ARE YOU THE ONE?: A Lesbian Romance Read online

  Meg looked at Brielle and then at her glass of wine. “You’re right.”

  “Where do you live, Meg?” Brielle asked.

  “On the east side,” Meg said and then she saw the water color on the wall.

  “Where on the east..?” Brielle didn’t finish her question because Meg was walking over to the picture on the wall.

  “This is one of yours, isn’t it?” Meg asked looking at Brielle.

  Brielle nodded. “That’s the four musketeers,” she said with a chuckle.

  “It’s very good.” Meg commented.

  “Thanks. I think we should get back to my aunt’s house before they send out a search party.”

  As they came into her aunt’s house, they found the women still in the kitchen talking.

  “Oh girls,” Helen said. “Would you like something to eat or drink?”

  “No thanks, Aunt Helen,” Brielle answered.

  “Me either,” Meg said taking a seat at the table.

  “Did you have a nice walk?” Brielle’s mother asked.

  Meg smiled. “We did.”

  “Mom, Meg volunteered to come over after breakfast tomorrow to help with Christmas dinner.”

  Melanie smile brightened. “That’s so nice of you to offer. Elle is a disaster in the kitchen. Do you cook, dear?”

  “I do,” Meg nodded. “I love to cook.”

  Melanie looked at her daughter who was now rolling her eyes. “Thank you, dear.” Melanie moved closer to Meg. “What do you do for a living, dear?”

  Meg looked at Brielle before answering. “I’m vice president of a banking institute.”

  “What branch?” Melanie asked.

  “I’m in the corporate office on Wall Street,” Meg said proudly.

  “How wonderful,” Melanie said. “Isn’t that wonderful, Elle?”

  Brielle looked at her mother and then at Meg who shrugged. “Yes, wonderful,” she said with a giggle.

  Brielle’s sister who remained quiet throughout the conversation looked at the two women and asked, “You must date some high powered men?”

  “Oh no. I don’t date anyone that I work with. That would be unprofessional,” Meg said with a shake of her head.

  “You must meet a lot of men in the area that don’t work for your company?” Cindy continued to probe.

  Meg chuckled. “Not as many as you would think.”

  Brielle shot a stern look at her sister. “I think I’m going to turn in,” she said standing.

  “Me too,” Meg said. “Thank you very much for a wonderful meal and the company. I’ll see you all in the morning.” Meg went upstairs.

  Once Meg left the kitchen, Brielle looked at her sister. “What are you doing?”

  Cindy shrugged. “Nothing.”

  Brielle shook her head. “I’ll see you all tomorrow.”

  “We’ll be right behind you, Elle. I’m sure your father is asleep in the living room.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Brielle was up at eight o’clock the next morning. She found her mother in the kitchen making breakfast.

  “Merry Christmas, Mom,” Brielle said kissing her mother’s cheek.

  “Merry Christmas, dear. Have a seat and I’ll get you something to eat.” Melanie poured her a cup of coffee. “I like Meg.”

  Brielle looked at her mother over the top of the cup. “Mom, I’m sure Meg is straight. Leave it alone.”

  “She didn’t seem to have any interest in Billy,” Melanie insisted.

  “Maybe he’s not her type. Besides, he lives here and she lives in New York.”

  “I think she likes you,” Melanie said as she put a plate of food in front of Brielle.

  Her dad walked into the kitchen. “Merry Christmas,” he said kissing his wife and Brielle.

  “Merry Christmas, Dad.” Brielle finished her plate of food. “I’m going to take a shower and get dressed,” she said leaving the kitchen and her mother’s scrutiny. If Brielle was honest with herself, Meg would be the perfect girlfriend. That was one of the reasons she believed Meg was straight. The perfect ones are always straight.

  Meg got out of bed leaving Barbara sound asleep. She took her clothes into the bathroom and dressed for the day.

  As she walked toward the kitchen, she heard the family. “Merry Christmas everyone,” Meg said as she walked into the kitchen.

  “Merry Christmas,” the group called.

  “Have a seat, Meg,” Helen said. “I’ll get you a plate of food.”

  Jennifer brought a cup of coffee over to Meg and set it in front of her. “I guess my sister is still sleeping?”

  Meg nodded. “Sound asleep,” she said with a chuckle.

  “Why don’t you see if you can wake her, Jen?” Helen asked. “We want to open the gifts after breakfast.”

  “Oh, Mom, you know Barbara. She’ll be impossible to wake up,” Jennifer said with a pout.

  “I’ll go get her up,” Helen said leaving the kitchen.

  “So did you and Barbara have a good time last night?” Meg asked.

  Jennifer smiled. “Yes. I don’t think Kevin or Barbara has forgotten how much they care for one another. I’m sorry we left you here alone.”

  Meg swallowed the food in her mouth. “I understand. Bri was nice enough to keep me company.”

  Helen came back into the kitchen. “Your sister is impossible.”

  “Told you, Mom.” Jennifer couldn’t contain her laughter. “She’ll get up when she’s ready.”

  “Well, we may as well eat breakfast now,” Helen said taking the frittata out of the oven.

  After breakfast, Meg said, “I’m going to go over to your sister’s house to help prepare the meal. Unless you need me here for something?” Meg asked.

  “No. You go over there, Meg. I’m sure Melanie will have something for you to do,” Helen said with a wave of her hand. “I’ll let sleeping beauty know where you are when she gets up.”

  “Thank you for breakfast. I’ll see you later,” Meg said with a laugh.

  Meg knocked on the door to the house down the street. “Merry Christmas,” she said when the door opened.

  “Merry Christmas to you, Meg,” Sam said when he opened the door. “Come on inside. The ladies are in the kitchen.”

  “Thank you.” Meg hung up her coat and went toward the kitchen. As the door swung open, she called, “Merry Christmas, all.”

  Melanie went to Meg and hugged her. “Merry Christmas, dear.”

  Meg rolled up the sleeves on her light sweater. “What can I do to help?”

  “I have the girls peeling potatoes. Can you chop the vegetables?” Helen asked.

  “Sure.” Meg went over to the island. “Ladies,” Meg said with a smile.

  “My mom’s going to make you work for your dinner. You should have stayed at Aunt Helen’s house,” Cindy said with a laugh.

  “I want to help.”

  Cindy and Brielle looked at each other and shrugged with a laugh.

  Meg began to chop an onion and the two girls stopped peeling. “You know what you’re doing,” Brielle said seeing Meg’s skill with the knife. Brielle nudged Cindy. “She’s going to save us a lot of work.”

  “My girls have no interest in cooking,” Melanie said. “It’s a good thing Cindy already has a husband who likes to cook.” She pointed at Brielle. “Now hopefully Elle can find a partner that likes to cook or they will both starve.”

  “Hey, I cook,” Brielle argued. “I just make simple dishes.”

  Melanie laughed. “Simple out of the freezer.”

  Meg laughed with Melanie.

  Brielle changed the subject. “So what time did my cousin drag her tail home last night?”

  “I don’t know. I was asleep,” Meg said with a shrug.

  “I bet she’s still sleeping, right?” Cindy asked.

  “Yes. Helen tried to wake her, but she came down without her.”

  “That girl can sleep through an earthquake,” Brielle said.

  Once the meal was prepped, M
elanie brought out lunch.

  “When did you have time to prepare this?” Meg asked.

  “I made it during the week. I just had to heat it up in the oven.” Melanie put out a large serving dish of baked manicotti.

  Sam, Matt and the two kids followed the smell out to the kitchen.

  “I guess it’s time for lunch?” Sam asked as he walked into the kitchen.

  Once the kitchen was cleaned up from lunch, the women sat at the table with cups of coffee. The men and kids returned to the living room.

  “When are you going back to New York?” Melanie asked Meg.

  “Tomorrow morning. I go back to work on Thursday.” Meg answered. “When are you leaving, Bri?”

  “Thursday afternoon. I have to work on Friday.”

  “Are you girls coming back for New Years?” Melanie asked, knowing what Brielle’s answer would be.

  “Mom, I told you I have plans for New Year’s Eve,” Brielle said with a shake of her head.

  “What about you Meg?” Cindy asked.

  “No, I have plans, too.”

  Meg spent the rest of the afternoon at Brielle’s house. At four she went back to Barbara’s house to change for dinner.

  “I’m sorry, Meg. I feel terrible that we haven’t spent any time together,” Barbara said all apologetic.

  “Barb, it’s really okay. I’ve had a good time with your cousins and your Aunt Melanie.”

  Christmas dinner was as pleasant as Christmas Eve had been. In the morning, Billy offered to drive Meg to the train station.

  Before Meg could open her car door, Billy was there helping her out of the car. “I hope to see you again real soon,” he said.

  “Thanks for having me. I had a good time.”

  Billy leaned over and kissed her cheek. “The next time I go to New York, I’ll give you a call.”

  Meg didn’t comment as she walked away.

  Walking into her office the following day Meg was met by her secretary. “Hi Sarah. I hope you had a good holiday.”

  “I did. How was your trip with Barbara?” Sarah asked.

  Meg chuckled. “I spent more time with her cousin Brielle then I did with Barbara.”

  “Brielle Sanders?” Sarah asked excited.

  Meg raised her eyebrows in surprise. “You know Brielle?”

  “Who doesn’t? I’ve asked her out, but she always turns me down,” Sarah said disappointed.

  “Aren’t you a little young for her?”

  “No, well, that’s what she always says,” Sarah sighed holding her hand over her heart. “She’s so hot and I hear great in the bedroom,” Sarah whispered.

  Meg began to blush. “I think I’m going to go to my office.” She closed the door and pictured Brielle surrounded by a bunch of young twenty year olds vying for her attention.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Saturday morning, Meg’s phone rang. “Hello.”

  “Hey, girl,” Brooke said. “You’re still coming to my New Year’s Eve party, right?”

  “Yes, Brooke. I’ll be there,” Meg said with a roll of her eyes. She really didn’t want to go, but she didn’t want to disappoint a good friend.

  “We’ve got lots of people coming. It will be fun,” Brooke said enthusiastically.

  “I’m sure everyone will have a good time.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you Monday night,” Brooke said before hanging up.

  Brielle was having breakfast with her friend Rachel Sunday morning.

  “I got invited to a New Year’s Eve party yesterday. Do you want to come with me?” Rachel asked.

  “Who’s party?” Brielle asked.

  “Do you know Amy Winters?” Brielle nodded up and down. “It’s her sister’s party. She told me I could bring someone.”

  Brielle shrugged. “I was supposed to go to Tracy and Steve’s, but Tracy has the flu.” Again she shrugged. “Sure, why not.”

  Brielle and Rachel got into a cab Monday night headed to the party. They walked into the large apartment and saw the party was already in full swing. It was a mix of straight and gay couples. Brielle and Rachel reached for a drink and began circulating.

  “Hi,” a woman said to Brielle as she moved into the living room.

  “Hi. I’m Brielle.”

  “Brielle. Interesting name,” the woman said. “I’m Rena.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Rena.” Brielle had to lean close to her to hear over the music. “Do you know the people throwing this party?”

  “No, I came with someone who knows them,” Rena said smiling and touched Brielle’s arm.

  There was no mistaking that Rena was coming on to Brielle. She leaned toward Rena’s ear. “Are you here with someone?”

  “Yeah, my girlfriend is around here somewhere,” she said as if it didn’t matter that she was flirting with Brielle.

  Brielle was about to say something when she felt someone watching her. She turned and smiled. “Excuse me, Rena.” She walked away and walked up to Meg. “Fancy meeting you here,” Brielle said leaning into Meg’s ear.

  “I didn’t know you knew Brooke and her husband Rick,” Meg said standing close to Brielle.

  “I don’t. I came with my friend Rachel who was invited by Brooke’s sister.”

  “No wonder there’re so many people here. Well, I’ll let you get back to your date,” Meg said as she turned to walk away.

  Brielle reached for Meg’s arm. “She’s not my date. I came here with my friend Rachel.”

  “Oh,” Meg said barely audibly.

  “Do you want to go somewhere quiet where we can talk without shouting?” Brielle asked against Meg’s ear.

  Meg nodded and they went to the other end of the apartment.

  “That’s better,” Meg said as she could now hear a conversation without raising her voice. “Do you want another beer?”

  “Yes. Do you want more wine?” Brielle asked.

  “No thanks, I’m still working on this one.” Meg answered holding up her wine glass.

  Brooke walked into the room. “Meg, you made it.” She turned to Brielle. “Hi.”

  “Brooke, this is my friend Brielle. She’s Barbara’s cousin,” Meg said making the introductions.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Brooke,” Brielle said holding out her hand.

  “You too,” Brooke said looking between two women. “Enjoy the party.”

  Brielle didn’t miss the look Brooke was giving to Meg. Now she wondered if Brooke thought they were on a date or why Meg was hanging out with a gay woman.

  Just then Rachel came into the room and was looking around. “Bri, have you seen Alice?”

  “No,” Brielle answered.

  “Okay. I’ll see you later.” Rachel started to walk away, but Brielle grabbed her arm.

  “Wait a second. Rachel, this is Meg.” Brielle made the introductions.

  “It’s nice to meet you Rachel,” Meg said.

  “You too. I’m glad Meg found someone.” Rachel turned to Brielle. “If you don’t see me later, I’ve left with Alice.” She hurried out of the room.

  Brielle shook her head. “That girl will never learn.”

  “Who’s Alice?” Meg asked.

  “Her on again, off again girlfriend. They get together and after a week or two, they break up. Then they meet at a party or somewhere and get together again. It’s a revolving door with those two.”

  Someone came into the room and said, “Five minutes to midnight.”

  Meg and Brielle followed the rest of the crowd into the other room. The music was turned down and the flat screen had Times Square on the TV. The countdown began and everyone counted. Everyone yelled Happy New Year.

  Brielle turned to Meg and leaned into her ear. “Happy New Year, Meg.”

  Meg smiled. “Happy New Year, Bri. And thank you for saving me from being alone again.” Meg leaned over and hugged Brielle.

  “Don’t thank me because I probably kept you from meeting someone at this party,” Brielle said slipping her arm through Meg’s a
rm.

  “I could say the same to you,” Meg said with a giggle. “Do you want to go get a cup of coffee somewhere or would you rather stay here?”

  “Let’s leave. My ears are ringing from all this noise,” Brielle chuckled. “I must be getting old.”

  “I’m older than you so you know I’m ready to get out of here.”

  The two women went in search of their coats and were down the stairs and into the cold air. They walked down the street and saw a café that was still open.

  “How’s this?” Brielle asked.

  Meg nodded and opened the door for Brielle to enter. They took their seats.

  “Are you hungry, Meg?” Brielle asked.

  “Yeah, I didn’t have anything at the party.”

  The waitress came over and took their order. Their seat by the window allowed a view of the revelers out on the street celebrating.

  “You said you live on the east side, too?” Meg asked.

  “Yes, I live on 79th Street in an apartment my parents own. It’s great because it’s large and my parents rarely use it. They’ve owned the place for twenty years. It’s worked out well for me,” Brielle said. “Where are you?”

  “I’m on 59th Street. The rent is crazy, but it’s convenient for work.”

  They ate their meal and came out to the street. “Do you want to share a cab?” Brielle asked.

  “May as well, but can we walk a bit?” Meg asked quietly.

  The two women began to walk down the street to the main intersection.

  “Do you date often?” Brielle asked moving closer to Meg.

  “No. Do you?”

  “Define dating,” Brielle said with a laugh.

  Meg’s feet stopped for a moment and then continued walking. “I would think dating would be seeing someone on a regular basis.”

  “Then no, I haven’t been involved in a serious relationship in three years,” Brielle explained.

  “What happened?” Meg asked.

  “I don’t know. It just came to an end. I guess neither one of us cared to make it work.”

  “Did you love her?” Meg asked looking at Brielle.

  “Yes,” Brielle shrugged. “But I guess not enough. Have you ever been in love, Meg?”

  “No.

  “So you don’t date and you’ve never been in love?” Brielle asked lightly, teasing in her voice.