Chapter 7 #2
They took their time that night, knowing that they had no deadline.
A tour of the labyrinth took them past dusk, when the dim lamps turned on, and insects buzzed in the air.
Inside June’s room, Sette sat in the large lounge chair and regaled her with some of the milder medical stories, while June sat at her feet, arms and head resting in Sette’s lap.
Eventually, she dozed off down there, and Sette was content to sit and stare at her vulnerable visage.
They bathed together. They watched a movie on Sette’s tablet, since June didn’t have a TV.
She offered her a massage before June could give her one.
As she touched her, careful to both relieve her tension while inciting arousal through her delicate form, June candidly talked about the type of clients she had been with over the past dozen years.
“You know they only want your body, to have a good time, to secure that they at least fuck one beautiful woman that month, to forget about you in the morning… and you’re fine with that.
The money makes sure you’re fine with that.
I don’t regret a single day, but lately, I’ve been wondering how it may have stunted my life.
I’ve never been in love, Sette. Isn’t that weird? ”
“Everyone is different,” she said smoothly, although a lump formed in her throat. She squeezed June’s shoulders, thumbs pressing into her back. “Maybe you don’t fall in love easily. That’s a good thing for your line of work.”
“I suppose.” June shrugged into the massage, arms stretching out before her and face buried in bed covers. “What if I am falling in love with someone, though? How would I know?”
“You know because you can’t think of anyone else, even when you’re not around that person. You are always thinking about how you can help them and make them happy. You imagine a future with that person.”
June didn’t say anything until, “Kiss me, Sette. I don’t want to talk anymore.”
So began their first lovemaking session that night. Do you realize you’re the one I’m talking about, June? Even when she was with June, she couldn’t stop thinking about her. Sette hoped that one day – soon – this courtesan would realize the same thing.
Fog covered the Manoir grounds early Thursday morning when Sette stole her love from the compound. By the time they reached the main highway leading to the city, the fog had burned off, and sunshine lasted their entire journey.
“I like your car!” June called over the wind whipping in from the window. Her sunglasses glowed on her face. “Stylish!”
Sette took a sharp curve before responding. “What are you talking about? It’s an Audi.”
“Dude, there’s no such thing as just an Audi! How fast can it go?”
“Hold on!”
Sette was never caught speeding. She didn’t even like speeding.
Then again, she didn’t like putting excess miles on her car.
I would scrap this car for her. Sette never thought about her bank account anymore.
For the first time in her life, she found a woman worth spoiling with her wealth.
She’d buy a Jaguar or Rolls-Royce if that’s what June wanted.
Wasn’t there a reason she had hoarded her money for so long?
With any luck, this new collection of hers would bring in millions more. This was only the start of something great.
They didn’t go straight to her townhouse, even though she was dying to show her the studio.
Instead, they were due for lunch at the usual outdoor café.
Zara and Joy would both be there. Sette had insisted they meet June – in Zara’s case, Sette wanted her to meet the real June.
The one her best friend had intimately become familiar with.
I’ll show her what a good match she is for me.
Zara never gave her smack for the whole “paying for a girlfriend” thing in weeks, but it still hung between them every time they met, and the conversation turned.
No one looked more comfortable than June at their table.
Dressed in an off-white, off-the-shoulder peasant top and denim shorts, she was the pinnacle of care-free and not about to take anyone’s shit.
Which was good, because Joy was always looking to dish out some shit, and Zara could bullshit better than anyone else.
“Pleasure,” June said, shaking Joy’s hand over the four-person bistro table.
She sat down again, legs crossed and loose ponytail tossed over her shoulder.
No one could see her gorgeous eyes behind those big, gold sunglasses, but they could see her pearly-white smile. She wore minimal makeup, if any at all.
“How grand to finally meet this ‘muse’ Sette is always going on about.” Joy sat across from June, her black Michael Kors tote hitting the bottom of a wiry basket.
June had brought a white purse to hold her things.
It currently rested right on the cement ground beneath her chair.
Joy is probably having an aneurysm over it.
She liked things to stay… clean. “You don’t look much like your paintings, though. Must be the glasses.”
Sette knew that was how Joy spoke, but something flashed across June’s mouth. “It’s because I’m not naked. If I were nude right now, you’d see the similarities.”
“I’m sure.” Joy cleared her throat. “Did Sette tell you about the gallery opening next month? Your nudity will be plastered for all of New York’s art snobs to appreciate. She’s assured me that you’ll be there, but I’ve had clients tell me that about their models before.”
Sette and June exchanged glances. “She’s told me all about it. I’ve already scheduled time off work to go.”
“What do you do?”
Sette wanted to snort into her ice water, but June kept her cool. “Let’s say I work nights and weekends.”
Whatever Joy took away from that, she kept it to herself.
Zara showed up fashionably late, after the second round of telling the waitress to please wait until their fourth arrived.
Arrive she eventually did, wearing her usual marina duds of loose khaki pants and a white cotton shirt.
I know this is a casual place, Zara, but come on…
Sette wasn’t exactly dressed up, either, but new jeans and a collared shirt had to count for something.
“Hey!” Zara slapped Sette on the back and nodded to Joy.
She did not seem to be in a hurry to greet June, who sat behind her.
Even when she sat down in the seat to June’s right, Zara did not acknowledge her much.
“Sorry, I’m late. Lost track of time down at the dock. ”
“The rich and their toys,” June quipped. “You sail?”
That got her attention. “Ever hear of the Priss & Moan?”
June caught a laugh in her nose. “No, sorry.”
“Good. I intend to keep it that way.”
June slightly cocked her head. Sette cleared her throat. Is she being an ass on purpose, or is she being humorous? Sometimes, with Zara, it was hard to tell. If she liked someone, it was humor. If she didn’t? Ass.
With Joy still there, no time remained to find out.
The conversation, as soon as they finally ordered lunch, immediately jumped to work, not that anyone but Joy took it that seriously.
Zara never took anything seriously. June was only along for the ride, even though she was the model.
Sette should’ve taken it seriously, but she was too enthralled with having her beloved by her side, in the open air, shining in the sun, and looking like the million dollars she would make off of her, should Sette become her patron.
Zara knew about that. Joy, on the other hand, regarded June with nothing more than, “She exists, huh?” Joy never cared about her clients’ love lives, as long as they didn’t interfere with work.
Sette hadn’t introduced June as her girlfriend, but it was pretty obvious they were sleeping together.
Until last night, we hadn’t slept together at all.
Tonight, Sette hoped to do it again. This time in her bed!
Joy only stayed long enough to have a salad and iced tea. As soon as the last leaf was gone from her plate, she shook June’s hand and insisted she come to New York. “I want everyone to see the actual inspiration for those paintings. It will sell them so much faster.”
June smiled. “Trust me, Ms. Cheung, I am also a saleswoman of sorts. I understand how that works, and would love to be there.” She brushed her fingers against Sette’s arm. Joy couldn’t help but stare, the cogs turning in her mind. Busted. “Sette insisted before you did.”
“Yes, well…” Flustered, Joy pulled her sweater off the back of her chair and hoisted her purse strap on her shoulder. “Only fair that everyone sees you’re the real deal.”
Both women exchanged a dark look. Sette looked to Zara for help.
“No offense,” she said, as soon as Joy left, “but she was talking about your breasts.”
June retained her smile. “I know.” Her lips parted. “Who hasn’t seen them by now? Fantastic, aren’t they?”
Even Zara couldn’t reply to that.
“Anyway,” Sette interjected, hand slapping the table. “What was going on down at the dock that kept you so long?”
“Some new hotshot in town bought the boat next to mine. You know. Schumacher’s old flotation device?”
“Yeah, that guy. Mr. Downsizing.”
“That’s the one.”
“Who bought it? Anyone I know?”
“I highly doubt it. She’s in real estate or something. Casinos? Something like that. Her family’s building one nearby, and she’s in town to oversee it. I only know her because she’s been down at the marina many times and drinks beer on deck with me.”
Sette snorted. “You’ve replaced me as your best friend, I see.”
“Hey, I need someone who will leave the dock with me. For a doctor, you sure get seasick a lot.”