A Perfect Love Story - Book 9

Sears Tower Dinner

LENA POV

"What a lovely place," I say to Denni as we have just arrived at the Sears Tower for dinner with her friends.

After our talk at the park earlier this afternoon, we continued to walk around and enjoy the city a bit. Chicago was certainly beautiful and the historic district had been my favorite, for it was filled with so much charm and history that I had only read about in books. The architecture alone was amazing, and Denni knew such a great deal about it all which made me love it that much more.

Afterwards she had treated me to a ferry ride and had even held my hand despite being worried earlier about looks or chatter from others about us being an open lesbian couple. But at that moment she didn't seem to care as I held her hand back just as hard trying not to focus on how badly I had messed up, for I knew I was hurting Denni and that was not something I was okay with.

The ferry ride was beautiful and I loved sketching the skyline a bit which did help me relax as I had focused on getting the right perspective and angles. Denni happily watched giving me very helpful pointers here and there. She really such a sweet woman, and had been an amazing girlfriend which only made how I felt even harder.

But as soon as we returned back to the hotel, I laid down for yet another nap as Denni had gone to the gym to work out. I wasn't even sure how long I had slept, but it was a rather restless sleep for when Denni had woken me up I was startled for a bit and was unsure of where I even was. Why my mind seemed to just be all over the damn place I didn't know because I was fine in Redding. And I was very much aware in Redding and had more energy than I ever had. But here in Chicago it just seemed to be all depleted almost like the life was being sucked out of me.

Denni was patient, not to mention so very gentle, and she had been kind enough to give me a back massage before we started to get ready for our night out. She seemed to sense how I was feeling, for she ran her fingers all over my arms and back, even over my neck and back of my head. It relaxed me some, and I could have simply fallen back asleep if she hadn't stopped.

The thing is, I could feel how much this woman loved me, and that only added to my anxiety. I didn't love her back the same way, and I know that if it was just me and her, I know I'd fall for her. I was on my way to falling for her when all of the sudden Stef became sweet again. I wasn't sure how I was going to do tonight at all because Denni wanted to take our relationship slow when in fact, I couldn't have this relationship with her. I couldn't, and my first instinct in all this is to simply run. But I can't and no matter what I feel and know, our chemistry is not the same.

"You look beautiful, darling. I hope you know that," she smiles warmly at me as she links our fingers, and I look over at her.

"Thank you. So do you, Denni," I compliment as she squeezes my hand.

"Oh, there they are. Come, they are by the cocktail lounge, my darling," she smiles as we head that way, and my stomach is in knots as a woman with straight black hair about two inches shorter than me practically runs up to us, a huge smile on her red lips.

"Denni! Oh my God! LONG TIME NO SEE, BABY!" She wraps her arms around Denni as Denni laughs softly and hugs her back as the woman pulls back and looks right at me.

"Is this your new woman?" She beams as Denni takes my hand again.

"This is Lena Adams. Lena, this is Luna Fonagy. She's an events photographer, and a hell of a good one at that," she smiles the woman named Luna stares back at me continuing to smile as she finally wraps her arms around me tightly.

"You're drop dead gorgeous! Oh my Godddd! Denni has it bad, let me tell you," she pulls back now as I see Denni has walked off towards her other friends as Luna runs her fingers over one of my curls. "I mean, I see what she sees in you. What do you do, Lena?" she asks as I feel my throat closing from anxiety, and I know that I need to get a grip as a taller dark skinned woman with braids wrapped on top of her head walks towards us, Denni beside her.