Connected Hearts - Four Lesbian Romance Stories by Jae, Joan Arling, Rj Nolan Page B

go. My next class starts in five minutes,” Jake said. “Stop obsessing about this and just relax.”
    Then there was a click and after that only silence.
    Annie laid down the phone and twirled around and around on her desk chair until the world started to blur.
    * * *
    “Am I allowed to look now?” Drew asked as Annie led her along the wooden boardwalk.
    “No,” Annie said. “Keep your eyes closed for a little longer.” She wanted the evening to be a surprise for Drew. Hopefully a pleasant one.
    “I think I know where we are anyway. I can hear the ocean.”
    Annie glanced down at the waves that washed over the pebbles at the beach, making them sparkle like jewels. “If we are where you think we are—and I’m not denying or confirming it—would it be a good choice for our Valentine’s Day date?”
    “The best,” Drew said. “Moonstone Beach is my favorite place on earth. Well, apart from—” She stumbled over an uneven board and nearly fell.
    Annie caught her at the last moment. “Oh my God. I’m so sorry. I should have paid more attention to where I was leading you.”
    “Don’t worry,” Drew said. “As long as I land in your arms, I really don’t mind.” With her eyes still closed, she felt around, wrapped her arms around Annie, and pecked her on the lips, as always careful not to go too far in public.
    Annie loved Drew for being so considerate, but now it made seducing Drew even harder. Determined to break through Drew’s chivalrous behavior, Annie leaned down and kissed her.
    Drew wrapped both arms around her and pulled her closer.
    For a moment, Annie’s nervousness faded away and she forgot about everything but Drew’s lips against hers. Then she became aware of a dozen people watching them from the patio of the restaurant. She blushed and gently disengaged herself from Drew. “Um, you can open your eyes now.”
    Drew opened her eyes. “Ah, Moonstone Beach. I had a feeling that’s where we were going.” She smiled at Annie. “And by the way, you look beautiful.”
    Annie slid her damp palms down the burgundy dress. It was Drew’s favorite. “Thanks. You look wonderful too.”
    As always, Drew looked entirely comfortable in her own skin, even dressed up in dark gray slacks and a baby-blue blouse. The two top buttons were open, revealing Drew’s tanned skin. She carried a light jacket over her arm.
    Annie wished she felt half as comfortable. The elegant dress and the semi-high heels were a far cry from her usual conservative business suits, and Annie always felt as if she were a girl playing grownup by dressing in her mother’s clothes. Worse, she had taken Jake’s advice—not about the mini-skirt and the stilettos, but she was wearing a thong beneath the dress. How did other women stand this? Constantly feeling that strip of fabric between her buttocks was driving her crazy.
    Most tables were occupied, mostly by couples and young families.
    The hostess seated them at the edge of the patio, with a direct view of the beach.
    Annie had planned this since Christmas and had made sure to reserve the restaurant’s best table. Everything had to be perfect today.
    The waiter stepped up to their table, introduced himself, and asked, “May I start you off with something to drink?”
    “I arranged to bring our own wine,” Annie said.
    Drew gazed at her. “You did?”
    Annie nodded. She had paid the corkage fee and shipped the bottle ahead of time. “One of your Cabernets.”
    “Ah, yes. My boss mentioned it,” the waiter said. “I’ll get your wine and give you a minute to look at the menu.” He walked away.
    Drew reached across the table and took Annie’s hand.
    With her free hand, Annie tugged at the back of her dress. Christ, who invented this goddamned thong?
    “You know, that’s one of the things I love about you,” Drew said, gazing into Annie’s eyes. “To the people who don’t know you very well, you appear to be this down-to-earth numbers cruncher, but deep inside,