Sea Legs, page 12
A motorboat passed towing a parasail, and she felt Natalie shudder. “There isn’t enough money in the world to get me on something like that.”
“I did it once down in Cozumel. It’s kind of a rush, but once you’ve done it, the thrill is gone.” She eyed a series of waves headed their way from the motorboat’s wake. “Hold on. We’re going to rock a little.”
Natalie’s grip tightened as they rode out the gentle swells.
Steering only with her throttle hand, Kelly dropped her other hand and intertwined her fingers with Natalie’s. She savored the sensation for as long as she reasonably could, and couldn’t resist
giving a light squeeze before grasping the handlebar again.
Too bad there weren’t any more boats headed their way.
Natalie trudged through the sand toward their group while Kelly returned the Wave Runner key and their vests to the vendor. She needed the few moments to collect her thoughts on what had just happened. It was only a small, protective caress when the motorboat had passed, so benign that Kelly probably hadn’t even realized she was doing it. The fact that they had been well away from shore—and Didi’s line of sight—made it clear that Kelly’s gesture had nothing to do with their scheme. For that matter, neither did Natalie’s response.
“How was it?” Steph asked.
“I hate to admit it, but it was a lot more fun than I thought it would be,” Natalie said as she reached for a towel.
“You should have seen Didi. She got up and started pacing the minute you two disappeared around the bend. She came back over here twice to ask Yvonne how far you were going and if it was dangerous out there. Then she started on Kelly for taking you so far out and probably scaring you half to death.”
That Didi was suddenly worried about her was proof positive their plan was working. It would have been understandable had they gone parasailing or scuba diving, but a simple ride on a Wave Runner was no cause for concern. No, she wasn’t concerned. She was jealous.
Natalie scanned the beach,locating Pamela at the refreshment hut and Didi by the shore where she appeared to be collecting shells. It was interesting that Didi had been frantic about her well-being while she was gone, but not enough to express her relief when she returned. Instead, she was behaving with her usual nonchalance, never overtly showing that she cared. Natalie chuckled to herself, thinking if she had gone out there wearing the wrong swimsuit she would have heard about it the second she returned.
Kelly hummed to herself as she ambled down the hallway toward her stateroom juggling two ice lattes she had picked up at the coffee shop in the atrium. The day at the beach couldn’t have gone much better, though she could have done without Didi’s persistent efforts to get Natalie to commit to shopping with her in Barbados and St. Lucia. Natalie had resisted the efforts to nail down her plans, but it was plain the idea was appealing. Kelly had hoped for more time together, even if it was orchestrated to make Didi jealous.
She found Natalie out on the balcony, fresh from her shower, but still in her robe.
“Here’s your latte. I ran into Steph. They’re going to order room service tonight. So I guess it’s just us and the girls next door for dinner,” she said, her lack of enthusiasm obvious.
Natalie chuckled. “Do I detect exuberance in your voice?”
Kelly laughed aloud. “Oops.” She slumped into the other deck chair and propped her feet high on the rail. “I’m sure it will be fine. I was just thinking about what to wear.”
“Don’t worry about it. Just be yourself.” Natalie got up to peek around the corner of the balcony divider to make sure they were alone. “I think we got to Didi today.”
“Yeah, she seemed kind of peeved, like we’d gone off without her permission or something.” Kelly was still reveling in the fact that their closest contact—when Natalie held her hand on the Wave Runner—had happened well outside of Didi’s line of sight. “Didi or not, I had fun out there. I’m glad you went with me.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for anything. I’ve never done anything like that before. Where I come from, it wouldn’t have been considered ladylike.”
“Believe me, Natalie. Everything about you is ladylike.”
“You say the sweetest things. If the women back in Rochester had any idea what they were missing, you’d have a line out the door.”
She met Natalie’s eyes and gave her a small smile. “I save my best for ladies who interest me.”
The awkward silence that followed seemed to last for hours, as Natalie merely looked away and sipped her coffee. For once, Kelly welcomed the sound of the sliding glass door on the next balcony.
“Hey, girls,” Natalie called. “Steph and Yvonne are ordering room service. It’s just the four of us for dinner.”
“Did you bring any aloe?” Didi asked gruffly, peering around the divider to show off her bright red face. “I can barely move. We’re both burnt to a crisp.”
“Oh, my goodness.” Natalie stared slack-jawed.
“I’m sure it isn’t as bad as it looks. It should turn into a tan overnight, at least for me. Pamela has bright red stripes on her thighs that look like they’re going to blister.”
Natalie located a tube of lotion in the stateroom and passed it around the divider. “Poor Pamela. I hope this makes her feel better. Kelly and I were thinking we might go up to that bistro by the observation lounge. It has a nice romantic atmosphere and such a lovely view.”
Kelly’s ears went up at Natalie’s dreamy tone. Not that she minded the idea of a romantic dinner one bit.
“Peachy,” Didi hissed as she turned on her heels and disappeared back inside.
Natalie made a sheepish face. “I think I pissed her off.”
“And you didn’t even try.”
She chuckled and shook her head. “You must think Didi’s truly awful, and that I’m totally insane for wanting her back.”
“I don’t really know her all that well.” That sounded better than saying she hadn’t yet discovered anything that made up for the dour mood and relentless criticism. So far, her favorite thing about Didi had been the retching sounds from beyond the walls as she puked up her guts. It was impossible to imagine someone as easygoing as Natalie had been charmed into a relationship with Didi that lasted six days, let alone six years.
“It took a long time for Steph and Yvonne to warm up to her, but they eventually did. She really can be a very sweet person.”
Kelly didn’t want to disagree since it was obvious Natalie cared about her, but she couldn’t hide her skepticism. “She doesn’t really give that sweetness off to me. I guess that’s why it feels like I don’t know her very well.”
They finished their coffee as the ship turned toward the sunset.
“I thought maybe I’d come snorkeling with you tomorrow,” Natalie said out of the blue. “If that’s all right?”
“Are you kidding me? I’d love it.”
“It’ll be perfect. If today was any indication, you-know-who will go nuts.”
Kelly felt her insides deflate. Natalie’s sudden interest in snorkeling had nothing to do with her.
Natalie paused to admire in the mirror the light brown tone of her arms and chest against the lacy white top Didi had given her for Christmas two years ago, just before they split up.Another two or three days of sun would deepen her tan and make her the envy of everyone in the store once they returned to Rochester.
She smiled again to think of Kelly’s “ladylike” compliment, and wished Didi had been there to hear it. It was rare to get compliments in Didi’s presence, since Didi usually commanded most of the attention. That other bit—ladies that interested her—had taken her off guard momentarily. She hadn’t minded the idea that Kelly thought she was interesting…which is what she must have meant by her remark. It was highly unlikely she had meant interested in, because Kelly understood how she felt about Didi.
As frivolous and petty as it seemed, she relished all the details Steph had shared about Didi’s frantic concern at the beach. It was amazing how well her plan was working. She never would have guessed being with Kelly—of all people—would have tweaked that green-eyed monster, but she was beginning to think Steph was right after all. There were plenty of things about Kelly that were appealing, and Didi obviously saw them too.
As she rummaged through the closet for her shoes, her musings were interrupted by the sudden halt of the shower.
“Hey, Natalie.”
The bathroom door cracked a bit, just enough for Natalie to see Kelly standing with her back to the door in her underpants— they were purple briefs, low-slung and rectangular shaped, showing the bottom third of her butt cheeks—as she slipped a gray tank top over her head. “Uh, I’m right here by the door.”
Kelly’s head jutted through the opening, along with a bare leg. “Maybe you should check again with Didi. If we’re going to the bistro we may need a reservation and I should probably dress up a little.”
“You could always wear your black pants again…maybe with the vest this time.” She turned away from the eyeful in the bathroom and dialed Didi’s room. “Hey, there.” She explained her reason for calling. “You’re kidding. Is it that bad?”
By now, Kelly was standing behind her, rolling up the sleeves on a white button-down-collared shirt that hung to the top of her thighs.
Natalie replaced the phone. “They’re burnt to a crisp. Didi’s eyes are swelling shut and Pamela has little blisters on her shoulders and legs. The nurse is on the way.”
“Are they going to be all right?”
“I think so. Didi has a flair for the dramatic.”
“No!” Kelly’s dimple twitched.
“I can see you trying not to laugh. You should be ashamed of yourself.” She knew her own mouth was turned up at the corners. “And as soon as I stop laughing, I’m going to tell on you.”
Kelly was smiling now, showing off, not only her dimples, but her bright white, perfect teeth. “You think I should wear the vest with this?”
“You know what I really think? We should go eat a juicy hamburger in the pub and see if we can find a movie or something. Wouldn’t that be more fun?” She owed Kelly a good time, considering her help with the Didi situation. Besides, she loved a cheeseburger just as much as the next person, but Didi had always given her a hard time about enjoying junk food. Now she had an excuse to actually enjoy one.
Chapter 12
Didi glared through her swollen eyes at Natalie, who hung over the balcony rail sipping her morning coffee. “Saying ‘I told you so’ is not helpful. You could show a little more sympathy.”
Natalie bit her tongue to keep from expressing her sorrow that Didi had chosen to ignore their warnings. “I’m very sorry it hurts. How is Pamela feeling?”
“Probably worse than I do, but don’t tell her I said that. At least she has medicine to put on her arms and legs. I can’t use it on my face.” She held out her hand for Natalie’s cup and took a sip. “I guess shopping is out for us today. What are you going to do?”
She couldn’t wait to see the look on Didi’s face. “I’ve decided to go snorkeling with Kelly. We had such a good time the other day on the catamaran and then again yesterday on the Wave Runner. I had no idea water sports were so much fun.”
“You’ve got to be kidding. You hate showers because you get water in your eyes.”
“I’ll be wearing a mask. And Kelly promised to hold my hand.”
“Isn’t that sweet?” Didi proclaimed, heavy on the sarcasm. She peeked around the divider to make certain Kelly wasn’t on the balcony. “Does she run around without her shirt on?”
Natalie bristled. “Now you cut that out. She’s very nice, and she’s been very concerned about your sunburn.” Despite giggling.
Didi sighed, clearly admonished. “Just promise me you aren’t going to start wearing board shorts.”
“As you well know, that is not a fashion statement I’m inclined to make. But why should I care if it’s what Kelly likes? And why should you?”
“Because it offends my poor eyes,” Didi wailed dramatically. “Seriously, Natalie. I’ve seen the”—she made finger quotes in the air—“‘androgynous look’ on the runways, and it can be sort of hot on the right person. But that’s one of those high-fashion looks that doesn’t translate to the real world and even if it did, Kelly’s not pulling it off. It only works if the women are women.”
In the ten years they had known one another, Natalie had heard literally thousands of fashion critiques from Didi on people they ran into, but rarely one tinged with such personal venom. “That’s silly. Kelly’s definitely a woman. I can vouch for her personally.”
The look on Didi’s face was one of pure shock, and Natalie realized she had stepped over the line she and Kelly had agreed to about what impressions to leave. The decent thing to do was to clarify what she meant, that her quiet, serious talks with Kelly had revealed a feminine side, though one that was edgier than any she had known. But there was a distinct advantage to playing her cards close to her vest, namely, that Didi’s jealousy had visibly escalated.
“Is there something going on with you and Kelly?”
“If there is, it’s my business.”
“Natalie, come on. You can’t seriously find someone like that appealing.” She looked over her shoulder to see where Pamela was. “A woman like you deserves better than that, not some butch trying to make a statement about how she is what she is. And just in case you’ve forgotten that you have a business to run, keep in mind that she’s exactly what turns people off about lesbians. They want to see people like us, not people like that.”
By the time Didi finished, she was practically spitting her words. It was well beyond her usual criticism, so vicious that Natalie sprang angrily to Kelly’s defense. “You don’t know the first thing about Kelly and who she is. It just so happens she’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met, and you should keep in mind that not everybody in this world judges people by how they look.”
“Maybe not, but that’s how they judge them first, whether they admit it or not. Be honest. What did you think the first time you saw her? That she was nice? Or that she looked like a teenage boy? You even said being with her would be like being with a man.”
She could feel her ears burning. “What difference does it make? What matters is that I know her now, and so do you. She’s never been anything but nice to you, so stop being an ass and show her a little respect.”
Didi let out a heavy sigh in her usual dramatic style. “She’s perfectly nice, and I’m sure if I knew her a little better the other things wouldn’t bother me so much. I just don’t want to see you getting all swept up in that just because you’re feeling lonely. I’m always right here, and you can join us for anything. Believe me”—she checked again over her shoulder—”there’s a lot to be said for young and sexy, but once you’ve said it, there’s not much else to talk about, if you get my drift.”
Natalie rolled her eyes, though secretly celebrating the fact that Didi was voicing exactly what she felt—that being able to talk about things and enjoy each other’s company was a better foundation for a relationship than sex. Now she just needed for Didi to turn those thoughts into actions. “Look, we can go
shopping tomorrow in St. Lucia.”
“All of us?”
She shrugged. It wasn’t her place to suggest the two of them go off alone. Kelly would do whatever she wanted, but Pamela was Didi’s responsibility. “Whoever wants to go. They’re having another formal night in the dining room and I wouldn’t mind having something new to wear.”
“Now you’re talking. That’s the Natalie I know and love.”
A warm feeling enveloped her as Didi shot her a smile. “You should put some ice on your eyes today so the swelling will go down. You want me to fix you a cloth?”
“Oh, you’re so sweet. Lord knows no one else cares enough about me to do that.”
She went back inside to raid the ice bucket and found Kelly sitting on the couch—very close to the sliding glass door—going through the daily newsletter that detailed the ship’s activities.
“How are Didi and Pamela?” Kelly asked, with not even a hint she had overheard the balcony conversation.
“They’re better. Didi still has a little swelling around her eyes. I was just getting her some ice. They won’t be going ashore today so I was thinking I might go with you if it’s not too late.”
“You mean out on the boat, like you did the other day?”
“I was actually thinking I might give it a try, if you still feel like helping me and all.”
Kelly shot up off the couch. “Are you kidding? I’ll go down to the excursion desk and get your ticket now.”
Natalie packed the remnants of the previous night’s ice into a cloth and took it back outside. “Here’s a pack for your eyes. You should lie down and rest with this on.”
Below their balcony, crewmen were scurrying onto the dock at Barbados to secure the massive ropes to giant cleats along the dock. The gangway would go down soon to allow them ashore.
“You’re an angel, Nat.”
An angel on a mission, she thought…a mission to make Didi jealous enough to come back to her. “Kelly just went to get our snorkeling tickets. I’m so excited.”
“You’re really going through with that?”
“Of course. I’ll tell you all about it at dinner. You and Pamela feel better, okay?”
“You better not drown. I’ll be really mad at you!”
When they stepped onto the boat, Kelly saw a familiar face and waved. “There’s Jo.”
“I wonder where Julie is. I haven’t seen her around in the last couple of days.”
“She must have gotten the message that you weren’t interested.”
“I guess,” Natalie said sheepishly. “She was nice, but not really my type. Sort of…not really pushy, just kind of obvious about what she wanted. I guess I prefer a little more subtlety, if you know what I mean.”
