In The Line Of Duty

4

Alayna sat in her car across the road from the Vanilla. Looking at her watch, it was almost 10:30 am. Nicole typically showed up about now. Her stomach was in butterflies. How was Nicole going to react to her today? Most of all, was last night an issue at all? She looked at her watch for the hundredth time. Looking up, Nicole drove around the corner and pulled into the club. She noticed her stay in the car for a moment before stepping out, instantly looking towards her car. Nicole reached into her pocket for a pen and paper. She slipped it under the window wiper and went inside. Alayna got out and casually walked across the road. She walked past Nicole’s car, grabbing the paper; it read ‘back doors open.’ She sighed and quickly ran down the side, entering the back entranceway.
Nicole was standing behind the bar, counting the takings. She looked up when she heard footsteps. “Hey,” She said quietly, turning back to the takings.
Alayna swallowed. “Hey.” She watched the seriousness on her face. She looked hung over. “I found out some information about Duncan’s visit.” She looked at Nicole, who was still working.
“By the way.” Nicole stopped and looked at her for a second. “Your friend Shaw is clean.” Her words were so weak in expression.
“Good, good. Thank you.” She softly nodded.
Nicole could feel the tension between them. She reached under the counter and grabbed a pad and a pen. “Can you stock-take those bottles for me, please?”
“Ok,” Alayna entered the bar.
“So what have you found out?” Nicole asked a bit more calmly.
As they worked, Alayna told her everything she’d found out, including her possible joining the Ministers' security team. Nicole thought that was great. She still had to get some info from Yvonne before asking Alayna to involve the police.
Alayna finished and went to turn around to give Nicole the list. Both turned simultaneously and found themselves face to face, only inches apart—the subject they’d avoided discussing.
Nicole dropped her head and backed away, clearing her throat. “Ok, let's see.” She pulled the pad from Alayna’s hand and walked down the other end of the bar. Alayna just stood there once again; her body had responded. The closeness of her face, her lips, her breath. Last night she’d wanted her.
“Nic.”
Nicole stopped on the bottom step of the bar. Alayna stood there with her mouth open, not knowing what to say. Nicole sighed. “Hey, It’s not like it’s the first time I’ve made a mistake.” She gave her a little smile and went to walk off.
“Wait.”
Nicole stopped. Alayna walked to the end of the bar.
“I made a mistake.” She stopped on the top step. “I think I’ve led you on a bit, and I’m not...”
Nicole stepped closer. “Say it then..” Alayna pursed her lips. She could see the disappointment in Nicole’s eyes.
“I like you, Nic, but I’m just not into women.”
Nicole sighed, keeping her eyes on her. She wet her lips; her confession didn’t sound 100%. Her eyebrow rose as she leaned forward. “Maybe you just haven’t met the right one yet.” Alayna noticed the corners of her lips beginning to curl. “Or maybe you have, and you just haven’t realized it. Yawl, too busy caught up in that heterosexual mummy-daddy stuff.”
Alayna laughed to herself, stepping down closer to her. “Some of us like that mummy and daddy stuff.”
“Yeah, sure you do.” Nicole felt her phone vibrate. “You're practically spending your nights in a gay bar Miss Brown. I beg to differ.” She looked at her message. “Damn. Yvonne is on her way. Sorry.” They both sighed.
Alayna picked up her car keys and looked at Nicole. Nicole turned her around and walked her to the door.
“We’re busy here today, so I might have to catch up with you later, ok?”
“Ok. I’ll put all our info together and try and get some kind of report together for Thomas.”
“Sweet.”
Nicole chuckled to herself as they stopped at the door.
“What?” Alayna asked, seeing her thumb on her lip.
“You were so into me last night.”
“Nicole!” Alayna laughed, slapping her arm. “Stop it! I was drunk, and you took advantage of me.” She pointed. “You’ve been trying to get me to like you since we met.” Nicole leaned on the door.
“Because I know we’d be good together; you know it too. Come on.”
Rolling her eyes, Alayna smiled back at her.
“Goodbye, Nicole.”
“See you soon, beautiful.”