I blink and breathe a sigh of relief that nothing awful has happened. We’ve already talked about her taking time off. Maybe she forgot? “Of course. With the baby coming, you’re good to take a step back from some future reports.”
Her eyes point toward the ground again. “Not some,allreports.” She exhales. “Starting with this case.”
There’s a sinking feeling in my stomach. “Oh.”
“I get that you don’t speak directly to clients after the Grace situation. You fell for a narcissist who took advantage of your heart. I respect your decisions, and I’m really sorry to put this on you at the last minute, but I haven’t been honest with myself. We’re not just colleagues. You’re my best friend, King.”
“Anything you need, I’m here.”
“I’m burning out. Fast. With Rosie and after all the attempts for our second child, the IVF journey has taken a toll on us. Nikita and I have been working hard trying to support each other, but I need to quit this in order to be there for her. Plus, this client is high maintenance.”
I push the sting of rejection away. This isn’t about my feelings right now. I listen and offer reassurance for the next several minutes. She has been holding a lot in. Mamma told me it was my eyes—the type people want to tell anything to. I understood because I always felt the same about hers. She had such kind, caring eyes. Although I had no reason to be concerned about acceptance when I came out, I appreciated those same eyes as I told her I wanted to go to prom with a girl.
Tuning back in, I settle into a deck chair, anticipating Kaydence’s usual bouncing between topics. She jumps from work stress to marriage to what she’s cooking for this year’s Friendgiving. She rambles on about everything, including offering advice on my life.
“And don’t carry on being afraid to get close to anyone,” she commands, a declaration in her voice. “Not every woman is going to stab you in the back. Life happens, and oftentimes we come out stronger in the end. Irony aside, try giving yourself a little grace. We all have to learn how to trust ourselves.”
I huff. “Right. That's why I put rules in place for myself.” I leave out the part where I broke one by mixing work with pleasure. Never again.
“Here I am breaking your biggest rule: always finish a case. I used to hate the thought of quitting anything, but you know what? I can't let pride win. I need to get back to what truly makes me happy: being a wife, mom, and cyber security genius—and playing matchmaker for you.”
I know she’s right about letting people in, but it feels nearly impossible sometimes. Basil comes to mind, and so does the added layer of complication that is my attraction to her.
“I have to get some sleep. I’ll give the client your number,” Kaydence says. "Luckily, I managed to talk her down on some of her demands for the remaining case updates, but she’s deadly serious about having a close eye on Jones, and you know what? I get it now. Anyway, talk later.”
When the call ends, I return inside the villa and see Basil bent over, peering inside the refrigerator. A rose-colored bikini paints her skin underneath a sheer cover-up. Before she catches me checking her out, I pull my eyes away and go change into my swimsuit.
Now that I’m taking on client communication, I need greater caution than before. I try not to think about what might happen if Basil finds out I’ve been surveilling her. I’ve been around her long enough to know she’d be upset. No amount of beach dates would refute that reality. If getting close to her benefits the case, so be it. Otherwise, she’s off-limits.We’reoff-limits.
Basil and I walk toward the beach in a comfortable silence until we stop at a cozy corner semi-blocked-off by towering rocks not far from the shore. Both our jaws drop. There’s a table set up for two, in the center of rose petals in the shape of a heart on the sand.
Minutes later, we’re seated and served by a private chef, our smiles as full as our glasses of chardonnay. There’s enough wine, salad, and shrimp scampi to feed five, which the chef advised they’d package for us and have delivered to our villa that afternoon.
For dessert, we lay out on a beige blanket and relax. I catch peeks of Basil’s smooth tan legs between bites from the mini dessert bar provided. Even though we both had full stomachs, we couldn’t deny the decadence. Despite the high sun, there’s a slight breeze, cool enough to keep the food and us from melting in the heat, but not warm enough to dare me to swim. To be fair, entering the water isn’t on my agenda, even if wearing my swim shorts and black bikini is. Basil, on the other hand, has already hinted at taking a swim together twice since we began eating. She catches the end of my longest glance and rests her sunglasses on top of her head, a toothy grin on her face.
“This isn’t so bad.” She motions a hand through the air. “A secret hiding spot. Food. Drinks. Peace and quiet. I don’t think even Lynn and Mae could find us.”
“Be careful what you wish for.” I let out a small chuckle, imagining Lynn barreling in. Then I contemplate the question on my mind. I take a sip of wine. “Can I ask you something?”
“Shoot,” she replies, applying sunscreen lotion to her arms. “What are you thinking about?”
“You and Victoria? Did you two used to date, or…?”
“Oh, god, no.” Basil’s mouth forms into a displeased pout, and she takes a more curt tone. “Short or long version?”
“Whichever.”
The way her nose wrinkles tells me there is no short version. I casually add space between us, leaning back and resting on my elbows. She seems to notice but doesn’t comment.
“She had a fling with my sister back when we were in high school. People found out and Victoria, being the coward she is, twisted the story into something it wasn’t. It was so unbelievable and…” Basil pauses and regroups. This appears to be a touchy subject. “Let’s just say it turned into a nightmare at home and with the school board, which both Victoria and our mothers were on.”
I pull my eyebrows together. “How did the school board end up responding?”
Basil scoffs. “I buried Victoria’s reputation before they got a chance. It wasn't like I didn’t give her an opportunity to make the situation right. She chose her path, and so did I. It led me to start my first business. An anti-bullying nonprofit. As class president, I ran a fundraiser at school. Raised enough money for a billboard, and guess whose face was the star bully’s?”
“Youdidn't.”
“Oh, I did. You know, people really underestimate the work that goes into fundraising.”
