“I’m Lily, and you must be Nell?”
“That I am. You came up to the decks, right?”
“She’s also the former captain of England,” Vicky spoke to Nell like she was missing some valuable information she should have known, trying to get Nell to catch on.
Nell turned to Vicky. “I know. But I want to meet Lily in a normal way. She deserves that. Christ knows how much it stresses Rona out when people come up to her acting as if they already know her.”
I found Lily’s eyes. She gave me a small smile.
“I’m glad you all enjoyed the set. Thanks for the vivid endorsement, Vicky.”
“The clits don’t lie.”
I laughed.
“Enough of all this talking you guys.” Bouchra danced walked into the middle of us, quite serious about it. “Dance!”
And that we did.
We danced at the beautiful venue by the sea amid fairy lights and some seriously hot sapphic women. I was thankful for the light breeze. The sea and the pitch-black sky blended into one another, with boats harbouring on the water and stars peppering the expanse.
Nell and Kaira disappeared for more drinks. Bouchra and Lily let loose when a new tune dropped. Vicky and Mathilde were more grinding than dancing at one point.
It was hard not to notice how effortlessly Lily moved. She had the sort of command over her body that befit an athlete. Her toned arms were highly distracting. She suited soft dancing, even though she clearly excelled at hard physical work. Her being here with us was giving me such a rush.
At one point, a woman came up to Lily and politely asked for a selfie with her. Lily graciously accepted and smiled for the camera. Thankfully, the woman left Lily to be with her friends. I was glad that I didn’t get recognised in places like this. What a nightmare.
We found a table as a group when the last act finished their set. Everyone looked pretty tired, but happy. There were mentions of us not being in our twenties anymore and how past it we now were. I sat next to Lily, conscious of my arm brushing against her elbow.
Lily turned her head towards me, her eyes hazy and curious. “Do you DJ a lot then?”
“Some,” I replied, feeling butterflies. “I usually play nights like this. Small venues. Queer nights. Safe places, basically.”
“How does it feel to be up on stage and then to come back out on the dancefloor with everyone?”
“It’s great. It’s one big party at the end of the day, right? Whether that’s behind or in front of the decks.”
Lily nodded, thoughtfully. “You have the talent to be up there but you’re just as happy being a punter.”
“That’s right,” I smiled. “I play the music but I’m just like everyone else. I just want to have fun.”
Lily smiled. “You look like you really enjoy it.”
“I do. It’s the best feeling being behind the decks and playing for a lovely crowd like this one.”
“She should do it as a solo career,” Nell interjected from across the table, hands cupped around her mouth.
“Oh wow! That would be so cool!” Lily turned more of her body towards me.
“That’s not my thing. I’m a music producer.” I shook my head and kept my attention on Lily, feeling Nell’s eyes burn into me. “So how about this venue. Pretty special, right?”
Lily’s eyes were bright and full of wonder, even though I was sure she’d be used to gorgeous holidays being a jet-set famous footballer. “It’s super special. This whole island looks so beautiful. I can’t wait to explore the beach and the hills.”
“Me too.”
We held eye contact for a few moments longer than was probably needed. I stole mine away while trying to keep my cool, as my body tingled from being this close to her.
“It’s like the first line in Pride and Prejudice,” Mathilde said from across the table, my ears tuning in at the mere mention of one of Jane Austen’s books. “A single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.”
