“Well, now that I know you’re still awake, let me be the first, hopefully, to wish you a happy birthday. Forty-six has never looked better on anyone.” Beth could hear Sarah’s smile from where she sat propped up in bed. She could practically see the way the little lines at the corners of her mouth turnedup, effortless, and just the tiniest bit cocky. Her heart jumped, fluttering in place.
“I can’t believe I’m forty-six. What was it like? Please share your wisdom with me, my wise elder.” She had always enjoyed mildly teasing Sarah about their three-year age difference, and Sarah had always enjoyed pretending to be offended by her comments, even though Beth knew she secretly loved it.
Beth leaned back into her pillows, getting herself comfortable, settling into the conversation with Sarah. They had spent a lot—a lot—of time talking since that night on the ferry. Talking on the phone, talking over text, talking in person when they could manage with their competing schedules. Talking about everything and anything.
Over the last few weeks, talking to Sarah had become the highlight of her day. No matter the time, no matter the topic—emotional conversations, surface-level conversations, funny musings, and even a few spicy text exchanges that toed the line of being downright filthy—every exchange reminded Beth that hearing Sarah’s voice instantly made any moment better.
Sarah thought for a moment before responding; her serious but playful tone only made Beth’s grin wider. “If you’re not doing mobility stretching already, please start. I will not build a future with someone who does not take stretching seriously.”
Yoga, Beth had noticed, was something Sarah had picked up in the last few years. When she asked Sarah about it, she explained that she had always wanted to do it but had never had the time when she was a lawyer. However, with her new position at Nell’s company, she finally had the time. Out of a desire to impress Sarah, Beth had joined her for a yoga class at the end of January. Unfortunately, that experience had gone comically wrong, ending with Beth pulling a calf muscle and requiring alternating ice and heat for the next few days.
Beth laughed at Sarah’s nudge. “Lucky for me, my girlfriend sent me a list of stretches to do if you’re an artist who spends their days awkwardly hunched over surfaces.”
She paused, letting the word sit between them. She hadn’t meant to say girlfriend. It just kind of slipped out, but now that it was there, she didn’t hate it. In the past, Beth would have second-guessed herself in a moment like this, afraid she might have ruined something; her habit of treating every interaction as if it were a fragile little thing kicking in. But she didn’t feel any of that right now. Right now, she was settled—in her use of the term, in her decisions in her life.
“Ohhh,” Sarah’s warm voice wafted through the speaker, “we’re girlfriends now? That feels awfully expeditious, Ms. Walsh.” Heat rose in her cheeks as she blushed at Sarah’s words, her certainty was only cemented by Sarah’s tease.
“Here I thought we were still in the talking phase.”
Beth’s smile widened.Yup, this feels so right.“What can I say, I’m a girl who knows what she wants.”
“That confidence looks good on you,” Sarah said simply, the heat of her compliment blooming on Beth’s cheeks.
A comfortable, quiet space passed between them, one they had learned long ago to co-exist in. One that had come and gone as they navigated the ups and downs life had thrown their way, both together and apart. But one thing had remained true—they always seemed to find their way back to each other.
“How’s London?” Beth asked. “When do you get back?”
“London is good. Nell and I have been meeting with a few investors this week. The foundation is seeking to make a substantial donation to support advanced research on training female athletes. We have a big meeting this afternoon. I can’t say more than that about it, unfortunately. Oh, and Nate’s been bugging us about going to Disneyland Paris, so we may try to squeeze that in before we head home this weekend.”
“What is his deal with Disney?” Beth mused, an easy giggle escaping her lips.
“No idea. The man likes what he likes.” Sarah’s laughter filled her as it flowed through the phone, wrapping itself around Beth. “But enough about that. Does my girlfriend want the next part of her present?”
Beth sat up a little straighter. A present? She hadn’t been expecting that. “You really didn’t have to get me a gift, Sar,” she said softly.
Sarah’s voice dipped low into a husky register Beth happened to know extremely well, but it had been years since she had heard it, years since it had made her blush like this. “Oh, I think you’re going to like this one. Open the top left drawer of your dresser.”
Beth glanced over to the white oak dresser against the opposite wall, curious as to what Sarah had up her sleeve. She threw back the covers, padded across the wooden floors, and pulled open the drawer as directed, revealing a small package wrapped in brown paper.
“How on earth?” Beth asked, her tone breathy.
“Don’t worry about the logistics. That’s my job, remember? Open it.” Sarah’s command was gentle, but still with the tiniest punch.
Beth worked the end of the wrapping open, sliding the paper away to expose a small box.
“Oh.Oh,” she breathed, realization setting in as her eyes flicked over the box, understanding what was inside.
“I felt bad about leaving you so…worked up over text…right before I left on my trip.” Sarah’s voice dripped with her signature sureness, sending heat spreading across Beth’s thighs as flashes of that specific conversation played behind her eyelids.
“Good, you should feel bad.” She grinned, breathing deeply. “Leaving me to have to take care of myself alone like that.”
“Mmmm.” Sarah groaned. “Fuck, the mental image of you touching yourself…”
“Nothing you haven’t seen before,” Beth pointed out, fingers turning the box over—the box containing exactly one Bluetooth-enabled G-spot vibrator.
“Do you like the gift?” Sarah purred, a rustle of fabric following her words. “I was thinking, since my meeting isn’t till later and I have an open morning… I thought now would be a good time to celebrate your birthday. Would you be interested in that?” Sarah’s words were drawn-out, slow, and purposefully stretched, forcing Beth to feel every one of them.
Beth nodded vigorously before Sarah finished speaking, wanting more than anything to do what Sarah was implying. “Are you wanting to…you know…over the phone?” she asked slowly, the rational side of her mind stepping in, momentarily pumping the brakes, wanting to make sure she and Sarah were on the same page. “We haven’t even kissed again yet,” she finished, suddenly feeling self-conscious at how silly those words sounded.
