Joy smiled at the young woman. “Will you be my personal tour guide after my best friend leaves me to languish in this terribly overwhelming big city? You’ll be helping to preserve our friendship if you agree.”
“I’d love to. You seem like a kick in the pants,” Bonnie answered.
“Don’t let her snow you. We’re from New York and this city is not at all overwhelming to her, but she can be charming and entertaining. I’ll give you that,” Sophia interjected.
“I don’t know if I’m a kick in the pants, but I know exactly what to do in someone’s pants.”
Sophia smacked her arm. “Settle down. She’s already agreed to tour you around, don’t scare the poor woman off.”
“Oh, I’m definitely not scared. Where are you staying?” Bonnie asked.
“We’re at Hotel 1000,” Joy answered.
Bonnie whistled. “Wow, nice place. How about if I come pick you up in the lobby at around nine?”
“Perfect. I am so glad we bumped into one another today. Seattle has been such a friendly city. I may have to put this on my radar as a nice place to periodically visit,” Joy declared.
“Can we see some of the exhibits now? It is why we came here. I might have to come back again. There is just so much to see,” Sophia enthused.
“Oh, all right. See you tonight, Bonnie.” Joy waved her hand and followed Sophia when she turned to visit the Nirvana exhibition.
†
Sophia decided she wanted to go out to dinner with Joy and called the Canlis restaurant on the off chance they would be able to get a table. She figured that if they went early, like five or five thirty, the likelihood of getting a reservation might increase. She’d heard Lara rave about the food and decided to treat her best friend for being such a good sport.
When they arrived at the restaurant, a man showed them to a table by the window and she wondered if Lara had something to do with the location. She’d called her wife earlier to let her know what she planned to do for dinner. It seemed that Lara had connections everywhere.
Sophia let her thoughts wander as they landed on the intriguing woman she met at Lara’s office. She wondered who this woman was. She seemed to know Lara well. Sophia was suddenly very curious about Rachel. She would call her tonight to see if she might want to join Joy and her for lunch.
“You’re going to call Rachel, aren’t you?” Joy asked.
“How in the hell do you do that? It’s like you just read my mind,” Sophia asserted.
“I’ve known you since grade school. What kind of best friend would I be if I didn’t recognize the signs? Look, I’m no angel and lord knows I act on instinct all the time, but you need to be careful,” Joy warned.
“What do you mean?” Sophia asked.
“I’ve seen you look at someone like you looked at Rachel today only once in your life. Six months later you were married to her.”
“You can’t possibly be suggesting that I would cheat on Lara?”
“Some people hit a rough patch around the seven year mark. In your case, I think it’s the ten-year mark. I’m glad you and Lara are reconnecting, because you need to. I don’t think you’ve been happy these past few years and I worry about you. It might be time to have a serious conversation with your wife about her work-life balance. I’ve seen too many relationships go kaput when they aren’t able to manage that,” Joy explained.
“You’re right. We do need to talk. Honestly, I’m not sure how much I can take of her absence for more than half of the year and it’s gotten a lot worse these past two years. I’m glad I came to visit. The first night was almost like when we first met.”
“I know I haven’t expressed any interest in settling down, but honestly I envy what you have. If I could ever find the right woman, I’d give up my carousing in the blink of an eye,” Joy admitted.
“You’d have to start presenting who you are in a completely different manner. All anyone ever sees is that wall of promiscuity you portray to the world. Why would anyone take the chance if they believe you’ll never settle down? You need to stop screwing your way through the entire lesbian population. I love you, hon, but you are your own worst enemy,” Sophia admonished.
“Hey, how did we go from talking about you to my pathetic love life?” Joy asked.
“Because you finally admitted that your life is lacking an essential ingredient—love.”
“Just don’t let Rachel charm the pants off you.”
“Not a chance, especially since I’ll be heading off to my second honeymoon in a few days. I do plan to call. It would be rude of me to ignore her generous offer. Besides, I’m dying to learn how Lara knows her,” Sophia explained.
“Uh huh.”
Rachel walked into her office the next morning and grumbled a quick hello to her assistant. She was in a foul mood. Even though Lara had tried to make it up to her last night, she couldn’t help being irritated about Lara’s return trip to New York so soon after coming back to Seattle. Normally, she was able to forgive her after Lara paid special attention to her in the bedroom, but she was getting irritated with the back and forth and was ready to put her foot down concerning the amount of time they spent apart.
Since Lara had distracted her again with a fiery night of passion and Rachel kept pressing the snooze button, making her late for work. Lara left for work before Rachel had a chance to talk with her and insist that some things change if she expected their marriage to stay on stable ground. Even if the emergency in New York was weighing heavy on her mind, Rachel banked on the fact that they would have tonight to work things out before she had to leave for New York. Rachel wanted to take her to the airport and skip out on work, but Lara insisted that she would catch a limo so Rachel didn’t have to interrupt her workday.
Rachel didn’t know why she hadn’t told Lara that she had invited Sophia and Joy to lunch, offering to take them around the city. Sophia hadn’t called and that was another reason she was crabby today.
Rachel stared at the computer screen trying to focus on her fifty e-mails when she heard her office phone ring. It wasn’t usual for the CEO to call the first thing in the morning—he was an early riser and tended to call his direct reports early in the day when he needed something.
“Development and communications, this is Rachel. How can I help you?”
Rachel was surprised to hear the sexy alto voice of Sophia on the other end.
“Yes, I was serious. I’d love to meet you for lunch… No, of course not. It sounds like your friend found her own personal tour guide.
Seattlelites
can be a charming bunch. I’m sure she’ll have a blast. You can either meet me at my office or I can come get you. I’m at Seattle Children’s Hospital. Do you know how to get here?” Rachel chuckled. “Yeah, I guess the limo service will know where to go. I’ll meet you at the courtesy desk in the front lobby of the hospital. I cleared my afternoon so no worries. Yes, me too. I look forward to the afternoon.”
Rachel leaned back in her chair and a smile finally appeared on her face. She was looking forward to her lunch date with Sophia. The day was looking up.
†
Sophia tipped the limousine driver and walked into the lobby of the hospital. She hadn’t been inside too many hospitals, but it seemed like they made a concerted effort to create a cheery atmosphere for the kids.
She spotted Rachel right away and the sensual way she moved in her direction caused her breath to hitch. She should not be having this kind a reaction to a total stranger, but her body was rebelling. It would react in whatever bloody manner it wanted to and there was not a damn thing she could do about it.
Rachel smiled at her and she felt like a bright ray of sunshine just emerged from behind a tall tree.
“Right on time. I’m afraid that I am a perpetually late kind of gal, so you should be flattered that I made it to the lobby on time and the volunteer didn’t have to track me down,” Rachel said.
“Okay. Thanks, I think,” Sophia responded.
“Come on, let’s get a move on. We’ve people to see, places to go, and a ruckus to start. Just kidding, but I do guarantee a good time and I’m dying to hear all about your impressions of Seattle so far.”
“Well, so far so good. Everyone has been extremely friendly. I really appreciate you making the offer for lunch since Lara can’t seem to get away,” Sophia replied.
“I want to hear all about how you know Lara, but first I want to know a bit more about you. New York seems like such an exciting place to live. I’ve only been there once when I was much younger and I remember the city never shutting down,” Rachel said.
“I suppose that’s true, but not everyone partakes in the endless nightlife. Maybe I’m letting my age direct my social life too much, but I rarely take advantage of the vast culture laid out for those who have the energy and desire.”
Sophia walked beside Rachel and was surprised when she clicked open the locks to an expensive Tesla in the parking garage.
Rachel opened the passenger door for Sophia. “Your carriage awaits.”
“Wow, hospitals must pay very well.”
“Heavens no, and hospitals don’t pay all that well, this is a birthday present from my wife. She’s the rich one in the family.” Rachel grinned.
“So what do you do that allows you the flexibility to take an afternoon off during the workweek?” Sophia asked.
“I’m the development and communications director for the hospital. It’s a fancy way of saying that I plan all the fundraising activities for the hospital. It’s how I met Lara,” Rachel answered.
“Oh right, yes, I heard you answer the phone “development and communications” earlier. Yes, Lara is big on fundraisers. I met her at one, as well,” Sophia stated.
“I am so curious about Lara’s life in New York. I had no idea Lara even had friends there. I thought everyone was a client or potential client,” Rachel offered.
Sophia was thinking the very same thing, but Rachel seemed to know Lara a little more intimately than just a client. Perhaps they’d become friends, but if they were friends she wondered why Rachel didn’t seem to know that she was married to Sophia.
Sophia thought that it was such a short distance to the Sand Point Grill, they probably could have walked, but maybe Rachel’s plans for the afternoon required a car. She’d learned that parking in Seattle could be quite challenging. She was glad she had a limo driver at her disposal.
Rachel opened the door for Sophia and the hostess took them to a table right away. She assumed that Rachel had taken the time to make a reservation. Sophia sat across from Rachel at the table tucked away in a private corner of the restaurant. It was much quieter where they sat and Sophia assumed Rachel made those specific arrangements so they could easily talk to one another.
Rachel sat down and smiled at Sophia. “So, tell me. What was the fundraiser? I presume it has something to do with what you do for work.”
“Mm hmm. It was a fundraiser for the college. I’m a professor at CUNY. I teach in the gay studies program,” Sophia answered.
“That’s wonderful. I didn’t even realize they had a gay studies program at that university. That would have been a kick.”
“Technically it’s called the LGBTQ program, but that’s kind of a mouthful so I shorten it sometimes to gay studies. It’s easier than answering the inevitable question about what each letter stands for. You probably know, but sadly most people do not,” Sophia explained.
A waitress in a crisp white shirt and black pants approached the table. “Can I get you ladies something to drink?”
“Would you like to share a bottle of wine?” Rachel asked.
“Sure, why not? I’m on vacation. Perhaps we can walk around a bit after lunch before driving anywhere.”
“Sounds like a plan. White or red?” Rachel asked.
“I prefer white, but I’m not picky.”
“I’m not picky either, but you’re in luck because I prefer white as well. Would you mind if I ordered something on the sweeter side?” Rachel inquired.
“Not at all. It’s what I prefer.”
“Can we get a bottle of your Snoqualmie Riesling?” Rachel folded up the wine list and handed it back to the waitress.
“Good choice. I’ll be right back with your wine and then I’ll take your order.”
“I’ll bet you are a popular professor. Your students must love you. I probably would have signed up for every course you ever taught if I was a student at CUNY. I don’t suppose you ever had an affair with one of your students,” Rachel teased.
“Absolutely not. I’m a happily married woman and have been for nearly ten years now. Before that who had the time? I’d just finished my doctoral degree and was desperately trying to prove myself at the college. Getting tenure was a hard road and I sure wasn’t about to mess that up by screwing a co-ed.”
“Damn, you just popped my little fantasy bubble. I imagined you in the throes of passion with one of your adoring students begging for you to teach her the art of making love, academic style,” Rachel added.
Sophia chuckled. “Just what exactly is academic style?”
Rachel leaned in. “I was hoping you could educate me on that.”
Sophia leaned back. “Married, remember?”
“Well, duh, so am I, but I’m not dead, you know. Look but don’t touch, always works for me,” Rachel stated.
The waiter interrupted Rachel’s flirtation when he arrived with their wine, poured two glasses, and set the bottle inside the bucket of ice. “What can I get for you today, ladies?”
Sophia glanced down at her menu and realized the harmless flirtation had completely engrossed her and she hadn’t even looked at the list of options. Rachel grinned at her.
“We’re sorry we haven’t had a chance to look at the menus yet,” Rachel answered.
“No problem, I’ll come back in a few minutes.”
“So, you’re married too?” Sophia asked.
Rachel looked puzzled by Sophia’s question and Sophia wondered if maybe she’d offended her by not flirting back.
“I thought you were close friends with Lara?” Rachel asked.
Sophia thought that was an interesting response. She knew that Lara could be closed off and suspected that she kept her private life very separate from work, but Lara never seemed like the kind of person to stay in the closet and certainly Rachel had seen her picture in the office before. Lara had several framed photos from their wedding in her office in New York. “Besides the fundraiser, how are you connected with Lara? Did she charm you into becoming one of her clients?”
Sophia picked up her glass of wine and started to take a sip.
“What, no. Lara’s my wife. How exactly do you know Lara?” Rachel asked.
When Sophia heard Rachel’s answer, wine spewed from her lips like spray from the ocean. “Did you just say Lara is
your
wife?”
Sophia began to cough and Rachel jumped from her chair. “Hey, are you okay?”
After Sophia’s coughing fit, she looked up at Rachel and managed to squeak out a question. “When did you get married?”
“Almost two years ago, why?”
“I’ve been married to Lara for a little more than nine years. Well, legally coming up on four years, but we had a ceremony of sorts nine years ago before it was legal in New York. I guess that makes me the true wife and I’m not sure what the laws consider you,” Sophia whispered.
Rachel stood next to Sophia, blinking her eyes rapidly. “You’re not kidding, are you?”
“I’m afraid not.”
Rachel leaned back into her chair, but didn’t say a word. Her eyes narrowed in Sophia’s direction and if looks could kill, Sophia would be dead by now.
The gravity of the situation suddenly hit Sophia. It all made sense now. The pieces finally shifted into place for her. A sucker punch to the gut would have felt better at this moment. Sophia felt like she was about to throw up all over the beautiful setting on the table. She slapped her hand to her mouth and rushed to the bathroom.
Pushing open the first stall door she came to, Sophia barely made it to the toilet. The acid in her stomach continued to churn. She heard someone enter the bathroom, but at this point, it didn’t really matter. Her life was suddenly in a tailspin and nothing would make this feeling come to an end.
“I suppose you think that Lara is meant to be with you, but frankly if I was a betting woman, and I am, I would bet that your pathetic sex life does not compare with ours. She married me for a reason,” Rachel snapped. “Our chemistry is undeniable.”
Sophia was speechless and didn’t have an immediate retort. Instead, she began to cry softly.
Rachel was probably correct. Sophia had felt Lara’s distance during the past two years and almost felt resigned to the fate of her marriage.
“You know, you’re probably right. I’m not sure I have what it takes to keep Lara.” Sophia tried to muster some amount of self-respect. “I’d challenge you to consider that if Lara was able to so easily marry you while still staying married to me, what makes you think she won’t do it again?”