“Thank you for your kind words,” Mae says after taking a sip. “Elixir Wines isn’t the only company we’re looking to partner with this year. Recently, we hired a PR agency. One of our Tier One member’s businesses, actually. We’re growing fast, thanks to this one’s networking.” She motions toward her wife.
“Hell, I’m just grateful I get the opportunity to enjoy this with you all.” Lynn gently squeezes Mae’s fingers. “There was a time where I didn’t think I would. A life-or-death experience changes how you used to live. After six surgeries and eighteen months of rehab—” Lynn faces her wife with a serious expression that I haven’t seen before. “I learned an important life lesson to cherish every second with the people that set your heart on fire. So here I am, alive and happy. On this gorgeous island. With this extraordinary human.”
Mae Blakeman may be known as one of the fiercest business women in the industry, but the way her fingers brush her wife’s cheek, her gaze full of adoration and tenderness, hits me unexpectedly. A hollowness in my chest expands. How can I ever trust someone like that again?
The thought vanishes when a waitress serves a round of complimentary desserts.
“Lynn makes it difficult to not smile, doesn’t she?” Mae’s eyes glisten with emotion as she pecks her wife’s lips. “As cliché as it sounds, life really is too short…if you let it be. For us, love wins everyday. Together for thirty-three years, married for ten. We’re celebrating our anniversary soon.”
Lynn’s eyes grow into a childlike expression of glee, which annoys me less now than it would have earlier in the night. “You two should join. It’s next week at the Gala. We’ll save you seats at our table.” She chuckles. “Don’t worry, we’ll eat well. I have an in with the chef.”
A flash of heat travels to my cheeks at the thought of being in such a formal setting with Caroline. I already struggle to not gawk at her.
Mae looks at Lynn. “Some days, I wish your nose was as invested in our inventory tracking as it is in the chef’s menu choices. If you don’t leave that woman alone, I’m concerned she’s going to quit.” She faces Caroline and me, motioning a hand to the air. “I keep telling her, just because shecaneat garlic shrimp every single day doesn’t mean the entire island likes greasy, buttery, breath-stinking shrimp.”
We laugh. Apparently, opposites do attract. Watching the two, I wouldn’t have thought they’d ever spoken to one another before, let alone been business partners and happily together for three decades. Lynn brings out Mae’s playful side, even if only for brief moments. My gaze drifts toward the tabletop. I guess I never believed having someone complement me in a relationship was good. I thought that meant I wasn’t living up to my fullest potential by relying on someone. Clearly these two make it work. Why couldn’t I?
Lynn's wide smile in my direction snaps me out of my dejected mood. “I have to ask, being at a couple’s resort and all. How’d you two lovebirds meet? And don’t let Mae’s icy resolve fool you. Shelovesthe cheesy stuff.” Lynn meets her wife’s playful eye roll.
Caroline’s slack-jawed expression finds me and she faces the table. Her guilty face screams she hasn’t read the itinerary and that I need to take over.
“We met at a business conference. Love at first sight.” I paint a convincing smile on my lips and pat the top of her thigh underneath the table. She doesn’t move away. “I won’t hold it against you for not remembering what I was wearing the first day we met.”
Our eyes hold, then the heat of her skin vanishes from my fingertips and she responds, “How could I forget that perfect sight?” She pauses and takes a large gulp of her drink. There’s that devious grin again. “Basil went to the wrong hotel room…myroom. I somehow didn’t close the door all the way on my way out to a workshop. She made herself right at home, took a shower and everything, because when I walked in, she was butt nak—”
“She’s joking,” I blurt out. “We met online. Nothing special.” Given Caroline’s smirk, she seems quite amused with herself. “Perhaps a career in comedy would’ve suited her.”
“There’s nothing wrong with meeting online, dear,” Mae says.
“Not at all.” Lynn nods in agreement. “However you find your life partner—” They exchange loving smiles. “It's all special.”
An hour later, dinner is over. We barely survived. This will be the last time I deal with Caroline. Now that the Blakemans have officially met my wife, I’ll say she came down with an illness. Anything but another double date. Outside of sleeping under the same roof, we are no longer required to speak. The more I think about Caroline, the more I look forward to sunbathing and getting back to my book girlfriend.Shewould have read the itinerary. We exit the restaurant, passing the fish pond beneath the wooden bridge.
Lynn reminds us that each gold-member team receives a bye—automatically advances to the next round—for the Sapphic Olympics Tournament. “We’ll be rooting for you on the sidelines. And will celebrate your victoryandour anniversary at the Gala.”
Great. So much for my plans of not engaging with Caroline. I attempt to curb any expectations of Caroline and I’s togetherness. I smile, but Lynn seems to sense my reluctance. "We’ll be there, pending any injuries—"
"Oh, come on. You two have to come up for air every once in a while…Unless she'sthatgood." Lynn winks at me and then Caroline, who barely suppresses a laugh; meanwhile, my cheeks ignite involuntarily.
“I meant—”
Mae chimes in. “What my wife is attempting to say is that you two have been such lovely company. We take pride in having our business partners celebrate with us for special occasions. This is one of those occasions, and this is your official invitation. Heavy hors d'oeuvres, bottle service, burlesque performance, dance floor, all that.”
"I’m not much for dancing," Caroline says. Clearly that’s not the case, given how handsy we were on that rooftop.
Mae blinks. Her serious face is back. "And proceeds go to charity." She intertwines her fingers with Lynn's.
"Exactly. So you’ll be there?" Lynn begins to walk away, then pauses, tilts her head back, and cautiously eyes me and Caroline. "Yes?”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world.” I plaster on a grin. I’m tempted to look over at Caroline but don’t. Thankfully, she doesn't object.
"Perfect, dear.” Mae’s business tone is back. “Make sure to mind your attendance. The Gala requires ninety percent for entry since we want those who make the most of their experience to be invited. Sunny oversees the roll-call data."
They wave goodbye and stroll away. Once they’re out of sight, my face scrunches with discontent. The afternoon heat isn’t helping subside my irritation. Despite the itinerary, I hadn't planned to completeonepercent of the couple events with Caroline, let alone ninety, but now it looks like we don’t have a choice. I’m not missing that Gala.
In front of me, Caroline shoves her hands in her pockets and has the audacity to wear that shit-eating grin on her face. “I think that went pretty well. Much better than our first date.”
“Really, you think?” My glare points her direction. “Just read the damn itinerary. We have our first event tomorrow morning.” Without a glance back, I march past my fake wife and head toward the villa.
