Page 6 of Bliss

Alex

Alex’s first in-home appointment on Monday mornings was bright and early at 8 a.m. at the Mulligan estate just outside the cute, historic town of Alexandria. Katherine Mulligan was in her early sixties, always ready to work when Alex arrived, always paid her training bill early, and she was the most down-to-earth billionaire she’d ever met; though, she’d only met a few. After such a wonderful weekend, she was glad they’d established the standing appointment months ago and she didn’t have to kick off the new week with one of her more difficult clients.

“Alex! Good morning, dear!” Katherine greeted, just as Alex climbed out of her car.

“Good morning, Kat. How are you today?”

“Great, great.” Katherine folded her arms over her chest and leaned against the open doorframe, tilting her head to appraise Alex. As her lips curled into a mischievous grin, she pointed at Alex, and stated, “You got laid,” and Alex choked on a breath and tripped over nothing.

While Katherine cackled, Alex shook her head and regained her pace. When she reached the porch, she put her hands on her hips and gave the older woman a stern glare until she was composed. She fluttered her hands over her face, blowing air through puckered lips, then giggled, and apologized, “I’m sorry, dear. You should have seen your face. Oh, that was priceless.” She quirked that same naughty grin, and asked, “How was it?”

“Not that I would answer that question if I had, but I didn’t sleep with anyone this weekend. I…”

“New vibrator?”

“No!”

Katherine’s head fell back with another loud laugh, and Alex folded her arms over her chest, cocking one leg out to the side as she waited for her to get a grip. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. Go ahead. What happened this weekend to make you glow like a recently ravaged young maidan?”

“Huh.” Alex thoughtfully rubbed her chin. “I might have to cancel our appointment and go offer myself up to an artist to have my portrait painted if I’m exuding such a striking visage.”

“I’d buy that painting. And I know just the artist. Let me grab my purse and keys.”

As Katherine rushed back into the house, Alex called after her, “I was joking, Kat!”

And Katherine looked over her shoulder with another naughty grin, saying, “I wasn’t.”

“We’re not going to…”

“Oh, come on, it will be fun!” Katherine called, from a side room. And Alex’s jaw dropped when she emerged with her purse on her shoulder and keys in her hand. “Let’s go, you sexy hunk a hunk of burning love.”

“Katherine Mulligan.” Alex hardened her stance and glare. “You put those down and get your tiny ass into the gym, right now.”

Katherine licked her grinning lips, and purred, “Are you going to spank me if I refuse?” Alex rolled her eyes, and Katherine laughed as she set her purse and keys down on the sidebar in the foyer. “Oh, fine.” She lightly patted Alex’s cheek with an affectionate smile, and told her, “Whatever has made you glow like the sun, I’m happy for you.” She looped her arm with Alex’s and they walked deeper into the house. “You met someone, didn’t you?”

It was clear that Katherine was not going to drop the conversation, and Alex did like the woman, so she answered honestly. “My best friend set me up on a blind date on Friday night with one of her coworkers, and we hit it off and had a second date on Sunday.” When Katherine tilted her head with another playful grin, Alex shook her head with a chuckle. “We didn’t have sex.”

“But you kissed, didn’t you?” When Alex’s cheeks reddened, Katherine giggled and patted her bicep. “Good for you, dear. Any plans for a third date?”

“Not yet. She told me she’d call on her lunch break today, so maybe we’ll set something up then.”

“Oh, this is just so exciting.” Katherine clapped her hands and did a little hop. “New love is so invigorating.”

Alex’s insides clenched. Love? They’d only just met. She really liked Callie, but she wasn’t anywhere close to being ready to use such a powerful word, even if she could see herself falling in love with the adorable, somewhat guarded brunette. As much as she liked her client, that was not a conversation Alex wanted to have with Katherine, so when they reached the fully-equipped home gym, she got straight to work.

Katherine Mulligan was a self-made billionaire from humble beginnings. While most of her peers had spent their twenties bar hopping, partying, and scraping together their dollars for gas to travel as far as they could get from home or college or to score some weed, Katherine Mulligan was working three jobs, while simultaneously building her own business. All of her hard work paid off better than she dreamed of. Celebrities and royals across the world wore her designer clothing label. When Katherine wanted something, she worked hard for it, whether it was financial stability, a luxurious lifestyle, or the fit, flexible body that many women half her age would be envious of.

“Good work today, Kat,” Alex told the sweating and panting woman, as she offered her a clean hand towel to dry her face and a bottle of water.

“Thanks, dear.” She took a few gulps, while patting her forehead and cheeks dry. “I have to fly out to Milan on Thursday and won’t be back until Sunday evening.”

“Do you need to cancel your Wednesday appointment in addition to Friday’s, so you have time to get ready?”

“No, no.” Katherine released a small laugh and shook her head. “I’ll need my Wednesday appointment so I’m nice and firm for my trip. And I’ll need you to work me extra hard on Monday. I plan on indulging in pasta, wine, and decadent desserts while I’m abroad.”

“As you should.”

Katherine winked, and after swallowing a gulp of water, she asked, “Do you and your new love interest like wine?”

Blushing, Alex pointed at her, and told her, “Behave, Kat,” and the older woman laughed.

“There’s nothing scandalous about asking if you drink, my dear. I’m going to be near some of the best wine regions in the world. Take advantage of me.” She grinned, and purred, “I’m begging you.”

“Jesus, Kat.” Alex laughed as her cheeks flamed red-hot. “Yes, I like wine, and I know Callie drinks, but I’m not sure if she likes wine.”

“Callie, huh? Is that short for Callista? Calliope seems too old-fashioned for your generation.”

“You know, I didn’t ask if it was short for something, but I’ll do that when I talk to her later.”

“And ask her about the wine and text me if you’d prefer red or white or both. I always bring loads home for myself and to share with others, so really, please don’t feel awkward about the offer. I would absolutely love to give you a few bottles to enjoy with your new love interest, or with a friend. Your choice.”

“Okay.” Alex smiled as she finished wiping down the equipment with a cloth and sanitizing solution. “I’ll see you Wednesday morning.”

“Drive safely, dear. And thank you for a great session.”

“Anytime, Kat.”

When she got in her car, she pulled her cellphone out to check her text messages, just in case her next in-home appointment needed to cancel. She didn’t have a message from Ashlee, the heiress, but she had messages from Joselynn and Callie. She opened Joselynn’s first.

Joselynn: What. Did. You. Do. To. Callie? She denies you had sex, but LORD help me, she’s glowing like a whole-ass galaxy was conceived inside her. Send me a selfie. I need to see if you’re glowing as potently!

Alex: We didn’t have sex. But I think we really connected on our dates.

Joselynn: Where’s my picture?

Alex laughed and rolled her eyes, but she held her phone out in front of herself and snapped a selfie and sent it to Joselynn.

Joselynn: Swoon! You’re radiant. Give me two minutes. I’m going to step away from my desk so I can call you.

Less than two minutes later, her phone started ringing, and she put the call on speaker, so she could safely pull off the estate’s long driveway. “Good morning, Joselynn.”

“Tell me everything.”

Chuckling, Alex told her, “I like her.”

“Alex.” Alex could hear the eyeroll in her voice. “I want to know what you did. What you talked about. Give me the meat and bones of it all.”

“You’re really loving this, aren’t you?”

“Yes.” She heard three finger snaps. “Come on. You’re killing me here.”

Alex laughed, and while she waited for a red light to change, she told her, “You already know what we did. As per your orders, I have to tell you when I’m venturing into the wilderness. And, yes, I agree and love you for making that rule.”

“Of course,” was Joselynn’s only response, then she waited for Alex to continue.

“We spent the drive talking about music and concerts we’d been to. Turns out we were at the Summer Jam Fest a few years ago at the same time.”

“Swoon,” Joselynn sighed. “Go on.”

“You know you shouldn’t get so invested in us so quickly. We’ve been on two dates. Date three or four could be the end of us. I don’t want you to be as crushed as I may be if…”

“Whether I know the woman or not, I’d still be crushed, Alex. I want you to find your person. You deserve to find your person. Anyway, continue.”

“Why do I have to rehash all of this when I know damn well you’ve already made Callie tell you every little detail?”

“Did she tell you that?”

“Maybe. I opened your text first.”

With a smile in her voice, Joselynn confirmed, “She did, but I want to hear your perspective. Please?”

Alex softened, and told her, “I really, really like her, Joselynn. I’m sorry I fought you so hard on the match-up.”

“Forgiven. Now, go on.”

“It was really nice sharing Crescent Pond with her. She was totally in awe of the scenery, and every little thing just made her come alive. I liked seeing my own emotions for the place mirrored in someone I may spend my life with. We kissed for a little bit, shared a nice picnic lunch, talked a bit more about our lives, then leisurely paddled back to the boat ramp. When we got back to my place, she insisted on helping me unload the gear and wash the picnic dishes. Daphne decided she wanted Callie’s affections, so after we took showers and put on clean clothes, we sat on the back porch and drank a few beers, talking until it was dinner time. We ordered pizza and wings and had a few more beers. It was close to midnight when she left. Does that match up with Callie’s summary?”

“Yes, except for the part where you went swimming after your picnic.” Alex blushed at the memory of Callie in her bikini. “She was practically drooling when she told me that bit. How much did you take off, Alex?”

“Stop it,” Alex groaned, eliciting a giggle from Joselynn, and causing her cheeks and ears to flame red-hot. “Yes, we went swimming. I wore my black swim shorts and a bikini top, and she wore a full bikini.” As Joselynn wolf-whistled, Alex complained, “You’re torturing me, Joselynn.”

“Did you like the way she looked?” Joselynn asked with a smile in her voice.

Alex exhaled hard and rubbed her burning face, before admitting, “Yes, I’m very attracted to her physically, but more importantly I’m attracted to her mentally and emotionally.”

“Good to hear, because Callie seems to be gaga for you.”

“Jos…” Alex exhaled hard and shook her head. “I know you want this to work, and so do I, but please try to rein in your feelings and reactions. I don’t want Callie to get scared off because either of us are coming on too strong or…”

“Alex.” Joselynn’s tone was less teasing and more serious. “Callie’s last relationship was… Well, it’s not my place to say. But I know you will be good for each other. I’m trying hard not to push or rush either of you… I know you have your own demons too. But Callie’s are… Her ex was a piece of work. I can’t say more than that without betraying her confidence. But just be patient with her. Okay? She really likes you, Alex.”

“I know. And we’ve touched a little bit on what her ex was like, but just barely. I’ve gotten a sense that her ex was maybe controlling and dismissive of her likes and interests and dislikes and limitations.”

“That’s putting it mildly, but you’re thinking on the right track. She’s not damaged, Alex. She just needs…”

“I never said she was damaged. Fuck, Joselynn. We all have baggage. You know I have my fair share. The shit that happens to us doesn’t define us, it just becomes a piece of us, whether it impacts how we behave, think, feel, or desire. We’re not damaged. We’re just different from each other.”

“I’m sorry.” Alex could hear the sincerity in her friend’s tone. “I didn’t mean to imply you thought she was damaged. I just want you both to know that you’re not less perfect or less deserving of love because someone in your past couldn’t love and value you the way you deserved. I just want to make sure both of you are willing to give each other a chance.”

Alex exhaled hard, and told her, “You know I am. I like her, and I’m willing to learn and respect all of her nuances, if she’s willing to do the same for me. Hey, I’m about to pull into the driveway of my next in-home appointment. I’m going to pull off so I can answer Callie’s text message. I’ll talk to you tonight, okay?”

“Tonight.” Joselynn made a smooching sound. “Have a good day and drive safely.”

“You too.”

After she ended the call, she pulled into a gas station to park and quickly pulled up Callie’s text thread.

Callie: Good morning. So, uh, Joselynn basically accosted me as soon as I came into the office, wanting to know how our second date went. She is SUPER protective of you. Holy shit! It’s intimidating! If I had known she’d be like this before our first date, I might not have agreed to meet you. But I’m glad I did. And her obsessiveness over us is kind of sweet. Anyway, how did your first appointment go?

Alex: I just talked to our matchmaker. And, yes, she’s obsessed with us, and it is sweet. She’s protective of you as well, if that helps with the intimidation factor. My first appointment ended with a couple of questions I need to ask you. 1. Do you like wine? And if so, do you prefer red or white or both? 2. Is your name short for something? The client I met with this morning is the owner of one of the biggest high-end clothing labels in the world. She’s traveling to Italy this week and she wants to bring us home some wine. The very astute sixty-five-year-old sussed out my good mood was because I met someone.

Callie: Yes, I love wine, red or white. And, no, Callie isn’t short for anything. What did you think it was short for?

Alex: I think it’s a generational difference. I didn’t even suspect it might be short for something. I went to high school and college with a couple of girls named Callie, and their names weren’t short for something else. Kat, or Katherine, my client, thought it might be short for Callista or Calliope.

Callie: What’s your favorite wine?”

Alex: Red. White wine tends to give me a headache for some reason. Chardonnay isn’t as bad, but some of the others make me feel like someone has put my head in a vise.

Callie: Tell Kat we’d like red wine, if she insists on bringing us something. I can drink white without the pain you experience, but I prefer the taste of reds.

Alex: I just realized something.

Callie: What’s that?

Alex: My name could be short for a few different names as well, but you never asked.

Callie: It must be that generational thing. I didn’t think your name was short for something, and Joselynn never mentioned it is. Is it?

Alex: Nope. My parents named me Alex. But Kat got me thinking… Each generation changes or shortens things, does away with old things, or adds new things. All of my older clients always ask me if my name is short for something. I never even thought to ask you that. But I get asked that at least once a month. It just makes you wonder, or makes me wonder, how much are we cutting, shortening, or leaving out so we can make life easier? Most people abbreviate words or “talk in text” or use emojis to communicate. If you haven’t noticed, I don’t do any of that. I can’t stand it. A smiley or frowny face here and there is okay. But I don’t want to communicate in pictures. I was taught how to speak and write in words and I want to use them. I know I’m an anomaly for our generation and those born after us, but sometimes it really feels like civilization is rapidly regressing.

Callie: You have no idea how much what you just said is speaking to me, and I’d love to talk more in depth about the deterioration of society. But don’t you have another appointment you have to get to?

Alex looked at the time on her dashboard, and cursed, “Damn it.”

Alex: I lost track of time and will probably be a few minutes late. Are you still free to talk on your lunch break?

Callie: Yes, I’ll call you around 2 p.m. Drive safely and good luck with your next client.

Alex: I’m seeing the heiress next. Her motto is suivre le courant, so I’m sure it will be fine if I’m a little late.

Callie: Suivre le courant?

Alex: It’s French – Go with the flow. She’s been going to Paris every spring for years, so she has all of these little words and phrases that she only says in French because she likes how romantic and poetic they sound.

Callie: Your first client gives you expensive Italian wine, and your second romances you with the French tongue. If I hadn’t gotten to know Joselynn well enough to trust her judgment, I’d be a little jealous and worried you might be a player.

Alex: For full disclosure, clients flirt sometimes, but I don’t flirt back. A couple of friends and colleagues occasionally date or hook up with their clients, but I would never do either. I think it’s unethical and could hurt my reputation and business.

Callie: I wasn’t actually concerned, but thank you for telling me that.

Alex: You’re welcome. And if you are ever concerned about something, please tell me. Okay, I have to go before I become the cliché lesbian and ask if you’re free tonight. I’ll talk to you on your lunch break. Have a good day.

Callie: Cliché Lesbian reporting for duty… Are you free tonight?

Alex: I’m laughing so hard I’m choking. Thanks for that. Shit. You’re going to be the death of me. My last appointment ends at 8 p.m. Monday is my longest day of the week. Still want to get together?

Callie: Did you schedule time for yourself to have dinner before then?

Alex: No, I always have a protein bar or protein shake between my 6 and 7 p.m. appointments and eat something more substantial when I get home.

Callie: I’ll prepare something and bring it over to your place. Is 8:30 p.m. good, or should I come later?

Alex: I should be home by then. Are you sure you want to do this tonight?

Callie: Yes. I have to get back to work, but I’ll call you on my lunch break. Drive safely.

Alex: Okay. Thank you. Have a good day.