Side Order of Soulmate (WAYHAUGHT)

Chapter 3

The atmosphere in the house the next morning was frosty. Waverly made breakfast for the children, as the husband and wife shuffled around the kitchen and each other in silence. That suited Waverly, who really didn't want to get into an argument with the couple. Returning to her room to begin her French homework, Waverly's phone lit up notifying her she had a new text message. At first she thought it might be from Chrissy checking on her. She really should call her friend later to let her know she was OK. It was from Nicole. As she read the text, her heart began to race. Ooh, she's keen, thought Waverly, trying not to feel too pleased with herself.

Nicole: we drink. Bar Casbah. ce soir à 9.

Thankfully, Waverly knew enough French to understand this meant to meet at nine o'clock that evening. Bar Casbah was a popular après-ski haunt for a younger crowd on holiday. Perfect, thought Waverly, somewhere lively to get me out of this miserable place for a few hours.

Waverly: Hi, great. c u there.

Nicole: bisous

Waverly: kisses

Was Nicole flirting with her? No, surely not, pondered Waverly. But, Nicole had just written 'kisses.' Then again, the French do like to kiss, a lot. That's it, concluded, Waverly. She's just being French. Oh, no. Perhaps I shouldn't have replied with 'kisses.' What if she thinks I'm the one being flirty? No, it's fine, she'll understand. But, what if she....

The knock on Waverly's bedroom door brought her back to the present moment. One of the children wanted their hair brushed, a task she preferred Waverly to do, rather than her own mother who was too rough. Waverly took the brush being held out and began stroking the girl's hair with it, all the while thinking about being with this intriguing woman again. The one who had served her fries.

The noise coming from the bar could be heard some distance down the street, as Waverly made her way towards the entrance. It was cold outside, light snow had begun to fall, making the whole experience even more enchanting. She had managed to slip out of the house, without anyone seeing her. Half-expecting the couple to be arguing, their regular evening pastime, the house was quiet and the two children were in bed. Waverly had spent time getting ready. It felt strange dressing up to meet with Nicole. Exciting, but also something else she couldn't quite put her finger on. She had chosen to wear her tight-fitting red dress, which she knew brought out all her best assets. Too much? she wondered, as she looked at herself in the mirror. No, it's perfect.

Waverly scanned the bar, looking for Nicole. It was heaving, fast music blaring from one corner, some customers dancing, multiple conversations going on at once and lots of drinking. Many were still in their ski clothes from a day on the slopes. It was a steamy atmosphere, the kind Waverly liked. People having fun, relaxing, she knew she was in for a good time. She spotted Nicole seated on one of the tall stools next to the bar. Chatting with the barman, Nicole hadn't noticed Waverly entering. As she approached, the barman stopped talking to look at Waverly, a look that said he liked what he saw. Nicole turned to see who the barman was staring at and immediately stood up, revealing her height once more. She was wearing dark blue figure-hugging jeans and an electric blue shirt, enough buttons undone to expose the top of her bra. Waverly was impressed.

She smiled, offering to take Waverly's coat which was slung over her arm before kissing her on each cheek. Waverly would never grow tired of the 'French' way of greeting people.

"Remi, mon ami Waverly," Nicole announced to the barman.

"Bon soir Waverly. Enchanté."

"Thank you," Waverly replied, blushing slightly.

"We speak English," Nicole suggested, sensing a conversation in French might be too much for Waverly.

"Please, if that's OK. My French isn't as good as your English, yet."

"What would like to drink?" Remi asked in his strong French accent.

"Not Pernod!" Nicole recommended, as she and Waverly started laughing.

"A small beer, please."

Remi placed the drink on a paper coaster in front of Waverly and sensing he was one too many in this group, moved off to the other side of the bar to serve customers. Waverly took a sip of her drink, wondering what to say to Nicole, nerves beginning to get the better of her.

"So, this place is nice," was all she could think to say.

"I like it," Nicole replied. "It's fun. My friends drink here."

"What was it like working in New York? I've never been," Waverly asked, desperately trying to recall information Nicole had provided the night before in a bid to find something for them to talk about.

"New York is big. It's crazy, but it's lonely," Nicole replied, with a wistful look in her eyes.

"Did you not have friends there?" Waverly probed, wondering how someone as beautiful as Nicole could ever be lonely.

"Some, not many. I had a lover, but she left me."

Waverly had just taken another sip of beer, which she proceeded to spray across the counter, as Nicole uttered her last sentence.

"OK?" Nicole asked, concerned at Waverly's inability to consume any drink without drama.

Waverly needed time to process what she'd just heard. Was Nicole saying she was gay? She sat for a moment, not looking at Nicole for fear of giving anything away. After a short pause, she resumed the conversation.

"I know what it's like to be somewhere where you feel lonely. Your lover. Was she nice?"

"She was a bitch. I loved her. She didn't love me."

There was another pause. Waverly knew she had to speak, but wasn't sure if what she was about to say was the right thing.

"So, you're gay."

"Oui. je préfère les femmes. Sorry, yes, I prefer women."

"And you?"

"Do I prefer women? I'm...I'm, not sure. I'm curious. I had a few, you know, experiments while I was travelling, but," Waverly paused..."I've never....I've not been with a woman. Well, not yet..."

Waverly couldn't fully process what was going on. She knew she was attracted to Nicole and she sensed Nicole was interested in her, but what did it all mean? Where would this lead? Did she want it to lead anywhere? The little voice in her head was whispering: Yes.

Not ready to get into deep conversation about her own sexuality, Waverly changed the subject:

"I spent a lot of time travelling. Mostly Asia." She proceeded to tell Nicole about her adventures. How she had nearly been strangled by an angry shopkeeper after she complained about finding a cockroach in her ice cream.

"I would save you," Nicole offered and Waverly knew she would.

The evening drew on as the two sat and laughed, enjoying each other's company. The crowd in the bar began to thin and as much as Waverly wanted to stay with her new friend, she knew she had to leave.

"I need to go," Waverly announced as she heard the town's clock strike midnight.

Waverly got up to put on her coat. "We drink again?" she asked expectantly.

"Of course. We drink again." Nicole replied.

Standing outside, Waverly made the first move to kiss Nicole on each cheek. As she did, Nicole brought her lips to Waverly's and kissed her softly. It wasn't something Waverly was expecting, but it felt amazing. Standing under a street light in the middle of a picturesque ski resort as it snowed, she felt more alive in that moment than she had ever in her life.

The shift had occurred.