AR Returns Ch13

Beautiful Gurlberg in winter. It’s cool but not quite crisp. Riley can’t see her breath as she comes out of the post office. The sky is gray, and the air is as close to dry and refreshing as it ever gets in central Florida. The center of town is much livelier than usual; this is the kind of weather that gets people to go outside on a Saturday.

Even when she’s away from FUTA, FUTA doesn’t forget her. There’s always a statement, a contract, or some written interview for some sports magazine to worry about. Riley is continually surprised that so much business is done with actual paper. She hates mailing stuff.

She pauses on the sidewalk and there are a lot of feelings. This is her hometown, but it’s become unfamiliar. People recognize her. She’s not who she was six months ago. It’s a lot of change and focusing on Adella and staying home is how she hides from it.

She shifts uncomfortably; memories of what happened with Stef and Jess are never too far away. Her sex life went from nonexistent to not only existent but also quite spicy when she and Adella got together. Somehow, it has escalated. It makes her self-conscious with all these people around, as though they know somehow.

That’s not rational. She puts her hands in the pockets of her light jacket. Cool weather like this doesn’t come often, but this is an opportunity to get the most out of a decadent cup of coffee. She doesn’t want Starbucks; she wants the indie place all college students go to.

Riley winces as she starts to walk; she’s not thinking of herself as a college student anymore, but she’s still quite a few credits away from graduation. FUTA. School. Overwhelming. This is where if Adella were around, she’d be kissing her to get her worked up. When she is worked up, Adella makes it impossible to think about anything else.

Riley rounds the corner to see a familiar figure coming her way.

It’s Jess, dressed in impeccable professional chic with her plaid skirt, big brown boots, and chunky sweater. The way that her blonde hair frames her face in perfect waves is unspeakably pretty. She pauses when she sees Riley, who trots over.

“Don’t you work on weekends?” Riley asks.

“Kind of,” she replies with a shrug, glancing at her watch. “White collar privilege. I wanted coffee. Don’t worry. If I were a class traitor I’d have it delivered.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing. I’ve been married to Stef too long,” Jess says. “What are you up to?”

Riley blushes and digs her hands deeper into her pockets.

“Coffee,” she says awkwardly.

Jess is already looking quite pleased. She’s not glowing, but there’s a light in her eyes that Riley has a feeling isn’t usually there this time of day.

“Shall we?” Jess asks, opening the door for Riley.