Wherever the Dandelion Falls by Lily R. Mason Page A

returned my wicked expression, but then said no, her boobs were not for public consumption. I felt a little special that I'd been permitted to not only view, but touch them.
    "Plus," she said, setting her third glass down in the table a bit harder than she intended, "it's always the people you don't want to see naked that decide to go Full Monty at Bay to Breakers."
    I agreed and we talked about the Folsom Street Fair, Outside Lands, and Carnival.
    And then I asked about Pride. Despite having had three drinks, she seemed to stiffen.
    "I've never been," she said.
    "What?" I squawked. "How is that possible? It's the best party the city has!"
    She shrugged and looked down at the table. "Not my scene."
    I was mystified. "Didn't any of your girlfriends ever make you go?" I asked.
    Her eyes stayed fixed in the table as she shook her head. "Nope." The word was final and even with three drinks in me, I knew better than to push the issue.
    Faye turned and gestured to a waiter, lifting her empty cup and holding up a peace sign, signaling we each wanted another. I was already feeling buzzed, but I wasn't ready to go home. It was nice to let loose with someone besides Justine.
    She turned back to me and asked about my work, my family, and all the polite topics we'd already covered in our first meeting. It seemed she was taking a step back from me. Not wanting to lose our progress, I changed the subject to the latest political happenings, and that got her talking.
    Before I knew it, it was midnight, we were drunk, and I was asking her back to my place. We paid out our tab and made the brisk walk back to my house. I didn't even care about the laundry hanging up because I was so excited to have sex with her again.
    This time we went a little slower. I got to see more of her body in motion. Everything about her was supple and blooming and focused on me. She was just as untamable as she had been last time, and I didn't have to talk myself into anything. It was good, and by the time we both finished, I didn't feel more than a little buzzed.
    I snuggled into her side and kissed her sweaty shoulder, watching her chest rise and fall, naked before me.
    "I liked that," I said. "You're a great date."
    She sniffed and said nothing for a minute, which didn't bother me. She was probably tired. I felt like she'd exerted twice as much energy as I had. There was something animalistic about the way she approached sex.
    But then she sniffed again and rolled out from under me. "I gotta go.”
    Falling into the spot in the sheets where she'd been, I felt something drop in my chest.
    "You can stay if you want. I make good pancakes," I offered.
    She stood from the bed, reaching for her bra and shirt. "I have stuff I have to do," she mumbled.
    I frowned. There was no way she had stuff to do at three in the morning.
    She must have sensed my disappointment, because as soon as she had her top on, she turned and pecked me on the cheek. “I'll call you soon, okay?"
    I nodded without smiling and watched as she put on her pants, then collected her purse and keys. She gave me a strained smile as she left, closing my bedroom door behind her before letting herself out of the apartment.
     
     
     

     
     
    I slunk out of the hotel and took the bus back home. I hadn't felt so used or humiliated in years. I could only imagine what Vance would tell my boss. He had seemed like a gentleman, but apparently I was a terrible judge of character.
    I hoped Justine would be gone for the day, grocery shopping or flea marketing, but I had no such luck. I tried to be quiet as I closed the front door, but no sooner had it shut, Justine's voice sprang from the other room.
    "Riley Montgomery, you little minx, get your ass in here and tell me about your night!"
    I had made it almost all the way to the bathroom before she appeared in her doorway.
    "Riley?" she asked, seeming to realize something was wrong.
    Without making eye contact, I dropped my purse on the floor and said, "I don't want