Chapter 6

6

ADAZE

O f course Diana remembered when Adaze's date was, so Thursday morning, she came in with her coffee and a giant grin.

Adaze frowned at her. "What is it? What is that face?"

"What face? I don't know what you're talking about."

She went back to her work only to be interrupted after less than a minute.

"Only, tomorrow's your date, right?"

"I said not to make it a thing."

"Not making it a thing. Who's making it a thing?"

"Then why are you bringing it up?"

"Did you figure out what you are planning on wearing yet?"

"I don't know, I was thinking clothes," she sighed.

"Not a bad start, but I was asking about the specifics. Do you need to go shopping or send me out to pick anything up?"

"Absolutely not. We are not making this any more of a thing than it already is."

"Not trying to make it a thing. I just want to be supportive. I know how hard it's been for you to put yourself out there."

"Alright, if you can't drop this I will send you home for the day," she warned, doing her best to sound like she would carry through on the threat.

Diana laughed. "We both know you wouldn't do that, but I can see this is a sensitive issue at the moment. I'll drop it, but let me know if there's anything I can do to help."

"I don't need any help, but," she softened. "Thank you. I'll let you know if I think of anything."

"Can I just ask one question?"

"Fine," Adaze sighed. "One question."

"What's her name?"

She smiled. "Leilani. She's a firefighter."

Diana's eyebrow raised.

But, to her relief, Diana really did let it drop after that. For a few hours she was able to pretend tomorrow wasn't coming.

But then Diana left for the day and all she was left to do was pace her penthouse and overthink everything.

She couldn't do this. The very thought of going on this date filled her with panic. It's not too late to call it off , she thought to herself.

She could call her up and cancel. Hell, she didn't even need to call. It was a cowardly move, but she could just text.

She chewed her lip thinking it over. The thought of going out tomorrow was turning her stomach. Diana would be weird about it, all pity and compassion, but maybe she could hide it from her. She could just tell her she went and it was fine, but she probably wouldn't see her again.

Right, that settled it. Picking up her phone, she paused when she saw a message from Leilani. Maybe Leilani needed to cancel. That would take the pressure off.

She blinked down at the message. There was a picture of Leilani curled up on a sofa with a small black cat curled up asleep on her chest. The pair were wrapped in a cozy crochet blanket. Her thick dark hair was in a long thick braid. Her beautiful smile was shining out of the photo. Adaze was surprised to find she wished she was there with them. Then she read the message.

Jaspurr is disappointed I'm going to be home late tomorrow, but I can't wait to see you for our date. I just figured I should let you know I didn't plan anything too complicated, just dinner at a casual sit-down restaurant. I figured I'd keep it simple and low pressure.

Adaze couldn't help but smile. Maybe she could do this after all. She forced her fingers to type a reply before she backed out.

I look forward to it. See you then.

Taking a deep breath, she headed into her closet to figure out what she should wear. It only took her a few hours to decide.

And so, the next night, she found herself dressed in a pair of dark charcoal gray tapered pants and matching vest. She left the top two buttons on her mauve silk shirt undone. She didn't want to look like she was trying too hard. She tried not to wince at the loud click of her heels as she paced her kitchen. Every time she passed the bathroom, she poked her head inside to check her hair.

A series of knocks on the door cut off her overthinking.

Taking a deep breath, she put on a confident face and headed over to the door. She took a last breath before she turned the knob and pulled it open.

When she saw Leilani, her breath caught in her throat. She was stunning in a pair of wide-legged trousers in pale taupe fabric. Her dark green shirt had a daring neckline, showing off her surprisingly round breasts. Adaze could see the outline of her nipples again and she liked it. Her skin was glowing like shimmering bronze and her hair was loose for the first time. Adaze couldn't believe how long it was.

"Hey," Leilani greeted her with a smile. "You look beautiful. Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, of course."

"Great!" She offered her her hand.

Adaze hesitated for a moment before lacing their fingers together.

Leilani lit up at the contact, leading her outside to her car.

As they drove, Adaze's heart pounded inside her chest so loudly, she worried Leilani could hear it.

But to her relief, Leilani simply talked about anything and everything.

"I'm really glad you agreed to go out with me tonight," she said.

"Yeah, well, I'm glad you asked."

"Yeah, me too. How've you been?"

"Fine, it's only been a few days since we last spoke. Just been working. What about you?"

"Same, working then coming home and spending time with Jaspurr."

"Is he the cat you sent me pictures of?"

"Yeah, I was pretty lonely when I first moved here, so I headed down to a rescue and picked up a cat. Some people might say he looks a little scraggly, but that doesn't matter to me. He can be a real sweetie pie when he wants to be."

"I don't think he looks scraggly. He's very handsome."

That must have been the right thing to say because she lit up. "Isn't he?! I'm glad you think so. I can't wait to introduce you two soo—" she cut herself off, clearing her throat. "Sorry, that is very lesbian of me. It's probably a bit soon to talk about you meeting my cat."

"Is it?" Adaze frowned. "I wouldn't mind meeting him."

Her smile returned and was dazzling. "That's great to hear!"

Adaze couldn't decide what was more disarming—Leilani's smile and sunshine personality or her beautifully muscled arms and very present breasts. Adaze found her gaze drifting from Leilani's lovely open face to her very sexual body and then back. Everything about Leilani drew her in in a way she certainly hadn't been expecting.

They pulled to a stop in front of a trendy Indian restaurant. It had a small shop front in a strip of similar trendy shops and restaurants. They were made of a pale red-pink brick with big glass windows giving a glimpse to the hidden interiors.

"Here we are," Leilani said.

The pair climbed out of the car and walked across the cobblestone sidewalk. Inside, the floors were a dark gray stone. There were tile designs inlaid on the walls in deep reds and blues. Lattice style screens sectioned parts of the restaurant off to give patrons more privacy at the dark wood tables and booths. Colorful lanterns hung from the ceiling casting everything in a warm glow.

A server came over to great them almost instantly. "Welcome ladies. Just the two of you tonight."

"That's right," Leilani grinned.

"Would you prefer a booth or table?"

She looked to Adaze. "Which do you like better?"

"Huh, oh, either is fine. It doesn't matter to me," she said, surprised by the question.

"Booth then?"

"Absolutely, right this way."

They were led over to a booth screened in on three sides. It was cozy, private, and far more intimate than Adaze had expected.

They were handed menus. "Someone will be over shortly to take your orders, but can I grab you anything to drink?"

"Could I get a mango lassi?" Leilani asked.

"And I'll have a masala tea."

"Your waiter will be right over with those."

"This place is nice," Adaze said, looking over the menu. "Have you been here before?"

"No, but I've wanted to. I just didn't have a good enough reason to check it out."

"And now you do?"

Leilani smiled. "I'd say you're a pretty good reason."

A moment later their drinks arrived.

"Do the two of you know what you want or do you need a few more minutes?"

"I think we're ready."

Adaze ordered the shrimp curry and Leilani got the butter chicken. Not long after, their food arrived. It was even better than Adaze had expected, melting in her mouth.

"So how long have you been in Phoenix Ridge?" Leilani asked her.

"I moved here right out of college. Got my first job as a financial advisor and built a home here. Seemed as good of a place as any. Since then, I travel a lot for business, but I always like to come home. I love the draw of the ocean. What about you?"

"Not long. Only a year or two."

"You said you moved here from Hawaii, right?"

She beamed. "You remembered!"

She shrugged. "Of course I remembered."

Leilani's smile only brightened. "I'm glad you did. It's nice here. I love the ocean. I wouldn't say I've made a home for myself yet, but I feel like I will soon, you know?"

Adaze couldn't help but wonder if she saw herself in that home. A small ember of fear crept in at the thought. She didn't even know if the other woman would want a second date, let alone if she could trust her enough to have a relationship and build a home together.

Pull yourself together, Adaze. You are just into her because of her very sexy muscled arms and her hero vibes.

"Yeah," she said after what she hoped wasn't too long of a pause. "I hope you do."

Leilani let out an unholy sound as she took a bite of her chicken. "This is delicious! You have to try this!" She stabbed another piece, holding it out to Adaze.

She hesitated for a moment before she leaned forward, eating the bite from her fork while holding eye contact.

Leilani licked her lips. "So what do you think?"

"You're right. It's really good."

From there the conversation seemed to flow far easier than Adaze would have expected. In an attempt to prolong the end of the night, they ordered gulab jamun for dessert, but it could only buy them so much time.

When the check came and they made their way back to Leilani's car, she realized she still didn't want the night to end.

And Adaze knew she could do something about that. Or at least, she could try. Make an offer, throw the ball into Leilani's court.

But what if she said no?

Adaze wasn't sure how well she'd be able to take a rejection.

Still, as they drove, she found herself coming up with a plan. It wasn't something she was expecting to think about asking, but she was surprised by just how much she wanted to.

So for the remainder of their drive, she rehearsed the question over and over again in her head. It wasn't hard. It was only six little words, but she found herself realizing just how many different ways she could say them.

She still hadn't settled on exactly how she wanted to ask when she ran out of time. Leilani pulled to a stop outside her house.

"Here you are," she said with a smile. "Home sweet home."

It was now or never. Adaze took a deep breath and forced herself to ask.