Page 41 of September (New Orleans #9)

“T ell me,” Gwen encouraged.

“We’re not even at the bar yet,” Juliet replied.

“So? We’ll be there in five minutes.”

Juliet sighed and said, “Fine. Are you sure? This might ruin our night or at least be weird.”

“What the hell happened today?” Gwen asked as she drove.

They’d stayed at Elisa and Myra’s for only a few minutes before they got Carly into the car and Juliet drove her home. Gwen had followed her, and she was now driving them to the bar for a drink and some food.

“Okay. Well, I got to the office this morning and my boss said he needed to talk to me.” Juliet’s phone buzzed in her purse, so she pulled it out and saw Molly’s name on the screen. “Um… Molls wants to know if I want to get a drink, given what happened.”

“Invite her to the bar.”

“This is a date,” Juliet replied.

“Babe, she’s your best friend. Invite the woman to join us. Besides, we’re going to Candace’s. Odds are, at least one of my friends will be there. Logan might even be working. I don’t know.”

Juliet replied to Molly’s text, telling her where to meet them, and put her phone away before looking out the side window.

“My boss wanted to talk to me because someone complained about me.”

“What? Who?”

“One of the guys in the class. He was in the room next to mine.”

“What did he complain about?”

“Well, it turns out, you and I got a little carried away that one time, and he heard us.”

Gwen turned toward her for a second before returning her eyes to the road.

“He heard us having sex?”

“Yes.”

“Shit. The bed was moving,” Gwen recalled.

“Yes, it was. And you weren’t really helping with that when you were sitting on my face.”

Gwen laughed a little and said, “And you got in trouble for that? What for? Sleeping with your girlfriend while you were at the hotel for business?”

“Not exactly. You came in and left through the outer door. I don’t think he even saw you.”

“Then, why?” Gwen asked and pulled over when she found a parking spot that she would have to parallel park to get into.

“There was another manager in the class who had tried to invite me to dinner a few times.”

“He did what ?” Gwen looked over at her before putting the car in reverse.

“Not like that.”

“Then, like what?”

“He was being nice, babe. I guess the other guy thought he’d asked me one too many times, and after hearing us the previous night, he assumed the guy and I had, well, hooked up.”

“And he complained against you?”

“I don’t know exactly what happened, but he told HR about what he saw and what he heard. After everything that had gone down recently, though, with Jordana, Andrew, and the other guy, they had to at least ask me what happened.”

“You had to tell them that you and I slept together?”

“It was either that or telling them I was getting myself off for hours and was so… aggressive about it, I managed to shake the bed. It’s not like those sounds can be mistaken for anything else, and the bed thumping rhythmically against the wall wouldn’t be easy to explain away,” she replied with a smile as Gwen put the car in park.

“So, what happened?”

“Nothing, I guess, when all was said and done. And they seemed apologetic about having to talk to me about it, but it was just really weird, and it made me not want to travel and teach anymore. I don’t want to be in the same hotel, possibly next door to a participant in my class, and have you stay over again.

I don’t want to have to worry about them hearing us, even if we’re just eating dinner and talking. ”

“You could ask the hotel to make sure to put you far away from them.”

“I can, yeah, but it also made me think about how unsafe it kind of is. I mean, I really don’t think that guy meant anything more than to include me in the team dinner, but others might.”

“Jesus, babe. Really?” Gwen asked and climbed out of the car. “Fuck. Now, I don’t want you to go by yourself.”

Juliet got out of the car as well, and Gwen joined her on the sidewalk.

“Jordana never complained, but that might have been because she had a guy with her or something.” She shrugged as they started walking toward the bar.

“I think I’m going to pitch the whole local class idea because the protocols we have in place are fine, but they’re not foolproof, and if one of them makes me uncomfortable, I don’t know what I can really do in that moment.

Get one of the other participants to help, I guess, but they might all be gone by then, and I’m just in a hotel conference room. I don’t know how I feel about that.”

“It’s unsafe,” Gwen agreed, taking her hand. “God, I’m glad I went that night and that you came home early, but now, I’m kind of worried.”

“You’re not mad I had to tell people I work with that you showed up and we–”

“What? No, I don’t care about them at all. I only care about you, Jules. Besides, if I end up going to a holiday party with you or something, they’ll know that you and I have a really good sex life.”

Juliet laughed, and it was nice. She hadn’t laughed the whole day, but just being next to Gwen made her feel better. When they arrived at the bar, Gwen let her walk in first, and they found an empty booth in the corner.

“Hey, you two,” Logan said from behind the bar.

“Hey,” Gwen replied. “Rory, hey.”

Gwen nodded at a young woman sitting at the bar with a burger and fries in front of her.

“Hey, Gwen,” Rory spoke.

“Drinks?” Logan asked.

“Martini?” Gwen teased Juliet.

“Shut up. Beer,” she said.

“Two beers. Whatever you think. Something autumn if you’ve got it, though,” Gwen said to Logan.

Then, Candace walked over and sat down across from Juliet, staring at her.

“Um… Hi, Candace,” Gwen said.

“Something with apple,” Candace stated.

“Sorry; what?” Juliet asked.

“You want something with apple, but not an apple martini.”

“Oh, I just ordered a beer.”

Candace smacked the table and said, “I’m getting you something with apple in it. I’ll be right back.”

She stood and walked off.

“What just happened?” Juliet asked.

“I think she’s about to cancel your beer and make you a drink. Mixologist, remember?”

“How did she know I like apple? Did you tell her?”

“No,” Gwen said. “I haven’t seen or talked to Candace since the night you and I were here.”

“Weird,” Juliet replied.

“Hey, you two,” Molly said and sat down next to Juliet. “Can I really be a third wheel tonight, or were you going for a date thing?”

“A date thing?” Gwen laughed.

“I’m serious,” Molly said. “I don’t want to ruin anything. I just thought you might need some support.” She turned from Juliet to Gwen. “But I guess that’s what you do now, huh?”

“You can both support me,” Juliet replied.

“So, she told you?” Molly asked Gwen.

“Yes. And you’re in HR. Is that normal? Them coming after Jules like that?”

“Not really, but also yeah.” Molly shrugged. “It’s a hard situation. Stacey didn’t exactly like having to do that.”

“Who’s Stacey?”

“The HR rep I told you about,” Juliet said.

“She told me after you left the office that because the complaint came in, she had to at least investigate it. It’s required.”

“Go after the guy who kept hitting on my girlfriend,” Gwen suggested.

Juliet smiled at her and said, “You’re cute when you’re jealous, but he wasn’t hitting on me.”

“What about the whole unsafe work conditions thing?” Gwen asked Molly.

“Unsafe?”

“She’s in these hotels by herself, with a lot of dudes,” Gwen said.

“Some women, too.”

“None of them invited you to dinner repeatedly,” Gwen said.

“Down, girl,” Molly joked and laughed. “Are you uncomfortable going now?” she asked Juliet.

“A little, yeah. I mean, I wasn’t before, but it just got me thinking that I’m there alone, hours from home, and it’s easy for them to find out my room number or get me alone, so I don’t know.

It’s just weird now. All I did was have Gwen in my room, and he happened to hear something he shouldn’t have.

Then, there’s an investigation into me and probably the poor guy who was just trying to be nice, too. It seems really stupid.”

“I agree,” Molly said. “Which is why I think you should tell them about the plan you have for the local classes.”

“I just started working on it today.”

“So? Tell them now. They can do more work on it with you, and given everything that’s happened lately, I think they’ll be really happy with the idea of saving money and avoiding potential lawsuits.”

“Okay. In honor of apples and the season, I’ve made you an apple cider bourbon.

It has homemade apple cider, bourbon, sweet vermouth, lemon juice, and orange bitters.

Shaken, not stirred,” Candace rattled off and set the drink down in front of Juliet.

“With a fresh apple slice on the rim. I also added a little orange zest when I shook it and a touch of nutmeg. Just a touch. I’m hoping it’s there, but not overwhelming.

” Candace smacked her forehead. “Caramel. You probably want caramel, too. I can burn up some sugar on top. That would be–”

“How do you know that?” Juliet asked her, laughing a little at Candace’s antics.

“I just do.” She then looked down at Molly and asked, “Orange and mint?”

“Huh?”

“Your drink. Orange and mint? Wait. Let’s go whiskey again. I’ll be right back.”

“Where is she going?” Molly asked when Candace hurried back behind the bar.

Logan walked over and set Gwen’s beer in front of her.

“What’s up with her?” Gwen asked.

“She’s been a little wired lately. They just started planning the wedding, and she’s trying to find the perfect signature cocktail for the reception, so she’s testing things.

Rory has had to try, like, three drinks tonight, and she doesn’t even drink that much.

I got her a burger to help soak up the alcohol. ”

“Who’s Candace marrying?” Juliet asked Gwen. “I don’t remember hearing about the woman she’s with in your list of names.”

“Keith. He’s a guy,” Gwen replied.

“Oh, right,” Juliet said and lifted her glass to her lips. She took a sip and added, “Damn! That’s good.”

“She’s the best,” Logan said. “Now, I’ve got to get back before she gives Rory something else to drink. I love her, and I’ll hold her hair if she has to throw up, but it’s not really how I want us to spend the rest of our night when I get off work.”

Logan walked away then, leaving the three of them sitting there. Juliet took another sip before she passed her glass to Gwen, who took one sip to try it out and nodded.

“It’s good, but I’ll stick to my beer.”

“Molls?” Juliet asked.

“No, thanks. I’m kind of curious to see what Candace is going to bring me.”

Juliet set her drink down and pulled out the tabletop menu, trying to decide what to order for dinner.

“So, how’s work for you? Did anyone ask you who you slept with today?” Gwen asked Molly.

“No, but that would imply I were sleeping with anyone. I’m too busy pining from afar or, sometimes, close-up when she has to work on my computer, and I’m sitting right there, smelling that cologne she uses.”

“This is Finley, right?” Gwen asked.

“Yes. She’s taken, and I’ve never had the guts to ask her out when she wasn’t. She’s oblivious to me liking her.”

“You hide it well,” Juliet said.

“No, I don’t.” Molly laughed.

“You’re right; you don’t. Fin’s just Fin.”

“What does that mean?” Gwen asked.

“She’s really techy, so when there’s a techy thing going on, she’s just focused on that. She doesn’t pay attention to how Molly blushes whenever she’s around or that she can barely complete a sentence.”

“I didn’t come here to be picked on,” Molly said, playfully glaring at Juliet.

“I’ll buy you dinner to make up for it.”

“Here,” Candace announced as she placed a glass down in front of Molly.

“Okay. What is it, exactly?” Molly asked, checking out the glass that had what looked like a thick layer of foam on top.

“It’s Grand Marnier, orange juice, whiskey, fresh vanilla bean, egg white, and orange twists. I also added just a touch of cinnamon. Just a touch.”

“So, you know that it’s there but it doesn’t overwhelm?” Gwen guessed, teasing Candace.

“Exactly. You’re not allergic to eggs, are you?”

“No,” Molly said. “But I’ve never had a drink with egg white in it before. Why do you add them in there?”

“They add a rich texture and body to the drink and calm down intense flavors like the orange. They also reduce the acidic bite of the citrus,” Candace explained. “Try it.”

Molly put the drink to her lips and took a sip. When she pulled back, she stared down at it in disbelief and nodded.

“It’s good.”

“Missing anything?” Candace asked.

“I wouldn’t know.”

“If you were getting married next fall, would you want this at your wedding?”

“I can’t even talk to the woman I like at work, so I don’t think I’m qualified to answer that question.”

“Gwen?”

“What?”

“Would you want this at your wedding?”

Gwen looked at Juliet, who smiled back at her.

“Uh… Not engaged, so I’m unqualified, too.”

“Oh, come on,” Juliet said and took Molly’s drink.

She then took a sip and nodded. “I’d have this at my wedding, but it’s heavy.

So, I’d want something light, maybe.” She handed the drink back to Molly and picked up her own.

“I’d want this one for myself and maybe a special local beer or something.

” Juliet glanced at the bottle in front of Gwen.

“Like the Abita Pecan Ale, for example.”

Gwen smiled at her and looked down at the Pecan Ale in front of her.

“Can we order some food, Candace?” Gwen asked.

“Sure. What do you want?”

“Babe?” Gwen asked Juliet.

“Burger for me.”

“Me too,” Gwen told Candace. “Cheeseburger, no onions.”

“Oh, that’s a good idea. No onions for me, either,” she said, winking at Gwen.

“I’ll have their onions. I’m not making out or having sex with anyone tonight,” Molly said.

After they enjoyed their drinks and ate their food, they said goodbye to Logan and Rory on their way out and walked Molly to her car, making sure she was good to drive.

Then, Gwen drove them back to Juliet’s apartment, and when Juliet unlocked her door, Carly greeted them with a wagging little tail.

“I’ll take her to the courtyard,” she said. “Want to go get ready for bed?”

“I can take her,” Gwen offered.

“No, babe. You’re off-duty.” Juliet leaned in and kissed her. “And to be clear, I mean get ready for bed as in feel free to change out of your clothes and put nothing else on.”

“Are you sure? You had a weird day.”

“I’ve been picturing you sitting on my face in the hotel room since we brought it up in the car. I’m sure.”