Hey Presto (For the Long Run #1.1) by Cheyenne Blue

Author:Cheyenne Blue [Blue, Cheyenne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Contemporary, Lesbian, LGBT, Romance, short story
Goodreads: 63852686
Publisher: Anonymous
Published: 2022-01-01T04:00:00+00:00

Christmas had come and gone, and Melbourne baked in the February heat. Pavements sizzled, air conditioners ran constantly, and humans and animals tried to remain inside or in the shade during the heat of the day.

Shan continued training, of course, but she was up before dawn to run her kilometres in the relative coolness. Lizzie and Presto often joined her, running slower laps of Royal Park while Shan completed her workouts. Cooler evenings often meant long, meandering walks along the Yarra River, or around Yarra Bend Park on the far side.

One evening, Lizzie packed a picnic, a bottle of wine and two glasses, a rug, and water for Presto. She and Presto were ready with the pushbikes when Shan finished her data entry for the day. Together, they cycled slowly over the bridge across the Yarra and around to a quiet place in the parklands.

Lizzie laid out the picnic, and Shan poured water for Presto and wine for them. They relaxed on the rug, nibbling at the food and sipping the wine.

Lizzie wrapped her arms over her knees and rested her chin on top. “I couldn’t eat another bite.”

Shan reached for another slice of crusty bread and topped it with pancetta and cheese. “All the more for me.”

Lizzie smiled. Shan’s appetite was never-ending. But these days, she had to share the occasional titbit with Presto. Even now, he sat next to her, ears pricked, watching the piece of bread.

“What?” Shan stopped with the morsel halfway to her mouth.

Presto’s stare fixed on it, and drool fell to the rug.

“You look like Lizzie with her Friday doughnut,” Shan said to him. She ate her bread, and Presto’s ears drooped. She cut a small piece of cheese and held it out to him. He took it gently, and his ears rose again.

“Just think,” Shan said. “Not long until I’ll be living with you and Presto all the time, not just most of it.”

“You can move in before your lease is up, you know,” Lizzie said.

“We-l-l…if you don’t mind, I’d really like that. I thought we might as well have use of my flat while I’m still paying for it, but Celia’s asked if she can take over the lease. Most of her clients are around this area, and she and Sienna are thinking of moving in together.”

“No way! Celia settling down?” Lizzie lay back on the rug and closed her eyes. “And you...have you moved already? I can’t wait.”

“You had me worried for a millisecond.”

Lizzie shot upright and placed her palm on Shan’s cheek, stroking her soft skin. “Don’t ever worry about me in that way. Ever.” She leaned in to kiss Shan.

“Elvis! Elvis! Is it you?” The shout came from some metres away.

Lizzie ignored it, intent on convincing Shan—again—that there was nothing she’d rather do than spend the rest of their days together.

“It’s him.” The voice was closer now. “It’s Elvis.”

Presto’s tiny whine made Lizzie pull back. Was someone harassing their dog? She opened her eyes.

Two teenage boys stood several paces from the rug.

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