Page 15 of Always Another Sunset

Shaking her head, Bella wanted to be clear about her next statement. “No, JC. Or at least not anything or anyone urgently missing me. Not really,” she said. “I have family back in Portland, but they support what I’m doing here. One hundred percent. I can stay as long as I need to get back in the writing flow.”But the words are flowing,she thought.So, haven’t I accomplished what I came for? Is that my signal to go home?The idea of leaving made her chest tighten. She was slowly getting her confidence back, and JC had to be the reason.

JC nodded, a small, slightly sad smile on her face. “I see. Well, it sounds like the plan worked,” she said before changing the subject. “Now, about dinner. Eat inside or outside?”

Although the shift was abrupt, Bella went along with it. “Outside would be nice, I think,” Bella said, letting the topic of her leaving go for the moment. Her indecision made the conversation difficult, and the last thing she wanted was to mess up their dinner. “Your patio is lovely, and the night is perfect.”

“I agree,” JC said, moving toward the patio doors. “Let me grab plates, and we can eat.”

Bella started to stand. “I can help.”

“No need,” JC said. “Stay where you are and enjoy the wine. Setting the table will take two minutes.”

Settling back against the cushions after JC disappeared into the house, Bella sighed. “You’re spoiling me,” she whispered. “And that only makes me more confused about what to do.” At some point, she would have to return to Portland and pick up her life there. Although she told JC things could wait, and they absolutely could, she had a house, a car, clothes, and all her things. The seven outfits she brought with her to Hawaii were tired. Pretty soon, JC would see every shirt she had with her.But I could buy more at the mall if I stayed longer,she thought.And my sister will keep checking on my place.

JC returned with arms full of plates, flatware, and a big bowl of green salad. “I think this is everything,” she said. “Unless you are ready for more wine.”

“Not yet,” Bella said, standing to go help. “Let me set the table, and you grab the food on the grill.” Taking the plates from JC’s hand, their fingers brushed, and Bella warmed at the contact. Mixed with the effect the kissing had on her, Bella started to crave more. A vision of JC’s arms wrapped around her made her stomach flutter. With slightly shaking hands, she began to set the table while JC placed the rest of her load down. She touched Bella’s arm gently as she passed to go to the grill.

“Thank you for helping,” she said, and Bella held in a gasp. Her entire body reacted, and she started to think about more than only kissing.Okay, calm down,she thought.Just because we are here at her house doesn’t mean anything. It’s only dinner.Finished with her task, Bella grabbed their wine and slipped into a chair at the same time JC set a tray full of delicious food on the table. “That looks and smells fantastic.”

“It does, right?” JC said with a wide smile. “Even though we almost burned them.” The woman reddened a little at the statement, and Bella guessed she immediately thought about their kissing too. JC’s lips on hers had felt like magic, and Bella realized she wanted more of them. A lot more.

After JC sat, Bella looked at her over the table. “JC,” she said, and the woman focused on her. “I’ve made up my mind.”

“About staying longer?” JC asked, and Bella nodded.

“Yes, and I’m going to tell my editor I’m not leaving right away,” she said, watching JC smile. “I’m not ready to go home.”

With her heart racing a little,JC raised her wine, unable to keep the broad grin off her face at Bella’s announcement. “I’ll toast to that,” she said, and Bella laughed.

“Absolutely,” she said, lifting her glass. “I’m relieved you are so happy with my decision.”

Shaking her head, JC clinked the glasses together. “You’re crazy if you thought I would have any other reaction,” she said. JC was so happy she had to restrain herself from jumping over the table and kissing Bella. The feeling was the best she’d had in a long time.Maybe since I realized it was her waiting with the other kayakers less than a week ago,she thought.What an incredible change it has made in my life.All of it helped her decide on the spot to say what she had been thinking. “I hope you already know I want a chance to get to know you better, but maybe I’ve not been as clear as I should have been. I love having you back in my life. So, thank you.”

Bella blushed, but there was a twinkle in her eye. “I love it too,” she murmured, acting flustered as she set the wine down. “And this food smells too good to let it get cold.”

Not precisely sure what brought on the change in conversation, JC considered asking but then waited. She would continue to be patient with Bella.And now thankfully there isn’t as much of a rush,she thought.She didn’t say how long she would be staying, but I plan to make every moment last.

Picking up her knife and fork to start on the first kabob, JC nodded. “It does smell good,” she agreed, taking a bite. After chewing for a beat, letting the blend of spices on the juicy chicken fill her mouth, she nodded and swallowed. “And if I can say so myself, it tastes good too.”

Following suit, Bella ate a bite and then sighed. “You’re amazing, JC,” she said. “Don’t be surprised if I start inviting myself over to dinner regularly.”

JC raised an eyebrow. “Really?” she said, knowing Bella’s statement was intended to be a compliment but really liking the sound of her words. “Well, you’re always welcome here.”

Pointing her fork in JC’s direction, Bella smiled. “Be careful what you say,” she said. “I’m sick of the place I’m in, and your home is fantastic.” She waved in the direction of the pool. “The outdoor space is amazing. I can’t imagine how much time you spend out here on the veranda, but if I lived here, you’d hardly find me inside.”

Bella’s words hung in the air as both seemed to register what she said. “Is it that bad there in Waikiki?” JC finally asked, feeling her pulse pick up at the possibility Bella liked her home so much more. “Is the condo not what you were looking for?”

Clearly trying to backpedal from her suggestive statement, Bella waved a hand. “Oh, it’s not that horrible,” she said. “I tend to exaggerate. But I won’t lie, it is noisy and crowded with all the tourists. I don’t know what I was thinking, letting my editor talk me into staying there.”

“Which would make it hard to focus and write,” JC said, taking a moment to process what Bella said.She doesn’t have a good writing environment in Waikiki,she thought.And my home makes her feel good.Realizing the opportunity before her might not come again, JC swallowed hard to steady her voice. “Move in here.”

Again, there was a long pause between them while Bella picked up her wine, studying the contents for a second. “That’s crazy,” she said just above a whisper, not looking at JC. “You need your space.” There was something in her tone that wasn’t entirely convincing. In fact, JC was sure her words were a touch wishful.

JC shook her head. “Don’t think that. There is plenty of room here for two people,” she said. “A master suite at both ends of the house.” Working to not get her hopes too high but feeling her breath coming quicker with anticipation, she leaned forward until Bella looked at her again. “It has a separate entrance on the side of the house. There is access to both the street and the pool. When I remodeled the place, I kept in mind I might need to put the room up as an Airbnb vacation rental if my kayaking business ever got slow.”

Her eyes widening with everything JC told her, Bella looked as if she couldn’t believe it. “That does sound perfect,” she said slowly. JC stayed quiet, letting the woman process the opportunity until finally Bella started to nod. “If that’s the case… I insist you let me pay you rent.”

The moment held as Bella’s comment made it sound like she accepted the offer. JC needed to be sure. “So, you’ll move in?” JC asked softly, and Bella slowly nodded.

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