Page 48 of September

“As if you need an excuse,” Jill offered when she returned and sat down across from Willa.

“How’s your mom?” Elisa asked Jill.

“She’s okay. I don’t think she’s going to leave again,” Jill said, referring to the time a couple of months ago when her mother had left her with her ten-year-old sister to take care of indefinitely. “She’s started going to therapy, too, so I think that will help. Juni is starting next week. We’ve been looking for the right person for her to talk to about losing her dad, and I think we finally found one.”

“That’s great news,” Elisa said.

Gwen felt a little out of the loop, but she was the newest member of the group, so that made sense. When their lunch was brought over, they ate and talked about a job interview that Elisa had been on, Gwen’s business, and Jill’s place of work, NOLA Guides. When Willa and Jill left because Jill had to get back to work, Elisa leaned over the table, looking like she had been waiting for them to be alone again so that she could bring them back to this topic.

“So, are you going to ask her out?”

“I have no idea. Probably.” Gwen shrugged. “I want to, but she’s got a lot going on right now, so I don’t know that she’ll say yes.”

“She’s bringing you coffee and a French press and, apparently, showing you her boobs. Just ask her.” Elisa told her, laughing.

???

When she opened the door, Carly shot up at her, and Gwen bent slightly to catch her so that the dog wouldn’t end up knocking her over.

“Jesus!”

“She really missed you, I guess,” Juliet said with a laugh. “Carly, don’t jump.”

“Too late,” Gwen replied. “And hi, Carly. I missed you, too.”

Carly then licked the side of her face before Gwen could stop her. Prior to that, Gwen had wondered if making coffee together would turn into a moment where they could share a nice first kiss, but she didn’t think Juliet would want to kiss her after this. She placed Carly back down and let the dog run around the apartment with her leash still attached.

“She’s a little hyper today. No idea why,” Juliet shared. “Sorry; I probably should’ve left her at home, but I’ve hardly had any time with her.”

“It’s fine. She’ll settle down,” Gwen replied. “Can I take anything for you?”

Juliet closed the door behind herself and held out a big paper bag.

“Everything’s in there. I should’ve asked if you have a kettle. Do you?”

“A tea kettle?”

“To boil water.”

“We can do it on the stove or microwave, right?”

“Not the microwave,” Juliet stated, dropping her purse onto Gwen’s kitchen table.

“Well, I don’t have a kettle, so stove it is. Want me to get the water boiling?”

“That would be great,” Juliet said. “And can we maybe talk about my October schedule while it boils?”

“Oh, sure,” Gwen replied as she walked to the stove.

She’d thought tonight would be more of a hangout as friends, not a work session to discuss Juliet’s calendar. A little disappointed now, Gwen added water to a pot and put it on the gas burner that she’d already turned on. Then, she turned to find Juliet on the sofa with her phone in hand.

“So… You got it all figured out?” she asked as she sat down next to Juliet, with Carly nestled between them.

“No, I have none of it figured out,” Juliet replied and looked over at her. “My boss dropped another bomb on me today.”

“Another one?”

“Want to hear the short version or the soap opera version?”