Page 17 of Bed and Breakup (Dial Delights #15)
Molly
Keyana must have some kind of friend telepathy.
Just when I thought I was going to come apart at the seams watching Robin in those ridiculous overalls talking to a hummingbird, looking so much like her old self that I nearly forgot what year it was and walked right up to her and did something I’d regret, Key texted to invite me on a hike.
The next morning, as I strap on a beat-up pair of boots, I begrudgingly admit that it’s probably a good idea to get out of the inn and breathe some fresh mountain air.
Even if it means getting eaten alive by mosquitoes.
Key picks me up at the inn in her vintage Jeep Wrangler with a fresh cold brew from Drizzled Donuts waiting for me in the cup holder.
She knows me well enough to not start a conversation until the caffeine hits.
Ever since I came out in high school and all my old pals stopped talking to me, I’ve been wary of friendships.
But Key has always made it feel like the most natural thing in the world.
Our silences are never awkward. No matter how long we go without seeing each other, it feels like no time has passed when we meet up again.
And most importantly, she knows when to give me space, which is most of the time.
I’m not really sure why Key wants to be my friend, considering I’ve had very few successful long-term relationships and can be pricklier than a cactus, but I’m glad she does.
She tools a couple miles north up winding roads as I sip my coffee. By the time she parks, I’m ready for human interaction.
“How’s the studio?” I ask, opening the passenger-side door and stretching my legs.
Keyana sprays herself with sunscreen as she answers.
“It’s all right,” she says. “I’m still doing most of my business online.
Not too many customers have figured out I’m back yet.
But being in my old space has been great for my craft.
I’ve been looking back on some of the pieces I painted the last time I lived here for inspo, and it turns out I’m actually pretty good. ”
“Pretty good?” I say with a surprised laugh. “You’re phenomenal. I knew that from the first time we met, when you were working on that painting of a beehive. Remember that one?”
“Of course,” Key says as she pulls her curls through the back of a baseball cap. “I sold it to that tourist who was into all the kinky whipped-cream stuff.”
“Oh my god, whipped-cream girl. I forgot.”
“The money from that sale lasted a whole lot longer than our fling. Which is fine by me. Whipped-cream residue is very sticky.” Key locks the car and gestures to the start of the hiking trail. “Shall we?”
As we begin walking, Key explains our mission.
She wants to paint a series of the unique rock formations in our pocket of the Ozarks, particularly ones with flowers sprouting out of their crevices.
Apparently I’m here to make sure she doesn’t fall down a cliff while taking photos.
But the scenic views and friendly chat are lifting my mood too.
We find a few spots perfect for Key’s purposes: bright red flowers that look like stars, a particularly colorful patch of lichen, and lovely light purple blooms Key identifies as Ozark wild crocus.
She takes pictures of each before leading us farther down the path.
After about an hour, we find a shaded rock looking out on a lake and decide to take a rest.
Key pulls out a couple of protein bars and hands me one. “How’s it been cohabitating with Big Bird?” she asks, using the nickname we came up with when the breakup was so raw that even hearing Robin’s name felt like being stabbed in the gut.
I flinch as I rip into the snack’s package.
“Awful. It’s a big house. You’d think I could avoid her.
But every time I turn a corner, there she is, being all infuriating and difficult and acting like nothing is ever her fault.
I should already be done with the window for Wild Card and starting to design the one for Drizzled Donuts.
I’m behind because I can’t get a moment of peace from Robin, and it’s only going to get worse now because…
” I sigh heavily before breaking the news.
“Because we’re renovating and selling the inn. ”
“Wait, what?” Key says, twisting toward me, her eyes wide with delighted surprise.
I tell her about the day Clint stopped by the Hummingbird, the arguments I had with Robin about it, and how I finally caved.
When I finish, Key stares at me like I’m some modern art piece she’s trying to interpret. “So why are you so upset about this plan? It seems like a tidy solution to your problem. The inn gets a cool new owner to reopen it, you get a check, and you never have to talk to Robin again.”
I consider her words. As much as I want her to mirror my own irritation at the whole thing, a friend who lies to me to make me feel better isn’t really a friend I want to have. “Sure, but it also means a lot of speaking to Robin now. And I’m already barely holding it together with her.”
Key takes a chug from her water bottle while thinking this over. “It’s less work than the first time, right? It’s not a major fixer-upper, just bad design choices. Painting, changing out décor, that kind of thing?”
I shrug noncommittally, although I know she’s right.
“If you’re so upset about this, why did you agree to it?”
I kick at the dirt and pebbles at my feet.
“I don’t even know,” I admit. “Being around Robin has me all tangled up. I thought I’d moved on, but all these stupid feelings are rushing back and I don’t know if I want to slap her or ki—” I catch myself before making a truly humiliating confession.
“I need to get the hell over her, over the Hummingbird. I’ve built a whole new life, but now my old one is getting in the way of it and I don’t know who I am anymore. I need it to end.”
“Sounds like your Pisces nostalgia is getting in the way,” Key says, pulling a leaf from my hair.
“Maybe this is a chance for the closure you and Robin never got. Quitting an ex cold turkey is straight culture. You need to handle this the lesbian way. Remember when I broke up with Alia and we went on a breakup road trip to Amarillo to say goodbye? That’s the lesbian way.
Spending a weird amount of time together, taking on a project, and perhaps, if you’re brave enough, talking through what happened. ”
“But you’re pansexual.”
“We borrowed the method from the lesbian toolbox,” Key says, waving away my comment. “Don’t you and Robin have some unfinished business, though? Wouldn’t it be nice to clear the air and get the inn out of your shared custody?”
I groan. “I know, I know. You’re right. She’s just so distracting. Always making messes, nearly setting the house on fire cooking where she shouldn’t, strutting around with no pants on—”
“Ah,” Key teases. “So that’s what’s distracting you.”
“What? No! Anyone would be distracted by some pantsless lesbian in their house, all loud and confident and…” I drop my head into my hands, embarrassed to look at Key. “Fine, she’s fucking irresistible, okay? I feel like I’m a big blob of walking hormones around Robin. What’s wrong with me?”
“There’s nothing wrong with you,” Key says, gently patting my shoulder. “Y’all have a lot of history. It makes sense that your emotions and your body are all tangled up.”
“I don’t want to sleep with her. Right?” I say, recognizing in the moment how pitiful I must sound. “I keep telling my brain to get my body under control. But no matter how hard I try, one look at her in some ugly old overalls and I’m undone.”
“Oh, so overalls are your kink,” Key jokes, but backtracks when she sees my frown.
“Look, maybe you just need to get laid. Get it out of your system so you can face Robin with a clear head. What are you doing Saturday night? We can go to One More Round like the old days. Except this time, we’ll both be single and looking. ”
I chew my bottom lip, considering the idea. “Am I even capable of picking up some girl at a bar? I’ve never been good at that kind of thing.”
“I know you can flirt,” Key says. “I saw you at Mardi Gras. Plus, I’ll be your wingwoman. I owe you after all the years you did it for me.”
She’s right. I’ve played the field a little since Robin left.
Just because I’ve never gone cruising for dates in Eureka before doesn’t mean I’m incapable of it.
“What do I even do if I find someone, though?” I ask.
“Bring them back to the empty B&B where I’m currently living with my ex? Isn’t that weird?”
Key shrugs. “Maybe it will be good for Robin to see you with someone else. Show her you’ve moved on.”
Honestly, I’ll try anything to get the idea of kissing Robin out of my head. “Fine. Saturday night,” I agree. “Now, this is supposed to be my break from Big Bird. Can we please get back to nature?”
“Absolutely,” Keyana says with a grin. “Let’s go stare at some more rocks.”