Chapter Text
Chicago, 2007
Laura did not like being made to wait. It was at least a 12 hour drive from Chicago to New York City, not counting stops for food and gas and bathroom breaks, not to mention the unpredictability of traffic, and an hour would be lost due to changing time zones, so her plan was to be on the road no later than 7AM, which would allow plenty of time to get there before midnight.
She had agreed to drive her law partner’s… whatever she was… against her better judgment. Cory was sleeping with at least one junior associate at the firm, and Laura was sure a couple of interns had cozied up to him more than was appropriate, and she suspected this other woman, as an outsider, was completely clueless. Her suspicion was confirmed when she arrived at the designated meeting point, a high-rise apartment building near the lake side of the Hyde Park neighborhood, a few minutes before seven o’clock and found them saying goodbye with the kind of passion usually reserved for ridiculous romantic movies.
After one minute (Laura kept an eye on her watch), she sighed and honked the horn of her blue Subaru Forester. The couple broke apart and looked over at her, Cory with a wolfish grin and the blonde with a shy blushing smile.
“Laur-ahh,” Cory drawled, walking over as she stepped out of the car into the cool late-spring morning. Laura smiled gamely and allowed him to kiss her cheek in greeting. “Thank you so much for doing this.”
“Not a problem,” she said. “Hi, I’m Laura Peterson.” She reached to shake the other woman’s hand.
“Bradley Jackson. It’s nice to meet you, Laura, I’ve heard so much about you!”
“Only good things, I hope.” The brunette winked and had to bite back a laugh as Bradley’s blue eyes went wide.
“Oh, yeah! Yeah, all good.”
Laura glanced at Cory, who was still grinning like an idiot, as she went around to open the back hatch. Bradley had three bags by the curb and there was just enough room amid Laura’s things.
“I’ll call you when I get there!” Bradley threw her arms around Cory once more and he smiled down at her.
“Call me from the road?” he asked, kissing her again.
“I’ll call you from the road.” She giggled and then suddenly seemed to realize Laura was loading her bags. “Oh, I’m so sorry! Let me do that.”
“It’s fine,” Laura said with a grunt, pushing the last suitcase in tight and closing the hatch. “All done.” She rubbed her hands together and then gestured at the car. “Shall we?”
“Yes!” Bradley squealed. “I love a good road trip. Bye, Cory!” She kissed him on the cheek once more before heading to the passenger side.
Laura rolled her eyes and reached to open the driver’s door only to be stopped by Cory. She heard the passenger door shut just before he lowered his voice and said, “Hey, will you do me a favor?”
“I’m kinda in the middle of the last favor you asked me for,” she said.
“No, but this is related,” he said. His eyes took on that slightly maniacal look they always got when he was scheming something or trying to twist a situation to best fit his needs. She hated that look. “Let her down easy for me, will you?”
“Excuse me?”
“Laura, come on.”
“You’re a fucking asshole, you know that right?” In truth he was a lawsuit waiting to happen. Despite her best efforts, things hadn’t been good at the law firm of Ellison, Black, Peterson, and Jordan for quite some time. This move to add a New York branch was actually an excuse for Laura and Mia to strike out on their own, though Cory and Chip didn’t know that yet.
“Please?” Cory asked. He looked contrite but Laura knew better.
“Bye, Cory,” she said, opening the car door and getting in, and sincerely wishing it could be the last thing she ever said to him. He leaned down and waved to Bradley with a smile and the blonde waved back cheerfully.
Laura started the engine and shifted into drive. It was only six minutes past seven o’clock. Still plenty of time to get there before midnight.
* * * * *
“It’s almost 800 miles and a little more than 12 hours if we drive straight through,” Laura explained once she’d merged onto the highway, “but obviously we’ll have to make some stops along the way. There’s a map in the glovebox where I marked some things. We can split up the driving by time or by miles, or we can—”
“Strawberry?” Bradley had pulled a plastic container from the rather large purse on the floorboard between her feet.
“No,” Laura said. “I don’t like to eat between meals.” Bradley gave her a funny look. “Thank you though,” Laura added.
“I love to snack on road trips,” Bradley said, biting into the juicy red fruit. Laura glanced at her and was decidedly glad for an excuse to keep her eyes on the road. Bradley continued, “Why don’t you tell me the story of your life?”
“Sorry, what?”
“We have lots of time to kill,” Bradley said, sucking an errant line of strawberry juice off her thumb. “And I also love a good story.”
“What makes you think my life story is a good one?” Laura asked.
“Well, you’re a successful lawyer, and a total badass in the courtroom, according to Cory. However you got to be that way must make for a good story.”
Laura hummed. “What else did Cory tell you about me?”
“Nothing.” Bradley shook her head. “Why? Are you secretly a serial killer planning to leave my body on the side of the road somewhere in Ohio?”
Laura laughed. “I’m not even sure I’ll be able to tolerate you all the way across Indiana.” When Bradley giggled in response, Laura added, “I wouldn’t have expected you to have such a dark sense of humor.”
“What, just because I’m blonde and pretty you think I don’t have a dark side?”
Bradley sounded genuinely offended and Laura quickly backpedaled.
“No, it’s not that, I’m—”
“It’s okay,” Bradley said with a chuckle. “I’m just messing with you.”
Laura didn’t like to be messed with but she was stuck with this woman until they arrived in New York so she decided to let it slide.
“Are you sure you don’t want a strawberry?”
“Okay, why not.” Laura was about to hold out her hand when Bradley leaned over the center console and pushed a (thankfully) small strawberry between her lips. “Uh, thanks,” she said, around the mouthful of fruit.
“Sorry, you seem like the kind of person who likes to keep both hands on the wheel.” Bradley grinned. “It’s good, right?”
The strawberry was good, Laura had to admit.
As they made their way out of the city, Laura learned that Bradley worked in publishing and was going to be a nonfiction editor at Levy Publishing, one of the top houses in the country. Bradley had made friends with Alex Levy, the CEO's daughter, when she was in college and Alex was in grad school, which had given her a foot in the door when the position opened up. From what Laura could tell though, Bradley had earned her stripes working from the ground up in various Chicago publishing houses. For someone who couldn’t be much more than 30, Bradley was quite impressive.
As the suburbs fell away past the Indiana state line, Bradley learned more about Laura going to New York to establish a new office for the law firm and to court potential clients. She was also hoping to bring on Maggie Brener, a friend from law school, potentially as a name partner.
“It sounds like you’re doing all the hard work,” Bradley remarked, “setting up the office and hiring help and all that. And then what, Cory and Chip will come sweeping in?”
“They’ll still be primarily based in Chicago,” Laura said carefully.
Bradley scoffed. “If I were you, I’d just start my own firm with this Maggie person. You’re what, 40 years old?”
“41,” Laura said.
“And have you never thought about striking out on your own?”
Laura wasn’t sure how to respond given that she didn’t know what Bradley might say to Cory later. So instead of answering, she said, “You’re too good for Cory. You know that, right?”
Bradley smirked. “Oh, I know.” When Laura cast her a questioning look, she asked, “What?”
“Well, that goodbye back there was really… something,” Laura said.
“Yeah, well, Cory has been… fun,” Bradley said slowly, “but I’m not really planning to call him when I get to New York. And I’m certainly not going to call from the road.”
Laura nodded and finally said, “You’re an interesting girl, Bradley.”
“I’m pretty sure you are too, except you keep dodging my questions!”
“Lawyers are good at that sort of thing,” Laura said with a smile.
“I’ve noticed,” Bradley said dryly, “which is why I won’t be dating one again.”
For a moment Laura was quiet. Finally she said, “I am. Striking out on my own, that is. To answer your question.” She glanced over to find Bradley looking at her with a mixture of surprise and admiration. “It’s something I’ve thought about a lot, actually. Mia is coming too. But Cory doesn’t know yet.”
Bradley smiled and said, “Good for you. And your secret is safe with me.”
“Thanks,” Laura said.
“Want another one?”
“Sure.” She didn’t bother to take a hand off the wheel, just opened her mouth as Bradley fed her the last strawberry.
* * * * *
“Oh, come on, you can’t seriously think Ross was the best one for her to end up with.”
“Of course it was Ross! He was perfect for Rachel, right from the beginning. I mean, he’d been in love with her for like, forever, and sure they had their ups and downs, but then they had Emma and it was just… it was right for them to finally get together and mean it.”
Laura, who was now in the passenger seat, shook her head. “You could not be more wrong.”
“Oh, let me guess, you think Rachel and Joey should’ve wound up together?” Bradley gestured with one hand while the other lightly gripped the top of the steering wheel.
“Of course Rachel and Joey should’ve wound up together! They were friends before he fell in love with her, and she loved him too, until Ross got in the way of everything with his ‘I’m fiiiine’ drama.” Laura placed her palm against her chest, keeping her wrist limp, mimicking Ross as she rolled her eyes. “I swear, I almost stopped watching during the ‘we were on a break’ nonsense. She should’ve been done with him then and there.” She waved dismissively.
“Okay, Ross wasn’t perfect, but Joey? Sure he was a good friend, but as a love interest he’s totally lacking.”
“Again, you could not be more wrong,” Laura said with a laugh. “I’m amazed at your wrongheadedness.”
Bradley giggled. “Alright then, tell me why Joey was so great.” She carefully checked her blind spot before pulling into the left lane to pass a slow-moving RV.
“Well, for starters, he always supported her career and was genuinely happy whenever good things happened for her professionally. Ross kept looking for things to be jealous about, and he always complained that because of her job, she wasn’t making enough time for him—remember when he showed up at her office with a picnic? I mean, come on.” Laura gestured sharply as she continued. “Even in the last episodes, he knew how much she wanted to go to Paris, but he went behind her back and manipulated her boss to make it so she would stay.”
Bradley was not surprised this was Laura’s first point as her own professional life seemed to be a key part of who she was.
“And Joey was always there for her and Emma, even before Emma was born,” Laura added. “He took care of Rachel early in her pregnancy, before she made the mistake of moving in with Ross. And when Rachel showed up at his door again, needing a place to stay when things once again fell apart with Ross, Joey welcomed her, and Emma, with open arms. That was a big lifestyle change for him, and showed how much he’d grown as a character.”
Laura paused for a sip of water and Bradley found herself wondering what Laura’s thoughts were on children, if she’d ever wanted any herself and her career just got in the way…
“Anyway, Ross showed almost zero growth in ten seasons, whereas Joey turned out to be an all around good guy. He could’ve been a stay-at-home dad while Rachel worked—now that would’ve been a fun and interesting storyline.”
“Are you just saying that because that’s what you would want? A husband who’d stay at home with the kids while you went to the office?”
Laura sputtered and nearly choked on her water before she burst out laughing. “That’s absolutely not what I would want, in any way, shape, or form.”
“You’ve never wanted kids?”
“No,” Laura said. “Never wanted a husband either…”
Bradley glanced at her long enough for Laura to see when the thought clicked into place.
“You’re a lesbian,” Bradley said—a statement more than a question, but Laura answered anyway.
“Yes. Does that bother you?”
Bradley laughed. “No, why would it?”
“I don’t know,” Laura said. “Some straight girls just get… squirrely. There’s a diner at the next exit,” she added, pointing ahead. “Let’s stop for lunch and then I’ll drive again.”
Bradley took the off ramp and steered them into the parking lot. After she’d turned the car off and pulled the key from the ignition, she turned to Laura and said, “What makes you think I’m straight?”
“Are you?” Laura asked. When Bradley didn’t immediately answer, Laura raised an eyebrow and tilted her head slightly, jutting her chin out in an almost imperceptible challenge.
Slowly, Bradley leaned over the console between them until her face was just inches from Laura’s. Laura didn’t back down, and when Bradley’s eyes flicked briefly to her lips, Laura smirked.
“We’re just going to be friends, Laura, okay?” Bradley finally said as she pulled away.
“That’s fine, yeah, just friends,” Laura said. “But now who’s the one dodging questions?”
Bradley laughed and shook her head. “Just don’t go making assumptions as to who I am and what my past is.”
Laura looked at her appraisingly and said again, “You’re an interesting girl, Bradley…”
As they entered the diner, which was full of retro 1950s kitsch, they resumed their discussion of Friends, with Bradley elaborating on why Ross was the clear choice for Rachel.
“I just think most women are very practical when it comes to these things,” she said, sliding into the booth opposite Laura. “He was the father of her child, a good provider, and obviously the sex must’ve been great since she kept going back to him!”
“I get that, from a practical standpoint, Ross was a good fit,” Laura agreed. She studied the menu briefly before placing it back behind the napkin holder. “But I think Rachel was just lucky that the sex happened to be great too.”
“So if that had been lacking, that would’ve been just another reason for her to end up with Joey? All that practical stuff is important.”
Laura hummed. “Clearly you haven’t had great sex yet.”
Bradley closed her menu with a huff. “It just so happens that I have had plenty of good sex!”
She was loud enough that the conversation in their immediate vicinity quieted and people cast curious looks at their table. Bradley blushed and Laura pursed her lips together to prevent herself from smiling too much. After a moment, the ambient chatter resumed and Laura asked, quietly, “Good, but not great?” Bradley rolled her eyes and Laura went on. “So do you want to tell me about this supposedly ‘good’ sex? Unless it’s Cory, then I don’t wanna know.” She wrinkled her nose in disgust and Bradley laughed.
“No, it’s not Cory, and it’s also none of your business.”
Laura shrugged. “Okay, fine, don’t tell me.”
Bradley started to speak but the waitress arrived with glasses of water and then stood ready to take their orders.
“I’ll have the number three,” Laura said.
“I’ll have a BLT,” Bradley said, and the waitress made a quick note and started to walk away, but Bradley continued. “I’d like it on sourdough, if you have it, if not, whole wheat bread is fine. If it’s on sourdough, please only toast the inside of the bread, but if it’s on wheat, both sides can be toasted.”
Laura stared at Bradley, glancing at the waitress only long enough to marvel that she was somehow managing to maintain a straight face.
“I’d also like the peach cobbler with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If the cobbler is warm, I want the ice cream on the side, but if it’s room temperature, you can put the ice cream on top.”
The waitress nodded silently and continued scribbling on the order pad as she walked away. Laura continued to stare at Bradley as if she’d grown a second head.
“What?”
“You’re very… particular.”
“I just know what I like,” Bradley said, sitting up a little straighter. The left side of her mouth went up in a lopsided smile and Laura watched as a second later a dimple appeared on her right cheek.
“Hmm, noted.”
They discussed the remainder of the drive but otherwise ate in relative silence. Bradley offered Laura some of her cobbler, with the ice cream on the side, and Laura accepted. After they split the bill and left a generous tip, they stepped back out into the warm day and Bradley tossed Laura the keys.
Bradley was immediately comfortable in the passenger seat but Laura grumbled as she slid behind the wheel, reaching for the seat adjustment controls. “You’re so short I’m surprised you don’t need a booster seat to drive…” She pushed the seat back and glanced over at Bradley with a smile. The younger woman rolled her eyes and Laura shook her head as she turned the key in the ignition.
“I’ve changed my mind,” Bradley said. “I don’t think we can be friends.”
“Why not?” Laura put the car in reverse and put one hand behind Bradley’s headrest, looking back as she eased out of the parking spot.
“Because eventually you’re going to want to sleep with me,” Bradley said matter-of-factly, “and that would just mess everything up and then we couldn’t be friends anymore. And I don’t like losing friends, so we just shouldn’t even start.”
Laura chuckled and didn’t bother to challenge Bradley’s presumption. “You clearly don’t know how lesbians operate.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean if we weren’t able to be friends with most of our exes, our social lives would be very limited.”
Bradley furrowed her brow and said, “Well, that’s nice for you, but I’m not a lesbian.”
“Okay, fine.” Laura grinned. “You’re right, as a straight-gay-bisexual-whatever type—see, I’m not making any assumptions, I covered all the bases—then you have a lot more options.” Bradley only pouted in response, so Laura simply said, “Well, I guess we aren’t going to be friends then. Which is a shame because it would’ve been nice to have another friend in New York.”
* * * * *
Just before 11PM, they pulled up in front of the apartment building where Bradley would be staying in Alex’s guest room until she found her own place. Laura set Bradley’s last suitcase on the curb and closed the back hatch. She’d offered to help her in but Bradley had declined, saying she’d call Alex to come down. Since it was a nice neighborhood and the street was well-lit, Laura didn’t press the issue.
“Thanks for the ride,” Bradley said.
“Yeah, it was… interesting.”
Bradley tilted her head and said, “I can’t decide if you like it when things are interesting or not.” Laura only smiled in response and offered her hand, which Bradley took. “It was nice knowing you.”
“Likewise,” Laura said as they shook. “Well, have a nice life.”
Each released their grip on the other and they stepped apart.
“You too,” Bradley said.
She watched as Laura got back in the car and drove away.
Five Years Later (2012)
LaGuardia Airport was bustling with people hurrying to their various destinations, but Laura took her time walking to the gate for her flight to Chicago. She was early, of course, not liking to be rushed any more than she liked being made to wait. She’d made many trips to Chicago in the last few years, often to poach old clients from what was now the law firm of Ellison and Black, and occasionally to visit old friends, and she didn’t mind that the journey was old hat by now as it allowed her time to read on the plane or sometimes catch up on paperwork. Despite the crowds, Laura felt calm and quiet within herself, so the airport was a nice break from her usual haunts of her office or the courthouse.
When she arrived at the gate, she noticed a couple kissing so passionately that she felt sure they must be saying goodbye, which was odd to see past the security lines. At first she walked by without another thought, but then she backtracked, certain she recognized the man with his distinctive dark hair and eyes that looked to be rimmed with eyeliner.
“Yanko Flores?” she asked. “Oh my gosh, it is you!”
“Laura Peterson!” he exclaimed, taking his hands off the blonde long enough to shake Laura’s hand. “Wow, it’s been years. How’s it going at PB&J?”
Laura rolled her eyes. “You know I hate that acronym.”
“Hey, you’re the one who rolled over and let Maggie have her way about being second in the name order.”
“Well, I certainly wasn’t going to let her be listed first,” Laura said with a smirk. “Tell me the truth now: is the awful acronym why you turned down my offer?”
Yanko laughed. “You know I like working in the public more than the private sector.”
Laura smiled. “I do know, though I still can’t imagine why.”
At this point, she glanced at the woman beside them and blinked in surprise. She’d recognize those bright blue eyes anywhere.
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Yanko said. “Laura, this is my girlfriend, Bradley Jackson. Bradley, this is Laura Peterson. We worked together for a little while about three years ago.”
“Bradley, it’s nice to meet you,” Laura said with a wink, offering her hand, which Bradley accepted only somewhat reluctantly.
“Likewise,” Bradley said slowly.
Yanko checked his watch and said, “Okay, babe, I gotta get to my gate. Good luck in Chicago!” He kissed Bradley on the cheek and moved away. “Good to see you again, Laura! Let’s catch up when we’re both back in town.”
The two women watched him go and then turned to face each other.
“Let me guess,” Bradley said. “You’re going to Chicago too.”
“As luck would have it,” Laura said, “yes.”
They made their way to the queue and waited to board in silence until Bradley asked, “So your new firm is doing well?”
“Very,” Laura said, lifting her head a little more with pride. “I’m going to Chicago to finalize a deal to bring over a client from my old firm.
Bradley chuckled. “I won’t ask how Cory is doing since that’s pretty obvious.”
Laura told her anyway. “He’s miserable, barely staying afloat. Serves him right, that snake…”
“Wow,” Bradley said, raising her eyebrows. “I knew you didn’t like him but I didn’t get the sense it was that bad when we drove here however many years ago.”
“Things change.” Laura shrugged, not wanting to get into the details. “What about you? How’s the publishing business?”
“Fantastic,” Bradley said. “I’m going to Chicago to meet with an up-and-coming writer on environmental issues and negotiate a book deal.”
“That’s great, I’m glad to hear it!” Laura beamed at her and Bradley tried very hard not to blush as she stared into those striking green eyes.
The plane was open seating, even in first class, which they both had tickets for. Laura stopped at an empty row of two cushy seats. “Window or aisle?” She shoved her carry-on suitcase into the overhead compartment and then reached for Bradley’s.
“What makes you think I want to sit with you?” Bradley asked, even as she let Laura take her suitcase.
Laura smirked as she pushed the bin closed and Bradley rolled her eyes and slid past her to the window seat.
“So…” Laura settled in the aisle seat to Bradley’s left. “You and Yanko, huh? I thought you weren’t going to date another lawyer.”
“Well, Yanko is an objectively good guy, unlike Cory…”
“Very true. So how long have you two been together? Three weeks?”
Bradley gaped at her. “A month. How did you know that?”
“Long, passionate goodbye kisses at the airport only happen during the beginning part of a relationship.”
“That’s just not true. There can still be romance in long term relationships.”
“Perhaps,” Laura said, “but not if the relationship is practical. Romance does not lend itself to practicality, and I seem to recall you have a definite preference for what’s practical.”
Bradley pulled the in-flight magazine from the seatback in front of her and aggressively opened it. “Again, that’s just not true,” she huffed. “People can be both practical and passionate, one does not preclude the other.”
“And again, clearly you still haven’t had great sex.”
“And again,” Bradley said, closing the magazine so quickly she crumpled several of the pages as she turned to face Laura, “it just so happens that I have had plenty of good sex!”
As in the diner all those years ago, she’d raised her voice enough that the conversational buzz around them quieted. Laura bit her lip and then smiled apologetically up at the incredulous looks of the elderly couple who happened to be coming down the aisle just then. As the last passengers continued filing past and the first class chatter resumed, she turned to Bradley and said, “Still just good, not great?”
Bradley sighed and rolled her eyes. “I meant great.”
“Okay,” Laura said with a smile. “Do you want to tell me now about this supposedly ‘great’ sex?
“No, it’s still none of your business.”
Laura shrugged and pulled a book from the shoulder bag she’d stashed beneath the seat. “Okay, fine, don’t tell me.”
Bradley narrowed her eyes as Laura opened the book. No sooner had Laura removed the bookmark when Bradley spoke again, so Laura quietly replaced the mark and closed the book.
“If you must know… Yanko is pretty great.”
“Yanko? No, no, you do not have great sex with Yanko.”
“I do too.”
“No you don’t. Yanko can recommend a good public defender. If you need someone pleasant to pass the time with, Yanko’s your man. Apparently Yanko can even be a good enough boyfriend to drop you off at your gate in the airport. But sex is not Yanko’s strong suit.”
Bradley stared at Laura, her mouth slightly open. “What makes you so sure? It’s not like you’ve had the experience.”
“It’s the name,” Laura said, as if it were obvious. She dropped her voice almost to a whisper and leaned closer as she continued, “‘Do it to me, Yanko. You’re an animal, Yanko. Ride me, big… Yanko.’” She looked sideways at Bradley and shook her head as she pulled away. “It doesn’t work.”
For a moment, all Bradley could do was gape at her. Finally, she said, “It’s amazing. You look like a normal person, but actually you are the most annoying, frustrating, maddening… creature… I have ever met.”
“Fair enough,” Laura said, turning once more to her book.
Bradley opened her magazine again as she asked, “What about you? Are you seeing anyone?”
“I am, yes,” Laura said absentmindedly. “Her name is Alison, she’s a real estate broker.”
“And let me guess—the sex is great?”
Laura smirked and said, “Sex with me is always great.”
Bradley was about to reply with some snappy comeback, Laura was sure, but the preflight announcements started and the other woman settled back into her seat with a pout.
Laura was amused but not at all surprised when Bradley’s drink order changed depending on the availability of pretzels or cookies as a snack. Once they were settled into the flight, Laura asked, “Seen any good TV lately?”
“Are you the kind of lawyer who likes shows about lawyers?”
“It depends.”
Bradley hummed and then said, “I’ve been enjoying The Good Wife.” She turned and squinted at Laura and added, “Actually, you kinda look like Alicia Florrick, just with better hair…”
Laura laughed. “You’re not the first person to say so. It’s probably just because we’re both lawyers, we give off the same… energy. I don’t get her anyway.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, I mean… Will is right there, and yet she stays with Peter? In what world does that make sense?”
“Oh, come on,” Bradley exclaimed. “You of all people should understand why she stays with Peter. It’s what’s best for her career! Professionally, he’s good for her. And yes, he cheated, but as long as she stays with him at least she has some kind of stability.”
Laura rolled her eyes. “You really think I’m so career-driven that I’d advocate for someone to stay with a person who is objectively awful just because it furthers their professional interests?”
Bradley gave her a look that plainly said, Well, duh.
“Absolutely not.” Laura shook her head. “Will is much better for Alicia. If they would just have an actual conversation about their relationship, he could offer her stability, and depending on how they work things, he could be good for her career too.” She eyed Bradley and continued, “And surely if I, as a lesbian, can see how passionate they are with each other, then you, a straight woman, can see it too.” Bradley started to speak but Laura cut her off. “Sorry—I meant you, as a straight-gay-bisexual-whatever type. Almost forgot that I need to cover all the bases with you.”
“Are labels really that important?” Bradley furrowed her brow. The conversation had suddenly meandered into different territory and she was unsure what to focus on. When Laura shrugged noncommittally, Bradley added, “I’m just a sexual person, Laura, I don’t see that it matters how I label myself.”
Laura smiled. “You’re ‘a sexual person’ who doesn’t know the difference between ‘good’ and ‘great’ sex.”
“Oh, and I suppose you could help me out with that?”
“I already told you, sex with me is always great.”
Bradley huffed and turned again to her magazine, hoping Laura wouldn’t see the blush she felt blooming across her cheeks.
After they landed, taxied to the gate, and came to a halt, Laura stood and pulled Bradley’s suitcase from the overhead and carefully set it in front of her.
“Thank you,” Bradley said curtly before moving toward the front of the plane. Laura chuckled as she pulled her own suitcase down and followed her out.
Bradley left the gate at a fast clip, the wheels of her bag clicking on the tile floor, and Laura was briefly delayed by the crowd queuing up to board the plane. She finally caught up to Bradley on one of the moving walkways carrying people to the airport exits.
“So how long are you here for? Would you like to have dinner?” When Bradley gave her a disparaging look, Laura said, “What? You still think we can’t be friends? What if I promise that I have no interest in sleeping with you? We’re both involved with other people anyway—”
“Laura,” Bradley cut her off, but then said, gently, “Goodbye.”
“Okay.”
Bradley set off walking along the moving walkway and Laura walked alongside her until Bradley stopped and turned to glare at her.
“I’ll just… stay here,” Laura said with a smile. Bradley nodded and Laura watched her walk away.
Five Years Later (2017)
“I just can’t believe Jason is already seeing someone else.”
“Alex. You guys divorced over a year ago.”
Bradley absentmindedly sipped her iced tea as she sat between her two best friends and listened to them argue. It was a beautiful, warm late-summer day, the overwhelming heat had fallen away and you could just sense cooler weather was coming soon. It was the kind of day that sent New Yorkers flocking to the outdoors, and Bradley was lucky she’d managed to get them a last-minute lunch reservation for a patio table.
“I know, but it’s still so fast!” Alex said. She tucked errant strands of her long dirty blonde hair behind her ear with one hand while the other stabbed at her salad with more force than was strictly necessary. “I mean, Audra says they’re probably going to move in together soon.”
“Seriously?” Daniel asked around a mouthful of veggie burger. “You’ve never trusted a single thing Audra has said to you but this you take to the bank?”
Alex glared at him. “It’s just not fair that he’s managed to find someone serious and all I can find are men who turn out to be complete assholes or complete idiots or complete losers or some combination of all those.”
Daniel shrugged and stole a french fry off Bradley’s plate. “You’ll find someone eventually. I dated a whole string of losers before I found Eric, and Bradley, you went through the same thing before Yanko.”
“That just means the two of you got the last good ones,” Alex grumbled.
“Yanko and I broke up,” Bradley announced. In the ensuing silence, she picked up her half-eaten BLT and took another bite.
Finally Alex asked, “When did that happen?”
“Three days ago.”
“And you’re just now telling us this?” Daniel’s voice pitched a little higher before he seemed to regain control of his reaction. “What happened?”
“Yeah, honey, are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” Bradley said. “I’ve had a few days to get used to it and I’m okay. Actually, I’m totally over him.”
Alex and Daniel exchanged glances before Daniel said, “So you’re not upset? At all?”
Bradley shrugged. “Why should I be? We’ve been growing apart for a long time now. This is for the best.”
“Oh honey, don’t worry,” Alex said, rubbing her arm reassuringly. “We’ll find you someone new. There are plenty of good men out there.”
Bradley gave her a look that very plainly said are you fucking kidding me and Daniel burst out laughing.
“Yeah, okay,” Alex went on, holding her hands up in supplication. “I heard myself. I was just trying to be supportive…”
“I appreciate that,” Bradley said, “but I mean it—I’m fine. We were always a weird match anyway. I’m honestly just surprised we lasted this long.”
“We need to get you two on one of those dating sites,” Daniel said. “Let’s have a girls night sometime soon and I’ll help you set up your profiles.”
Alex seemed to be considering it but Bradley said, “I’m not ready yet. But you should definitely do it, babe.”
“I thought you said you were over him?” Alex challenged.
“I am over him! I’m just… not ready to find someone else yet.” She paused for another sip of iced tea before adding, quietly, “I’ve also been thinking that maybe… I shouldn’t be limiting myself to just men.”
Daniel stared at her in stunned silence and Alex’s fork clattered noisily against the side of her salad bowl.
“Oh, come on, Bradley, not this again.”
“Wait, what do you mean again?” Daniel asked, looking back and forth between the two of them.
Alex looked at Bradley who rolled her eyes and gestured for Alex to continue.
“Bradley… experimented with some girls in college. And every couple of years she used to wonder if maybe she should open herself up to dating women.”
Daniel grinned and looked at Bradley approvingly. “That is an excellent idea. If you come out of the closet, I guarantee you’ll have women knocking down your door.”
“Yeah, but haven’t you been with Yanko long enough now that you’re… straightened out?”
Bradley and Daniel both gave Alex disapproving looks, which she shrugged off as she returned to the last of her salad.
“Alright,” Daniel said. “You’re not ready yet, that’s fine. But when you are, I’ve got the perfect woman to set you up with. Her name is Claire, she’s a dental hygienist in Eric’s practice, very cute, likes to stay out late at all these trendy, fun places, she’ll be great for you.”
“Bradley hasn’t stayed out past 8PM since the last Hunger Games movie premiered,” Alex snarked.
“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Bradley said, signaling the waiter for the check. She’d had quite enough of this conversation for one day.
* * * * *
“Laura, I’m telling you, it’s been six months and this is ridiculous. I’m taking you to the Cubbyhole tonight and you’re going home with someone else—and don’t argue with me.”
“And Maggie, I’m telling you, I’m just not interested in finding anyone right now.”
Laura unbuttoned her dark green blazer and pulled some cash from the inner pocket to pay the street vendor for their pretzels. They’d just gotten out of court, though Maggie was only on recess and would need to be back for the afternoon, and Laura was already looking forward to settling in at home with a glass of wine and a good book before an early bedtime.
“Honey, I get that Alison broke your heart—”
“She did not break my heart.”
“—but that’s no reason for you to give up altogether!”
“I’m not giving up!”
Maggie looked at her appraisingly as they moved down the path into the park. “Do I need to bed you again? Because I will if that’s what it takes to get you out of this slump.”
Laura rolled her eyes. “First of all, again? Let’s not argue about who bedded who all those years ago.”
Maggie shrugged and took a bite of her soft pretzel. “I’m just messing with you,” she said.
“Second of all,” Laura continued, ignoring her annoyance at being messed with, “I am not in a slump. I’m choosing to be alone right now.”
They found an empty park bench in a shady spot and sat down to enjoy the warm day. Laura chewed thoughtfully as she watched people pass by. She really was glad to be on her own. She was also glad to have Maggie as her law partner and friend and not something else. If the fling they’d had shortly after Laura arrived in New York had lasted longer than it did, she wouldn’t have brought Maggie on as a partner, and Laura doubted the law firm would’ve survived with just the clients she and Mia managed to bring in those first couple of years.
“Are you happy?” Maggie asked, pulling her from her thoughts. “Tell me the truth.”
Laura turned and met Maggie’s piercing brown eyes as she said, “Yes, I’m happy.”
Maggie stared at her a moment more and then, seemingly satisfied, said, “Good,” and they both turned back to their pretzels and their people watching.
* * * * *
“It’s just so hard to choose, you know? I mean, nobody is really who they say they are on these dating app profiles. I’m not even who I say I am!”
“That’s just because Daniel helped you fill it out so you’d seem like more fun than you actually are.” Bradley smirked and returned the book she’d been examining to the table in front of them. Alex scoffed and Bradley bumped their shoulders together. “You know I’m just kidding.”
“Sure you are,” Alex grumbled. She was trying to find a birthday gift for her notoriously difficult-to-please mother, so she had enlisted Bradley to help comb through their favorite bookstore. Bradley would’ve preferred to spend that sunny Saturday morning still in bed with her head under the covers, but she wasn’t about to tell Alex that.
Alex cleared her throat and elbowed Bradley. “Someone is staring at you in Personal Growth…”
Bradley looked up and scanned the section titles—Social Sciences, Philosophy, Psychology, Self Help & Relationships—until she saw…
“Oh my god, I know her.”
The woman’s long dark hair was pulled back into a neat ponytail and Bradley would never forget those green eyes, which were sneaking glances at her over the top of an open book.
Bradley turned back to Alex and said, “She’s a lawyer. And a lesbian,” she added cheekily.
“She’s… gorgeous,” Alex said, and Bradley gave her a bemused look. “What?” Alex asked. “You’re the one thinking about dating women, I’m just trying to get on board. If you know her, maybe you should date her.”
Bradley chuckled. “She may be gorgeous but she’s also obnoxious.”
Alex coughed and nodded over Bradley’s shoulder, and the blonde turned to find Laura approaching.
“Well, if it isn’t Bradley Jackson!” Laura offered her hand and Bradley took it.
“Wow, Laura Peterson!” Bradley smiled as they shook. “It’s nice to see you again. This is my friend, Alex Levy—” She turned to introduce Alex only to find the other woman waving to them on her way out the door. Bradley sighed and Laura looked at her curiously.
“So how have you been?” Laura asked.
“I’m fine,” Bradley said.
“Are you still with, um… what was his name?”
Bradley knew full well Laura remembered his name but she decided not to comment on that. “Yanko, and no, we broke up. Last week.”
“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that.” Laura looked genuinely sympathetic and Bradley gave her that lopsided smile. When the little dimple appeared, Laura felt a flutter she tried to ignore.
“It’s fine, we’d been growing apart for a while,” Bradley said, repeating the line she’d given Alex and Daniel. “What about you? Are you still with the real estate lady?”
Laura shook her head. “We broke up about six months ago. I’m actually pretty happy on my own right now.” She studied Bradley for a moment before asking, “So what happened with Yanko?”
* * * * *
They decided the Italian restaurant down the street would be a better place to talk than the bookstore. After they’d each gotten a glass of wine and picked out an antipasto platter to share, Bradley started talking.
“It was great when we first got together. Neither of us wanted children, neither of us particularly cared for marriage, especially since we’d both seen how unhappy our married friends could be.” She sipped the white blend she’d ordered and hummed approvingly. “I think we were both grateful to be in this wonderful, easy relationship. We worked in different fields but had regular schedules so it was easy to spend time together. And we could be spontaneous and… romantic. If we wanted to, we could have sex on the kitchen counter without any kids interrupting, or we could fly off to Las Vegas on a moment’s notice.”
She grew quiet and thoughtful as Laura watched her over her glass of red. “What changed?”
Bradley laughed a little. “I was at work, booking a flight to Dallas, to meet with an author about a book deal. And I realized Yanko was going to a conference in Portland on a flight that same morning and that we’d be able to ride to the airport together—I always checked his schedule, for practical purposes.” Laura quirked an eyebrow but bit her tongue, and Bradley continued. “But then it occurred to me… more often than not, when we’d go to the airport together, we were getting on separate planes.”
Laura nodded and helped herself to a piece of focaccia while Bradley speared a tomato slice with her fork.
“And so I went home and told Yanko, ‘You know, we never do fly off to Vegas on a moment’s notice.’”
“And the kitchen counter?” Laura asked.
“Not once.” Bradley giggled. “It’s this very cold, hard pink-ish marble.”
“Pink?” Laura wrinkled her nose and Bradley grinned.
“Anyway, we talked for hours and decided that we both want different things. And so finally, I said, ‘Well, I guess it’s over,’ and then he just… left.” For a moment Bradley stared off into the middle distance before blinking back to focus. “I really feel fine though, totally over him. Every day I’m more convinced I did the right thing.”
“Wow, it sounds like you’ve got a lot of clarity about this,” Laura remarked.
“I do,” Bradley said, sitting up straighter. She added a slice of prosciutto and another of provolone to the focaccia on her plate. Laura suspected Bradley was trying to convince herself more than anyone else, but she didn’t say so. “And hey,” Bradley continued, “at least I get to keep the apartment.”
“With the pink marble countertops?”
Bradley shrugged. “I’ve been wanting to redo the kitchen anyway.” She took another sip of her wine before asking, “So what happened with the real estate lady?”
“Alison,” Laura said. “Yeah, she was cheating on me. It was very easy to let her go.”
“Oh, Laura, I’m sorry.”
Laura shrugged. “Like I said, I’m really glad to be on my own right now. It’s been six months and seriously, I don’t miss her at all. I hope she and Brian are very happy together.”
“Oh my god, she cheated on you with a man?” Bradley exclaimed.
Laura cringed. “Say it a little louder, there are some bucket drummers three blocks over who didn’t quite hear you.”
Bradley blushed and gazed at her sheepishly. “Sorry…”
“It’s okay,” Laura grinned. “Anyway, there were a lot of women before Alison and at this point in my life, I’m not interested in dating around or even just having one night stands. How’s your wine?”
“Very good,” Bradley said. “Do you want to try it?”
“Sure. Would you like to try mine? It’s good too. Refined but not too structured.”
Bradley shook her head. “I don’t drink red wine when it’s warm outside. Unless it’s chilled. And I don’t really like chilled reds.”
“Of course you don’t,” Laura said before she drank from Bradley’s glass. She hummed and tilted her head a little before she said, “That is very good. Bright and refreshing.”
“It is…” Bradley watched as Laura slid the glass back across the table. Then she licked her lips and reached for Laura’s glass of red.
Laura raised an eyebrow and smiled but didn’t say anything.
* * * * *
“You know, I didn’t like you that much when we first met.”
After leaving the restaurant they walked to Central Park and set off at a leisurely pace on a path along the lake toward Cherry Hill.
“That’s okay,” Laura said with a smirk. “I didn’t like you very much either.”
“Yes you did,” Bradley said. “You were just really uptight then.”
Laura chuckled. “And now you think I’m not uptight?”
Bradley looked up at her intently and finally said, “No, you’re much softer now.”
“I’m not sure whether to feel complimented or insulted.”
“I meant it as a compliment, for what it’s worth.”
“Well… thank you.” Laura eyed her and said, “I was a bit rude to you, the times we met before. I shouldn’t have teased you so much.”
Bradley laughed. “It’s fine, I probably deserved it.”
“No, but seriously.” Laura stopped walking and briefly touched Bradley’s arm so she’d turn around. “What’s the statute of limitations on apologies?”
“That sounds like something a lawyer should know,” Bradley said with a grin.
“Humor me,” Laura said. “It’s the kind of thing that’s outside my area of expertise.”
Bradley looked at her carefully and finally said, “Ten years.”
“Perfect,” Laura said. “I can just get in under the wire.” She bent her knees slightly so her eyes were level with Bradley’s. “I apologize for how I treated you when we met before.”
“You don’t need to apologize,” Bradley said, but Laura looked at her almost pleadingly, so she added, “but I’ll accept your apology anyway.”
“Thank you,” Laura said.
They walked along in silence for a while, neither with anywhere particular they needed to be, glad for the beautiful weekend and the quiet company.
“Would you like to have dinner with me sometime?”
Bradley asked the question and then looked as if she’d surprised even herself by doing so. Laura grinned.
“Are we becoming friends now?”
“Well… yeah. Something like that,” Bradley said.
Laura looked her up and down and then said, “You know, you are probably the first attractive woman I’ve never wanted to sleep with in my entire life.”
Bradley rolled her eyes. “That’s wonderful, Laura.”