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“I never said she wasn’t,” Vanessa said, trying to keep the frustration out of her voice. This was Anna and Bob’s weekend, and as difficult a time as Vanessa was having right now, she wasn’t going to let her own problems affect Anna’s.
“Well, the food is delicious.”
Vanessa knew who had said it before her eyes landed on her.
“The sauce is to die for,” Heather continued as stood beside Megan with a plate of pasta and a few garlic knots.
Vanessa was grateful for the change of subject even if it meant looking directly at Heather. She couldn’t deny how amazing she’d looked that night at the wine bar, in her smart business attire, and yesterday, seeing her in a blue dress just about floored Vanessa, but there was something about seeing Heather wearing jeans and a cozy looking brown and navy flannel top that somehow was the most attractive of all, her hair tumbling over her shoulders, her blue eyes vibrant.
“Then let’s eat,” Vanessa said.
17
It was nearly ten o’clock, and most of Megan’s family had left. Heather spent the evening turning down glasses of wine from both Megan and her mother. Mainly she didn’t want to be hungover tomorrow, but if she was being completely honest, it was because she didn’t trust herself around Vanessa. The way Vanessa’s eyes had met hers across the room all evening, the heat that flashed in them before she quickly looked away—Heather couldn’t deny the connection they had, even if Vanessa’s gaze held some mix of anger and resentment.
Heather had struggled all night to act normal around Vanessa when she was sober. There was no way that she could have if she was drunk.
Now, it was just Megan, her parents, Vanessa, and Heather left, sitting in the living room, the fire crackling. It would have been a really enjoyable evening if Heather hadn’t been so in her head. Megan’s parents were so kind, and Heather had loved hearing some funny stories from Megan’s childhood. It was the kind of family Heather wished she had, and apparently, feeling guilty was going to be a theme for her this weekend.
Heather’s eyes followed Vanessa as she disappeared into the kitchen, the memory of running her hand through her glossy, black hair sending a jolt of longing through her. Heather’s skipped a beat as she seriously debated following her. She glanced at Megan, who was engrossed in a conversation with her parents, before rising from her seat and making her way towards the kitchen.
Vanessa stood at the counter, her back to Heather, a glass of wine in hand. The sight of her made Heather’s breath catch in her throat, and she paused at the doorway, unsure of how to proceed as the door fell shut behind her. Vanessa finished her wine and left the glass in the sink before turning around.
“You seem tense,” Vanessa said, her voice so low it was almost a whisper, but it carried a hint of something that made Heather’s skin tingle.
“I’m fine,” Heather replied, trying to sound more confident than she felt. She took a step forward, her eyes fixed on Vanessa’s profile. “Just a bit overwhelmed, I guess.”
“Meeting the family is always a bit of a challenge,” Vanessa said, a sad smile barely curving her lips, “No matter who welcoming they are.”
Heather found the courage to fully enter the room, still not entirely sure what she was going to say, but she had to tell Vanessa the truth. “Everyone has been so kind, but I have to?—“
The door opened, and Heather jumped, her heart hammering in her chest now. She was already so on edge, knowing that when she finally told Vanessa the truth, it didn’t necessarily mean that they were going to be on good terms. Vanessa could hate her even more than she probably already did, but that chance to tell her had just slipped through Heather’s fingers once again.
If Anna noticed any tension in the room, she didn’t show it. She went straight for the bottle of wine on the counter. “This is the last one,” she said, holding up her hand as she topped up her glass, as if she was expecting Vanessa to say something. “Besides, the ceremony isn’t until the afternoon. Do either of you want a refill?” she asked, looking from Vanessa to Heather.
“No,” Heather said. “I’m good. Thanks.”
“No. I’m going to go,” Vanessa said.
“What? I thought you were going to stay here tonight. You can’t drive.”
“I’ll call someone.” Vanessa waved her off. “It’ll be fine.”
“I can drop you home,” Heather said without thinking, and she could feel her cheeks flushing as both women looked at her. “I haven’t been drinking,” she added, just in case they hadn’t noticed.
“Oh, that’s perfect then,” Anna said before Vanessa had a chance to say something. She went over to Vanessa and gave her a hug. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Heather sucked in a breath as she slipped out of the kitchen and grabbed her coat off the hook inside the door, sliding her arms into it before scooping the keys of their rental car out of the dish and clutching them, her hands clammy.
And then Vanessa breezed out of the kitchen, once again leaving Heather in complete awe of how beautiful this woman was, her hair tossed over one shoulder.
Why? Why did this all have to happen this way?
Heather opened the front door, giving Vanessa some space to gather her things, and the frigid night air surrounded her as she unlocked the car and got in, rubbing her hands together as she waited for Vanessa to slide into the passenger seat and the car to heat up.
She put on her seatbelt and leaned back against the headrest, taking a slow, deep breath as she closed her eyes. She would get her chance to talk to Vanessa now, and the thought of it had her wiping her hands down her jean clad thighs.
Heather was desperate to tell her, but she couldn’t just blurt it out either, and she had no idea how Vanessa would react. Depending on how Heather delivered this, Vanessa might not ever want to see her again after this weekend, and the thought of that prospect made Heather physically sick.
