Baumgartner generations: Janie

Mine was already up-I knew how hot it got out there. I dug into my purse and pulled out a ponytail holder.

“Here,” I said, offering it to her. She smiled a thanks-it was really too loud to do much more-and proceeded to whip her hair up into a complicated knot on her head, securing it with the band.

“Sex on the beach,” Lil announced, handing me one, Gretchen another.

Gretchen took that, too, sipping gratefully, and then grinned. She leaned in to yell, “I wish!”

I smiled, sipping my own. They were so light on the alcohol here, which sucked for twenty dollar drinks, but it really helped quench my thirst. It also helped take the edge off just a little, because now that I wasn’t dancing, and Alek and Lil were kissing at the bar, I was thinking about and missing Josh.

“Bathroom!” Gretchen announced, putting her empty glass on the bar. “And we’re doing shots when I get back!”

Inwardly, I groaned. Waking up with a hangover when we had a playdate the next day wasn’t on my agenda.

“You shouldn’t go alone!” I yelled over the music.

“I’ll go.” Lil slipped off the bar stool, giving Alek another kiss before taking Gretchen’s hand and going with her downstairs.

I sipped my drink, watching the people dancing. Alek turned back to the bar, putting in another order and slapping a hundred-dollar bill down. We had an understanding when Lil wasn’t around-we ignored each other.

I stiffened as arms slipped around my waist, and a soft feminine voice whispered the words into my ear. “Oh sweetie, you look good enough to eat tonight.” Catherine. I swallowed, feeling her move against me to the beat of the music, her mouth next to my ear. “So, I hear you’re dating my husband.” I shrugged, not wanting to yell to be heard, my face filling with heat and I was glad I was flushed from dancing already.

“I just want to know one thing,” she murmured, her mouth close to my ear. “Why Josh and not me?”

“Oh, Cat,” I whispered, knowing she couldn’t hear me. I sighed, turning around in the circle of her arms-she had long limbs and an incredible reach. Her eyes were sad, hurt, but she was trying to hide it, smiling anyway as she looked down at me. I put my arms around her neck, my mouth to her ear. “I can’t help it.” Her arms tightened around me for a moment and she murmured, “I know,” before she let me go.

“I’m sorry.” I said it loud so she’d hear me. This was so not the place to talk about this.

“He’s an amazing man.” She gave me a genuine smile now that reached her eyes. “And as the lesbian who married him, I’m more than qualified to say that!” We looked at each other and burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Lil asked, joining Alek back at the bar, Gretchen following.

I waved her question away, still smiling. “Lil, you know Catherine?” They nodded at each other. I didn’t even bother to introduce Alek, but Catherine leaned in to ask me,

“Who’s your other friend?”

“Gretchen,” I called. Her back was to us as she downed a clear shot of something that Alek had set on the bar for her before she turned fully to face us. “This is my friend, Catherine.”

They looked at each other for a minute, and even I felt it, like a wave of heat, passing between them.

“Hi Cat.” Gretchen grinned.”Nice to see you again.”

I startled. “You know each other?”

“Gretchen!” Catherine squealed, sliding over and slipping an arm around Gretchen’s waist to give her a long, open-mouthed kiss. I stood there, gaping at the two women, and I wasn’t the only one. They were quite a sight, the leggy redhead and the tall blonde French-kissing at the bar.

Gretchen saw me staring when they broke their kiss and winked, answering the question I’d almost forgotten I’d asked. “I’m a fashion photographer. She’s a model.

’Nuff said.”

“Let’s dance,” Catherine purred, leading Gretchen onto the dance floor

“Come on, Alek,” Lil begged, tugging on his hand. “Dance with me!” He relented, following her, and there I was, left sitting at the bar with two shots-

Gretchen was the only one who’d taken hers-watching Gretchen and Cat grind on the dance floor while Lil did some Dirty Dancing routine with Alek.

And I’d thought the night couldn’t get any worse.

“Fuck it,” I muttered. I downed both shots and ordered two more, even though Alek wasn’t around to pay for it.

I’d already done both of those when my phone buzzed in my purse. I dug it out and looked at the number.

Josh.

“Hello?” I yelled, already heading for the door. There was no way we could have a conversation in here.

“Janie?” Yep, it was Josh. My stomach clenched in excitement, just hearing his voice. “I can hardly hear you!”

I pushed past the bouncer at the door onto the street, the heat and pounding music of the club behind me now, the warm summer night air filling my lungs.

“Better?” I walked a little ways away, leaning against the wall.

“Much.” I could hear his smile. “Where are you?”

“1 Oak with Lil,” I said, feeling guilty, knowing he was in some hotel in Boston.

“I’ve been neglecting her.”

“I trust you won’t be going home with anyone tonight?” he teased.