“Thanks, but I called for some advice, Megan. What the hell am I going to do?”
“Talk to her,” Megan said, sounding as though it was the most obvious answer in the world. “What’s the worst that could happen? You might find out she’s still a shallow little harlot and then you can brush her aside and move on.”
“That’s why I love you, Megan, you’re always the voice of reason.”
“Of course I am. It’s about time you finally figured that out.”
She placed her phone on her desk after disconnecting the call and just stared at it. How was it possible for Vic to still have the power to tie her stomach in knots? She’d been so sure that was a purely adolescent phenomenon.
Yeah, she’d been so wrong about that.
Chapter Eight
Vic waited until the credits were done rolling before getting to her feet. Not because she wanted to see what company had catered the film, but because she was nervous as hell about seeing Riley again. God, how was it possible Riley was even more attractive than she remembered? Even in her nondescript work uniform. Maroon looked good on her. With a sigh, she walked slowly out of the theater and into the lobby. She was about to walk out the doors when she heard her name.
“Victoria,” Riley said from a few feet away.
She turned and their eyes met, and her heart rate immediately increased. Her mouth was dry and she couldn’t do anything but stare. Riley motioned for her to follow but then stopped and talked for a moment to an older woman Vic didn’t recognize. Once the woman nodded at her, Riley motioned her along again. She followed her into an office situated behind the snack bar and took the seat Riley indicated.
“There’s no reason you should have to wait outside.” Riley sat and began entering numbers into a computer program. Vic figured it was probably inventory counts. She wasn’t sure how long she sat there staring at Riley, but when Riley looked at her she felt her cheeks flush. “Victoria?”
“I prefer to be called Vic,” she somehow managed to say. She’d always hated her name, mostly because her mother said it was a good feminine name. Vic had never felt feminine a day in her life, not even when she’d dressed the part in her youth. She was finally comfortable enough in her own skin to be herself around Vera, and Vic was the name she preferred.
“Okay,” Riley said, sounding somewhat amused. She didn’t immediately turn away, but instead was looking at her. All of her. Like, head to toe. Vic couldn’t stop the goose bumps that broke out along her arms because it felt as though Riley was physically touching her.
“Is something wrong?” Vic asked, glancing down at herself. “I didn’t spill my dinner on myself, did I?”
Riley smiled and shook her head as her cheeks flushed, and Vic was pleased to have gotten the desired reaction out of her at the comment.
“I’m just a little surprised to see you dressed like this.” Riley shrugged but held her gaze.
“Like what?” Vic tilted her head to one side, amused now herself. She knew what Riley was getting at but decided to let it play out.
“Well, you’re a Thayer. I thought you’d have a certain standard to uphold.”
“God, is that what you think of us?” Vic grimaced and shook her head. “I’ll admit, my mother is like that. Arrogant, overbearing, condescending, self-important. I could go on. And on. Vanessa used to be like that, but not so much anymore. And my father? He’s pretty awesome, actually.” She met Riley’s eyes and held them, wanting to make sure she saw the truth of what she was saying. “I am nothing like my mother.”
“You used to be. Back in high school.”
Vic nodded, because she knew it was true. She felt her face heat with embarrassment. She put that part of herself to rest a long time ago, but Riley wouldn’t—couldn’t—possibly know that about her. She needed to show her, and not simply tell her. And that was exactly what she intended to do.
“I know I was, and all I can say is I’m sorry,” Vic said, feeling her eyes filling with tears. She blinked in an attempt to keep them from falling. “I’m sorry for everything. I completely understand why you would want nothing to do with me, but I’m hoping I can change your mind.”
“Why?” Riley asked, looking totally perplexed. “Why would you care what I think of you or your family?”
Vic wasn’t sure how to answer that. Back in high school, they’d all been convinced Riley Warren was a lesbian. Now? She was second-guessing herself. She could very well make a fool out of herself if she were to come right out and confess she’d had a crush on her. That she thought even now Riley was the most beautiful woman she’d ever laid eyes on.
“Because I’m not like them,” Vic said after a moment. “And because of that, I care what people think of me, to a point.”
Riley nodded and turned back to her work. Vic watched for a moment, waiting to see if she’d talk more, but it appeared as though she had no intention of doing anything other than working. Vic’s curiosity got the better of her.
“Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” Riley didn’t even look at her.
“What’s wrong with the way I’m dressed?”
Riley’s breath caught in her throat, but she didn’t look at Vic. She couldn’t. She didn’t want her to see the way her cheeks flushed. She cleared her throat and tried to gather her thoughts. After a few moments of silence, she finally turned in her chair and faced her, unable to keep her eyes from roaming over Victoria’s body.
“No offense,” she said and then cleared her throat again because her voice cracked. “But dressed like you are, people might assume you’re a lesbian.”
“Really?” Vic laughed, and the rich tenor of it caused Riley’s skin to tingle. “Is that what you think, Riley?”
“Victoria,” she said, shaking her head and not having a clue how to respond.
“God, I hate that name. Please, call me Vic.” She smiled at Riley. “And I’ll respond to you the same way I do my mother. I dress for comfort, and since I am a lesbian, why would I care if people think that?”
Riley was taking a drink of water when she heard those words, and she ended up spewing it all over her computer screen and keyboard. She quickly mopped up what she could and looked at Vic, who was laughing again. Riley couldn’t help it. She began to laugh too.
“Did you know you were back in high school?” Riley asked once the laughter subsided.
“God, no,” Vic said. “I mean, I knew I was different, and of course I knew lesbians existed, but I never knew it could be an option for me, mostly because of my mother. From a young age, it was drummed into our heads that someday we’d find nice men and get married and have lots of children. Obviously, that didn’t work out quite as she planned since we’re thirty-eight, and this is going to be Vanessa’s first marriage.”
“So, when did you know?”
“College. Stereotypical, I know, but I was finally away from home and living on my own for the first time, and it was like a whole new world opened up for me.” Vic’s eyes never strayed from hers, and it was beginning to make Riley a little uncomfortable. “When did you know?”