointers for me?”
“Pointers?” Was she talking about being with a trans guy? Graham had a few trans friends, but she’d never slept with any of them.
“Dom is sweet and gentle and chivalrous.” Renata sighed. “But I cannot get him to make a move.”
“Oh.” That, at least, was familiar territory.
“How can I convey to him that I don’t feel compelled to wait until marriage?”
Graham bit her tongue to keep from laughing a second time. “Um. Have you told him?”
Renata winced. “Not in so many words.”
“It’s okay, I feel you. Direct can be hard. What if you suggest going back to his place after dinner?”
“You think that will work?”
Graham took a deep breath. “I can’t say for sure, but it’s a step. He’s clearly nuts for you.”
“You think?” Renata looked hopeful and, despite being the same age as Graham, so young.
“That part is beyond obvious. You might have to give him a little encouragement, you know? Hand on his leg. Really lean in when you kiss him.”
“I can do that.”
“Are you going to do it tonight?”
“Yes?” Renata cringed again.
“Do it. I’ll make a comment about going back to Mat’s and you can follow suit.” How funny was it that she was the confident, experienced one in this scenario?
Renata threw her arms around Graham. “Thank you.”
She was tempted to ask Renata for ideas on how to get Mat to look at her with the complete adoration that Dom seemed to have for her, but she resisted. Some matters were more complicated than others.
They returned to the table and had dessert. After, the four of them walked back toward the center of town. She tucked her arm through Mat’s, watched Renata do the same. “Thinking I might need a night cap,” she said, loud enough for Dom and Renata to hear. She turned to Mat. “Want to head back to your place?”
Mat gave her a quizzical look, but Graham squeezed her arm a bit and winked. Mat narrowed her eyes, but said, “Sounds good to me.”
“I’d love to do the same at your place.” Renata gave Dom some serious bedroom eyes and Graham gave her a thumbs-up behind Dom’s back.
“Uh.” Dom stuttered in a completely endearing way. “Sure. That would be great.”
They walked the rest of the way to Mat and Dom’s building. Before Dom could say anything about not splitting the party up just yet, Graham said, “This was so much fun. We should do it again soon.”
Renata nodded. “Agreed. You two have a good night.” She took Dom’s hand and led him in the direction of his door.
Once they were inside, Mat turned to Graham. “Care to tell me what that was all about?”
Graham smiled. “Just helping my new friend Renata get what she wants.”
Mat raised a brow. “And what exactly does she want?”
“Your cousin, naked and on top of her. I guess he’s a little old-fashioned.”
Mat laughed out loud. Really laughed, until she had to wipe tears from her eyes. “That’s one word for it. Dare I ask what advice you gave her?”
Graham lifted a shoulder, made some bedroom eyes of her own. “I told her not to be afraid to make the first move, make it clear what she wants.”
“I see.” Mat nodded. “And what would that look like, exactly?”
Graham closed the distance between them. “I told her to touch him.” She put a hand on Mat’s rear end. “Kiss him with her whole body.” She leaned in, pressing her breasts against Mat’s as she covered Mat’s lips with hers.
“Very effective,” Mat murmured against her mouth.
Graham took Mat’s hands in hers and backed them toward the bedroom. “Baby, you ain’t seen nothing yet.”
Chapter Fifteen
Graham spent most of her week looking forward to lunch at Failte. In addition to seeing Aunt Nora and Will, she’d get to see Emerson and Darcy. And after lunch, they’d talk wedding. She didn’t know a lot about weddings, but she was excited to be included in the planning.
When she arrived, Darcy and Emerson were already there. They’d brought along Darcy’s son, Liam, who Graham had met a couple of times when they came out for whale watches. Graham remembered him being eager, but also attentive. She’d wondered at the time if it was a personality trait, or a specific interest in whales.
Will refreshed introductions and Graham congratulated Emerson and Darcy on their engagement. “I’m a huge fan of your work,” she said to Emerson. Then, to Darcy, “Yours, too, actually.”
That earned her a laugh. Darcy gestured to her son. “Turns out, Liam is quite a fan of yours.”
“Is that so?” Graham smiled at him.
He nodded with enthusiasm. “I was wondering if you might be willing to talk with me about your career?”
Graham smiled at the formality of the question. “My career?”
“He’s doing a science camp this summer and they have a project to research a potential career,” Emerson said by way of explanation.
“I think a real-life interview is way cooler than just looking stuff up on the computer and I am definitely interested in your job,” Liam said.
“I’d love to, buddy. We can talk today if you want, but if your mom is cool with it, I could also give you a behind-the-scenes tour.”
Liam’s eyes got huge. “You could?”
“Absolutely. I mean, I know you’ve been out a couple of times, but if you came early one day, I could show you how we record and track all the sightings, what that teaches us about the whales’ migration and their feeding habits.”
“That would be so cool.” He paused after each word, putting extra emphasis on “so.”
“I think that might make you his hero,” Darcy said.
“It would be fun.” Graham looked at Liam. “I remember the first time I met a marine biologist. I was obsessed.”
“I’m torn between wanting to be a marine biologist and a regular biologist.” Liam looked up at the ceiling. “Or an astronomer or a doctor.”
Graham nodded. “All very cool jobs.”
Darcy shrugged, but gave Liam a look that was pure love before looking back to Graham. “We seem to be homing in on a theme, at least.”
“I think I still wanted to be a ballerina at his age.”
“Oh? Did you dance?” Darcy asked.
Graham laughed. “No. I have terrible rhythm. It wasn’t until I was twelve that my mother broke the news to me. Fortunately, I’d discovered nature documentaries by then and had a new focus.”
Liam chimed back in. “I love nature documentaries! You should come over and watch with us. Mom is only kind of interested, but Emerson and I watch them together all the time.”
Will raised a hand. “I’m not super smart like all of you, but this sounds fun. Can I come over, too?”
Graham watched Emerson give her sister a look that seemed affectionate and scolding at the same time. “You’re plenty smart and in lots of different ways, but yes. Of course you can come over.”
Nora emerged from the kitchen with a huge plate of sandwiches. “I made soup, too. Minestrone. Would anyone care for some?”
Everyone’s hands went up. Graham stood. “I’ll help.”
An hour later, Graham was stuffed and ready for a nap. She wouldn’t, of course, but she did allow her mind to drift while the others—Nora and Darcy, mostly—started ironing out logistics for the wedding.
Nora frowned. “I’m sorry that I don’t have very many dates to offer you. Most of my summer bookings
were made months ago.”
Darcy shook her head and smiled. “September is perfect. It’s actually the best time for me to take a few days off from work.”
Emerson nodded. “I’m sure the Sunday after Labor Day is still a popular time. Are you sure it won’t cause any trouble?”
Nora tapped her notebook with her pen. “I’m full Saturday night, but have only two couples staying Sunday as well. That leaves one for you and two for any guests you have coming in from out of town. Tisha’s still here to lend a hand. It’s going to work beautifully.”
“I’m completely at your service, too,” Graham said. “I consider you friends by association and I love throwing a party.”
Darcy took a deep breath. “I can do some of the food myself ahead of time so you’re not saddled with everything.”
Nora’s face got very stern and Graham had to suppress a laugh. Apparently, Darcy still didn’t know Nora very well. “You will do no such thing. This is your special day and you’re already being about as low-fuss as is humanly possible.”
“Agreed.” Will, whose arm had been draped behind Nora, gave her shoulder a squeeze. “Let us do this for you.”
Emerson smiled. “We really can’t thank you enough. Alex is insisting on doing the cake, though. Is that allowed?”
Nora laughed. “Of course. I’d say it’s her prerogative, even. I’ll coordinate with her on getting it here and anything she might need.”
They talked about numbers of guests and the menu, where to rent chairs and who would perform the ceremony. Graham half-listened, wondering about what her own wedding might look like one day. As a little girl, she’d dreamed of something big and fancy. Now that she’d grown up, her priorities had shifted. Now, it was about finding the person she wanted to spend her life with and being surrounded by family and friends.
She didn’t intend it, but Graham’s thoughts turned to Mat. She chuckled at the idea of Mat knowing where her mind had gone. She might not have a ton of experience with relationships, but she knew better than to go there anytime soon.
