Moonstone (23 page)

Vanessa arched her eyebrow. “What if there were more attractive women?”

“Attractive women in Raceda? That would definitely help.” Joy laughed. “But I don’t think that’d be enough. You’ve been here for less than a day and most of that time was spent in bed. Try spending a month or two here and then see how you feel about it.”

“Is that an offer?” Vanessa brought her coffee mug up to her lips again, but this time she didn’t sip. She was waiting for an answer.

“You’d quit your job and move
here
?”

“I’d find a new job. Someone’s always hiring for PR.”

Joy shook her head. “You’d make it a month before you were longing for the city traffic.”

“No. Not the traffic. But maybe the coffee.” Vanessa shrugged. “But I don’t think this place is as bad as you think. I get what you’re saying about it being too white—and too straight—we’re the only people in here who aren’t. But the ocean’s in your backyard. The beaches aren’t crowded. There’s no traffic and everyone’s relaxed. Sometimes the city gets to me—sometimes I’m tired of the noise. And that everyone’s in a rush.” Vanessa took another sip of her coffee. “Unfortunately the coffee here is terrible.”

“You get used to the coffee. And you’re right about the noise. Some nights I’ll go for a walk and I can hear the waves crashing on the beach even though I can’t even see the water. The sound carries when there’s nothing else to get in the way of it.” Joy took a sip of her coffee and then reached for the cream. “And there are other things I like—things I wouldn’t have thought of before. I’ve got a great view out my office window. Traffic’s zip. But even if there was traffic, I could show up late to work and no one’s going to fire me. I have to admit, I kind of like being the boss.” She paused. “Maybe we can take the ferry later and cruise around the bay. The best part is being out on the water.”

“See?” Vanessa smiled. “Not as bad as you think.”

The waitress appeared to set out utensils and plates at the far end of their table. Joy looked up to see the host speaking to a party of three by the foyer. She froze when she recognized Kelsey. Next to her was Denise. She recognized the third woman from the picture of Denise’s boat—Kelsey’s mom.

“What’s wrong?” Vanessa asked. She glanced in the direction that Joy had been staring and added, “Are they friends?” She eyed Joy. “Or should we get the check?”

“Work friends. It’s fine. I just wasn’t expecting to see anyone here.”

“I hate seeing people from work on my day off,” Vanessa agreed. “Don’t look now but I think they’re coming our way,” Vanessa whispered, leaning halfway across the table. She caught Joy’s eye and then suddenly leaned closer and kissed her. It was only a peck on the cheek but it was enough.

The host had stopped by their picnic table. He hadn’t seemed to notice the kiss, but by the looks on both Kelsey and Denise’s faces, most everyone else had seen it.

Denise quickly took the open seat closest to Joy. Kelsey’s mom sat down opposite her and then Kelsey took the seat at the end of the table.

Denise smiled and stretched her hand out to Vanessa. “Welcome. You must be the out-of-town friend Joy mentioned. I’m Denise.”

Denise took the lead on the rest of the introductions and Vanessa smiled and shook hands with everyone. Kelsey was on the other side of Denise, far enough away that Joy couldn’t see her expression unless she’d leaned forward and pointedly looked her way. She didn’t, of course, though it was hard to repress the impulse. There was no use hoping that she hadn’t thought the kiss meant something.

Barb and Vanessa were talking now. Joy paid attention as soon as she realized that Barb was inviting Vanessa out to the boat on Monday. Vanessa leapt at the offer.
Fate sealed
, Joy thought. She struggled her way through the rest of the meal, hardly managing to do more than smile and nod appropriately. She asked for the bill as soon as she spotted their waiter. Her excuse was that she’d promised to show Vanessa around town and Barb fortunately agreed that they should head out before the fog bank settled in. By the time they reached the car, Vanessa was giddy.

“Dinner on a houseboat? How could we say no to that? I love your work friends.”

“I only work with Denise.”

“Is Barb her girlfriend?”

Joy shook her head. “I think they’re just friends.”

“And the last one?”

“Kelsey? She’s Barb’s daughter.” Joy wondered if she ought to add that Kelsey was also her sales rep.

“Well, I really like Denise and Barb.”

But not Kelsey. Of course Vanessa didn’t need to say this. Joy realized that Kelsey had said almost nothing throughout the meal, nothing like her usual talkative and confident self. Joy wondered what Kelsey had guessed about her relationship with Vanessa. Even if she’d asked, Joy wasn’t sure she could say how serious it was.

“Wait a minute. Is that chica the one you went out on a couple of dates with?”

Joy nodded.

“That’s why she was giving me that look.” Vanessa shook her head. “She’s cute. I thought we agreed that you would only date ugly girls.”

Joy shook her head.

“How much do I have to worry?”

“We only went out twice. She was supposed to call me back and she didn’t.”

“Hmm. Her loss.” Vanessa linked her arm in Joy’s. “Take me somewhere beautiful.”

Joy wanted to be mad that Kelsey hadn’t called and for that to be the end of it. It wasn’t fair to Vanessa to be thinking of Kelsey at all. But Kelsey had looked right at her across the table and maybe she was stupid for thinking it, but she swore Kelsey looked sorry. And then there was something else she’d seen—Kelsey was jealous of Vanessa. Joy wanted to feel smug about that but she didn’t, and she didn’t want to admit how much the fact that Kelsey hadn’t called back hurt. She forced a smile. “Beach?”

“Perfect. Then I want to go back to your place.”

“What about the rest of the scenic drive?”

“Later.” Vanessa kissed Joy’s cheek.

Not only was Joy’s girlfriend beautiful and confident, Barb was smitten with her. She’d called her charming. But it could have been worse, Kelsey thought. At least Denise didn’t like her.

“She talks a lot,” Denise said.

“She’s friendly,” Barb argued.

“Does it matter?” Kelsey asked. Unfortunately she had asked the question aloud and her sharp tone made both Barb and Denise instantly rivet their focus on her. Questions followed. It wasn’t long before Denise and Barb jumped to the conclusion that friendly or not, the fact that Joy was dating someone mattered a great deal to Kelsey. She’d argued that they were wrong, but even she wasn’t convinced.

Vanessa
was
friendly. And maybe she did more than her share of the talking, but that was at least partly because Kelsey had hardly said anything. Joy was quiet as usual. The kicker was that Vanessa and Joy looked great together. A perfect couple. Kelsey wondered if Joy’s girlfriends were always women of color. And funny. And smart.

Kelsey got out of the conversation finally by asking about the dinner menu. Barb and Denise lapsed into a discussion on the best type of potatoes for potato salad. No matter how desperately Kelsey wanted an excuse to get out of dinner, she wouldn’t do that to her mom. She’d bought her a new pair of earrings for the three-year anniversary and agreed to make shish kebabs for the barbeque.

Denise’s houseboat was nothing like Hannah’s. It was barely half the length of Hannah’s “Oasis V” and even Denise admitted someone would be crazy or desperate to try living aboard “Trin.” Kelsey also had no memories—good or bad—attached to Trin. Still, she had avoided stepping foot on a houseboat since her last time on “Oasis V” and wasn’t looking forward to spending even a few hours on deck. And to make things worse, she’d have to socialize with Joy’s girlfriend.

Kelsey finished assembling the shish kebabs and decided to go for a run before dinner. By the time she’d changed and laced her running shoes, Denise and Barb had settled on the best ratio of red and gold potatoes for the salad. They’d moved on to the weather. The sun was shining and of course that meant they were both in a good mood regardless of their difference of opinion about the potatoes. It was worse than living with an old married couple. An old married couple wouldn’t be as happy.

The fog would roll in before sunset, Kelsey thought, like it always did, and if the breeze kept up, the water would be choppy and miserable. Sunny days didn’t last long in Raceda. She smiled, realizing that she sounded like John. If it was an option, she’d rather have his company that evening. He would be grumpy as usual, but he’d let her quietly watch the boats come and go on the bay from the comfort of the tower. He wouldn’t ask any questions or expect small talk.

Kelsey left the house fired up for a long run. After two miles of her usual loop, she cut away at the railroad crossing and ran toward the high school. She hadn’t been on campus since graduation and the place looked unchanged except for a fresh coat of paint. She circled around the main building and headed for the track field. She’d never been much of a runner in high school. It had always been about swimming. Today, however, she dug in her toes and sprinted.

Joy heard her phone buzz with a text, but Vanessa pulled her closer when she tried climbing out of bed. She’d had one leg and one arm draped over Joy’s body like a boa constrictor all night. Joy wondered how she’d managed to sleep. She rubbed her eyes and blinked at the clock. It was after nine. “I gotta pee,” she said, wriggling free of Vanessa’s hold.

Vanessa complained for a moment and then rolled over, burying her head between the pillows.

Joy took her phone to the bathroom. She started the shower and then glanced at the text she’d received. It wasn’t from Kelsey. Denise had sent info for the dinner party and her boat’s dock number along with a code to get through the locked gates. With no word from Kelsey, Joy wanted to politely decline the invite, but Vanessa would bring it up later. Joy set the phone on the windowsill and stepped into the shower. She let the hot water pelt her skin and didn’t reach for the soap.

Vanessa slipped into the shower with her. She slid her hands up from Joy’s hips to her breasts. Vanessa rubbed Joy’s shoulders and then leaned close to nibble on an earlobe. Joy let the water pelt her face for a minute and then turned to Vanessa.

“I’ve got bad news,” Vanessa said.

“Well, I like how you tell me bad news.”

Vanessa continued the massage.

“What’s wrong?”

“Tina’s having a meltdown. She texted me twelve times last night.” Vanessa paused. “My phone was off so I didn’t get any of her texts. I need to bail on dinner tonight and head home early.”

“Tina.” Joy closed her eyes. The hot water soaked to her scalp. She felt Vanessa’s hands on her body. “Do I want to ask what the meltdown is about?”

“No.”

Joy shook her head. “I’m not going to tell you who to date but—”

“I know,” Vanessa said, cutting her off. “I know.” Vanessa closed her eyes. She turned into the spray of water and rinsed off her face, then stepped out of the shower. She grabbed Joy’s towel.

Joy didn’t make any move to leave. Dinner on Denise’s houseboat would be easier without Vanessa there. Maybe she’d have a chance to talk to Kelsey alone. But part of her would be thinking of Vanessa spending the night with Tina. She leaned against the cold wall, enjoying the contrast it made with the hot rivulets of water that raced down her neck and back. Minutes passed before she finally turned off the faucet. She found a new towel under the sink and took her time drying off.

Vanessa had packed up her things and was sitting cross-legged on the bed, staring out the window. “Are you upset?”

“I wish it wasn’t Tina you were going to see. One of the downsides to an open relationship, I guess.”

“She wants me to stop dating you.” Vanessa reached for her phone. She was nearly dressed.

“What are you going to tell her?”

“She can’t have her cake and eat it too,” Vanessa said. “She’s sleeping with one of her old hookups—Carla. And if I asked her to stop sleeping with Carla, she’d flat out tell me no. She says they have history.”

“Complicated.” Joy couldn’t help but wonder what Kelsey would think. “You’re leaving now?”

Vanessa nodded. “It’s a six-hour drive.”

Joy didn’t argue that she knew exactly how long the drive was. She followed Vanessa as far as the front door. They kissed on the porch and Vanessa promised she’d call. Joy stayed on the porch until her car pulled away. She walked back inside and stared at the mess. Dishes were stacked in the sink and clothes were piled up by the laundry room. The house was quiet without Vanessa. Maybe she’d made a mistake. If she’d told her to stay, she knew that Vanessa would have listened. Instead she’d let her go without a fight. And Vanessa would be with Tina tonight. Joy started a load of laundry and then went upstairs to strip the bed.

Blue-gray water stretched to the edge of the horizon. The fog hadn’t returned yet, but clouds had gathered in the west and a picturesque sunset wasn’t likely. Music filtered in from the parking lot, mixing with the sounds of the fog horn, a trawler’s engine making its slow way out of the harbor and water lapping at the docks. It was a hodgepodge of sounds with the low notes carrying as far as the bench by the watchtower. Kelsey spotted Joy’s car pulling up, but she lingered at the watch tower a few minutes longer. When she realized that Joy was alone, she said a quick goodbye to John. Joy had tugged on the locked marina gate, pulled out her phone, and then seemed to notice the marina map posted next to the gate. She glanced from the map to the phone and back again.

Kelsey walked up to the gate and waited for Joy to notice her. After a moment, she rested her hand on the gate. “You’re squinting,” she said. “Maybe you should consider getting an eye exam. I’ve heard there’s this great optometrist in town.”

Joy looked up finally. Her face lit up with a smile and Kelsey felt the familiar ache. She wanted to reach for Joy. Rod iron bars separated them and it was just as well. Joy was only a foot away from her but… Kelsey cleared her throat. “The map’s confusing. Denise’s boat is all the way at the end. Come on in. I’ll show you the way.” She keyed in the gate code and then waited for Joy to follow her. “You’re alone?”