“You got hottie’s number, then?” Rob said, covering his mouth as he yawned. “Does that mean we can go? I’ve got a deposition tomorrow and definitely shouldn’t be out on a school night.”
She nodded and set the empty glass on a table. “They’re going to send me the painting, so we’re good to go.” As they headed for the door, she looked over her shoulder. River was talking to someone, and it was like a path had cleared just so Marina could see her. She smiled and gave a little wave, and River gave a small nod in return.
“So, have you already texted her and asked for a wedding date?” Rob asked as they waited for an Uber.
“Obviously not. I won’t text for two days. There are rules. I’m not about to appear desperate or make her think I can’t wait to see her again.” Marina smiled. Two days was going to feel like forever. There was just something about her, and Marina wanted to figure out exactly what it was.
“Marina?”
She turned at the low-pitched voice behind her and was reminded instantly why she’d been thinking about River nonstop since the gallery opening.
“Hey there. You’re looking…” Delicious. Unbearably hot. Edible. “Nice.”
River’s jeans were just the right kind of ripped and worn, and the button-down shirt highlighted her unusual eyes. The lines of a tattoo showed beneath the white sleeve of her shirt, and Marina wondered how much ink she had.
River looked her over. “You’re really beautiful.”
Marina blinked at the unexpected directness that felt like a simple statement instead of flirty flattery. “Thank you. Shall we?”
River nodded and headed up the stairs ahead of her to open the door. Marina sighed a little happy sigh. She adored a gentlebutch, one to whom it came naturally rather than as an affectation. The waiter showed them to a table near the window, and River hesitated.
“I’m sorry, but do you have something toward the back?” At Marina’s confused look, she said, “I find people walking past really distracting, and I’d like to concentrate solely on you.”
Marina was about to suggest they skip dinner and just head back to her place to help with that concentration issue, when River smiled shyly and motioned her to follow the waiter. “After you.”
The new table was near the back, against a wall, and River pulled out Marina’s chair for her to sit down. The server handed River the wine list, and she handed it to Marina in turn. “I’m not really a wine person.” She ordered an iced tea for herself.
Marina chose a glass of red and then looked across at River. She was on the shorter side but handsome in a classic way that had always made Marina swoon. Strong, butch, but with apresence that left no doubt she was all woman under that outer wrapping.Jesus, has it been so long that I’m in heat?
Something in River’s expression shifted, like she could hear Marina’s salacious thoughts. “So, tell me about yourself. People always start with their jobs, don’t they? Even though that’s usually the smallest part of who we are.”
“I’m a lawyer, and I love it.” Marina nodded at the waiter who set down her wine. “There’s nothing like the feeling of having an opponent and winning an argument. And the money isn’t bad either.”
River’s smile wasn’t quite as wide. “I’m conflict avoidant. I really hate arguing, but I do like a good discussion.”
“You’re one of those people who back down even when you’re right, aren’t you?” Marina looked at her over the edge of her wine glass. “Soft and subtle.”
River laughed. “I’ve never been accused of being either of those things. But I do like making people feel good.” Suddenly, she glanced to the left, her gaze searching, like she was looking for someone. Her head tilted, almost like she was listening to something other than the white noise of the restaurant around them.
“Is everything okay?” She couldn’t see what had caught River’s attention. No wonder she got distracted by people just walking past a window.
“Yeah…” River’s shoulders dropped. “I’m really sorry. I need to do something. I’ll be right back.”
“What—”
But River stood and left the table. She walked across the restaurant to a couple who looked…glum. It was the only word Marina could think of. They weren’t on their phones, but they weren’t talking to each other either. They were just sitting there, looking like they might as well be alone.
River touched the woman’s shoulder and then crouched down beside her and started talking. The woman’s hands slowly went to her mouth, and the man leaned forward, listening intently to whatever River was saying. The woman began to cry, and she put her hand against River’s cheek. The man stood and pulled River into a hug, and she looked sheepish as she made her way back to the table after handing them a card.
“So, we were talking about how much you love your job,” River said as she put her napkin back on her lap.
“Nope.” Marina motioned toward the couple, who kept stealing glances at River as they talked to each other. “What was that all about? Do you know them?”
“Maybe we stick to getting to know you tonight.” River picked up a menu. “Do you eat here often?”
Marina folded her arms, aware that it pushed up her breasts nicely, and equally aware that River’s gaze seemed to head that way of its own accord. “Spill, please.”
Slowly, River set down the menu. “I was hoping we’d get to know each other better before this part. I run Echoes and Insight, a metaphysical shop in South Shore.”
