Summer of Dreams Read online

  “Whatever you say, dear.” Ava tried to keep the laughter out of her voice.

  “I can see, I’m not going to get any sympathy from you,” she said, storming outside. Now a vision crossed her path and an automatic smile appeared on her face. Kristen. Riley hurried toward the woman who was now walking toward the docks. “Kristen,” she called out with her hand in the air.

  “Riley,” she said while a smile appeared on her face. They moved toward each other and once they stood in front of each other they laughed softly. “You look so good, Riley.”

  “You too.” Before they could continue speaking, Riley pulled her into a fierce hug. “How long are you staying?”

  “Until Wednesday.” Kristen flipped her blond hair over her shoulder. “It’s been too long since I’ve been here.” Her hand fanned out. “The place looks good.”

  “How is Linda?” Linda was the woman that Kristen was dating the last time she had been to the marina.

  “History. How about you? Any woman capture your heart yet?”

  Riley blew a raspberry. “You know me. That is unlikely to happen.” She looked at Kristen’s green eyes. “You?”

  “Not at the moment,” she said with a smile. “Maybe you and I can have dinner one night before I leave.”

  “I’d like that,” Riley answered quickly. “Do you need help with your things?”

  “Already on board.” Kristen shuffled her feet. “I was just going to get changed and go sit on the beach,” she said with a nod toward the beach area. “Come with me. We can catch up with one another.”

  “Sure. I’ll meet you there.” Riley covered Kristen’s hand with own. “It’s really good to see you again.”

  “You too, sweetie.” Kristen walked toward the docks and Riley rushed back to the office.

  “Mom, I’m going to take some time off.”

  “I know. I saw her.”

  “Who?” Riley asked playing dumb.

  “Kristen. You always had a soft spot for her.”

  Yeah, she’s soft all over. “We’re just going to catch up.”

  Ava waved her hand. “Go have a good time.”

  *

  Shelby watched the two women interact with each other from her vantage point on a lounge in the pool area. She knew instinctively that they knew each other. The hug they had just given each other confirmed her suspicions. The smiles also confirmed her thoughts. Her eyes closed and she forgot about them until she saw the woman walking toward the beach area in a bathing suit. Her cover up didn’t cover the bikini she wore underneath. A few minutes later, Riley walked toward the beach area in a tank top and board shorts. Shelby stood up and watched as Riley approached the woman sitting on a blanket in the sand. They both smiled at one another before Riley took her seat next to her. Stop staring. You aren’t interested in her. Can you see yourself dating a woman? Where did that come from? But that thought was quickly replaced with another. She had a feeling that Riley would be just like Todd. One woman could never satisfy him. That thought caused her to close her eyes in pain.

  Shelby walked into the apartment she shared with Todd for the last two years. Walking toward the bedroom, she heard voices. Pausing at the bedroom door before she opened the door, her heart was pounding in her chest. The door opened and there he was with another woman. Shelby didn’t say anything before she turned and left the apartment. Todd had begged her to forgive him, but Shelby knew that was never going to happen. This may have been the first time she caught him with another woman, but she didn’t think it was the first time he had cheated. Her friend Dot suggested she use their boat since Shelby wanted to leave North Carolina. It would give her an opportunity to see if she liked living in Florida before she looked for a more permanent place to live.

  That was the worst day of Shelby’s thirty-six years. She thought they were happy together. Shelby knew she was happy, but couldn’t understand what had changed.

  That was three months ago and now she found herself living in a new state on a boat. How her life had changed so much. Now she looked at two women who seemed happy. Looked as she did, not that long ago. Her feet carried her back to the boat before she broke down.

  CHAPTER THREE

  “Have dinner with me tonight. We can go to the restaurant here or if you prefer, we can go somewhere else,” Riley asked softly.

  “Here is fine, Riley,” Kristen answered. “What time do you want to go?”

  “Seven okay?” Riley asked, almost taking her hand and watched as Kristen nodded in agreement.

  “I better get back to the boat and spend some time with the folks.” She stood up and picked up the blanket. “I’ll see you later.”

  “I’ll walk you.” Riley took her place next to Kristen and they walked together. Once they reached the dock, Kristen turned to her. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Me too,” Kristen answered with a smile. “See you later.”

  Riley practically skipped back to the office where she found her mother having a cup of tea. “You look happy,” she said to her daughter.

  “I am happy,” Riley said taking her seat at her desk.

  “Do you want me to stay with Olivia and Ryan tonight?” Ava asked without looking at her daughter.

  Riley’s jaw went slack. “Uh, no. I’m not about to kick you out of your own house.”

  “It’s your house too, honey.”

  “Thanks, Mom, but it isn’t necessary.”

  “Riley, what will Kristen think if you take her back to the office. She doesn’t give me the impression of wanting to have a roll on the couch.”

  “Mom,” Riley said firmly, but covered her face.

  “Are you having dinner with her?” Ava asked and saw Riley’s red face nod. “I won’t be here tonight if you want to invite her back.”

  “Mom, are you sure?”

  “Yes.” She patted Riley’s hand.

  Riley hugged her mother and went outside to check out the marina. As she stepped out the door, Shelby was standing there. “Riley, do you have time to help me with my suitcases?”

  Riley nodded and followed her to the boat. She didn’t try and make conversation with her. The sooner she took care of her problem, the sooner she could get away from her.

  Shelby led her inside the boat and pointed at the suitcases lying there. “I know there is storage up there. If they aren’t too heavy for you, could you please put them up there so I will have more room.”

  Riley opened the storage cabinets and lifted each of her suitcases into the space. She was perspiring by the time she finished the task. Riley was now wiping her brow as she closed the door. “That should do it,” she said walking toward the exit.

  “Let me get you a cold bottle of water,” she said softly. “I’m sorry that it is stuffy down here.”

  “It’s fine. I’m used to the heat.” Riley took the offered water and drank half the bottle. “Do you need anything else?”

  Shelby shook her head. “Thank you for your help.”

  “I’m here to help all the guests. If you need anything else, just let me know.”

  “Riley,” she said quickly before Riley jumped back onto the dock. “I’m sorry we got off to a rocky start. I was rude to you when we first met.” Shelby put her hand out.

  Riley looked at Shelby’s face to see if she was sincere and then to her hand. Her light blue eyes looked as if she meant what she was saying. “Apology accepted.” Riley took the offered hand. “I haven’t been very nice to you either.” She slapped her sunglasses back on her face. “I’m sorry too.” She watched as Shelby’s face relaxed and grinned.

  She shook Riley’s hand firmly. “To starting over.”

  Riley nodded and jumped back onto the dock. “I’ll see you around,” she said before walking back toward the office. Well, that was a surprise. Maybe she isn’t a bitch. Riley chuckled softly. Only time will tell.

  *

  Riley walked over to Kristen’s parents’ boat. Her hand smoothed her shorts and she pulled on the end of
her golf tee. Tonight, she was wearing a new pair of boat shoes. She approached the boat and saw Kristen’s father sitting on board. “Hello, Neil,” she called out as she stood next to the stern.

  “Evening, Riley.” He motioned with his hand. “Come on board. Kristen will be out in a moment.”

  Riley placed her hand on the end of the boat and jumped on board. She now took the extended hand that Neil held out. “The boat looks in good shape for its age.” The Carters had been coming to this marina since she was a teenager and that’s when she met Kristen and found out she liked girls. Kristen wasn’t as sheltered as Riley because she lived in a large city instead of being protected by living at the marina. She’d had her first kiss that summer and felt everything fall into place in her life. It wasn’t until Kristen left at the end of the summer that she knew what heartache was. The Carters returned the following summer, but Kristen had brought one of her girlfriends with her. It didn’t take Riley long to figure out that Kristen and the girl were more than friends. That was the first time she’d had her heart broken. Now she was standing on the deck waiting to take her first love out to dinner. She watched as Kristen opened the sliding glass door smiling. “Hi,” she said shyly, staring at the summer dress Kristen was wearing.

  Kristen returned the smile and kissed Riley softly on the cheek. “Hey.” She turned to her dad. “I hope you weren’t grilling Riley,” she said chuckling.

  “No. We didn’t have much time to talk,” Riley answered turning as Dana came out of the cabin. “Hi, Dana,” she said to Kristen’s mom.

  Dana pulled her in for a hug. “Riley, it’s so good to see you again. We’ve seen you around, but you were always involved in some type of work when we passed.”

  “Always a lot to do at this time of the year. I guess you and Neil are here for the season?”

  “We are. We just love it here.” Dana turned to Kristen and kissed her cheek. “You two go off and enjoy your dinner.”

  Riley hopped off the boat and held her hand out for Kristen as she stepped onto the dock. “You two enjoy yourselves too.”

  Kristen reached for Riley’s hand and intertwined their fingers. “See you later,” she said to her parents.

  “Good night, you two,” Neil added.

  *

  Shelby was sitting in a chair on the deck of her boat watching the scene from the other dock. She brought her glass of iced tea up to her mouth and continued watching until a voice spoke from the boat next to hers.

  “It’s good to see those two together again,” Dot Turner said watching the two women across the dock.

  Shelby turned to Dot. “I know there is a story behind that comment,” she said chuckling.

  “I’ll just say those two belong together and leave it at that.” Dot didn’t make another comment.

  *

  Riley and Kristen walked into the restaurant that her aunt and uncle ran. Her aunt Olivia met them when they walked in. “Riley,” she said kissing her cheek. Now turning to Kristen, she smiled widely. “It’s so good to see you again, Kristen.”

  “You too,” Kristen answered stepping away from Olivia’s hug. “The place looks great,” she said looking around the restaurant.

  “We’ve done some updating in the last few years.” Olivia picked up the menus. “Let me show you to your table.”

  The two women followed Olivia and were seated at a table that had a great view of the water, but also would give them privacy if they wanted. “Thank you, Olivia,” Riley said when her aunt put down the menus.

  “Enjoy your dinners and Allie will be right over.” She turned to Kristen. “It’s good to see you again, Kristen. Don’t be a stranger,” she said patting her hand.

  “Thank you, Olivia and it’s good to see you also.”

  Once their orders were placed, Riley leaned forward. “It’s been a couple of years since you came down here. Atlanta keeping you too busy?”

  “As a matter of fact, yes. I was trying to make partner and put in the hours required to make that happen.” Her face remained serious.

  “So, are congratulations in order?” Riley asked softly.

  “No. The sons of bitches screwed me. They gave the partnership to a guy who has political connections with his family.” Kristen kept her voice low, but the anger was there. “I bust my ass and he wins.”

  “I’m sorry, Kristen,” Riley said reaching out and taking her hand in her own. “What are you going to do?”

  “The moment the announcement was made I called a headhunter. I can’t waste any more time working there.”

  “I’m sure there are plenty of firms in Atlanta that would love to have you.” Riley looked at Kristen’s eyes and now saw the mischief there.

  “Or New York, LA or Chicago,” she said looking around the restaurant to make sure no one overheard.

  “Wow,” Riley said before she picked up her glass of wine and took a sip. “What do your parents think about this?”

  “I haven’t told them. Why upset them when I may end up staying in Atlanta?” Kristen looked at Riley and asked, “What about you?”

  Riley touched her chest. “What about me?”

  “Is this what you want to do for the rest of your life?” Kristen asked with a tilt of her head.

  “Sure it is. It is what I was born to do,” Riley answered as she usually did. Most women she dated didn’t understand that she wouldn’t change her life for anyone.

  “Honey, you live at a marina with your mother. You are what now?” Kristen asked pointing her finger.

  “Thirty-five.”

  “Don’t you think it’s time to grow up?”

  Riley tried to remain calm thinking Kristen just didn’t understand. “Kristen, not all of us crave fancy homes in the city. I love what I’m doing and I can’t see myself doing anything else.” Riley’s chin lifted. “You have no idea how much money I make.”

  “I don’t, but I’m sure most of the profit from this place goes right back into the business.”

  How does she know this stuff? “Not all of it. It’s a good living for me and my family. Each year we do better and better.”

  “I’m sorry, Riley. I have no right to criticize and tell you how you should live your life. If we all could love what we were doing, this world would be a better place.” Kristen let out a sigh. “I’m just pissed that I wasted eight years with that firm.”

  Once the meal was delivered, the two women went back to a casual conversation. “Would you like me to walk you back to the boat or would you like to come over to my place to watch a movie?”

  Kristen laughed. “A movie? Is that what you are calling it today?”

  Riley began to stutter. “Kristen, a movie. I’m not talking about sex.”

  “So the three of us will be sitting there watching a movie?”

  Riley understanding her meaning said, “No. Just the two of us. My mother is out tonight.”

  Again Kristen laughed. “You are very confident of yourself, so much so, that you conned your mother out of her own house.”

  Riley quickened her pace heading toward the docks. Kristen couldn’t hear what she was saying, but knew Riley was angry.

  “I’m sorry, Riley. I guess I’m out of practice,” she said letting out a strangled breath. Her brown eyes showed sincerity. “I would love to come to your place and watch a movie with you.”

  Riley turned and smiled. She took Kristen’s hand and led them to the house.

  They had decided on a romantic comedy from Ava’s collection of films. Riley and Kristen finally relaxed and were chuckling along with the movie. Both had taken their shoes off and were stretched out at each end of the couch. Their feet met in the middle of the couch and Riley began to rub her toes and along her calf. Riley’s green eyes turned and met the brown ones grinning at her.

  “What?” Kristen asked. “Are my feet gross or something?”

  Riley leaned toward the middle and picked up her foot. “No. They are actually cute. She dropped Kristen’s foot back down and
before she could sit back, the foot was now running along the top of Riley’s breast. “Are you having fun?” Riley asked remaining in place.

  “Yeah, I am. Aren’t you having fun?” Kristen asked raising an eyebrow.

  “I am, but it’s been a long time since I just sat down with a beautiful woman and enjoyed watching a movie.” Riley tried to keep her voice upbeat, but her loneliness shined through.

  Kristen moved over to the center cushion and cupped Riley’s face with her palm. Her face came forward and she gently kissed Riley’s mouth. “Is your fun improving?” she asked with her lips still close to Riley’s face.

  “Yes.” This time Riley’s mouth found hers as she reached her hand behind Kristen’s neck and pulled her body close.

  As their kisses deepened, tongues began a dance in their mouths. Riley slid her body down onto the cushion pulling Kristen’s body prone. Her hands were now moving along her back as their cores became one.

  Breaking away, Kristen said, “I could kiss you like that all night.”

  “Me too,” Riley answered. Her face was flushed and her chest moved up and down quickly with her arousal surging.

  “Take me to bed, Riley,” Kristen said giving her one more kiss.

  Riley slid out from under her and shut the television off before reaching out her hand to Kristen. Climbing the stairs together, they kissed often before they reached the bedroom door. The two women were not shy in removing their clothes since this was not the first time they had made love. It had been a long time, but it did not slow them down in their efforts to get naked.

  “Come here,” Riley said whispering as she pulled Kristen against her body. Her lips went to the soft spot just below her ear. “Your skin is just as I remember.”

  “I remember what you used to do to my body, Riley.” Her words were soft and slow.

  Before either woman could speak again, they found themselves on the bed. Kissing became touches as hands caressed skin and folds. Each woman fought for domination, but eventually Kristen gave in to the swirling of Riley’s tongue. Her body was played perfectly and before drifting off to sleep in exhaustion, she whispered, “So good.”