Deep in Desire - Page 37

“But you got to see your brother. That’s great. Mom told me about you and Jenny. And the letter filled in all the details, so I wanted to thank you for that.”

Deborah nodded, even though Holly couldn’t see her. “I just wanted to be honest about my feelings and what happened. I’m a fucking idiot. I should have done it a hell of a lot sooner. Will you forgive me?”

Holly’s voice softened. “I appreciate your honesty, Deborah. I’ve had time to reflect, and I’ve come to realize how much I still care about you. I want us to work on this, to talk things through and see if we can find a way forward. I should have supported you better.”

“Really? Do you want to meet up? Really? Wow… that’s great, Holly!” Deborah could feel the tension in her chest beginning to ease.

“Yes,” Holly said firmly. “I think it’s important for us to have a conversation in person. I want to discuss everything and understand each other better. It’s going to be okay.”

Deborah’s eyes filled with tears of relief and hope. “Thank you, Holly. I’ve missed you so much. When would be a good time for you to meet?”

Holly’s voice was thoughtful. “How about this weekend? Maybe Saturday evening?”

Deborah’s heart leaped at the suggestion. “Saturday sounds perfect. Where would you like to meet?”

Deborah could hear a thoughtful pause on Holly’s end. “How about the Indigo? There are plenty of quiet, cozy corners in there where we can talk.”

Deborah smiled at the thought of them finding each other in the Indigo Lounge again. It had been the backdrop to their relationship. “That sounds wonderful. I’ll be there. What time works for you?”

“Let’s say eight,” Holly suggested. “Does that work for you?”

“It sure does,” Deborah replied, her belly doing somersaults.

The silence that followed was filled with a mixture of hope and nervous anticipation. “I’m looking forward to it,” Holly said softly. “I think this is the right step for us.”

And then Holly hung up the phone.

Deborah took a moment to compose herself, feeling the gentle hum of the room around her—the soft rustling of the curtains in the breeze, the distant chirping of birds outside, and the comforting aroma of coffee that lingered from earlier. She glanced around her living room, the familiar surroundings feeling both comforting and charged with the promise of change.

Her thoughts turned to the upcoming meeting, and she began to prepare mentally. She knew that this conversation was crucial, and she wanted to approach it with clarity and openness. Deborah took out her journal and started to write out everything she needed to say.

14

HOLLY

The soft buzz of jazz music filled the Indigo Lounge, creating an ambiance of warmth that seemed to envelop every corner of the room. It was a Saturday evening, and the lounge was alive with a sense of anticipation for the night ahead.

Holly stood near the entrance, her heart racing as she glanced around the room. Tonight, it was the stage for a new chapter in her life, and she felt a mixture of excitement and nervousness.

Deborah, dressed in a simple yet elegant dress, walked in just behind Holly. Their eyes met, and the connection between them was instantaneous. It was as if time had stood still, and every shared moment from their past came rushingback in a wave of emotion. They exchanged a glance that spoke volumes, a silent acknowledgment of their journey and the love they still held for each other.

The two of them made their way to the back of the lounge, where their closest friends and family were having a catch-up. As Esme, Nora, Cam, and Harper caught sight of them, their faces lit up. The air was filled with a palpable sense of support.

“Holly, Deborah!” Esme greeted them with open arms. “It’s so wonderful to see you both here.”

Nora added, “We’ve been looking forward to this for days. It’s great to have everyone together.”

Deborah leaned over and whispered in Holly’s ear, “Do you want to go somewhere private? And talk this through?”

“No,” Holly replied. “How about we justbe? Let’s just be here. Together.”

“That’s not a problem at all. I wrote notes and everything, but I think your idea is better,” Deborah said, grinning.

The group exchanged hugs and pleasantries before settling into their seats. The atmosphere was lively, filled with the sounds of clinking glasses and laughter. The menu was a feast of culinarydelights as always, and the conversation flowed as freely as the drinks.

As the evening progressed, Holly and Deborah found themselves surrounded by their supportive friends. Each person shared heartfelt words, offering their love and encouragement. Cam raised her glass in a toast, her voice filled with genuine warmth. “To Holly and Deborah—Now, I was hoping you two wouldn’t get back together because I’ve been after Debs for years, as she well knows. And as for hot Holly… let’s say I was prepared to give her a whirl.”

Harper chimed in, “What sort of speech is that, Cam? Here’s to new beginnings. We’re all here for you.”