6. Holly

6

HOLLY

H olly stood on the balcony of the apartment her mother had recently rented out for her in Los Feliz, staring out at the leafy street as the sun dipped below the horizon. The breeze tugged at her hair, teasing it into wild tangles that almost seemed to mirror the chaos of the thoughts whizzing through her mind. She felt a strange detachment. It was as if she were observing her life from a distance. Her thoughts kept drifting to Deborah. She couldn’t get the enigmatic woman who had captured her heart with a single glance at her mother’s wedding out of her head.

Why is she doing this to me? What are we even waiting for? Oh, fuck her! I don’t care! Let her have her precious time. It’s not like I’m short of admirers, for fuck’s sake. I could go out right now and fuck anyone I like.

But I won’t.

When they first met, Holly had been immediately drawn to Deborah’s obvious sophistication and grace. Her mom had told her about her friend’s achievements, her poise, and how the woman commanded a room. Their brief, clandestine romance had started as a thrilling game the night of the wedding and the Indigo Lounge. She had returned from Australia and knew exactly how furious her mother was with her about the time she’d wasted there. Her dalliance with Deborah out on the terrace had felt like a secret rebellion against the expectations of her mom and the world she and her new wife now lived in. But very soon afterward, Holly found herself wanting more than just that one stolen moment.

She sighed, pushing away from the railing and heading inside to prepare something to eat. Before she could even get to the refrigerator door, her cell phone started ringing.

“Hey, hon. It’s me.”

“Yo, Mom! Whassup?”

“Holly, do you think you could give the yos and the wassups a bit of a rest? You’re a grown-up now. A full-grown-ass woman who speaks like a tween.”

“Right. What can I help you with, Mommy dearest?”

“Nora and I are having some people over at the yacht tomorrow night, and I want you to be there. Nora said you could start making connections with some of her people. She knows everyone in this town, you know?”

“Okay, I’ll be there. But I’m not fully decided on what I want to do yet, Mom. You know, I was thinking about?—”

“I’ve got to go, hon. We’ll chat about it tomorrow. Dress smart.”

And with that, Esme put the phone down.

The invitation had come as a surprise, and Holly felt a twinge of anxiety at the thought of spending time with her mother and her powerful new wife. She was confident and carefree on the surface. She was the sun-kissed hot chick from Australia, right? But beneath that facade lay a deep-seated fear of being seen as a disappointment. She was apprehensive about how Nora might feel about her new wife’s dropout daughter.

The following day, Holly decided to make her way to the Indigo to talk to her mother one-on-one over coffee. She selected a simple yet elegant navy blue dress that accentuated her athletic build and paired it with silver sandals and a matching clutch. As she put on a pair of delicate pearl earrings, she glanced at her reflection, hoping she looked composed and not as nervous as she felt. She really wanted to show her mother that she was serious about her future, whatever it may be.

Holly arrived at the Indigo Lounge hoping to catch her mom before the mid-morning rush. As she entered the bar, she spotted Deborah standing near the entrance, looking as beautiful and elegant as ever in a form-fitting black pantsuit that hugged her curves perfectly. Her hair was styled in loose waves, and a string of pearls adorned her neck. Holly’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of her, and she quickly made her way over, her mind overtaken by the image of the woman in front of her and how hard they’d made each other come just the day before.

“Hey,” she said softly, trying to keep her voice steady. “I’m sorry. I honestly didn’t think you’d be here. Don’t worry. I’m not stalking you or anything. I came in to see my mom.”

Deborah turned, her eyes lighting up with surprise and pleasure. “Holly. I didn’t expect to see you here either. I had a schedule change, so I came by to see if I could have a quick word with Mia, but I can’t see her anywhere. Do you know where she is? I’m having a launch party for a new series in a few weeks, and I think her songs might match the vibe we’re looking for. Cam said she’s usually here in the mornings. I suppose I could always leave a note for her, right? Or call! I’ve got her number. I can call and leave a message. I could?—”

“Deborah?”

“Huh? Yeah?”

“You’re rambling a bit. Just call her. She’ll do it.”

“Sure. Yep. You’re right.”

“Will you be at the big yacht thing tonight?” Holly asked.

Just then, Esme came rushing over. Before Deborah could respond, Esme gave her old friend a warm hug. She was dressed in a stylish white dress that contrasted beautifully with her hair, which was pulled back in a sleek ponytail.

“I’m so sorry to interrupt,” Esme said, smiling warmly. “I just wanted to ask you a favor, Debs. Seeing as you’re both here, this is perfect timing!”

Deborah stood up straighter, smoothing her pantsuit. “No problem, Esme. What’s going on? ’

Esme’s smile faltered slightly. “Listen, I’ve been so worried about what Holly will do with herself after wandering around Australia for five years.”

“Mom! I wasn’t just wandering around,” Holly protested, trying to keep her frustration in check. “I was living my life and experiencing new things.”

“I know, my darling, but now it’s time to move on from all that ,” Esme replied, turning to Deborah.

“You’re being a little harsh, Es! This isn’t like you. You’re all about freedom, tree-hugging, and live and let live, right?”

“Usually. You’re right. But I was hoping you could take Holly on as an intern. She needs a little direction, and I think she could really learn so much from you.”

Deborah nodded thoughtfully. “I’d be happy to help, Esme. Holly seems like she could have a lot of potential, and an internship would be a great opportunity for her to gain some valuable experience.”

“Do I even get a say in this?” asked Holly, her cheeks turning pink. “I do appreciate the offer, Deborah. I just... I don’t want to feel like I’m being forced into something by my mother, you know?”

Deborah’s eyes softened as she looked at Holly. “ I don’t think she’s forcing you, Holly. It’s about giving you a chance to see where your strengths lie. What do you think?”

Esme reached out and squeezed Holly’s hand. “I believe in you, sweetheart. I want to see you find something that makes you happy and fulfilled. Something that isn’t surfing.”

“Do you want to come by my office? We can talk there.”

“I guess so. I came here to talk to you, Mom. But I guess the talk is over with, right?”

“Consider that your pep talk, baby,” Esme laughed.

Holly and Deborah took a cab to the WebFlix headquarters downtown. Once inside Deborah’s office on the top floor, Holly felt the familiar surge of emotions that had accompanied being alone with her every single time they’d met. The office was a sanctuary of calm and order, and Holly couldn’t help but feel intimidated. Deborah gestured for Holly to take a seat on the plush leather chair opposite her mahogany desk. She was acting so professional when all Holly wanted was for Deborah to climb on top of her and rip off every shred of her clothing.

Deborah sat down, gracefully crossing her legs. “ So, what’s on your mind, Holly? Things are a bit tense with your mom, are they?”

Holly took a deep breath, fidgeting with her fingernails. “Listen, I think I’m in no place to be taking on this internship. Not here. Not with you. I should be excited at an opportunity handed to me on a plate, but I can’t help feeling like I’d mess everything up.”

Deborah leaned forward, her eyes filled with understanding. “Holly, you’re more capable than you give yourself credit for. This really could be a fantastic opportunity for you to learn and grow. And I’ll be there to support you every step of the way.”

Holly looked up, meeting Deborah’s gaze. “You think I can do this? Come on! What about all that time you needed?”

“I know you can,” Deborah said firmly.

Holly sighed, feeling the weight of Deb’s expectations. “I’ll do the internship. But I want to make sure it’s on my terms, that I’m doing it for me, not just to please my mom and Nora.”

“Of course,” Deborah said gently. “We’ll work together to ensure it’s a meaningful experience for you. Setting all of our moments aside, I still want to help you, and I obviously care about you so very much.”

The tension in the room eased slightly. Holly felt a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something positive.

“And maybe I can find you a position in another department? Art design? Accounting? What’s your yum?”

“You’re my yum, Deborah.”

The air between Holly and Deborah seemed to crackle with an electric tension, a barely restrained energy that almost hummed as Holly’s words lingered in the air. Deborah’s eyes widened slightly, her breath audibly catching in her throat. She was clearly trying so hard to remain professional. To be the helpful best friend. To be a responsible adult.

“Holly,” Deborah said softly, her voice a gentle caress in the charged silence. “That’s not what I?—”

“I know,” Holly interrupted, her heart racing as she stood up and moved to Deborah’s side of the desk. The space between them shrank until they were mere inches apart.

Deborah’s gaze dropped to Holly’s lips, then back to her eyes, her breath coming quicker now. “Holly, this is?— ”

“Complicated, I know.” Holly’s whisper was barely audible, but it was enough. “But you know I don’t want to be a colleague, Deborah.”

Deborah’s hand reached up to touch Holly’s cheek, her fingers trembling slightly. “I don’t want to make this any harder. I just… I didn’t think?—”

“—that we’d ever feel this way about each other?” Holly finished for her, her voice a mixture of hope and apprehension. “Because I didn’t either.”

As Holly leaned downward, their faces were so close that she could feel Deborah’s warm breath.

“Holly,” Deborah murmured, “I’m not sure if this is the right time or place.”

Holly’s eyes fluttered closed, her lips parting slightly. “Maybe it’s not about the right time or place. Maybe it’s just about us… right now.”

Without another word, Holly closed the remaining gap between them. Her lips met Deborah’s in a soft, hesitant kiss that quickly grew deeper as both women gave in to the undeniable pull of their emotions. Deborah responded with equal enthusiasm, her arms wrapping around in a frenzy of emotion.

When they finally broke apart, both women looked at each other with relief and wonder .

Deborah brushed her fingers across Holly’s lips, her eyes searching Holly’s for any sign of regret. But Holly smiled, her eyes sparkling with a newfound confidence.

“I’m wet just at the thought of you,” Holly said softly, her voice steady and full of promise. “You didn’t answer me back at the bar. Are you going to my mom’s big boat bash later?

Deborah nodded and smiled.

“I’m sure Sasha will be putting on quite the buffet, but I don’t want you to touch it.”

“And why’s that?”

“You’ll be eating me instead.”

“Holly?”

“Yep?”

“I’d like that.”

The yacht was a picture of luxury, anchored in the harbor with its lights reflecting off the water. Esme and Nora greeted them warmly. Dressed in a tailored red power suit, Nora exuded an air of authority and control. Her hair was perfectly styled, and her piercing blue eyes took in everything with a discerning gaze. Holly couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt at the sight of her mother’s happiness with her new wife. They seemed like such an odd match. The hippy and Ms. Tailored Suit, but she’d never seen her mother so enamored. She half hoped her mom would never find out about her relationship with Deborah. What if it broke her heart? But she also knew that it would be inevitable if things were to move forward with her new lover.

“Welcome aboard!” Nora said, extending a hand to Holly. “I’m super excited you could join us.”

“Thanks, Nora. This yacht is beautiful,” Holly replied. “You guys are leaving me everything in your wills, right?”

“Holly, the bar’s over there, honey!” laughed Esme, pulling her daughter away from her wife.

As Holly ordered an espresso martini at the bar, she chatted with Harper, another of her mother’s university friends and a successful talent scout. Harper’s demeanor was professional yet guarded. Holly could sense the insecurities beneath her polished exterior and started feeling kinship with her.

“So, Holly,” Harper said, her voice warm but cautious. “What kind of work are you interested in?”

“I’m not entirely sure,” Holly admitted. “But I want to explore different areas and see what fits.”

Harper nodded. “That’s a good approach. Don’t be afraid to try new things and take risks.”

As the evening progressed, the conversation with her mother’s friends and acquaintances flowed more easily. Holly felt a sense of camaraderie with these accomplished women and began to relax in their company.

She felt a sudden tap on her shoulder.

“I’m hungry…” whispered Deborah in her ear.

“Follow me. Nora gave me the tour earlier. I know the perfect secluded little cabin.”

The room was luxurious, with soft, pinkish lighting and a velvety bedspread. As soon as the door closed behind them, Deborah pulled Holly into a gentle embrace, her lips brushing against Holly’s ear. “You did great tonight,” she murmured.

“Thanks,” Holly whispered back, her hands trailing up Deborah’s back.

Deborah wrapped her arms around Holly’s waist, pulling her hips closer. She placed small kisses on her lips before making her way slowly down her neck. Holly found herself almost unable to control her breathing.

“Take everything off. Now,” commanded Deborah with an authority Holly wasn’t expecting.

“Yes, ma’am…”

As Holly took her clothes off as quickly as she could and fell to her back, wide open for Deborah to do whatever she wanted. Deborah wasted no time. She stuck out her tongue, tracing a line down from Holly’s perky breasts to her swollen clitoris. Holly moaned, her hands finding their way to Deborah’s hair, gripping it tightly and pushing her face down into her wetness.

“Fuck me, please. I need you,” she moaned.

Deborah did precisely as she was told, her tongue playing with Holly’s clit as she slipped two fingers inside her, gently sucking as she thrust upwards, moving her hand in a firm, steady rhythm. Holly watched as Deborah lapped up her juices as if they had been denied her for years. Deborah’s other hand moved up Holly’s body, taking a nipple in between her fingers. She moaned into her, blowing air onto her whenever she took a breath to dive in for more. Holly could feel herself tightening around Deborah’s fingers already, pulling them deeper inside her with every contraction.

“Oh, God! Yes, don’t stop. That’s the spot! Right there!” Holly moaned. She could feel her wetness pouring out of her as Deborah sucked harder. She had seen Deborah get into it before, but never like this. This was a new level of pleasure. She felt so wet and tight and… couldn’t stop begging for more. Her pussy, inside and out, was burning with desire as Deborah continued to tend to her. It was perfect. Holly pushed Deborah’s face down harder and lifted her hips, her desperate need for release growing as a loud moan escaped her.

“Fuck! Yes!” she screamed, arching her back, her hands grabbing at the bedspread for a place to hold on. She came in Deborah’s mouth, hard, and then again. Three, to be exact. Deborah made her way up Holly’s body, her fingers still inside her, moving, still thrusting, her entire hand soaked in Holly’s juices. She continued to fuck her as their lips found each other, Holly’s tongue hastily looking for hers. Deborah continued to fuck her as Holly whispered,

“It’s your turn now.”

Holly pulled Deborah’s hips down into her thigh. Deborah moved her hips in rhythm to her fingers moving inside Holly, her clit rubbing against Holly’s legs.

“Come for me, Deborah. Come for me!” Holly whimpered. And it didn’t take any more than that. Deborah came hard onto Holly’s leg as Holly herself came again on Deborah’s hand. The attraction, chemistry and desire was so intense that neither of them had every experienced such fast-paced orgasms like it ever before.

They both collapsed back on the bed. Deborah slowly pulled out her fingers, Holly moaning as the waves of pleasure slowly subsided.

“Is this a better end to your day?” Deborah asked.

“Um… just a bit!” she replied with a smile.

In that moment, Holly wanted to tell Deborah that her feelings had deepened beyond physical attraction. She was falling in love with this remarkable woman, which terrified her.