Then & Now by Monica McCallan

Author:Monica McCallan [McCallan, Monica]
Language: eng
Format: epub, azw3
Tags: Lesbian Romance
Published: 2020-02-14T23:00:00+00:00

***

As sunset fell across the horizon, Bennett wrapped her sweater around her body and stared out at the choppy ocean waves. Her family had a home similar to this one a few blocks away, but she wondered if she’d ever spend time there again. She watched the waves crash over one another again and again with a rhythm that lulled her.

Today had been a whirlwind of emotion, Lily everywhere but never close enough. Right now, she sat in the chair next to Bennett as the rest of the group chatted and drank. She’d snuck a few glances, managed a few conversations, but Lily had seemed hesitant, more withdrawn since she’d last seen her.

She’d hoped they’d get a moment alone so that she could ask, so when Lily stood up to go inside, Bennett saw her chance. “I’ll walk in with you,” she said nonchalantly. “I want to change into warmer clothes anyway.”

“Cool,” Lily said as she set off toward the house, Bennett walking faster than usual to keep up.

They walked away from the deck at the water’s edge, past the pool that had yet to be used, before finally stopping in front of the large French doors that opened onto the patio off the back of the house. “Lily,” Bennett said so quickly that she almost reached her hand out to get Lily to stop moving. “Are you okay?”

“I’m not comfortable with this.” Lily’s stare was focused, so penetrating that Bennett felt naked beneath it.

“With what?” Bennett asked, searching her mind to remember anything she could have done that would have upset Lily.

“Roger is a nice guy.”

Bennett cocked her head to the side and worked to understand. “I know he’s a nice guy. He invited us all here.”

Lily put her hands on her hips and squared her shoulders, surprisingly imposing. “Then why are you toying with him like this?”

“I’m not.” Bennett pulled her sweater against her body to temper Lily’s icy words.

“Look, lying to yourself is one thing, but lying to other people is an entirely different ballgame. I don’t want to be a part of that.” Lily’s features were hard, her eyes sharp and clear even in the dim lighting as she repeated almost the exact words she’d said a month ago.

Bennett took a deep breath. “I broke up with Roger, and I told him the truth.” Lily’s eyes popped open in surprise, her lips forming into a small O that Bennett couldn’t stop staring at. “I asked him not to say anything about me since I’m kinda still figuring everything out.”

“Oh.” Lily’s features had calmed, and Bennett had to remind herself it wasn’t okay to reach out and brush a stray hair away from her face.

“I like your bangs, by the way.” Bennett smiled and willed the butterflies in her stomach to calm.

Lily lifted her fingers up and touched her face gently. “So... you told him you are a lesbian?”

“Yes.”

“You said those words to him?”

“I didn’t know I was supposed to record the conversation for proof, but yes. He knows.

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