Page 14 of Always Another Sunset

Bella cocked her head. “How did you know I’d want it?” she asked, and JC shrugged, but there was a playfulness to it.

“You’ve had some type of white wine every night we’ve gone out,” she said. “So, I played the odds.”

Laughing at the woman’s clever intuition, Bella poured for each of them before settling into the flowery red and gold cushions of the comfortable patio loveseat. “You think of everything, don’t you,” she said, not asking a question but making an observation. “I always feel so special around you.” The words came out before Bella had a chance to censor them, and she felt a blush start on her cheeks.

Their eyes met across the space. “That’s because you are special to me,” JC said before Bella could take her statement back. Her look had a sudden intensity to it, and even feeling a hint shy, Bella couldn’t look away. JC set down the tongs she held but never broke their gaze. “I’m happy you can tell. I want that.” There was a pause while the chemistry between the two women seemed to crackle in the air. For Bella, being at JC’s house letting her make them dinner felt like a pivotal moment in their relationship.But a part of me knew that before I agreed to come here,Bella thought.And I came because I don’t want this specialness between us to end.

A question came to her, something she had never considered before but realized she should have. “And what about you?” she asked. “Do I make you feel special?”

As an answer, JC moved across the patio to sit on the loveseat beside her. She gently took her wine glass from Bella’s hand to set it on the end table, getting Bella’s full attention. “Yes, you do make me feel special,” JC replied, taking Bella’s face in her hands. “Like no one ever has.” Then JC did what Bella hoped so much that she would. She kissed her.

The sensationof finally having Bella’s warm lips on hers was nearly indescribable. JC had kissed a few women throughout her life, some of whom were special to her, but no one compared to the emotions she felt toward Bella. JC’s entire body reacted to the temperature building between them from the simple contact. When the woman didn’t pull away, JC took the kiss deeper, relishing every second. In response, JC heard a slight hum of pleasure but didn’t know if it came from her or Bella. With the birds singing in the tropical oasis around them and the perfume of flowers in the air, the moment could not be more perfect. As the embrace lingered, she was sure she could sit on the loveseat and kiss Bella all night.

Then, another scent caught her attention. “Oh crap,” she said, pulling back in a hurry. Bella’s eyes widened, clearly surprised by the sudden change of direction. JC jumped from the cushions and rushed to the grill. “I forgot about the chicken.”

“Oh, no,” Bella said, starting to get up as if to come to investigate. “Is it bad?”

JC lifted the lid and let out a breath of relief. “No,” she said. “We’re okay.” Dinner wasn’t charcoal, and the food looked fabulous as she turned the kabobs. “I’ll turn the flame down a little, though.”

Settling back among the cushions, Bella reclaimed her glass of wine. “That’s good,” she said. “I’d hate to be the reason dinner burned.”

JC laughed. “I can’t think of a better reason, actually,” she said, closing the grill’s lid. “I don’t know about you, but I liked how it felt to kiss you.”

When Bella didn’t respond, JC looked at her only to see an unexpected uncertainty filled her face. A little confused, she returned to the loveseat, and took Bella’s free hand. She wanted to build their physical connection again. “What are you thinking about? Did I do something wrong?”

Bella shook her head. “Never,” she said. “And I’m thinking about a few million things.” She hesitated for a beat, but then leaned closer. “But I agree that kiss was amazing… you are amazing. JC, I’m so happy here, it scares me a little.” Before JC could respond, the woman gave a little laugh. “But now I’m being melodramatic. What I’m trying to say is thank you for inviting me tonight.”

Liking what she heard but a little unsure about what Bella was worrying about, JC held the woman’s hand a little tighter. “Thank you for saying yes,” she said. “And not only for tonight, but the last few too.” She smiled. “I know how busy you are writing your next book.”

“I’m never too busy to spend time with you,” Bella said. “But thank you for always being so respectful.”

“Of course,” JC said, meaning it wholeheartedly. Protecting Bella’s writing time was important to her. “And is the process going better now?”

Nodding as she took a sip of her wine, Bella’s face lit up. “So much better,” she said, all hints of her moment of uneasiness gone with the change of subject. “I’ve been hitting my word count goals and beyond every day.” She laughed. “My editor is thrilled.”

“I’m not surprised,” JC said. “Another book from you will make everyone excited.”

Bella sighed. “We’ll see,” she murmured.

JC considered digging into why Bella seemed apprehensive about her next book, but she hesitated. With the chicken on the grill needing another turn in a minute and setting up for dinner, she couldn’t give the topic the time and attention it warranted.And another glass of wine might be just what is needed to help us talk about what’s bothering her later tonight,she thought, resolving to come back to the subject until they could work through Bella’s fears.

JC gave Bella a gentle kiss before leaning back to study her face. “I know you’re a fantastic writer, and it will all work out. Now, are you hungry?” she asked, standing to go back to the grill. “I think this chicken is probably about ready to plate. Do you want to sit outside or—”

“My editor asked me when I’m coming back,” Bella interrupted, catching JC by surprise. She paused for a half step, then finished walking to the grill.

Lifting the lid, she didn’t meet Bella’s eyes. “And what did you tell her?” she said, bracing herself for any possible answer. JC always knew the conversation would come up at some point. Unlike JC, Bella didn’t live on the island. Somewhere she had a home and a whole different life. JC had tried to reconcile that fact in her mind often over the last three days, but whenever she did, the possible outcomes were never pleasant. At some point, Bella would have to leave Oahu.

When Bella hesitated, JC thought the worse but worked to keep her face neutral. “I told her I wasn’t sure,” the woman finally answered. “Because I’m not.”

15

Watching JC work the grill and turning the kebabs, Bella couldn’t miss the change in her body language. Clearly Bella’s answer that she wasn’t sure when she would leave Hawaii affected her. One second ago, she was relaxed and carefree, but suddenly was tense and even a little distracted.Because she doesn’t want me to go yet?Bella wondered, hoping that was the case.Why else would she react so much?

Nodding, JC kept looking at the grill. “Okay,” she said. “But you must have had a plan in mind when you started.” She hesitated before going on. “Be honest with me. Am I messing things up for you?”

“What?” Bella said, caught by surprise at the insinuation JC could mess anything up. “No, absolutely not. Why would you think that?”

The woman shrugged, finally looking away from the food to meet Bella’s eyes. “I imagine you have lots of things back home you miss. Family? Friends?”

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