As far as Alex was concerned, she was dating an older woman who had only discovered she was gay in the last few years and who was ready to go out and start dating. Maybe that was true. She just left out the minor detail that she was married, and judging by the anger on her husband’s face when he walked in on them in the shower, he had no idea that his wife had been having an affair.
A few weeks later, Alex had let her guard down. She was back out with her college friends, enjoying themselves on the dance floor at a club that was hosting an LGBTQ+ night. A woman sidled up to her and before Alex knew it, she was dancing just with her, her friends doing their own thing a few feet away.
She was exactly Alex’s type, and while that night had been wonderful, both of them falling into bed together, Alex should have known after their fourth or fifth meeting that it was a small bit concerning that she’d never asked Alex to come back to her place.
Alex had made up excuses for her. Maybe, she’s not proud of the area she lives in. Maybe, she’s not out and she’s afraid her neighbors or friends will see Alex leaving her place the next morning.
But Alex never asked why they always ended up back at her place. The sex was too good to ask those questions. Another month went by. Then another. They kept meeting up, usually on a Wednesday night, and looking back, Alex knew she’d been really stupid or naive not to suspect something was wrong.
For the first few months, it was always at Alex’s apartment, but towards the end, they’d started going back to her house in the suburbs.
They met every Wednesday because that’s when her husband was out of town. He left Wednesday evening and came back Friday night. Except for that one time when he came back with his suitcase, his flight canceled, just as Alex was getting comfortable between his wife’s legs.
Alex kept moving to the music, trying to give Maria her attention, anything to keep herself from reliving that embarrassing moment. That scene on its own was mortifying enough, but for Alex, it was one of the worst moments in her life because she’d somehow allowed it to happen again.
The only two semi-serious relationships she’d had were both based on lies and cheating. Both times she’d felt incredibly guilty as she’d scrambled for her clothes and scurried out the door. The husbands had no clue. But then again, neither had she.
Both women had wanted to meet her the next day, to apologize presumably, but Alex never did. She ignored their calls and texts and eventually blocked their numbers.
She’d bet herself up for the last few weeks, cursing her lack of judgment for allowing herself to get caught up in those situations. Alex even remembered thinking a few weeks into the second affair, when she’d first become suspicious, that there was no way that this could happen to her a second time.
What were the odds?
She’d met both women at gay bars. They’d both approached her. The first time Alex had just been unlucky. There was no way she could find herself in a very similar situation again, just a few weeks later.
But she had.
Alex wrapped her arm around Maria’s waist as the trumpets blared and the band brought the song to an emphatic finish. They were both slightly out of breath, Maria’s eyes glinting as she smiled and gave Alex a hug.
“See you for another one later?” Maria asked as they made their way off the floor.
“Yes. Definitely.”
Alex surveyed the bar area, her eyes landing on the woman she’d spotted out of the corner of her eye when she’d been dancing. Alex had met her gaze again when she had a feeling that this woman was watching them dance, and now, Alex found herself walking straight towards her, brushing shoulders as she moved through the crowd.
Alex had thought so from the other side of the room, but as she got closer, her breath caught in her throat. The woman in the black dress, with deep brown, almost black hair falling in waves across her shoulders was the definition of sexy, and as far as Alex could see, she was on her own.
There was no reason to think that this woman was gay, and despite her history, Alex still trusted her gaydar.
Something about this woman had Alex intrigued.
“Hey,” Alex said as she approached her. She raked a hand through her hair as she felt her lips curving into a smile.
“Hi.” The woman tucked a lock of hair behind her ears, revealing three earrings, two diamond studs at the back and a small, silver hoop at the bottom. “That was really impressive.” She nodded towards the dance floor. “I’ve never seen two women dance together before.”
“Thanks.” Alex ignored the heat that crept along her cheeks. Her voice had that husky quality to it that made Alex’s knees weak. “I was wondering if you wanted to dance?”
The woman laughed softly, shaking her head. “I’m a beginner. I couldn’t keep up with you. But thank you for asking.”
Alex studied the woman, searching her caramel brown eyes, knowing that she should probably walk away, but she couldn’t resist trying to convince her to dance. “Can I buy you a drink? I’m Alex, by the way.”
“Emily. And sure. Why not? I was only out there for a few minutes, and I’m still parched.”
“What are you having?”
“A gin and tonic.” Emily turned to glance behind them, her eyebrow lifting. “Actually, you know what? I’m fine.”
Alex followed her gaze. The band was on a break so almost everyone here was vying for the attention of one of the bartenders. “Wait here.”
