Beneath the Surface(4)

She tried to catch a glimpse of Sheryl, but there were too many people between her and the entrance. She checked her watch and hoped that Sheryl’s shift would end on the hour. Though she shouldn’t get her hopes up too high. Kristin was sure a woman like Sheryl had plenty of admirers. Perhaps she even had a girlfriend and she’d just been courteous to Kristin yesterday afternoon. Even so, no matter the status of Sheryl’s love life, Kristin applauded herself for making it there. Not only had she taken a big step, she was supporting a good cause, which was as much her own as all the other women present.

Granted, the music was a little loud, smoke hung thick in the air, and she was forced to stand a little too close to strangers for her comfort, but she was there, and that’s what mattered. She had come on her own. She was no longer a coward hiding behind the myriad of work-related events she could always choose to attend on any given weekend night. Networking never stopped, and it was the perfect excuse for someone like Kristin to neglect her personal needs. She was career-oriented, she always told herself. Work came first. It was easy enough to win that argument with herself.

Kristin downed her wine and elbowed her way through the crowd at the bar to fetch another. A woman with a long blond braid hung over her shoulder smiled at her and Kristin smiled back. She actually knew the song the DJ had just put on, and her hips, as if of their own accord, started to swing a little. This was a lot more fun than another restaurant opening or the re-opening of a bar where she was always hit on by men she wasn’t remotely interested in but had to give a little bit of her attention to nonetheless because why else was she there but to network?

At this party, she could be the part of her she’d kept hidden for too long. The side of her her family must know about, though talking about it would be considered a grave faux pas. Don’t ask, don’t tell all the way. The thought of just being herself at this party was so freeing, so exhilarating, she didn’t mind any longer when someone bumped her shoulder into hers or spilled some beer on her shoes. A tingle ignited in her belly at the sight of the two women on the outskirts of the dance floor, kissing with no qualms. The whole atmosphere of the place was intoxicating.

“Hey, stranger.” Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Sheryl stood next to her. “Are you having fun?” She eyed Kristin’s drink. “I hope you didn’t pay to drink your own wine.”

Kristin chuckled. “It’s not my wine, it’s my company’s. And yes, I’m having fun.”

“Good.” Sheryl shuffled her weight from one foot to the other while her gaze was fixed on Kristin. “Truth be told, I wasn’t expecting you.”

It was night-club dark around them, but Kristin could still clearly see the blue of Sheryl’s eyes. “Yet here I am,” she said in what she hoped was a flirtatious tone.

“Well, you were on the guest list so…”

“An opportunity not to be missed.” Kristin knocked back the last of her wine.

“How about I get you another one of those?” Sheryl pointed at Kristin’s empty glass.

Just then, the DJ decided to change tack and the first, slow notes of “Show Me Heaven” started playing.

“How about a dance instead?” Kristin could barely believe she’d just asked another woman to dance. Part of that could be credited to downing two glasses of wine in short order, but not all. Perhaps she just really wanted to dance with Sheryl.

“I can’t say no to that after you gave us all that wine.”

“I wouldn’t want you to feel obligated because you think you owe me,” Kristin said, a smile in her voice. “I can assure you it won’t affect future sponsorship deals if you decline.” This was so much more fun than having to endure aimless flirtations from men at receptions.

“Come on.” Sheryl grabbed her hand and Kristin quickly deposited her empty glass on a table on their way to the dance floor, which was already packed with women pressed closely together.

The touch of Sheryl’s hand against hers—so different from that handshake the day before—made her break out into a mild sweat. Or perhaps it was the proximity of all those female bodies swaying to the slow beat.

“I love this song,” Kristin said, as Sheryl planted her hands on her hips. Instinctively, Kristin put hers on Sheryl’s shoulders. They were about the same height and although there was a fair amount of space left between their bodies, the immediate intimacy of dancing together threw Kristin a little.

Sheryl nodded. “I remember going to see the movie, back in the day when I was young and gullible, expecting greatness from Nicole Kidman, our Ozzie pride and joy.” She swung Kristin around, and when their bodies realigned, Sheryl’s hips were most definitely pushing against Kristin’s. Kristin looked into Sheryl’s eyes, thoroughly enjoying the press of her hips against hers. She didn’t want to ruin the moment by continuing a conversation about Australian actresses conquering Hollywood, or by saying anything at all. Sheryl’s hands rode up a little, planting themselves firmly on Kristin’s waist. Their faces were so close. Kristin shut her eyes and lost herself in the music and the moment for a few seconds. And to think she almost hadn’t come.