Deep in Desire - Page 27

Nora looked taken aback but tried to offer a smile. “Holly, we’re just concerned. We don’t want to see you get hurt.”

“Nora! I’ll talk to you in a minute. I want to deal with this Ruby bitch first if you don’t mind. What the fuck is your beef, Ruby? We know you’ve been talking to Molly or Melly or whatever the fuck she’s called.”

“What? What are you talking about? I don’t know a Molly.”

“Sure you don’t! Deborah’s assistant. You’ve been filling her in on all the juicy details, haven’t you? You looking for ideas for your shitty novels. You fucking loser.” Holly crossed her arms, her glare unwavering. “Deborah and I love each other. Your concern is noted, but this is our relationship. Not yours.”

Ruby muttered an apology and hurried out of the bathroom. Nora reached out to touch Holly’s arm, but Holly stepped back. “I appreciate yourconcern, Nora. But please, keep your opinions to yourself.”

“I think you might have gone a step too far there, honey. You nearly ate Ruby alive. Calm down, okay? Let’s talk this through.”

“Let’s not bother.”

With that, Holly turned on her heel and left the bathroom, her heart pounding with frustration and determination. She made her way back to the bar, where she found the chef, Sasha, putting that day’s menus into little plastic covers.

“Hey, Holly! Everything okay?” she asked, noticing her flushed cheeks.

“I just had a run-in with someone who can’t mind her own business. No. Correction. Two someones who can’t mind their own business,” she replied, forcing a smile. “But I’m over it. Let’s not talk about it.”

Sasha nodded, sensing her need to change the subject. They chatted about her latest cocktail invention and the upcoming changes she’d be making to the menus. Holly felt the tension slowly melting away as she immersed herself in the conversation.

Later that week, Holly found Deborah sitting at the kitchen table, reading a magazine. The look ofdistress on her face was unmistakable. Holly’s heart sank as she approached the older woman.

“What’s wrong?” Holly asked, sitting down beside her.

Deborah didn’t look up; her voice started trembling. “It’s this article inHappeningmagazine. They’re talking about age-gap relationships in the lesbian scene. Listen to this. But don’t lose the plot. Just listen…”

She began to read aloud. “‘The trend of older women dating significantly younger partners has been gaining traction. While some view it as a refreshing challenge to heteronormative standards, others see it as problematic, questioning the intentions behind such relationships. Take, for example, high-profile CEO Deborah Lawson, who is currently dating Holly, the stepdaughter of billionaire real estate developer Nora Hartley.”

“What? That’s what I’m reduced to? Nora’s stepdaughter? I don’t even see her as a stepmom. I don’t get it,” Holly interrupted.

“Honey, I asked you not to lose the plot about 20 seconds ago.”

“Sorry. Carry on.”

“Their relationship has sparked debate, with some critics suggesting it mirrors the very sameproblematic dynamics seen in heterosexual age-gap relationships.’”

Deborah’s voice broke, and she put the magazine down, tears running down her cheeks and dripping into her mouth. “I knew there’d be gossip, but seeing it like this… It hurts me so badly, Holly. It feels like they’re questioning how I really feel about you. Or like they’re calling me some old pervert or something.”

Holly’s heart ached at the sight of Deborah’s tears. She moved closer, wrapping her arms around her. “Deborah, look at me. These people don’t know us. They want a story.”

Deborah leaned into Holly, sobbing quietly. “I’ve been through so much. My divorce was a nightmare. I don’t know if I can handle this public stress and shame again.”

Holly held her tighter, her voice firm. “We’ll get through this. I love you. That’s all you need to know right now.”

Deborah looked up, her eyes red and puffy. “I love you too, Holly. But what if this never stops? What if they keep writing shit like this?”

“Let’s just deal, okay,” Holly repeated. “We’ll show them that our love is stronger than their gossip.”

Deborah took a deep breath, her tears slowing. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Holly kissed her forehead gently. “You don’t have to worry about that because I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere. Mostly because your apartment is way nicer than mine, and I don’t have a cleaner, alright?”

Deborah cheered up at Holly’s joke, and they sat together in silence for a while, drawing strength from each other’s presence. Eventually, Holly spoke again.

“How about we go for a walk? Get some fresh air? Mom always says a walk helps clear your mind, and she’s right. She’s not right about a whole lot of stuff, but she’s right about that.”

“Esme’s always right.”