Deep in Desire - Page 28

“Um, she thinks you can get rid of migraines by putting cheese under your pillow. I once had a really bad headache and woke up with cheese in my ear. The woman’s insane.”

Deborah nodded, wiping her tears away. “You’re right. Nobody’s got time for cheesy ears. That’s ridiculous.”

As they walked through the city, Holly held Deborah’s hand tightly. They talked abouteverything and nothing, and the simple act of conversation helped to ease the tension.

“I’ve been thinking,” Deborah said after a while. “Maybe we should talk to a publicist. Get ahead of the gossip; show them the real us. I know a few good ones through work. I’m sure I could find someone to help us.”

Holly nodded. “I think that’s a great idea. Let’s take control of the narrative.”

Their walk took them to a quiet park, where they found a bench and sat down, enjoying the tranquility. Holly turned to Deborah, her eyes filled with love and determination.

Holly leaned in and kissed her gently. “I love you, Deborah. And nothing will ever change that. I could spend the rest of my life kissing you.”

Deborah’s smile widened. “I love you too, Holly. You make me feel so alive, so wanted.”

A few days later, Deborah suggested they meet Esme and Nora for coffee. Holly hesitated, remembering the confrontation at the Indigo Lounge, but she reluctantly agreed. It was time to clear the air.

They chose a cozy café near Nora and Esme’s apartment, a place that felt safe and familiar to all of them. As they entered, Holly spotted Esme and Nora sitting at a corner table. Nora looked nervous,and Esme opened up her arms to her daughter as they approached.

“Thank you for meeting us,” Deborah said, looking down at her shoes.

Nora shifted uncomfortably. “Of course. This is great. We need to talk.”

Esme nodded cheerily. “We certainly do. And we appreciate you reaching out.”

They sat down, nobody daring to be the first to broach the subject. Holly glanced at Deborah, drawing strength from her presence. Finally, she took a deep breath and spoke.

“Nora, I know what you think about our relationship. But all you need to know is that I’m committed to making this work.”

“Holly, I never meant to hurt you. I can totally tell that you’re happy with Deborah, and that’s all I want—for you to be happy. I want what your mom wants, and she wants what you want. Get it?”

Esme placed a hand on Nora’s. “We’re sorry if our words or actions have caused any pain. And thank you for the souvenirs from France. I bet you girls had a blast. I was so jealous. I’ve never been to France.”

Holly felt a wave of relief wash over her. “Thank you, Mom. You’d love Paris. I want us all to move forward and support each other.”

Deborah nodded before venturing her thoughts. “I guess we’re all family here in one way or another, and we need to stick together.”

Nora sighed and hunched over a little. “I apologize, Holly. I let my concerns cloud my judgment.”

Holly reached out and took Nora’s hand. “Thank you. That means more than you know. Now, I need to talk to you about my apartment. It’s the neighborhood. There are too many families with dogs. I can’t handle it—the barking, the crying babies, the Teslas. I need your help. Can you get me out of there?” she smirked. Her sarcasm and humor could melt the seriousness out of most situations.

The tension in the air dissipated as Nora recited some of her portfolio from memory.

“You’ve only been in there a couple of weeks! I’m not losing six months’ deposit because you can’t handle a couple of yelping puppies,” cried Esme, shaking her head in disbelief.

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking, sharing stories, and rebuilding the bonds that had been strained. Things almost felt normal for amoment, whatever normal was supposed to be anyway.

The days following the coffee meet-up felt like a fresh start. The warmth of their reconciliation had smoothed over any rough patches, allowing Holly and Deborah to move forward with renewed optimism. As they settled back into what was fast becoming a work-home routine, Holly couldn’t help but feel a subtle shift in their dynamic—a deeper connection.

One sunny afternoon, Holly and Deborah decided to revisit the Indigo Lounge. Holly was hoping that Deborah could reconnect with the familiar comfort of her favorite spot. The bar had always been a haven for the older woman, a place where the buzz of conversation and the clinking of glasses created a symphony of relaxation.

“Look at us,” Holly said with a grin as they took a couple of seats at the bar. “This should help you get back to a little slice of normalcy, huh?”

As Deborah smiled, her eyes crinkled at the corners. “It feels good to be here. It’s like reclaiming a piece of my world. Our world.”

As they settled in, Sasha waltzed over with a skip in her step. “Hey there, Holly and Deborah. It’s great to see you both. The usual, Debs? Or would you both like to try a new cocktail I’ve been working on?”

“Yes, my usual sounds great,” Deborah responded, looking relieved for the welcome.