Chapter Three
Starlight is a short drive from the Opal Canyon Confections main office in the heart of the city, catty-corner to the town hall and across the way from the Henry Sterling Plaza.
The large brick and mortar building looks like a relic, much like the rest of the small town, except for the sign lit in cool, white block letters.
As I walk up, Alex is standing outside with the top few buttons of her collared shirt undone from the heat, revealing a white tank-top underneath. She turns with a smile so big I have to look away.
It’s hard to see anything through the small glass block window, but from the blur of neon lights and gently swaying silhouettes, I can tell it’s already crowded. Though I bet it’s usual for a Friday night.
“This place looks incredible.” I push my purse strap further on my shoulder.
“They have the best veggie barbecue mushroom-bacon burger I’ve had in years.” Alex holds the door open, and the soft music from the bar filters out into the street. “Oh, I forgot to mention I’m a vegetarian. I hope that’s okay, or we could go somewhere else.”
I shake my head. “No, that’s perfect. My best friend is vegan and makes a killer spinach and artichoke dip using cashews.” Why did I say that?
“I’m going to have to get the recipe.” She smiles.
My stomach does a little flip, and the ice-cold air conditioner immediately cools me down as I step across the threshold.
The place reminds me of a little hole-in-the-wall bar back home. It’s got the same cozy atmosphere from the wood panel walls covered with white paint to keep the space from feeling too dark, to an old stained oak bar which takes up the front part of the space.
“Alex,” the bartender calls out, “it’s good to see you.”
“Nice to see you too, Luka. How’s Amber?” Alex asks with a lift of her chin.
“She made varsity. Take a seat and we’ll get to you.”
Alex leads me back to a corner booth, hidden away from the main floor of the bar and perfect for a business dinner–or a date. I push the thought away. This is strictly professional. I’m a stranger in a small town and she’s showing me a bit of southern hospitality. Nothing more.
I slide into the booth, finally taking a look at the rest of the bar. Half of the freestanding tables have been cleared out in front of a small, raised stage where a band is setting up.
Alex sits across from me and hands me the menu from the back of the table, nestled behind a cluster of condiments.
We order, two barbecue veggie burgers with iced tea. The band is barely into its set by the time we get our food, their set list includes hits from the nineties and aughts.
The polite conversation begins to stray.
Alex was always a tomboy to the point where her father saw her as an heir. She had been working behind the scenes for years. It was her idea to expand the distribution. He retired a little over six months ago, but kept the entire thing quiet.
I tell her about growing up as a middle child in the suburbs. The ideal, though it felt like I was always playing it safe. Even working at the agency, following the rules set from different eras. We commiserate on how it’s difficult to have our voices heard in such a male-dominated world.
As the night wears on, the lights dim even further, and people slowly filter onto the dance floor.
She fixes me with her gaze, her brown eyes almost hypnotizing in the low light. “Is this your first work trip?” she asks.
“You can tell?” I grab my drink, taking the straw between my lips.
She fights a grin, and this time I catch her gaze falling to my mouth as she holds up two fingers. “A little.”
“It’s actually my first time out of New England. My family is from upstate New York, and I live and work in the city.” I lean, putting my elbows on the table.
She nods. “I was in New York a few years ago for work. It’s a beautiful city. A lot different from here.”
“Yeah, but I like it so far,” I say. “Haven’t seen much, but Opal Canyon is really cozy.”
“Cozy?” Alex quirks a brow. “Are you saying it’s small?”
“No, no, I—”
A smile stretches across her face, and heat rushes to my cheeks. She’s teasing me. “I think it is too. Which is why it’ll always be home to me.” Her attention darts to the crowd scattered across the floor. “Do you dance?”
My iced tea goes down the wrong way. “Me?” I clear my throat. “Not since I was in high school, which was years ago. Even back then I couldn’t follow a lead to save my life. I stepped on my date’s feet all night and bruised her toes.”
She smiles wide and gestures to the dance floor. “It’s easy. I could teach you.”
“Is this usually how you conduct your business dinners?” I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, a shock of heat surging between my legs as she shifts in her seat.
“It’s past seven. Work ended hours ago, Kitty.”
There’s a challenge in the way she says my name. It’s every game of spin the bottle I played in high school. It’s those seven minutes in heaven I spent with Tracy Pomeroy in the closet of her dad’s basement. Those moments lead to a life-changing decision.
A moment I shouldn't be experiencing with a potential client, no matter how much I'm attracted to her. On the other hand, what's the harm? We haven't drawn a contract. There's no ink to dry.
“Let's see what you’ve got,” I say.
Alex climbs out of the booth and pulls me to my feet, leading me out onto the dance floor, her tail swinging behind her.
The mid-nineties pop song ends as she turns to face me, replaced with early aughts R I don’t realize how close we are until her knee presses along the pinnacle of my thighs. It's not enough. I'm desperate for more.
She squeezes my soft waist, brushing her thumb along the hem of my blouse until she hits bare skin. Each drag makes me ache. The low thrum between my legs grows more insistent until I'm on fire.
The song ends, and we stand in the middle of the dance floor, caught in each other's gaze–a trap I would step into again and again if I had the chance.
“Tell me the truth,” I say. “You aren’t going with Hodgins & Kulbert, are you?”
Alex searches my face, then shakes her head. “No.”
“Thank God.” I swallow, my heart racing as I let the question lingering in my thoughts tumble out before second-guessing myself. “Then are you gonna kiss me?”
A slow smile stretches across her face, and she grips my waist, then pulls me into her arms. “I didn’t expect you,” she mutters, lowering her lips until her breath feathers against my skin.
A giddy laugh bubbles in my chest as I smile. “Can’t say I was expecting you either.”
The first kiss is sweet, like an introduction: short and a little awkward because of our height difference. I push onto my tiptoes and try again, my fingers brushing over the soft scruff along her shoulders and threading through her short hair at her nape.
She hums to herself, her tongue darting out to tease my lips apart as the world slips away and it’s only us. Her hands continue to explore as her fingertips slide under my top.
A holler cuts through my haze, and I pull away, my eyes adjusting to the neon lights around the stage.
“I’m so embarrassed.” I tuck my hair behind my ear.
“Don’t worry. It’s a small town. Everyone will get it out of their system in a week or two.” She clasps my hand, leading me back to the booth.
“Oh, that’s reassuring.” I sigh, then look back. “I hope I haven’t messed anything up for you or turned you into some sort of public spectacle.”
“If I get in trouble for kissing a pretty woman in public, I’m fine with whatever punishment I have to face.”
I’m grateful the low lights hide my blush. In fact, my whole body is probably beet red at this point. I slide into my side of the booth. Alex follows and rests her arm across the back, caging me in.
“You know, it’s customary to sit across from each other,” I say with a lift of my chin.
“Is it?” Her gaze flits to my lips, and her fingers drag along my cheek as she leans closer. “Did you think I’m going to settle for one kiss?”
“Fuck, I hope not.” I gather the sides of her shirt in my fists.