Page 67 of Semantics

“You can get started. I need to keep coding right now. Then, we’re going out. We’re hitting the club. Set the date for the meeting, Vi. We’re celebrating something even better tonight now.”

“I have a new dress that I can wear,” Enya said, sounding excited.

“Vi, invite Stella,” Sarai suggested.

“What? Why? We’re celebrating the business.”

“And you were probably going to text her anyway, so just ask if you could go over there after we all hang out.”

“Sarai’s right. You can continue the celebration at Stella’s place after, if you want,” Arlowe said, patting Violet on the shoulder.

But Violet hadn’t texted Stella. Well, at least not right away. She had work to do first. After reviewing the investor deck that she hadn’t updated in a while, she made notes of the changes that she wanted to make and the data she’d need from Arlowe, Sarai, and Enya. Then, Arlowe started dancing around the garage and told them that it was time for them to head out to the club she preferred over the bar they usually went to when they had something to celebrate.

An hour later, they were on their way in a shared-ride car so that all of them could drink to their good news. Thirty minutes later, they had those drinks and some appetizers that cost more than double what they would’ve paid for at the bar for more food there and the same quality, but Violet was trying not to complain about how much money they were spending. She knew they so rarely went out like this and needed to blow off some steam, and blowing off steam had her thinking about Stella. Two drinks in, Violet was a little more up for the idea of inviting the woman to join them.

Violet Russell: We’re at Blue. I’ve had two martinis. Want to join me?

She didn’t have to wait long for a response.

Stella Ross: Blue, as in the club?

Violet Russell: Stupid name, I know. And yes.

Stella Ross: That’s ten minutes away from me. Give me fifteen. I’ll be there.

Violet smiled and looked back up at her friends.

“She’s coming, isn’t she?” Enya asked.

“She will be,” Violet joked.

“Who even are you right now?” Sarai laughed. “I have never seen you or heard you talk like this before. Sex jokes? That’s more Arlowe’s speed.”

“She’s right,” Arlowe said.

“I don’t know. She brings it out in me, I guess. Let’s go dance.”

Violet wasn’t sure how long she had been dancing with her friends, but Sarai had run to the bathroom, and Enya had needed a break, so she’d gone back to the table. Arlowe was now dancing with some woman at the other end of the floor. Violet, who usually wasn’t a dancer and definitely not someone who danced by herself, was about to head back to their table with Enya when she felt two hands on her hips and then arms around her waist.

“Hey, I don’t–”

“It’s me,” Stella said. “Do you have any idea how sexy you’re right now?” Her hands roamed over Violet’s stomach. “I didn’t know you liked to dance, Vi.”

Violet leaned back against her, placed her own hands on top of Stella’s, and replied, “I don’t usually. I’m celebrating tonight.”

“Yeah? What are you celebrating?” Stella licked below Violet’s earlobe. “And can we celebrate it more at my place after we dance?”

“A VC reached out to me today about maybe investing in the company.” Violet turned around in her arms. “And yes, we can.”

She kissed Stella hard, wrapping her arms around her neck and pressing her body fully against Stella’s, and waited. Stella kissed her back with just as much passion and moved her hands to Violet’s back. One of them went to Violet’s skirt, lifted it, and moved under, rubbing Violet’s outer thigh. Violet’s lips moved to Stella’s neck then, and she slid them up to her earlobe.

“Want to get out of here? I’m not one for public sex, and I think your hand is on the move somewhere I desperately want it to be when we’re alone,” Violet said.

“What about your friends?”

“They know I texted you,” she said and nipped at Stella’s earlobe. “But if you really want to stay and have a drink with all of us, we can. I–”

“Your friends are great, but no. I want to go.”