Where the Light Glows Page 13

  Mel peeked over Izzy’s shoulder into the pan. “What’re you cooking?”

  “Linguine Bolognese.”

  “My favorite.” She reached over and stole a string of pasta. “I just can’t get enough of it.” She held it up and let it trail into her mouth. “You knew that though, didn’t you?”

  Izzy bit her bottom lip and nodded. “Hey, Carlos. Throw this into the warmer for me?” She tossed her sous chef a loaf of bread.

  Turning to Miguel, Carlos grinned and spoke to him in Spanish. “The pretty lady is back again tonight. Maybe I should ask her out for a drink.”

  “Or better yet, take her home for one,” Miguel responded.

  Noting Mel’s lack of reaction to the comment, Izzy responded in the same language. “Knock it off, Carlos.”

  “But she has such a nice—”

  “I said stop.” Izzy glanced at Mel as she reached up to get a glass. “No one’s going to ask her out.”

  “Ohhh. I think the boss lady is calling dibs on this one, Miguel.” He laughed. “You see the glimmer in her eye?”

  “I see it. Maybe she’s going to try and turn the straight lady.” Miguel chuckled.

  “Never mind what I’m going to do.” She wadded up a towel and threw it at Carlos. “Go have a smoke or something.” She glanced over at Mel and smiled.

  “If it doesn’t work out, let me know,” Carlos said, giving her a huge grin as he took his pack of cigarettes from the top of the Sub-Zero and headed out back.

  “Not a chance in hell, Carlos.” She glanced back at Mel again. I’m going to do my best to keep this one around.

  “What were they talking about?” Mel set the glasses on the table and pulled the cork from a bottle of red wine.

  “He wants to take Saturday off. He was giving me grief because I told him no. I’m taking it off.”

  “Oh? What are you doing on Saturday?”

  “I don’t know yet. You have something in mind?”

  Mel grinned. “Now that was a set-up if I’ve ever heard one.”

  Izzy took off her royal-blue chef’s coat and leaned back against the counter. Mel handed her a glass of wine and propped herself next to her.

  “You want to come over to the house? I could fix us a lunch cooler, and we could hang out at the beach for a while.”

  “How about we go for a hike first?” Mel took a sip of her wine.

  “Exercise on my day off?” Izzy widened her eyes and rocked her head back and forth comically. “Sounds exhausting.”

  “After all the carbs you’ve been feeding me, this body needs some activity.” She nudged her with her shoulder. “Come on, just a short one. It’ll be fun.”

  “Okay, as long as you promise it’ll be short. Then when we get back we can hit the beach.” Izzy couldn’t help but smile at the thought of the many other calorie-burning activities she would love to experience with her, but hiking would do for now.

  Chapter Eleven

  Izzy snapped the blanket and spread it out on the sand before unfolding the beach chairs and setting them side by side, facing the water. She couldn’t wait to sit her tired butt down; her calves were killing her.

  Mel had failed to mention the little hike she planned to take her on was up and down the Dipsea Steep on Mount Tam. It was short, less than four miles; she had to give her that. But it wasn’t for beginners. It went from trail to stairs to trail to more stairs. However, the beautiful view had made it all worth it.

  “I’m exhausted.” Izzy flopped into a chair.

  “Oh, come on. It wasn’t that bad,” Mel said, her smile tinged with a bit of a frown.

  “Maybe not for you, but my legs feel like spaghetti.” She stretched them out in front of her. “I’ve got a knot right here.” She bent her leg and winced as she pushed her thumb into the center of her calf.

  “Let me see.” Mel squatted next to her and kneaded it with her fingers. “Take a nice hot bath later, and you’ll feel better.”

  “Can’t do that. My tub’s out of commission.”

  “Your tub doesn’t work?” A mix of surprise and disappointment rang in Mel’s voice.

  “Something’s wrong with the jets. The motor whines, but they don’t blow. It was like that when I moved in, and I just haven’t gotten around to having it fixed.”

  “I could never live without a tub.” She pressed a thumb deep into Izzy’s thigh, and she squirmed. “Even if the beach was my backyard, I’d have to fix it.”

  “Well, you can still shower.”

  “That’s true. Then I can take a bath when I get home.”

  “So, you would shower here and still go home and take a bath?”

  “Probably.” Mel closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. “A nice glass of wine, a couple of candles, and a good book. It’s the only time I get to really relax.”

  The look of contentment on Mel’s face entranced Izzy. “Wow. I never thought taking a bath could sound so good. I’ll have to try it sometime.”

  “You can borrow mine anytime.”

  Izzy jerked her lip up into a twisted grin. “I knew there were perks to hanging out with you. Kind of odd ones, but perks nonetheless.” She laughed and scanned the beach. Her neighbor Dolores was sitting in the sand at the edge of the water watching her grandkids ride the small, rippling waves to shore. She watched a couple of guys throw a football back and forth. One of them threw it way long. As she watched the other guy run after it, she saw an all-too-familiar face.

  “Shit,” she said under her breath.

  “Does that hurt?” Mel said, easing up a little on her leg.

  “No.”

  Mel followed her gaze down the beach to the beautiful blonde tossing a beach ball around with two little boys. It was the woman from the restaurant a few weeks before. She’s your girlfriend. You take care of her. Tony’s words flashed from her memory. Mel had to know who she was. “Who is she?”

  “My ex.”

  Mel snapped her head around to get a better look. “She has kids?”

  “Her sister’s.” She smiled.

  Izzy flipped open the cooler. They’d stopped at the corner store on the way back from their hike and picked up a couple of sandwiches, some fruit, and drinks. Izzy tried to slip in some chips a couple of times, but Mel made her put them back.

  “You want a sandwich?”

  “Just half.” She nodded, moving into the chair next to her. “How about a water too?”

  Izzy handed her a bottle of water and half a sandwich, taking the rest for herself. Keeping one eye on Dana, Izzy sat back in her chair and nibbled on her sandwich.

  “Your ex, huh,” Mel said softly as she popped a grape into her mouth. “Were you in love with her?”

  Izzy shifted her gaze to Mel and then to the ocean. “I thought so.”

  “I’m sorry, Izzy.” She touched her hand lightly. “Do you want to go back to the house?”

  “Not a chance. I’ll be damned if I’ll let her run me off my own beach.”

  “Do you think she’ll bother us?”

  “Oh, she’ll bother us all right.” Izzy stiffened. “Here she comes now.”

  “Come here.” Mel motioned with her fingers. “You’ve got something on your face.” She leaned close and gently brushed her thumb across Izzy’s cheek before touching her lips lightly with hers. Soft and warm, Mel’s lips parted slightly. Izzy took the opportunity to dip her tongue inside. It was met by another—exploring, touching, baiting. Everything got a little fuzzy for Izzy at that point, and she let out a quiet groan. She tore her mouth away when she heard an obvious cough behind them, and just like that, it was over. Looking breathless, Mel gave her a long, mystified look before she turned her attention to Dana.

  “Hello, Izzy.”

  “What are you doing here?” Izzy said, using her hand to shield her eyes from the sun.

  “The kids wanted to come to the beach.” She threw her the usual flirty smile.

  “You should’ve picked another one.”

  Dana i
gnored Izzy’s comment. “I haven’t seen you out here in a while.”

  “I’ve been busy.”

  “I can see that.” She turned her attention to Mel. “Who’s this?”

  “Oh, this is—”

  “Mel Thomas.” Mel stood up and extended her hand. “And you are?”

  “Dana Monroe.” She shook Mel’s hand. “You look familiar. Have we met?”

  Mel shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

  Dana tilted her head, studying her.

  “How do you know Izzy?” Mel asked.

  “She and I are partners,” Dana said.

  “Oh.” Mel’s brows furrowed, and her head snapped back to Izzy. “She owns half of Bella’s?”

  “No. Another restaurant venture we started together,” Dana said, without giving Izzy a chance to answer.

  “Oh. Well, I’m sure I haven’t been there.” Mel smiled at Izzy. “I’m pretty partial to Bella’s these days.” She took off her Ray-Ban sunglasses and dropped them onto the blanket. “I think I’ll go for a swim and let you two talk.”

  “You don’t have to go,” Izzy said, popping up and clasping Mel’s elbow. She was much more interested in discussing that kiss than talking to Dana.

  “It’s all right. I need to cool off anyway.” Mel gave her a wink and jogged to the water.

  When Mel reached the waves, she dove in headfirst, letting the icy Pacific rush over her. Well, shit. Why did I do that? She swam out a few yards where she could still stand and turned to watch Izzy and Dana on the beach. The jealous twinge had hit her so suddenly, she couldn’t control it. Mel could see right away Dana wasn’t finished with Izzy. Why didn’t she just come right out and say it? Her stomach knotted at the thought of that woman worming her way back into Izzy’s life. This is crazy. Who am I to be jealous of Izzy? No one, that’s who. She’s just my friend. But a few moments ago, when Izzy’s warm tongue had brushed across her lips and dipped into her mouth, Mel had not only let it happen, but she’d enjoyed it. She had shuddered, feeling a surprisingly wonderful tingle. Mel didn’t know what to think. She’d kissed Izzy to send Izzy’s ex a message, never expecting the kiss to excite her the way it did. Her heart raced at the memory, and she wanted to do it again.

  She watched Dana on the beach as they talked. Tall, long blond hair, great legs. No wonder Izzy had fallen for her. Their body language was on opposite ends of the spectrum. Dana kept moving in closer, but Izzy kept her arms crossed firmly across her chest, rebuffing any attempt Dana made to touch her. The contrast between them was striking: Izzy with her dark hair and complexion, Dana with her blond hair and fair skin. They probably drew plenty of attention when they were together. She saw Dana reach up and touch Izzy’s face and had to close her eyes. Leaning back, she slipped under the surf. She couldn’t watch the woman get any closer.

  *

  What the hell was that? Izzy touched her lips with her fingers and tried to douse the raging inferno Mel had ignited. She watched her walk down the beach, hips swaying back and forth in a cute little royal-blue bikini. She dove into the water while Izzy stood stunned, wondering why Mel had kissed her like that. For whatever reason, she had kissed her, and it sent a jolt through her that was still lingering low in her belly. She hadn’t felt that in a very long time. Did Mel really know whether she was straight or not? But she was still married.

  “Hello. I’m over here.” Dana waved a hand in front of Izzy’s face. “I see you’ve replaced me with a beauty.”

  “Can’t say I regret it.”

  “Since when do you have time to hang out on the beach?”

  “Since I met her.” She watched Mel floating in the water.

  Dana glanced at Mel and then back at Izzy. “Maybe if you’d had a little more time when we were together, we—”

  “Don’t put that on me, Dana. You made your choice.” She glanced over Dana’s shoulder. “By the way, where is Jess?”

  “She’s at the restaurant. I needed a break.”

  Like I didn’t know that was going to happen. “Not getting what you need from her? I thought you were looking a little thin.” Izzy smiled in satisfaction. “Is it just you and the boys today?” She changed the subject, not wanting to rehash their whole breakup.

  “My sister is over there under the umbrella.” Dana motioned down the beach.

  “They sure have grown. How are they?”

  She turned her head and glanced behind her. “Ask them yourself.” Josh and Jamie plodded across the sand. “Aunt Izzy.”

  “Hi, guys. How are my favorite boys?” She knelt down and scooped each of them into an arm for a hug.

  “Can you play with us?”

  “I’m afraid not today, guys. Izzy is busy playing with her new friend,” Dana said, her jealousy ringing through.

  Izzy glanced up and shot her an evil look. “We’ll have to do it another time.”

  “When?” they said in unison.

  “I don’t know. I’ll check my schedule and let your mom know.”

  “Oh-kay.” The disappointment in their little voices tore Izzy up.

  “Go on back over to your mom, boys.” Dana swatted them lightly on their butts. “I’ll be right there.”

  “I really miss those guys.” Izzy stood up and gave Dana’s sister, Tracy, a wave as she watched them run back to her.

  “You should come over and see them sometime. They miss you.” She touched Izzy’s cheek. “I miss you.”

  “We’re done, Dana.” Izzy removed her hand. “How many times do I have to tell you?”

  “Can you honestly tell me you don’t think about me anymore?”

  “As a matter of fact, I don’t.” She watched Mel floating in the surf. “She’s all I think about now.” She wasn’t lying about that. She pulled her shorts from her hips. “Now if you don’t mind, I’m going for a swim.”

  *

  When Mel felt the hands under her back, she ripped open her eyes and let her weight drop.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to surprise you,” Izzy said.

  “No. I’m sorry. I surprised you before, didn’t I?” Kind of surprised myself too.

  “Little bit.” She gave her a nod, her dark hair slicked back from the water.

  “I don’t really do that. I mean…kiss women I barely know. I just thought it might be easier to get rid of her if she thought you were involved.”

  “I think she got the message, and it certainly took my mind off her.” She smiled lightly.

  Mel sank into those deep-blue eyes and got that feeling again. Izzy leaned down and brushed her lips softly against Mel’s. The jolt zipped through her and made her knees weak. She slid her hands up to capture Izzy’s face before plunging herself full into the kiss. Her mouth opened freely as Izzy’s tongue slipped between her lips. She let out a gasp when Izzy slipped her arms around her waist and the length of their bodies met. Her heart thundered so loudly she barely heard the laughter from some teenagers as they swam by. What the hell am I doing? She ripped her mouth away and felt Izzy’s uneven breath on her lips. God, she wanted more, so much more. She shuddered and dropped down under the water. Get control of yourself, Mel.

  She raked her hair back as she emerged. “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what’s come over me.” She floated with her shoulders just below the surface to keep some distance between them.

  “No worries.” Izzy dropped down next to her and searched for her hand, then laced their fingers together and squeezed. “Thanks for being concerned about me.”

  “You’re welcome.” Jesus, Izzy. I should be thanking you. She’d never been kissed like that before.

  After an awkward silence, Izzy stood and gazed back to shore, where Tracy was playing with the boys in the shallow water.

  “You okay?” Mel asked.

  When Izzy’s eyes started to well, Mel planted her feet in the sand and took her in her arms. It was obvious she still had feelings for her ex. Why else would she have remained partners with her?

  “I loved those boys li
ke they were my own. Now, because of her, I can’t see them anymore,” Izzy mumbled into her shoulder.

  Mel let out a quick breath as relief shot through her. So, it wasn’t about Dana after all.

  “Why don’t you ask her sister if you can take them to the zoo or something?”

  “Dana would never let that happen.”

  Mel took her face in her hands, wiping the tears away with her thumbs. “They’re not her kids. Maybe she’d at least let them come hang out with you at the beach once in a while.”

  “I doubt it. Dana and Tracy are pretty tight.”

  “Couldn’t hurt to try.”

  Izzy glanced over at the blanket where Dana was sitting.

  “Go on. Do it now while Tracy’s in the water with the boys.”

  Mel watched Izzy as she swam to shore and headed for Dana’s sister before she got out of the water and skittered across the hot sand to their own spot on the beach. She watched Izzy splash down next to Tracy and the boys in the shallow water before she put her sunglasses on and leaned back into the chair.

  *

  Dana’s temper soared as she watched Izzy and the beautiful brunette in the water. Izzy had never taken a Saturday off when they were together. She was going to pay for replacing her so soon after their breakup. She took her cell phone from her bag and changed the setting to block her caller ID. Then she looked up the number of the San Francisco Examiner on her smartphone and pressed the call button in the listing.

  “Good morning. Examiner. This is Karen. Can I help you?” Who said it was a good morning? The woman was so cheerful, she wanted to scream.

  “Hello, yes, Karen. I need to speak with Jonathan, the food critic, please.” She waved at Tracy and the boys in the water while the line rang through.

  The receptionist picked up again. “He’s not answering, ma’am. Would you like to leave a message?”

  “Yes, I would. Tell him he may want to dine at Bella’s Trattoria this evening. The head chef has been out for a couple of days, and the sous chef is filling in for her.”