Gemma looked down, spinning her glass in the small puddle of condensation that formed on the table. She didn’t want to hold onto anger toward Caitlin for something that had happened nine years ago. She wanted to be over it and over her. That was the past, and Gemma had come to terms with the fact long ago that she would never see Caitlin again. She didn’t need to let Caitlin back into her life just because they would now be working together.
“Well, this was absolutely not what I had expected when you asked me to meet you here.” Hayley emptied her glass in a large gulp. “So, what now? Do you think it’s a good idea to get involved in something like this with her?”
“I mean, what else can I do? I’m not going to give up this role because of Caitlin.”
“I’m just worried about you, Gem. I was there when things ended, and I’m not sure if you’re capable of pretending like none of that ever happened.”
“You don’t think I can act professionally?” Gemma asked, growing annoyed. She was already anxious enough—she had hoped that Hayley would be more encouraging.
“No, I’m not saying that. You’re a great actress, but you have a tendency to wear your heart on your sleeve, Gem.”
It was going to be a challenge, but Gemma was confident that she could put her personal feelings aside for the sake of this movie. She hoped.
“I’m so proud of you for getting the part. It’s a huge deal, and I know you’re going to be amazing.” Hayley reached over and laid her hand on Gemma’s. “I’ll be here for you the whole time. We’ll take it day by day.”
“Thanks. I wouldn’t be able to get through this without you.” Gemma smiled softly. “I honestly don’t know if I’ll be able to pretend like my past with Caitlin doesn’t exist, but I’mgoing to do my best.”
“Come on. Finish your drink, we’re celebrating tonight. And if you happen to go home with someone, then that’s just a bonus.” Hayley wore herI’m up to no good smileas she ordered them a round of tequila shots.
They threw back the liquor before Hayley strutted over to a nearby table where two women sat together. Gemma watched in amusement as Hayley said something to the women before they all turned to face her and made their way over to her table.
One of the women, Tara, had caught Gemma’s eye earlier in the night while she waited for Hayley to arrive. She had light brown hair that sat just above her shoulders, dark eyes, and delicate lips that Gemma now noticed were perfectly heart-shaped.
The four women chatted about this and that, never getting too personal with each other. It was rather obvious to everyone at the table what the shared end goal for the night was.
Three shots of tequila and an hour later, the four women walked back to Gemma and Hayley’s apartment building. The friends said goodnight to one another and headed into their respective apartments.
Gemma gently closed and locked her door behind her before leading Tara into the living room by her hand.
“Can I get you something to drink?”
“Sure,” Tara said, Gemma making her way into the kitchen.
“Feel free to make yourself at home,” Gemma called over her shoulder, pulling out the tequila and lowball glasses that she stored in the cabinet.
As she poured a heavy splash over ice for each of them, Gemma felt her nerves prickle. Should she make the first move? Should she just go in for a kiss as soon as she made it to the couch?
Stirring drinks that didn’t need to be mixed, Gemma boughtherself a few extra moments to steady her breathing before returning to Tara. She watched as Tara took in the view from her windows, obviously impressed, and suddenly Gemma no longer felt anxious. They were adults, and it was clear that they had been on the same page, so there was no pressure here.
Invigorated, Gemma headed toward the living room with a glass in each hand. Before she could leave the kitchen, she heard her phone buzz from where it laid on the countertop. She squinted at the screen and saw that it was a message from a number she didn’t have saved.
Placing the two glasses back down onto the counter, she swiped up on the notification on her phone.
555-467-1414:Gemma, congrats on getting the part! Can we please talk before we start the movie? Either over the phone before I come to NYC or in person when I get there, whichever you prefer.
Knots formed in Gemma’s stomach. She had deleted Caitlin’s number years ago, but who was she kidding? She still knew it by heart. The last thing she was about to do, though, was reply to Caitlin while drunk and potentially ruin her night with Tara. Determined not to think about Caitlin, she locked her phone screen and tossed it back onto the marble before heading into her living room.
Gemma paused for a moment, appreciating the way that Tara looked so comfortable while waiting for Gemma on the sofa. The city cast a soft glow across her serene face.
Gemma sat next to Tara, pulling one leg up underneath her, and handed Tara one of the glasses. Ugh, why did Caitlin have to text her tonight? It was almost like she had sensed thatGemma was with a woman for the first time in months. She needed to put all thoughts of Caitlin aside for the night and focus on the woman right in front of her.
Without another thought, Gemma gulped her drink and placed it onto the coffee table before reaching over to remove the one from Tara’s hand as well. Boldly, intentionally, she cupped Tara’s face and laid her lips upon the other woman’s mouth.
Nothing about it was romantic. It was fast, needy, and within seconds, Tara moved to straddle Gemma, deepening the kiss. Their tongues tangled desperately together as their hands began to roam each other’s bodies. Gemma needed more. She needed to feel Tara’s skin, to lose herself once more in the embrace of a woman.
“Can we move this to the bed?” Tara asked into Gemma’s mouth, not allowing their lips to part even for the request.
Gemma wordlessly led them to her bedroom, grateful that she had taken the time to pick up the scripts that had carpeted her floor the past few weeks. She absolutely did not have Caitlin’s piercing blue eyes on her mind as she took in the beautiful woman lying in her bed expectantly.
