White Offerings (27 page)

“Gun!” she screamed.

Partygoers scattered off the dance floor, headed for the exits and the dark corners of the bar. She hurled herself over the DJ’s booth just as the gun blasted a hole through the cutout of Marilyn Monroe. When Ari stuck her head out, Courtney fired, but only a harsh click sounded from the gun. She was out of bullets. She dropped it and immediately charged for the motorcycle parked in the corner. She hopped on and the engine roared to life. Ari watched the bike careen toward her, and just as she thought she might be killed by her father’s birthday present, Biz lunged from the side and smashed Courtney in the face with a waitress’s tray. The force sent her backward and she lost control of the bike. Both machine and rider skidded into a picture display of Ari.

Biz ran to Ari. “Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. I’ve got to check on Molly. She’s hurt.”

Biz pointed to the back room. “No, here she comes.”

Molly staggered over, holding her head. She reached for Ari and pulled her close. “I thought I was going to lose you.”

Andre ran up to them. “Mol, are you okay?”

“Where the hell were you?”

He sighed deeply. “In the bathroom. Sorry,” he added.

Molly nodded her forgiveness, and they moved her to a chair. Ari’s friends slowly reemerged from the bowels of the bar, and the noise level increased as they began to exchange versions of the event. Above the voices came a bloodcurdling scream. Everyone turned to see Jane sitting on top of Courtney, throttling her. Biz stood over Jane, trying to suppress a laugh.

“I’m going to kill you, you bitch!”

Despite Jane’s fingers wrapped around her neck, Courtney tried to explain. “Jane, I love you. We’re meant to be together. Ari’s not right for you.”

“What the hell is she talking about?” Molly asked.

Ari sighed. “It’s complicated. Guys never have these problems.”

“You drugged me!” Jane raged.

Andre walked to Jane and grabbed her shoulders. “C’mon, Jane. Get off her.”

Jane started to release Courtney and then changed her mind. “You ruined Ari’s party!” she yelled as she clamped her hands back on Courtney’s throat and smashed the woman’s head against the tile floor.

Locked in an embrace, Ari and Molly watched from a distance. Brian leaned over and said to his sister, “Don’t you think you and Andre should do something, seeing as you are cops? Your fellow brethren will be showing up any moment now, and I’d hate to see Jane be arrested.”

Molly shrugged and kissed Ari on the forehead. “I don’t see anything. I’m still in shock from my concussion.”

Brian laughed a little and then looked at his sister seriously.

“Oh, all right,” Molly said.

She broke free of Ari, and with Andre and Biz’s help, she pried the women apart. The uniformed cops arrived and put Courtney in handcuffs while Ari sat at a table waiting for Molly to finish giving her statement to the detective in charge. Jane dropped into a chair next to her best friend and took her hand.

“I’m sorry your party was a bust.”

She patted Jane’s arm. “Honey, this was a great party, and except for that one little part where Courtney was shooting at me, I had a wonderful time.”

Jane chuckled and kissed her on the cheek. “You are the most important person in my life. You know that, right?”

Ari smiled, remembering Courtney’s words. She couldn’t believe Jane was madly attracted to her, but she knew she loved her in a way that no one else ever would. “I know, sweetie.”

Both Teri and Biz joined them, and Teri pulled her chair behind Jane and began massaging her shoulders. “I can’t believe she was the stalker. If I’d known that she was using those beautiful flowers to hurt you, I would have shot her with my nail gun.”

Jane patted her leg and leaned against her. Soon they were laughing and cuddling.
If only it could work between them
, Ari thought.

She looked at Biz, who was staring at her. “Thanks for helping me.”

Biz shook her head in disagreement. “I don’t accept your thanks. This was my fault. I didn’t do my job very well. The cops are saying that the Dodge Viper out back is Aspen’s. I should have followed up on that connection sooner. I’ll bet she was blackmailing Aspen over what happened in Albuquerque.”

Ari shrugged. “Maybe. But no one could have known that Courtney would fall for Jane. I’m just glad you and Molly were here.”

“Me and Molly,” Biz repeated. “We’re quite a pair.” Awkwardness passed between them and Biz looked over at the motorcycle. Brian had righted the bike, and it sat in the corner waiting for Ari. “Do you know how to ride?”

She laughed. “Of course not. That’s why my father’s gift is entirely appropriate.”

Biz shook her head. “Come again?”

“Never mind. It would take too long to explain.”

“Sounds like a story there. I told you my story, so maybe someday you’ll tell me yours.”

She glanced at Biz’s incredible brown eyes, the gold flecks shining. “Maybe someday.”

Biz stood to leave and glanced at the motorcycle. “And if you ever want to learn to ride this thing, call me.”

“I’m not sure I’ll even keep it.”

“I think you should. There is nothing sexier than a beautiful woman straddling a motorcycle.”

She could feel her cheeks coloring again. Biz certainly had a power over her. “I thought we agreed you wouldn’t flirt anymore?”

“We did, but I couldn’t help it.”

Biz stuck her hands in her pockets and headed for the door. Before she left, she turned back and gazed at her with an odd expression. It gave her the feeling she was missing out on something. An opportunity was passing that she might regret. She glanced over at Molly, who was giving orders to several uniformed officers. Hideaway had become a crime scene, and Molly was in full cop mode. When she looked back at the exit, Biz was gone.

Saturday, October 21st

3:15 AM

The ride back to Molly’s apartment was quiet. Ari and Molly snuggled together in the back of Lynne’s Prius while soft jazz filled the interior. Molly had refused to go to the ER after one of the paramedics had checked her out and determined her concussion was minor. Vicky had slipped her a painkiller as they departed, and she was clearly starting to feel its effects. As she shifted in her seat, a soft moan escaped her lips.

“How much does it hurt?” Ari asked.

“I’m okay,” she answered, and Ari knew she was lying. The only girl in a family of boys, Molly learned early that to admit pain gained her the immediate title of wussy. Her fall against the stone hearth had nearly broken the bones in her face, and an enormous purple bruise was forming around her right temple. Molly pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head. “I’m sorry about your birthday,” she whispered.

Ari stroked her thigh, realizing that her words to Jane were true. Up until the confrontation with Courtney, she had enjoyed her party immensely, mainly because of Molly’s presence—Molly’s love. The thought created a shroud of comfort around her, and she suddenly felt secure in their relationship. She no longer worried about when Molly would declare her love. She realized it was all around her.

After reassuring Lynne and Brian several times that they did not need babysitters, the straight couple went home, and they quickly disappeared into the bathroom for a shower. Streaming jets washed away the adrenalin and emotions until only fatigue remained, and when they slipped into bed, the only intention was sleep.

“I think we’ll really have to celebrate your birthday in the morning,” Molly mumbled.

Ari lightly touched Molly’s lips with her own. “That’s fine, darling. It can wait.”

Molly kissed her again, and again, until a flicker of passion ignited. She rolled on top of her, their breasts pressed together. Ari spread her legs, an invitation Molly willingly accepted.

“Are you sure you’re up for this?” Ari asked.

Molly grinned wickedly and her long fingers answered Ari’s question. Their lovemaking was a momentary flame that burned only for a short time and left them spent in each other’s arms.

“I want to give you your gift now,” Molly said suddenly. She reached into her nightstand and withdrew a slender box wrapped perfectly in gold paper. “Obviously I didn’t do the wrap job.”

Ari carefully pulled apart the end of the paper, eliciting a chuckle from Molly. She shook her head, well aware that Molly believed unwrapping gifts was more of a “seek and destroy” mission.

She gazed at the gold necklace and her eyes filled with tears. “It’s beautiful, baby. Will you help me put it on?”

Molly undid the clasp and fastened the chain around her neck. She went to the dresser mirror and admired the gold rope, a smile on her face.
Yes, the proof of Molly’s love is all around me.

Molly appeared behind her and kissed her neck. “Don’t tell me you’re up for more,” Ari joked.

“No, but I love you.”

Her jaw dropped. Molly’s delivery was so casual, sounding as if she made the statement every day.

She turned to Molly, caressing her unharmed cheek, probing her gaze for regret or remorse. She saw only earnest longing, and she thought that Molly had wanted to say the words as much as she had wanted to hear them. Still somewhat cautious of overwhelming her, she replied simply, “Baby, I love you, too.”

A kiss sealed the moment, and they returned to bed, unable to stand any longer. Lying in Molly’s arms, she fell into a dreamy state. She and Molly were standing on a cliff, the swirling sea beneath them. Then Molly took her hand, and they stepped away from the precipice and strolled toward a sunny garden path.

In a matter of minutes, Ari was dozing against Molly, who remained in a haze, her brain unwilling to entirely shut off, and the effects of the painkiller forcing her body into a relaxed state that conflicted with her racing mind. She snuggled with Ari for three hours, until the painkiller wore off and freed her mind to enjoy all of its anxiety and fear.

She stole into the living room and settled on the couch with a glass of Scotch. She sipped it slowly, savoring the descent of the liquid down her throat, which seemed to tighten with each thought of their encounter just a few short hours ago. All of the pieces in her mind were fragments, the moments that totaled up to three words, the ones she’d avoided for most of her adult life. She closed her eyes and realized she’d said it first.

For a split second the future had been clear to her, full of loss and abandonment that sunk Molly’s heart into a deep hole. As Ari’s naked body had stood in front of the mirror, turned away, she imagined her walking out the door—and into Biz’s waiting arms—leaving with someone who truly appreciated her and saw her incredible gifts. And had Courtney’s aim been better, she would have lost Ari forever tonight. She saw her empty life without Ari, and she had momentarily lost her breath.

She had declared her love for Ari knowing that she was waiting, wanting to hear those words on her birthday more than she could have ever wanted any material object that Molly could have afforded. She had given her the most coveted of presents, and now she worried it would be at the ultimate cost. She drained the glass and shoved it away from herself, nearly propelling it off the coffee table. She lowered her head and took deep breaths, willing the panic attack to pass before Ari awoke.

Saturday, October 21st

9:48 AM

When Molly’s eyes fluttered open, the first thing she saw was Ari’s long legs extended across the stools of her breakfast bar. She wore only a police T-shirt over her panties, and Molly was instantly aroused. She sat up and Ari turned around, smiling. Her long hair flowed around her face, and she looked absolutely beautiful.

“Hey there, sleepy.”

“Hi. When did you get up?”

“About a half hour ago.” Ari slid off the stool and went to the kitchen. She brought Molly a steaming mug of coffee and joined her on the couch, draping her incredible legs over Molly’s hips. They stared at each other, Ari fingering the gold rope around her neck. “I love this.”

She nodded. “I can tell.”

“How’s your face?”

She touched the enormous bruise and flinched. “Still hurts.”

Ari set her mug down and took her hand. “I love you.”

“I love you,” she replied automatically. Ari stared at her, and she instantly felt uncomfortable. “Is everything okay?”

“You can take it back if you need to.”

She swallowed hard.
How did she know?

As if she could read her mind, Ari said, “I found the Scotch glass in the sink. At first I thought you’d come out here because your face was hurting, but then I saw the glass, and I knew.”

Molly’s gaze dropped to the floor. “I don’t know what to say.” She glanced at Ari, and all she saw was concern. “I can’t explain.”

“Just tell me how you feel. Do you care for me?”

She squeezed her hand and stared at her. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone.” She opened her mouth but words failed her.
How could she explain?
“It’s overwhelming,” she said finally. “I do love you, and I don’t want to take it back. I’m glad we both said it, but I’m scared, and worried and paranoid. Too many emotions and I can’t see clearly, I guess.” She paused, afraid of what Ari was thinking. “So, what do we do now?”