Letting Go by Ann O'Leary

actually going out on a date with this gorgeous woman.
    “Come in,” said Laura with that smile. “Have a look around. I’ve just got to grab my wallet from upstairs.”
    Kate stood in the living room spellbound. The view was wonderful, but more wonderful at that moment was just the fact that she was standing in Laura’s apartment. It felt strangely erotic just to be there. She couldn’t help imagining herself upstairs in that bed with her. She jumped slightly as Laura returned in a soft delicious cloud of perfume.
    “What do you think?” Laura asked.
    “Oh it’s great. I love the view,” Kate replied. “It must be wonderful living here.”
    Laura agreed, and they headed off for dinner.
    They walked a few blocks and chose an Italian bistro. They sat at a table near the window where they could watch people strolling along the palm-tree-lined boulevard.
    “Would you prefer white or red wine?” Laura asked. Kate shrugged and smiled. “I don’t mind. You choose.”
    “Well, I think a light Beaujolais would be nice,” said Laura. “And why don’t we share a plate of antipasto to start with?”
    Kate agreed and Laura gave their order to the waiter. Kate was smiling brightly. “I’ve got some great news to 53
    tell you. I went to see the woman at the gallery and she likes my pictures. I can hardly believe this, but she wants to hang them in a new exhibition in June.”
    “That’s fabulous, Kate!” Laura said enthusiastically.
    “I’m not surprised. Your work is very good.”
    “Well, it’s all thanks to you,” Kate said. “I really appreciate your help.”
    Laura laughed. “Oh, I’ve no doubt something like that would have happened for you soon anyway. But I’m glad to have helped. I’m looking forward to seeing them displayed.”
    The food and wine arrived. Laura sipped her wine and looked at Kate. She was selecting a piece of artichoke heart and some frittata from the plate. Her hair was wind-blown from the walk along the beachfront and coupled with the healthy-looking glow in her cheeks, she had a wild look about her. Her lemon-colored, knitted cotton top showed off her tan well.
    “So where did you go for your vacation?” Laura asked.
    “I went to my mother’s beach house on the coast. I love it down there. I took a friend with me and it was very relaxing. I did some sketches that I’m looking forward to working on.” Kate combed her fingers through her hair with one hand, as she popped an olive into her mouth. Her eyes were sparkling and she held Laura’s gaze.
    Their main courses arrived. They were both having salad and veal scallopini with a wine and mushroom sauce.
    “It must be great having a beach house at your disposal,”
    said Laura. “Do you get on well with your mother?” She was always fascinated to hear about other people’s mothers, to see if they were as weird as her own. “Does she know you’re gay?”
    “Oh yeah, she knows,” said Kate. “We get on really well. 54
    She was a bit freaked when I first told her, but we talked about it, and she’s fine now.”
    “You’re very fortunate that your mother’s that way. Mine’s a pain in the arse about it,” Laura said with a grin.
    “But then, I guess, my mother would be a lot older than yours and more old-fashioned in her views.” Jesus Christ! she thought suddenly, Kate’s mother’s probably not much older than me!
    As the meal progressed, Laura again found herself enchanted with Kate’s interesting and animated conversation. Reluctantly, she found herself increasingly attracted to her.
    The bistro had become crowded and noisy by the time they’d finished their meal. Laura wanted to get out of there, but she was enjoying herself and wasn’t ready to end the evening. She knew it wasn’t the wisest thing to do under the circumstances, but she suggested they have coffee at her place.
    Laura unlocked the door. “You choose some music, while I make the coffee.” She removed her jacket and tossed it over a