Read Online Coalescence - SF3 by Susan X Meagher - Free Book Online

for the fireworks to begin.
    "Now, Jamie," Ryan soothed. "It’s a … joke between us. I told you that I was going to keep her as a friend, and…"
    "Sleeps well with others!?" Jamie finally uttered, her eyes focused on the writing on the shirt. "You’re giving your ex-lover a T-shirt, that you buy on our honeymoon, that says, ‘ Sleeps well with others'? !"
    "Well, when you put it that way, it sounds kinda bad," Ryan admitted, shifting her weight nervously from foot to foot.
    Mia was utterly fascinated by this exchange. Her dancing brown eyes darted from one woman to the other, waiting for the next volley. Jamie spoiled her fun by taking a deep breath and neatly folding the shirt. "Whatever," she muttered, before placing it back in the bag.
    "No, no, no," Ryan said, sitting down on a portion of Jamie’s towel. "Not so fast there, Sport. Here’s how it is," she explained, ignoring Mia’s presence. "Ever since we’ve known each other, we always, and I do mean always, buy each other a T-shirt on every trip we take. The game is to make sure you get the one with the most sexual innuendo, or the most politically incorrect one, that you can find. I like Ally as a friend, Jamie, and I want to keep the friendship part of our relationship just like it used to be. Do you understand?" She lifted Jamie’s chin with her fingers and leaned over to place a gentle kiss on her lips. "Please try to understand, Honey. I don’t want to hurt your feelings."
    "Couldn’t you have gotten another one?" the smaller woman asked. "There had to be less…provocative ones."
    "Well, I could have bought the one that said, ‘FBI’ in big yellow letters."
    "That sounds better," Jamie said.
    "Yeah, but underneath it said, ‘ Female Breast Inspector .’" Ryan chuckled. "Most of the rest of the suggestive ones had something to do with penises, and that just wouldn’t do," she added righteously.
    "Let’s go back to the boardwalk," Jamie offered, as she stood and extended a hand to her partner.
    "Really? Why?"
    "Because I want that ‘FBI’ shirt," she laughed. "And I’m starting with yours…tomorrow!"
     
    After the second shopping trip, they relaxed on the sand for a while. All too soon they had to pack up and head back to the apartment. A thorough shower for Ryan was first on the agenda, and Jamie was next on the list. By rushing a little, they were cleaned and dressed just in time to head out to LAX. Traffic was pretty slow and, since none of them knew the shortcuts, they had to stay on the freeway. They wanted to be there an hour early, but Mia dropped them off at the departure gate barely 45 minutes before their flight. She quickly kissed Ryan on the cheek, and gave Jamie a heartfelt hug, whispering, "I know you’ll be fine tomorrow, Honey. Have a great time, James, and call me when you get back."
    "I promise, Mia, and thanks for everything," she said as she kissed her. "You’re the best."
    "I hope, for your sake, that I lose that title tomorrow!" she laughed as she pinched her friend’s blushing cheek.
     
    An hour and 15 minutes later, they were in the air for the 50-minute flight to SFO. Martin had agreed to pick them up after Ryan had called earlier in the day. They were both excited about seeing the family again and Ryan jabbered throughout the trip about Caitlin, and Duffy, and how she’d missed them. "You are such a little love bug," Jamie said, giving her a kiss. "I just adore how much you love your family."
    "I do love my family," Ryan agreed. "And now that you’re part of it, my whole world is complete."
    "That definitely deserves a kiss." Jamie leaned in for a big, wet one.
    Martin picked them up at eight p.m. They headed home in his truck with Ryan talking nonstop about the ride, and how proud she was of Jamie, and how pleased she was that Jamie’s father had made a special trip to L.A. to see her. Martin hardly got a word in edgewise, but he happily let his daughter speak her mind.
    When they entered the house, Duffy