Page 22 of February (New Orleans #2)

“I had a great time,” Monica said.

“Me too,” Bridgette replied.

Monica turned around to look at the number on her hotel room for no reason at all.

“So…”

“I want to come in,” Bridgette told her.

Monica met her green eyes and said, “You do, huh?”

“Not for that. I don’t mean because I want to have sex tonight. I do. I would. I mean–” Bridgette stopped herself for a second and then asked, “Do you still have my toothbrush from this morning?”

“Yes,” she replied with a smile.

“I’d like to stay over. Maybe we could watch a movie on that giant flat-screen that’s the size of my living room.”

Monica cupped her cheek and simply said, “I’m not ready to say goodnight, either.”

“I could’ve just said that, huh?” Bridgette seemed to realize, and it was really cute.

“Yes, but I like what you did say. It was nice.”

“Can I come in? Can I fall asleep next to you again? If not, it’s okay, but I’m still not ready to say goodnight, so if we could watch a movie or something–”

“You can stay, Bridge. I want you to stay.”

Monica turned and put the key in the door, pushing it open after it beeped and holding it out for Bridgette to walk through.

“You can wear the clothes from last night. They’re folded on the desk where you left them,” she added after she closed the door behind them.

“Okay.”

“I can order something if you’re hungry,” Monica said as she dropped the key onto the desk next to the clothes she’d just mentioned.

“Hungry? No way. I’m still full.”

“Drinks, maybe? They have champagne service.”

“What?” Bridgette laughed as she turned to her. “They have what ?”

“I knew that would get you.” She walked over to Bridgette and took her hands. “You’re a little nervous right now.”

“So are you,” Bridgette accused.

“I am, yes.” She chuckled. “Tonight was amazing, and all I can think about is that I would love us to…” Her head moved on its own to the bed. “Well, it’s been a long time, and trust me when I say I want to.”

“It’s okay. I get it. We’ll just watch a movie and sleep. I’m good with cuddling, Mon. I love a good cuddle.”

“I know. It’s just that last night, we both knew Aaron would need to go to the airport so we’d have to wake up early to get you out of here before I had to leave with him, and we fell asleep.”

“And tonight, there is no Aaron or early wake-up call?”

“Just work tomorrow morning,” Monica said.

“Well, I’ll have to wake up early enough to go home and change before I go to the office.”

“I’ll go with you. We can take the car and go to the office after,” she said. “You can shower here first.”

“Shower? Here? I saw that shower – I wouldn’t even know how to use that thing. How many showerheads were in there again?”

“Now, you’re exaggerating,” Monica said as she pulled Bridgette into a hug. “There’s one, and it’s got one handle, so you’ll be fine. Just hug me.”

“No problem,” Bridgette replied, wrapped her arms around Monica’s waist, and pulled Monica in against her.

They stood there for a few minutes, and Monica had no idea why she’d gone in for a hug. She’d just needed one. No, she’d needed a hug from Bridgette . Bridgette gave the best hugs. Monica wasn’t sure she’d ever considered someone’s hug before, but she loved how good Bridgette’s arms felt wrapped around her, how Bridgette’s face felt as she tucked it into Monica’s neck, and how good Bridgette smelled when Monica breathed her in. It was New Orleans, but in a good way. Salt and sweetness took over Monica’s senses, and she knew she could sleep with Bridgette tonight. She knew somehow that they’d be good together. But she also knew that she missed being held, and she’d loved being held by her the previous night. She could do with more of that tonight while they watched a movie.

“Do you want to change into something comfy out here, and I’ll change in the bathroom?” Bridgette asked softly against Monica’s skin.

“Yes. I’m also going to order us some snacks because we’ll get hungry later, and I don’t have anything here.”

“Do they have Zapp’s?”

“What?” Monica asked as she pulled back.

“Chips. Do they have Zapp’s chips? Voodoo or Evil Eye.”

“I have no idea what you’re talking about right now. Are you even speaking English?” she asked with a chuckle.

“Zapp’s potato chips, Monica. The flavors I like most are Voodoo and Evil Eye.”

“Why do you insist on naming things like that around here? Why can’t it just be sour cream and onion or cheese or something?”

“ I’m not in charge,” Bridgette said with a shrug.

“You go and change.” Monica laughed again. “I’ll ask them if they have your weird chips.”

Bridgette kissed her quickly and grabbed the clothes. All day it had felt as if they’d been dating for years. The way Bridgette just seamlessly fit into her life made no sense, given the short time they’d known one another. Of course, Bridgette fit into her life down here, not in her life in New York. Monica decided not to think about that right now because it might ruin their perfect day and night. She reached for the room phone, hit the number for room service, and waited.

“Miss Arnette, how may we help you tonight?”

“Good evening, I was wondering if I could order some snacks.”

“Of course. What would you like?”

“Honestly, I have no idea. A little of everything?” she said hoping they’d help her out.

“We have a sampler we can send up.”

“Do you have Zapp’s chips?”

“On the menu, no, but the restaurant down the street has them.”

“Would you mind if–”

“Of course. We can get you some. Any particular flavors?”

“I guess one of each? Voodoo and Evil Eye, at least, if they have them.”

“I can also recommend some other snack items for you.”

“Yes, please,” she said. “Just send up whatever.”

A few minutes later, she was changed into her sweats and shirt again, and Bridgette had emerged from the bathroom, looking all adorable in her clothes.

“You were on the phone for a while,” Bridgette said, climbing onto the bed over the comforter.

“I had to place a very complicated snack order.”

“Complicated? It’s just snacks.”

“Do you want something from the minibar?” Monica asked, ignoring her comment.

“I’ve never had anything from a minibar. Too expensive.”

“Well, Arnette is paying, so take your pick.”

“Coke?”

“Just a Coke?” Monica chuckled. “From the minibar you’re not paying for?”

“Yeah. I like Coke.”

“You can have whatever you want, Bridge.”

“Okay. Just you, then,” Bridgette replied with a shrug. “No Coke.”

Monica smiled at her, pulled a Coke out of the minibar, and got a water for herself. She moved to the bed, handed Bridgette the Coke, and set her water on her own table.

“That was sweet,” she said as she lay down next to Bridgette on the bed.

“I know I have asshole tendencies, as you’ve pointed out before, but I really am nice most of the time.”

“I know you are, babe,” Monica said.

Bridgette’s arm lifted and Monica melted into her side. She snuggled in fully and reached for the remote.

“What do you want to watch?” Bridgette asked.

“I don’t know. We’ll see what’s available.”

“Porn, probably,” Bridgette stated, causing Monica to laugh.

An hour later, there was a knock at the door.

“I forgot you even ordered stuff. Why did it take so long?”

“Because I put them to work,” she replied, moving to stand. “Don’t worry; I tip well.”

“I hope so. I’m really looking forward to that,” Bridgette said, tilting her head as Monica walked around the bed toward the door.

“Are you checking out my ass?”

“Definitely,” Bridgette told her.

When Monica pulled open the door, her eyes went immediately down at the giant cart the man behind it was ready to push inside the room.

“Oh, my God,” she said. “I can’t believe I ordered this much.”

“Where would you like me to put it?” he asked.

“Whoa! Who’s putting what where now?” Bridgette was suddenly at her side and giving the man a look that told him to watch his mouth, which only made Monica laugh and roll her eyes.

“Over by the window would be fine. Thank you so much,” Monica said.

Bridgette looked down at the cart as he pushed it by them and asked, “What did you do?”

“I may have overordered. I told them just to bring up whatever.”

“We couldn’t eat that much in a month.”

“We can take any extras to the office tomorrow,” she replied as the man handed her the padfolio. Monica opened it, saw the amount, left a more-than-generous tip, and closed it after signing, handing it back to him. “Thank you. Please thank the rest of the staff for me as well.”

“Yes, Ma’am,” he replied.

Monica closed the door behind him and turned to see Bridgette standing in front of the cart.

“Anything you’ll eat?” she asked.

“That’s a loaded question,” Bridgette replied.

“Where are all these sex jokes coming from all of a sudden?” Monica laughed and wrapped her arms around Bridgette from behind.

“Now that it’s possible we’ll be having sex, I feel more comfortable saying them. You got Zapp’s.”

“I did.” Monica kissed her neck.

“Like, every kind of Zapp’s. And are those…”

“They said they do this a lot, so it wasn’t a huge request,” Monica replied as Bridgette stared at the beignets from Café Du Monde. “And their coffee, too. I guess they carry that here. They got those pie things we were talking about the other day.”

“And just about every other snack in the store,” Bridgette pointed out. “We should eat the beignets before they get cold.”

“Whatever you want,” Monica replied. “Just one more second of this, please.” She rested her head on Bridgette’s shoulder.

“You know you didn’t have to do this, though, right? Buying out the store, the fancy special delivery thing.”

“I know.”

“I’m not a fancy person, Mon. I don’t need all of this. We could be walking around the city with a bag of chips, and I’d be happy.”

“I know that,” she said. “But these are all New Orleans staples, right?”

“Yeah.”

“I wanted to try them,” she replied. “You can warn me which ones might be too spicy.”

“Can I ask you something?” Bridgette asked.

“Yes.”

“If this goes well between us… I mean, if this keeps going and we end up trying to do something long-distance, would I fit where you live? I wear jeans to work, and I don’t understand the whole town car thing when a cab or an Uber works just fine. I guess I could take the subway, but I’ve never been a fan of going underground. I don’t have the fancy bags, and I’d probably break every nice appliance in your kitchen, but–”

“Hey,” Monica said softly. “Let’s not talk about that tonight, okay? We were watching a movie. Let’s eat our snacks and–”

“So, no, right? No is the answer?”

“Babe, I–”

Bridgette turned around in her arms then and said, “It’s okay if it’s no. I’m just trying to figure this out. I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but I like to prepare. If I’m going to get my heart broken again, I guess–”

“No one is getting their heart broken,” Monica told her as she pressed her forehead to Bridgette’s. “We’ll figure this out, okay? Just not tonight. Tonight, I want to eat too much food with you, finish this movie that’s not really all that good, and fall asleep with you, okay?”

“Fine. But can I kiss you before we eat all this stuff? Your breath is going to be horrible.”

Monica could only smile through her concern before Bridgette leaned in, connecting their lips. They stood there, holding on to one another and kissing for a long moment before Bridgette was the first to pull back. She kissed the tip of Monica’s nose once and turned back around to take in the snacks.

“Beignets. Then, chips.”

◆◆◆

Monica wrapped her arms more tightly around Bridgette, running her hand over Bridgette’s stomach, wishing her own was as flat as Bridgette’s was, and worrying only for the first time about their age difference in regard to the fact that Bridgette would probably be seeing her naked soon. Being nearly thirteen years apart meant that Monica had a few more lines and wrinkles and curves than Bridgette did, and she knew Bridgette hadn’t ever been with a woman her age. She only hoped that it didn’t turn Bridgette off.

“Morning,” Bridgette muttered, and her hand ended up on top of Monica’s, pulling it up between Bridgette’s bare breasts and holding it there.

“Morning,” she said as she moved in closer. “Did you sleep okay?”

“I did. You were holding me,” Bridgette replied.

“I was. I went to the bathroom around three, and you looked a little cold, so I thought I’d help warm you up.”

“I’d say you did that,” Bridgette said and moved her ass back against Monica’s front.

Monica closed her eyes for a second, wishing they had time because she’d held Bridgette for most of the night, and she’d woken up more than ready for more than just a snuggle and a good morning kiss. Just when she thought about maybe suggesting to Bridgette that they be a little late to the office, her phone rang on her table.

“Sorry,” she said.

“It just better not be the flirty room service guy from last night,” Bridgette said as she let go of Monica’s hand.

“He wasn’t flirty.” She chuckled as she rolled away.

“You didn’t see where his eyes went when you opened the door.”

“Probably the same place your eyes go all the time,” Monica replied.

“Yeah, my eyes. My eyes are allowed to go there. We’re dating.” Bridgette slipped out of bed. “I have to pee. I’ll be right back.”

“Dad?” she said into the phone while she rolled her eyes at Bridgette.

“Hi, honey.”

“Everything okay? It’s early.”

“Yes, everything’s fine. I just wanted you to know that I made a decision about something last night.”

Was he about to tell her he was retiring? If he retired, she’d have to return to New York right away. She’d likely be the next CEO, or at least, would have to be at the board meeting where he named his desired successor, which would be her, and it would be put to a vote. Then, her entire life would change. She’d be in charge. She’d have the next thirty years of her life set for her, and that would be the end of it. She’d hardly ever see Aaron if he went to school at Tulane because she’d never have any real time off even if she got better at taking vacations. Monica knew her father’s life. His phone never really stopped ringing. She’d have no time for her personal life. She hardly did right now, but it would get worse. She’d have no time for Bridgette, and that thought hit her hard. Monica tried to swallow, but her throat was too dry, so she couldn’t. She pictured her house in the city, cold and empty. She pictured her office with her expensive artwork picked out by an art buyer but nothing that was really Monica’s taste. She pictured that small painting of the square that she’d bought here and how she’d love to find a place for that on one of her walls, but it wouldn’t go with the rest of the décor of her house. She saw everything coming to an end – her time here, her new relationship with Bridgette – and it physically hurt her.

“Dale Musgrave called me last night. We’re going to go ahead and start the buying process.”

“What?” she asked. “ That’s what you decided? Dad, I’m–”

“They’re worried, Monica. They don’t think they’ll be able to pay their employees the quarterly bonuses, with the increase in the medical insurance they cover that just popped up, so the employees will figure it out soon, and they’d rather give them good news and the prospect of a severance or a new job with us.”

“Dad, I have to meet with them today. I have ideas. Bridgette has ideas.”

“That’s the daughter, right?”

Monica wanted to tell him that Bridgette was so much more than their daughter, but now wasn’t the time. They also hadn’t exactly discussed what Bridgette was to her yet, and Monica thought they should before she told her father about them.

“Dad, just give me some time here.”

“ He called me, Monica. I didn’t call him .”

“I know. Just let me take it from here, okay? I need to talk to them today. You wanted me to handle this. I’m handling it, I promise.”

“Fine. But we have the lawyers at the ready, so let’s get this moving along. He’s nervous, Monica.”

“I know. Okay. Yeah. Just let me take it from here. I’ve got to go now so that I can do that, okay?”

“Okay, honey. Have a good day,” he said.

Monica hung up the phone just as Bridgette emerged from the bathroom.

“I have to tell you something,” she said.