Page 104 of September

“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.