Caitlin couldn’t fight that logic.
“How’s life in LA? Miss me yet?”
“Obviously, I miss your ass. Things are good, just enjoying my time off while I have it.” Maddie paused briefly before a light seemed to switch on in her brain. “Oh my God, I can’t believe I almost forgot. I went to Kim’s the other day, and Michelle was there. Based on the questions she was asking me about you and the movie, I’m assuming you haven’t told her about Gemma yet, have you?”
“Not exactly. You didn’t say anything, did you?”
“Come on, Cait. You know I covered for you, but I got the impression that she’s been feeling a little off about the two of you. I know you’re dealing with a lot over there, but for me, could you please just be honest with Michelle about Gemma? I really like Kim, and I don’t want to get caught lying to either of them.”
“Okay, okay, I’ll give her a call.” Things were clearly getting serious between Maddie and Kim, which Caitlin didn’t want to ruin.
After they were both entirely up to date on each other’s lives, Caitlin left her hotel room and walked to a nearby bar. She was exhausted and craving the comfort of bed, yet the hotel’s walls felt confining, making her restless and unraveling. She needed some fresh air. Hopefully, dinner and a glass of scotch would offer enough of a distraction to quiet the thoughts swirling between Gemma and Michelle, giving Caitlin a chance at some real rest tonight.
Entering the building, Caitlin took the elevator up to theeighth floor. She headed left, opting for the lounge rather than a table in the main restaurant. The vibrant space, aglow with the city lights flickering through the floor-to-ceiling windows, buzzed with customers. Caitlin could understand the appeal. The view of New York City was breathtaking.
She took a seat in one of the empty hunter green velvet couches that faced the windows. Caitlin took a deep, steadying breath, sinking into the cushions just as a waitress appeared to take her order.
As Caitlin waited for her drink to arrive, she admired the elegantly dressed people around the room. Friends sharing a drink after work, a few couples on dates—the night hummed with possibility.
Two women, specifically, caught her eye. They sat on stools along the wall of glass windows, a ledge beside them just wide enough for their drinks. She entertained herself by trying to determine if the two were on a date. The darker-haired woman, her ponytail swaying as she faced away from Caitlin, hadn’t responded to the other woman’s flirtatious touches. Yikes. If itwasa date, it didn’t seem to be going very well.
The waitress returned, handing Caitlin her glass of scotch as she continued to observe the two strangers. She felt a twinge of guilt as if she were intruding on a private moment. But she was alone tonight, and there was little to do besides people-watch. Her gaze lingered on the woman across the room, still faceless, her long straight ponytail draped over one shoulder. The woman ran her fingers through it, and something stirred in Caitlin. Her face flushed with a flicker of recognition.
The gesture was so familiar that it made Caitlin’s heart stutter. She had seen it a thousand times before, bundled up on cold metal bleachers while watching the girl standing at the end of the soccer pitch become bored to tears during Westmore’s offense. Was it just a trick of the light?
Just as she was plotting to move further into the bar to get a better look at the woman’s face, a waitress approached the two women. They turned to order, and that’s when Caitlin saw her.
Gemma.
Emotions flooded Caitlin as she realized she had been watching her ex-girlfriend on a date. This couldn’t be happening. She had to get out of there, fast, before Gemma saw her.
Before the server could set Caitlin’s dinner plate down in front of her, she asked for it to be boxed up to go. In a hurried afterthought, she also requested another glass of scotch to down while she waited to pay her check.
Aimlessly, Caitlin scrolled through her social media, not truly processing the images on the screen, just trying to prevent her eyes from finding Gemma again. Seeing her out like this, dressed up for another woman, made Caitlin feel hollow. And yet, sitting there, half hidden in the shadows and unable to look away, she also felt like she had crossed a line somehow.
She traded the waitress her credit card for the glass of dark liquor, and as she took a large swig, she heard a woman nearby squeal.
Caitlin was afraid to look up.
Unable to stop herself from peeking, Caitlin discovered Gemma’s date pointing right at her.
Shit.
Caitlin plastered an artificial smile across her face, attempting to mask her discomfort as the woman now drew near.
“Oh my God, Caitlin Stone! I’m such a huge fan! Do you think we could take a quick selfie together?”
Caitlin’s anxiety started climbing as more and more patrons began to look her way.
She didn’t seem to have much of a choice, seeing the woman already holding her phone out in front of them to snap apicture. The camera caught Caitlin unprepared, her face likely twisted in discomfort. Looking past the outstretched phone, she saw Gemma watching them, zeroed in on Caitlin like a hawk. The irritation on her face was unmistakable.
After the apparent fan had taken a photo, she returned to where she had previously been sitting with Gemma, who was still glaring at Caitlin. She didn’t break eye contact until her date had retaken her seat, at which point she turned her back to Caitlin.
A black leather book holding Caitlin’s paid bill was placed lightly on the table before her, along with her boxed dinner. If only they had come five minutes sooner, she might have escaped with her dignity.
Before Caitlin made a dash for the exit, she finished the contents of her glass and chanced one last glance in Gemma’s direction.
Gemma had moved closer to her date, sliding her stool only inches away from the other woman. Their legs were now stacked together in a row, Gemma’s hand lying across the other woman’s thigh. She checked over her right shoulder, seeming to make sure that Caitlin was still watching.
