Chapter Text
The temperature was in the mid seventies when Kristi arrived to take their table at the Japanese restaurant on La Brae Ave. She was wearing a large flowery print summer dress despite it being mid-December, flouting the trends which had gone very beige and brown this fall.
She sat at their table for two, took her sunglasses off and shook out her long blonde hair. She breathed deeply, feeling like she was taking her first breath of the day.
Kristi ordered a sashimi combo for herself and a nigiri combo for Maddison, with two sparkling waters. She sipped her water, waiting for Maddison to arrive, trying to look calm and collected despite the hectic morning she’d had. The holidays were a wild time in the cabaret industry and Kristi was desperate to get to the beginning of her Christmas break. She needed a rest, and some much needed time off.
Maddison appeared at the door to the restaurant looking the epitome of the big shot lawyer. She was wearing a black pantsuit despite the unseasonal warmth, long black palazzo trousers and a jacket, buttoned up with no blouse beneath. Even after 15 years Kristi caught her breath when Maddison came into the room. She was effortlessly cool and Kristi was punching way above her weight class, according to Kristi’s opinion. Maddison’s blonde hair, while not as long as Kristi’s, maintained its perfection at all times. Kristi’s own would tend towards the wild if she didn’t keep checking it.
Maddison pulled off her shades and spotted Kristi, a huge smile breaking across her face, like a sunrise. Kristi sat up straighter and grinned back. Maddison strode across the space between them in just a couple of steps. She was a couple of inches shorter than Kristi, but carried herself in such a way that Kristi thought of Maddison as taller, until they stood facing each other and their eye line was subtly offset.
Maddison pulled out her chair and sat down, putting her glasses next to Kristi’s. Kristi liked to think that they were also hanging out together over lunch.
Maddison’s hand immediately went to Kristi’s and she squeezed her fingers softly before running her fingertips along Kristi’s hand, brushing over her wedding ring proprietorially. Maddison was always touching her in a million affectionate ways, a hand on her arm, or her fingers drawing shapes on her knee or the back of her hand. Kristi felt like Maddison was claiming her for her own, and Kristi loved it. It made her feel wanted, made her feel special.
“Hey, sweetie,“ Maddison said. Their eyes met, staring into each other’s for a few seconds. Maddison’s were steely blue and Kristi’s more azure. Maddison’s eye flickered slightly, the smallest of twitches.
Kristi’s smile faltered momentarily. “What is it?”
Maddison looked guilty for a second and then her warm smile turned back up to full. “What?” She said, but her voice betrayed her.
Kristi looked at her with mock accusation.
“Okay,” Maddison dropped her head towards the table, her pale hair falling across her face. Kristi reached across to feel the silky soft strands tickle her fingers as it flowed by. “I need to stay late.”
Kristi looked at her, confused. “What about our flight?”
“I know, I know,” Maddison said in a pained voice, “but there are still some last minute amendments to the Prodigy contract that have been sent through. I need to stay to get it signed off.”
“It’s not another Matrix film is it?’ Kristi tugged gently on her hair. They always used codenames for their contract negotiations and Kristi liked to try and guess what the codename alluded to.
“Not even close,” Maddison looked up and smiled ruefully. “Nice try though, the one/prodigy, I get your thinking.” She made the ‘slash’ through the air with her hand, which made Kristin smile.
Kristi nodded, still smiling at Maddison’s compliment. Then she felt the disappointment slip over her face. “Don’t tell me you can’t even stay for lunch?”
Maddison shook her head. “I’ve done my bit and they’re putting it together at the office to send it through, but I need to stay until we get those signatures.”
“What does that mean for our flight?” Kristi repeated.
“I’ll have to catch one tomorrow morning.,” Maddison half smiled apologetically, “I’ll catch an early one and I should hopefully be at my Mom and Pop’s before you wake up.”
“Pity,” Kristi said, reaching across to rub Maddison’s arm soothingly, “I thought we could’ve got a room in the city and had a last hurrah before the parentally enforced abstinence.”
Maddison smiled mischievously. “We could always try for a little something while the folks are asleep.”
Kristi snorted. “What, with the noise you make?”
Kristi let go of Maddison’s arm and they leaned back as the server came with their food. Maddison had gone bright red, likely at the thought the waiter might have heard. Kristi flashed her a cheeky grin and Maddison looked away, stifling a giggle.
Once the server had left, Maddison lifted a tuna roll and dipped it in soy sauce. Kristi looked across at her, my wife. A flood of love and desire ran through her. “If you’ve got time, maybe we could get a room at the Sunset West for some afternoon delight.” She waggled her eyebrows. “A little dessert, madam?”
Maddison snorted in a very unladylike way and her sushi fell out of her chopsticks. She sighed, then shook her head sadly. “Sorry, honey, no time.”
Kristi tucked into her sashimi with glee, talking through a mouthful of fish and rice. “A little fumble in the restroom?” She joked.
Maddison flashed her an unimpressed look. “Do you have to?”
“What?” Kristi asked, her mouth still full, but the glint in her eye said she knew exactly what.
“You’re incorrigible!”
“I don’t need any encouragement.”
Maddison let out a low groan. “Your puns will be the death of me.”
“Punned down in the crossfire,” Kristi grinned.
Maddison looked at her reproachfully as she retrieved her sushi from the plate.
Kristi held up her hands in surrender. No chance, she thought sadly.
“I still have to take this afternoon’s flight. I said I would check in with the girls at the venue before heading to your old homestead. The scene of your many crimes.” Kristi smirked.
“Oh god,” Maddison sighed, “the buried trauma.”
“None of that,” Kristi warned, wagging a finger, “you can’t take the Lord’s name in vain in front of your Mom and Pop.”
“Fuck,” Maddison spat, “I forgot.”
“Better get it all out now. Fuck, piss, Christ, damn, poo, fart.,” Kristi ticked them off on her fingers.
“I think poo is okay -” Maddison started, just as a man in a satin shirt, open at the chest, leaned in with a capped-toothed grin. He had mirrored aviators.
“Hello ladies.” He leaned against their table.
Kristi inwardly groaned, knowing what was coming immediately.
“Would you like to join me and my friend at our table?” He pointed across to another man who had a tight black perm and a full-roasted tan.
Oh fuck, it’s Miami Vice, Kristi thought.
“No thank you.” Maddison replied with a sharp politeness, learned after too many such encounters. “We don’t have much time and I have to get back to work.”
“And what about…” he looked between Kristi and Maddison, “is it your sister?”
The ‘it’ irritated Kristi.
“No,” Maddison said with icy breath, “she’s my wife.”
His smile curled in a way that made Kristi’s skin crawl. She imagined that behind his glasses his eyes had turned to saucers.
“Really?’ He breathed., “Congratulations.”
“We’ve been married for ten years,” Kristi told him, “so the congratulations are a bit late. But we are still registered at Macy’s if you’d like to get us a gift.” She smiled with saccharin sweetness.
There was a pause before he chuckled, obviously unused to a woman making a joke in his presence. “Are you sure I can’t tempt you to join us?”
“As I said,” Maddison repeated, “I have to go back to work.”
“I was asking your lovely wife,” his mirrored gaze never leaving Kristi. She looked at her own unimpressed face in his glasses.
“Sorry,” she said, “I have a flight to catch.”
“Oh, where too?” He sounded genuinely interested, but then added, “We could come too.”
“Mars,” Kristi answered. “I’m going home for Christmas.”
His smile shifted. He obviously did not like funny women. Shame, Kristi thought, I’m hilarious.
“So, I can’t tempt either of you?” He asked, still failing to get the message.
Maddison glanced at Kristi and her look said, don’t start. But it was too late, Kristi stared unblinkingly at him.
“You’re fresh out of luck, I’m afraid.” She made her voice cold.
He still didn’t move.
Kristi finally leaned in and dropped her voice to a lower register, bringing in all of the resonance in her chest that she had spent years learning to remove. “I think you should go.” Her voice was quiet, but deep. Manly. It was a voice she usually only used as a party trick, when she would have fun singing along to Dead by Dawn by Deicide or something equally tuneful.
She could have sworn his mirrored shades themselves blinked in confusion. Then he straightened up and pulled on his jacket. “Uh, yes. Well. I’ll leave you… to it.” He stuttered, obviously dropping the ‘ladies’. He scuttled back to his time-traveling friend, no doubt to head back to the eighties where they had clearly come from.
Maddison slipped out her credit card and held it up for the server to see. Lunch was obviously over. She paid and they got up, leaving their half finished food. As they headed outside Maddison took Kristi’s hand in hers.
“Why do you have to do that?” She asked Kristi.
“What?” Kristi pointed back towards the restaurant door. “Fuck with the straight, white guys who want a foursome in a ghastly hotel room with the two ‘sisters’.”
“Yes,” Maddison seemed serious, then broke into a grin, shaking her head. “I worry for you, you know that. I like it when you fly under the radar.”
“I’m trans,” Kristi said, defiantly, “I’m not ashamed.”
“I know, I’m not ashamed either!” Maddison squeezed her hand. “But every time I worry something might happen to you. I have nightmares when you’re away. I don’t ever want to lose you.”
Kristi turned towards her and took her other hand in hers, facing her. She looked into her eyes, full of love and concern. “I know.” She kissed her, a little peck on the lips. “I love you.” As she moved away Maddison leaned in and kissed her again, deeper and longer.
When they finally separated Kristi joked in a low, soft voice. “Are you sure you don’t want to get that room?”
Maddison laughed and Kristi joined in until she realized the two creepy guys were watching. Maddison followed her gaze and both stopped for a second. . Then they burst out laughing fully, Maddison bending over. Kristi felt like the air had left her lungs, and both were left breathless.
Once Maddison could speak again she put her hand on Kristi’s shoulder and moved them away from the restaurant, out of line of sight. Then she looked at Kristi seriously. “Have you given any thought to what I said?”
Kristi deflated, the good mood vanishing. “Ugh, do we have to talk about this?”
“You’ll be at my folks in a day or so,” Maddison said.
“I know, I know.” She knew she sounded like a petulant teenager.
“I’m scared they won’t accept you.,” Her eyes seemed to glint in the bright sunlight. To Kristi she looked more beautiful than ever. “I think, I mean, I need you to do this. I’m sorry, I know it’s a big ask but I need you to do this one thing for me.”
Kristi looked at her. She rarely looked anything other than the strong, powerful woman she was, but now she looked vulnerable, frightened., Much younger than her thirty seven years. And this look was Kristi’s Kryptonite. Let’s face it, Maddison herself was Kristi’s Kryptonite. She could never say no to her. And Maddison had never before asked her for anything she wanted to say no to.
“Do you know what’s gonna happen if I detransition?” She asked. Maddison shook her head. “Neither do I? It’s been almost ten years.”
“It’s only a few days.,” Maddison pleaded “And I’ll be there to help you through it.”
Kristi sighed.
A car pulled up and Maddison moved towards it. “This is my Uber.,” She opened the car door and leaned on it. “Please, baby, please?” She pushed her shades further up onto her head to stop them slipping down. “I can’t stand the thought of anyone saying anything to you. Getting into a fight with my family over it. Not now.” Her voice got quieter. “It was hard enough for you when you lost your family.”
Maddison only called her baby when she was desperate. Kristi felt all her opposition crumbling. She wanted to help Maddison so much, but this? “Go.,” She waved Maddison away. “I’ll see you soon. I love you.”
Maddison mouthed, I love you too, and got in the car.
Kristi summoned her own cab and headed home.
***
Kristi arrived at their apartment, let herself in and shouted, “Alexa, play Poupee de cire, Poupee de son.,”
The opening flute filled the apartment as Kristi danced from one room to the other, singing made up words to the French song she didn’t know the lyrics to. As she went she picked up things she would need for the journey. AirPods, chargers, a book, and other random items she thought she might need, conspicuously avoiding packing clothes yet.
She stopped facing a picture from their wedding. It showed Maddison by herself, standing beaming happily in her wedding dress. Kristi didn’t allow pre-transition pictures of herself in the house, so there were none of Kristi from the wedding. Maddison kept copies somewhere that Kristi wouldn’t find them.
Kristi picked up the picture. Maddison still looked girlish in it, in her mid-twenties. Kristi gave it a playful kiss. She went to put it down, then decided to keep hold of it.
Maddison’s family had not seen Kristi since the wedding, and they had no idea that she was trans. Maddison had kept saying she would tell them, but as time passed it became harder and harder to do it. She had finally run out of excuses for why Kristi couldn’t come along on her visits and had agreed to bring her along for Christmas. Still she had not found a way to tell them. And now, here they were.
Kristi walked into the bedroom where her suitcase was half packed. She sat on the bed that was piled haphazardly with winter clothes. Kristi had had to buy more warm outfits as living in LA meant she didn't own many. She had been looking forward to sporting her winter styles over Christmas. She’d loved the chance to buy some new clothes and styles. Not much chance to wear them now if she was meant to be boymoding.
She went to the closet and pulled back the many clothes on hangers to reveal a box of her old boy clothes. She kept them for the times she had messy work, like painting, to do and didn’t want to risk her good clothes. She pulled some out and felt an instant loathing for them. They were horrible, black and grey, shapeless. And they smelled musty after so long sitting in a box at the back of the closet.
She threw them back in and closed the closet door, hoping that she could persuade Maddison into another plan. She could be Maddison’s international exchange lawyer from Germany. Helga, maybe? Not that she could do a German accent. She could have a cold and have lost her voice. Would Maddison go for that? But then she would have to spend the whole time explaining why Kris wasn’t there. Again.
She considered the complications of turning back the clock. She was very feminine now, and she had lost weight, height and shoe size. It was remarkable what hormones could do. She had changed so significantly that she no longer felt like that person. Thankfully. She would have to change herself quite dramatically to play at being a boy. Lucky for her she had been a drag queen for a few years and had mad makeup skills. She’d helped drag kings with their make-up loads of times too.
The only pre-transition pictures of her that had survived were of her in her drag gear, fully made up as ‘Abbie Road’. Her favorite was of her in a dress that depicted a crosswalk with the four Beatles striding across her. She went and looked at the press photo that was framed on the wall of her. She had been wearing absurdly large breast-forms, intricately contoured makeup, and a tall, voluminous wig. Kristi smiled up at how absurd it all was. It had been a stand in for who she really wanted to be.
Kristi finally forced the case closed and zippered it shut. She pulled it off the bed and wheeled it to the door.
***
Kristi was booked on a red eye across the country. Heading north to Maddison’s birthplace and home to her family. All seven hundred of them, it seemed to Kristi.
Kristi herself was an only child and a terrible disappointment to her parents. She had not seen them since leaving for college. They had essentially disowned her for her “gender ideology”, believing that she had joined some sort of cult. It was hard to believe that some left wing parents could be as crazy as the conspiracy-heads online, but they had succeeded.
She had not been out at that point, but her parents had caught her dressing in feminine clothing and doing makeup. They had been horrified. They’d talked about therapy, and Kristi feared they meant conversion therapy, but in the end they chose to ignore it and expect Kristi to bury her feelings deep inside. There was no big blow up or dramatic ultimatums in the end, Kristi had just wheeled her suitcase out of the house and caught a plane to LA, never looking back and never talking to them again. One door closed.
At the airport Kristi got a coffee and found a seat, crossing her legs. She slipped in her AirPods and hit the call button.
“Carly, Hi,” she said to the woman on the other end of the line, her friend and assistant.
“Have you got your ticket and your car rental reservation?” Carly asked, without any small talk.
“Yes,” Kristi replied, thankful for Carly, even if she did sometimes think that Kristi couldn’t tie her own shoelaces. “I’m not that hopeless. But do you have the address of the venue? I can’t find it.”
“It’s in the first email, but I’m messaging it to you now.” Kristi could hear her typing.
“Thanks,” she said, “where would I be without you?”
“Probably still at home looking for your flight confirmation.” Carly’s tone was dry, amused.
Kristi grinned, ducking her head so she wouldn’t look too weird to the other travelers. “You can be brutal, you know that?”
“It all comes from love,” Carly told her.
Kristi clutched a dramatic hand to her chest. “And it’s received with an open heart.”
There was a laugh from the end of the line. “I’ll leave you to get back to Maddison.” She put on a mock-annoyed voice. “Stop ignoring your wife!”
“No need,” Kristi said. “She’s been delayed, she’s going to get a flight tomorrow and meet me there.”
Carly sighed. “Your wife works too much.”
“Tell her, not me,” Kristi snapped jokingly, “she won’t listen to me.” Kristi took a deep breath. “She still wants me to detransition.”
Carly hesitated for a second. “And you still don’t want to?”
Kristy tried not to gesture too wildly. “I didn’t spend ten years and over a hundred thousand dollars just to go backwards.”
There was silence on the other end.
“What is it?” Kristi knew when Carly wanted to say something.
The pause continued for another few seconds. “I think you should do it.”
Kristi frowned with surprise. She hadn’t expected that from Carly. “Why?” She tried to sound as open as possible, but it was a stretch. It definitely came out petulant.
“You hear horror stories of what happens to queer people who wander into the wrong bar in the middle of nowheresville,” Carly said. Kristi winced, knowing exactly what she meant. “Perhaps you’re better off hiding it, then you can go back to your fabulous self.”
Kristi thought for a moment, biting her lip. “Maybe you’re right.” She shook her head slightly. “I just don’t want you to be. I’ve always been trans and proud and I don’t want to change that.”
“It’s only for a few days,” Carly assured her.”Then you’ll be back in the LA sunshine, out and proud.”
Kristi smiled, regretfully. “Maybe. Maybe.” She huffed a small laugh. “I’d much rather be going to Cabo, though.” She heard Carly laugh too. At another sound she pulled out one of her AirPods and cocked her head to listen, then popped it back in. “I think that’s my call. I’ll talk to you on the other side. Love you.”
“Bye babe.” Carly sounded cheerful. “Good luck.” She cut the line.
Kristi got up, grabbed her coffee and her suitcase, and walked towards her gate.
***
They had spent one Christmas in Cabo, shortly after Kristi had completed her transition to her satisfaction. It had been a chance for her to practice being herself without any preconceptions brought by her or anyone she knew. Kristi was now free to live at long last.
She had bought all new outfits for the vacation, but on the first day she had panicked, afraid that people would see through her, that her fear would be a huge neon sign to her transness.
Kristi was in the bathroom trying on her first beach outfit whilst Maddison waited on the hotel bed.
“I can’t do this,” Krist called out nervously.
“What do you mean?” Maddison shouted back through the door.
She looked at herself in the long mirror. “I’m practically naked.”
“Let me see!” Maddison sounded excited.
“I don’t know…” Kristi trailed off.
“I’ve seen you naked before,” Maddison pointed out.
“It’s not that.,” Kristi came out of the bathroom. “I can’t go out like this.” She held her arms out. She was dressed in a two piece bikini, the top was a halter neck tied behind her neck. The back was essentially just a piece of string. The cups only just held Kristi in.
“Wow!” Maddison’s mouth dropped open, her eyes wide.
“You think?” Kristi giggled nervously at the reaction. She turned around and Maddison whistled appreciatively as she saw the bottoms, which Kristi knew barely covered her rear, her newly curvaceous butt cheeks spilling out either side.
“Oh my god,” Maddison breathed, “you are fucking gorgeous. I wish I had an ass like that.”
Kristi grinned, spinning around one extra time to give Maddison the full show.
“You’re going to get so much unwanted attention,” Maddison commented.
“Really,” Kristi’s face twisted into a grimace. “I should go put the swimdress on.” She turned to go back into the bathroom.
“Not a chance, my little cupcake.” Maddison leapt up and grabbed her by the arm. “I want you on my arm like the trophy wife you are. Kristi grinned despite her nerves. “Here.” Maddison pulled out some more clothes from the suitcase. “Put these on, they’ll make you feel less exposed.”
Kristi tied the sheer wrap skirt around her and put on a small crochet top. It didn’t really hide much, but made her feel better about it.
“You’re going to get bought so many drinks.,” Maddison’s smile was smug.
“What do you mean?”
“Men are going to send over free drinks to get your attention.”
“Ugh,” Kristi made a purging motion, two fingers down her throat.
“No escaping it.” Maddison looked her up and down. “You are hot, caramio. You are a hot buttered biscuit.”
Kristi laughed.
Maddison got up and picked up her beach bag, then slid on her shades. “I bet you’re going to get at least one free drink while we’re down by the pool.”
“Yeah, right.” Kristi looked at her dubiously.
They left the hotel room and walked towards the elevator. Waiting for the doors to open, Maddison continued. “If I’m wrong I’ll buy you a present from the gift shop.”
The elevator arrived and they got in and the doors closed as Maddison hit the button for the lobby. Kristi followed her. “And if you’re right?”
“I’ll give you a little show up in our room.” Maddison started to do a sexy dance, brushing up against Kristi. “Hey sexy mama, wanna kill all humans?”
Kristi snorted, then burst out laughing when Maddison did a slut drop as the elevator reached the lobby and the doors opened. The sight was so silly, so Maddison. Kristi was laughing so hard that she had to bend over and hold on to the rail in the elevator. A family, two adults and two children, stood staring. Knowing they could see Maddison bent low with her head near Kristi’s ass, and Kristi bent over clutching the railing, just made Kristi laugh harder.
They attempted to compose themselves, Kristi trying not to laugh and Maddison red faced with embarrassment. They stepped out of the elevator with polite nods to the parents, then walked across the lobby, still quietly giggling together.
The lobby was decorated in gaudy Christmas decorations, despite the heat and the bright sun shining through the windows. The whole thing seemed grossly incongruous, which Kristi thought was hilarious, not helping her giggles. She imagined a bearded Santa in red speedos hanging out by the pool, which set her off again.
Then they stepped outside, heading for the pool, and Kristi’s laugh dried up. “I’m so nervous,” she whispered to Maddison.
“You don’t look it.” Maddison eyed her again, like she couldn’t help it. “You look fabulous.”
They walked across the patio, Kristi feeling like every eye must be on her. She pointed at the first couple of sun loungers together, wanting to sit and feel less conspicuous. She sat on one and Maddison put down her bag on the other, bending over it to pull out the sunscreen. Then she straddled the lounger behind Kristi and squeezed out some sunscreen into her hand, squirting some into Kristi’s proffered hand so she could do her front.
Maddison applied the cream to Kristi’s back and Kristi sighed, enjoying the simple physical connection. She stood when she had finished and looked down at Kristi, who had been applying the suncream slowly and was now working on her cleavage.
“Don’t expect any drinks in the next few minutes.” Maddison commented. Kristi looked up, confused. Maddison pointed. “After the show you’re giving they won’t be able to get up in their tight speedos.”
Kristi looked at her, frowning slightly, then her face contorted. “Oh, ugh, that’s disgusting.” She nudged Maddison’s legs with her shoulder.
Maddison laughed. “Then stop oiling yourself up, you little slut!”
Kristi snorted, no doubt spoiling the sexy siren image.
Maddison’s phone began to ring in her bag. “Shit. That’ll be work.” She leaned over to pull her phone out of her bag. She looked apologetically at Kristi. “Sorry!”
“It’s fine,” Kristi smiled indulgently, “tell them Merry Christmas from me.”
Maddison mouthed ‘love you’ and turned away as she answered the call. “Y’okay, go,” she ordered the person on the line. She walked away to give Kristi peace, knowing she hated listening in to a one-sided conversation that meant nothing to her. Maddison disappeared behind the Tiki hut where the bar was.
Kristi leaned over and pulled Maddison’s bag toward her, plucking out her book. She hesitated for a moment, then shook off her top and skirt. She sat back on the lounger, feeling very exposed, but after a couple of minutes of reading her book she felt her shoulders relax. She settled back to enjoy the hot sun and the sea air on her skin.
After a short while Kristi noticed someone approaching and looked up to see the bartender.
“A drink, madam,” he asked.
“Actually yes,” Kristi began, but saw the waiter already had one for her. He had been offering, not asking.
“From the gentleman at the other end of the pool,” he told her.
“Oh.” Kristi felt her face flush. “What’s the etiquette? If I accept, do I owe them anything?”
The bartender shrugged, unconcerned.
Kristi thought for a moment and then accepted the drink. “Thank you.” She realised she was thanking the wrong person as she took the elaborate, colorful drink. She swallowed, then raised her glass to silently toast the man at the other end of the pool. He looked over, seemingly surprised and raised his glass in return.
Kristi took a sip and buried her head in her book, hoping she hadn’t encouraged him to come over. Should she have accepted the drink at all? Without Maddison there to guide her she had no idea. It wasn’t like she had ever wanted to attract men, and before transition any attention she got was from gay men, and they did things very differently. So she wasn’t sure how things worked.
Reading, she absently finished the drink and put it down, only to find the bartender back with another, different drink, full of fruit and a little umbrella.
“From the gentleman to your left.” Kristi took the drink, nodded, then tried to see if Maddison was on her way back. She sipped the drink, then put it aside so Maddison had something when she returned.
It happened twice more. Each time Kristi accepted the drink, and then tried to studiously avoid the men’s gazes in case they took it as an invitation to join her. She’d given up saving drinks for Maddison, though, and had a pretty good buzz going.
She finished the third drink and saw the waiter coming over with yet another. “This is becoming ridiculous,” she muttered to herself, but smiled at the waiter as he handed her the drink. It wasn’t his fault, after all.
“Thanks,” she said, “who is this from?”
The waiter smiled broadly. “This is from the lady by the bar.”
Kristi looked over to see Maddison raise her glass with a smile. She felt one side of her mouth lift. “Can you invite her over?”
“Of course.” He gave a nod and left.
Maddison sidled over with an absurdly large macrame sunhat in her spare hand. “I passed by the gift shop and got you your prize.” She popped it on Kristi’s head, then sat on her own lounger.
“You didn’t have to,” Kristi said.
“Why?”
She pointed to the empty glasses arrayed on the small table between them. “I’m glad you’re here. I was worried one of them was going to make a move.”
“One of them?” Maddison cocked her head to one side, appraising the array of glasses.
Kristi waved her hand. “I didn’t buy any of these.”
Maddison smiled guiltily. “To be honest, I bought you the first drink so you would win the bet.”
Kristi frowned, thinking about the man she had toasted in thanks. Had he just gone along with it? Was he persuaded to buy her a drink, thinking she was making a move? She hoped not. She flushed. “And the others?”
“Nothing to do with me.” She held up her hands. You’re a popular girl.”
“Then why did you get me my prize if you’d cheated?”
Maddison smiled at her. “You’re my girl and you deserve gifts.”
Kristi laughed. “After so much to drink I think need some food more than a hat.” She held out her arms. “Help me up.”
Maddison pulled her up and Kristi got unsteadily to her feet, wavering slightly. Maddison put her arm around Kristi's to provide stability.
“I need to sober you up anyway,” Maddison told her.
“Why?”
Maddison pressed a little closer. “So I can perform for you. I still owe you a show.”
***
Kristi sighed and wished she was heading back to Cabo to lie in the sun with her beautiful wife, and drink cocktails until she fell asleep in Maddison’s arms at the end of a hard day of lounging. Instead she was stuck in an airport waiting to go to the cold, cold north and pretend to be the person she had left behind almost ten years ago.
Mounting storms delayed Kristi’s flight, then her onward connection. Finally, she stepped out on the other side into the middle of a blizzard, dressed in Jeans and Chelsea boots, a flowing top with batwing sleeves and a leather jacket. None of it was adequate for the icy wind and swirling snow. She shivered as she rushed to her hire car, ready to head out into the winter wonderland.