Page 26 of Stay Here Tonight
Not on purpose, though.
Lydia had a natural ability to shadow her date with a level of respect that called attention to her presence but without calling attention toher.Maxine was in the midst of explaining what she was doing back home to raise more money for the local foundation. People hung on her words, whether because they simply found her fascinating or because her results could translate to good news in other parts of the country.
That didn’t mean she was purposely ignoring Lydia.
If anything, she had warmed up to her over the course of the evening. They knew where they stood with each other – and what could possibly happen if they decided it felt right. No pressure, though. No expectations. The only thing Maxine expected was for Lydia to know how to behave at a formal gathering, as already proven at the party a week ago. This was such a stark contrast to Penelope that Maxine didn’t doubt her peers also noted the differences.“Wow, this woman isn’t hogging the spotlight and making everything about herself?” “Sure is nice to listen to Maxine for once without the self-centered model taking over everything.” “I barely know who this young lady is, but I hope she sticks around a bit longer.”
In all honesty, it made Maxine want to paymoreattention to Lydia.
It was easy for these high-class people to ignore any woman they didn’t deem “interesting” enough. No wonder women like Penelope always turned it up. Better to be the annoying woodpecker that everyone at least remembers than the demure robin redbreast who blends in with the other birds. Who cares if that woodpecker does more damage than a semi-truck slamming into the side of the building?
Lydia could not be having a great time. Sure, she met a few people, maybe even left a couple of impressions, but she was with Maxine, and that carried with it a certain…
A certain…
Maxine realized she had been staring at Lydia’s chest when the regional PFLAG director spoke. “I’m sorry? What was that? Forgive me, I suddenly remembered something.” Yeah, she remembered what it was like to still be attracted to a woman even after sleeping with her.
She was great, right? Totally great. Nice, soft body. Tits I could bury my face in. Made the best noises I’ve heard in a long time. Totally game for anything. Asked for fun shit. Let me go hard and fast after we got comfortable. I should have let her… I should have let her stay the night, huh?
They exchanged weathered looks. Lydia wanly smiled while someone else once again tried to get Maxine’s attention.
“Excuse me,” she said at the end of that conversation. “I think I owe my girlfriend a dance or two.”
Lydia’s eyes widened. “Really?” She had glanced longingly at the dancefloor all night. “Didn’t think you would want to.”
“Why not?” Maxine held out her hand. “It’s how we met, isn’t it?”
The woman she previously spoke with chuckled as she left. Lydia took Maxine’s hand and followed her to the center of the ballroom dancefloor.
Maxine didn’t waste time. She brought Lydia close to her, their hands interlocked while taking the lead.I always lead. Don’t argue with me.Lydia hadn’t argued with her a week ago, and she didn’t argue now.It’s not because people think I’m the “masculine” one.Maxine had little patience. She didn’t like to wait for other women to make up their minds. Life was easier when she was a decision maker. The fact the Woodwards had a long history of charging into places and taking over hadnothingto do with it.
Besides, she was taller. Dancing was easier when the taller person led, which always made for awkward moments when Penelope wore those stiletto heels.
Lydia wore heels, but they weren’t tall enough to create strange tension between them. She fit perfectly against Maxine’s chest and had no trouble following her steps.
“You dance so well,” Lydia said with a shy laugh. “Makes me wonder what kind of things you actually learned growing up.”
Maxine checked the surprise ready to burst on her face. “Come again?”
“I always heard that rich kids go to these ridiculous private schools that are really part finishing schools.”
“Sort of. I didn’t go to a school like that. It was a regular private school.” She realized how that sounded and added, “In that we only learned academics and played sports. That other crap I learned from my mother and tutors.”
“Your mother taught you?”
“Before she died, yes.”
“I’m so sorry.”
You’re the one who keeps making this awkward.“She died when I was in high school. It was a long time ago.” Maxine liked to leave those details right there. People, especially thosenotfrom the upper echelons of society, loved to offer a heap of condolences for a relationship that didn’t really exist.Like the one with my ex-wife. How about that?Maxine got along well enough with her mother while she was alive, but they were never close. Her succumbing to cancer only two months after her diagnosis was only rough on her husband, who began acting so recklessly that he thought nothing of mountain climbing during a storm. Maxine was an orphan by the time she received her Bachelor’s degree.
“I can’t imagine my mom dying. Even though I don’t get along with her most of the time, she’s still my mom, you know?” That moment made both Maxine and Lydia look in separate directions. “Did you know she picked out that dress from last week? Sent it to me in the mail that same day and said I should use it to land myself a rich husband. She moved up in the world after divorcing my dad. Married a producer from around here. Thinks I should do the same.”
“She knows about us?”
“Oh…” Lydia sucked in her lips. “I’ve been ignoring those voicemails, honestly.”
“Hope you weren’t accidentally outed.”
