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It had become more and more apparent over the years just how much time moves on. She got recognized maybe once a year, and that was from a true fan who had nothing but good things to say about her and asked if they could get a photo with her if it wasn’t too much bother. The haters never recognized her.
It was really just an excuse now, at this point in her life. She was forty-three and lonely, and she could change that if she wanted to.
She turned off the light and headed back into the living area, sitting down on the loveseat, a beer on the coffee table waiting for her. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Sienna took a drink. “I know we don’t know each other that well, but thank you for being so honest with me. I did want to tell you that first night. That I was gay. But you’ve been really open about everything, about what happened. I just wanted to say that I’m glad you feel like you can trust me. Because you can.”
Natalie nodded. “I’m not sure why, but I did feel like I could trust you. Right from that first night.” Her lips tugged into a smile as she brought the bottle to her lips and took a sip. “But I did wonder. About your reaction. Not about you. I have no gaydar whatsoever. But I did find it strange that you had such a strong reaction to reading those headlines.”
“I was in complete shock. I had no idea you were gay, although I do normally trust my gaydar, but yeah, I was just so thrown.”
For a second, Natalie wished she was a few years younger. Aging had never really bothered her. She’d embraced all the little changes. But right now, she kind of wanted to be ten years younger, because maybe then, she could lean in. Maybe then she could kiss Sienna.
But the reality was that Sienna hadn’t known about Natalie’s downfall, because she’d been eight at the time, and that was like throwing a bucket of cold water on top of her head. It was so hard to fathom that Natalie had been twenty-five and seen the world when all that had happened while at the same time, Sienna had just received her first guitar.
“Where did you just go?” Sienna asked softly as she put her beer on the coffee table. “You looked so sad.”
Natalie forced herself to smile as she shook her head. “I just hope things work out for you. That’s all. You deserve someone like Caleb. Well, you know, a female version. Someone who will fight for you. Who really cares about you.”
“As do you,” Sienna said, her eyes focused on Natalie, her expression sincere.
“Thanks.” Natalie inhaled a sharp breath. “I think I might finally be ready to put myself out there again. I’ve spent too long letting my past dictate my future.”
“What if there was already someone interested in you?”
Natalie fiddled with the label on the beer, almost afraid to ask if one of Sienna’s friends had a crush on her.
Did Sienna really think that she would go there? Unless it was someone else. The bakery owner, Kelly, was always happy to see her, and to spend time chatting when there wasn’t a line. But that was normal for a business owner.
Natalie took a drink and leaned forward to put it on the table, knowing that she would have to ask who this person was, but as she sat up straight, without warning, Sienna was in her space, her eyes fluttering shut as her hand came to Natalie’s cheek, and she guided their lips together.
Natalie gasped into the kiss, completely taken by surprise, and while she knew she should be putting some space between them and telling Sienna that this was a bad idea, she couldn’t do it.
She opened her mouth to Sienna instead, reveling in the feeling of Sienna’s thumb lightly brushing over her cheek, her lips parting softly against Natalie’s in a slow, sensual kiss.
Natalie sighed, her heart jumping against her ribs, her fingers gliding through Sienna’s silky hair as she deepened the kiss, a ragged moan leaving her throat when Sienna’s tongue skimmed across her own.
This was such a bad idea.
And yet, Natalie couldn’t bring herself to pull away.
Sienna matched Natalie’s intensity, kissing her back harder now, knowing that she wasn’t crossing a line, and that, for the moment anyway, Natalie was a very willing participant.
And that was because Natalie was too stunned to process what she was doing.
She’d never imagined that Sienna was attracted to her. She’d assumed it was all about the music, that Sienna was a fan of her songwriting abilities, and that maybe they were on their way to becoming good friends.
But the way that Sienna was kissing her right now told a very different story.
Sienna’s fingers were splayed against Natalie’s cheek, a tiny groan escaping Sienna’s throat when Natalie’s tongue darted into her mouth, dancing with Sienna’s, teasing, and it was when Natalie’s fingers played with the hem of Sienna’s shirt, almost making the move to lift it over her head, that finally snapped her out it.
Natalie pulled away, her eyes fluttering open, her heart racing. She swallowed. “We have to stop.”
Sienna quirked an eyebrow, the faintest smile on her gorgeous lips. “Why?”
Natalie sighed, hating the way Sienna would have to challenge her like this, like she knew exactly how much Natalie wanted this even though it was never going to work.
“Why?” Natalie echoed. “Because I’m sixteen years older than you. And because we both know that this can’t happen. Not now. Not when you’re chasing your dream. I can’t ruin your chances. You deserve a shot at this, Sienna. I can’t take that from you.”
