Deep in Desire - Page 29

“I’ll try that new cocktail,” Holly offered, her gaze drifting around the room. She took in the atmosphere and marveled at what a wonderful job her mother had done creating the place.

Sasha prepared their drinks with ease, attempting some newly found skills of flipping, mixing, and shaking things.

“Don’t you usually do the cooking? How come you’re so handy with a cocktail shaker?” Holly asked as she watched on in amazement.

“Oh, we’re short on bar staff at the moment. Your mom hasn’t been around as much lately. I’d much rather be in the kitchen. I’m not a fan of chatting to strangers. I don’t know why Esme trusts me to run this place when she’s not around.”

“Don’t be so down on yourself, Sash! You’re doing a wonderful job.”

The lounge, with its plush seating and rich decor, was a comforting refuge from the whirlwindof their lives. As they sipped their cocktails and chatted about their latest adventures, Holly felt as though she were in a cozy enclave. They were simply Holly and Deborah, existing in a world without reluctancy around their love.

As they talked about their plans for the weekend, Holly felt Deborah’s hand brush against hers, a gentle reminder of their connection. “You know,” Holly said, “I’ve been thinking about joining a painting group. I need to get back into my work.”

Deborah’s eyes lit up with interest. “That sounds wonderful! Maybe I could join you. It’ll be a fun way for us to spend time together, but I don’t really have any hobbies. It’s all work, work, work with me, and it’s been that way for years.”

Holly beamed with enthusiasm. “You’ve got yourself a date, missy. We’ll find a group and make it a regular thing. I bet you’ll end up being natural.”

As the evening wore on, Holly and Deborah found themselves in a lively discussion with a couple of Deborah’s friends she hadn’t seen in a while. The conversation was light-hearted, filled with laughter, reminding Holly of the fantastic times she’d had with the people she’d met in Australia. She was enjoying the camaraderie, thefeeling of being part of a community that embraced them for who they were.

Later that week, Holly and Deborah had a scheduled meeting with a publicist named Amelia. Deborah had mentioned that Amelia had a reputation for handling sensitive situations with grace and expertise, and Holly was eager to see how she could help them navigate the ongoing scrutiny.

The meeting took place in a sleek, modern office with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city. Holly and Deborah arrived early, giving them a chance to enjoy the view and collect their thoughts. When Amelia arrived, she greeted them with a warm smile and a confident air.

“Deborah, Holly, it’s a pleasure to meet you both,” Amelia said, extending her hand.

“Thank you for meeting with us,” Deborah replied, shaking Amelia’s hand. “We worked together on a project a couple of years ago. I don’t know if you remember. We appreciate your time.”

Amelia settled into her chair, her demeanor professional yet approachable. “I understand that the recent media attention has been challenging.”

Holly took a deep breath. “Our relationship is real, and we want to show that we’re committed to each other. Part of me thinks it’s got nothing to do with anyone else, but if they’re going to talk, they should be talking about facts.”

Amelia nodded thoughtfully. “I think that’s a really great approach. We can craft a strategy that shows the world who you truly are.”

Deborah’s eyes sparkled with hope. “Sounds perfect. God knows why we’ve suddenly become a source of interest. Here, can I send you these links?” she said, pointing at her phone. “I’ve collected all the stories I’ve found in the press recently and kept them in a file.”

“Don’t worry. I’ve got all that. We found 147 articles both online and traditionally published.”

“What?” yelped Holly, her heart thudding in her chest.

“Don’t panic. The Internet is a big place. They’re spread all over the place, but we have software here that collates everything. I know what I’m doing.”

Amelia leaned forward and made direct eye contact with Holly. “It’s important to present your love in a way that resonates with people and counters the negativity.”

After the meeting, Deborah and Holly decided to take a stroll through a nearby park.

“I’m thrilled we met with Amelia,” Holly said, stopping briefly to stroke Deborah’s cheek lovingly. “She seems to really understand us.”

Deborah nodded, her smile soft and content. “Yes, she does. I feel much better knowing we have someone in our corner who truly gets it. I’m sure one day soon we will just be old news,but right now it’s best to stay ahead of the wave.”

“Is she gay?”

“Yes. I’ve also worked with her wife. I can’t remember her name.”

“Debs? Do you only work with lesbians?”

“Ha! Yep! I try to! Or at least women in general. When I started out, women in my business were next to nonexistent, so now I am passionate about changing that.”

They found a quiet spot under a large oak tree and sat down, their fingers entwined. The park was serene, with the distant sound of cars making their way home in the after-work traffic and the gentle rustling of leaves in the branches above. Holly placed her head on Deborah’s shoulder.