“I’d be a fool not to take you up on it.”

They shared a smile. “I hope everything works out for you, Sarah.”

“For you too.”

Emory exhaled, wordlessly opening her arms for an embrace that Sarah moved easily into. And there it was, that powerful hum of electricity. They stood there a moment, and Sarah enjoyed the feeling of having Emory’s arms around her. She was suddenly very aware of Emory’s body up against hers, and her heart rate quickened. And as she stepped back, she felt the loss. Unsure what motivated her but knowing there was no other choice, Sarah acted on impulse. She slowly placed her hands on either side of Emory’s face and brushed her lips with her own ever so briefly with a feather light kiss. She pulled back slowly, just enough so she could see Emory’s eyes, gauge her reaction, her thoughts.

Emory stared back at her blankly and the moment shifted. She took Sarah’s shoulders, pulled her in, and seized her mouth in sizzling answer. Suddenly, what Sarah’d imagined alone in her room several nights ago plunged into her reality. The taste of Emory, the feel of her as she pressed Sarah against the door in an ever-deepening kiss was shockingly potent and very real. In the quiet of the late afternoon, Sarah felt heat rising in her blood. She didn’t push Emory away, she didn’t stop what was already in motion, and it was all she could do to hold on. Then thinking stopped being an option. She moved her hands from Emory’s face, into her hair and gripped softly.

The action seemed to jolt Emory. She straightened and took a step back. Her shocked eyes never left Sarah’s. They stared at each other, Sarah doing her best to catch her breath.

Silence reigned.

“I shouldn’t have…I think I thought when you…wow. I’m so sorry.” Emory fumbled for her keys in her pocket and reached for the door behind Sarah. “I’m gonna go. Really sorry,” she said one last time.

Sarah stood in the entryway and listened to the beep of Emory’s car unlock and the subsequent start of her engine.

What had just happened? She slid to the floor and moved her hand to her forehead in mystification. She’d just been kissed into next week, that’s what had just happened. Who knew a kiss could feel like that? She was still lost in it. She nodded slowly as the puzzle pieces drifted together in her mind. This was what being swept away meant. She’d heard the term before, but never quite thought it was a real thing. She ran a shaky hand through her hair and to her still-swollen lips.

Swept away.

*

Sarah spent the next week doing what she loved most in the world, spending each moment of her day with Grace. It meant taking the week off from work, but between summer camp and the Banning Street house, they hadn’t spent enough one-on-one time with each other, and Sarah had every intention of correcting that before school began in just three short weeks.

They spent their mornings at the park, people watching and insect observing, with an occasional game of catch, stopping every so often to make sure Grace wasn’t overexerted. In the afternoons, they attended movies, played cards, and spent lots of time at Grace’s favorite place in town, The Children’s Museum. It felt wonderful to spend so much time with her. She even found out that Grace had moved on to yet another new passion.

“So now you want to be an artist?” Sarah took a lick of her pistachio ice cream cone. They sat at an outdoor table at Baskin Robbins, enjoying the even-keeled seventy-five degree temperatures.

“Mhmm.” Grace caught the chocolate running off her chin just in time. Sarah handed her another pile of napkins.

“What happened to being a mermaid?”

Grace giggled and rolled her eyes. “I wasn’t exactly serious about that, you know. I hear they’re not paid very well.”

Sarah shook her head but enjoyed Grace’s dry wit, yet another in a long list of traits she’d picked up from her grandfather.

“I’ve just figured out that I love art. I don’t know if I’m good enough, but I’m still learning.”

“Well, I happen to think you’re really good. I love how colorful your drawings are.”

“Emory helped. She says that color choice is a big part of the mood you want to elist.”

“Elicit?”

“Yeah, that’s what I said. Elicit. We should go see Emory again.”

Sarah stared at the table. “I’m not sure about that, mija. I finished up that job, remember?”

“You could always call her.”

“Uh, I don’t think so.” Grace looked sad. “But, hey, I know I’m not as talented as Emory, but I can help a little. We can also stop by the library and see if they have any books about drawing and painting. That could be fun, right?”

Grace smiled, giving in. “Yeah. We could see what they have.”

Emory. It had been a full week since they’d parted ways at the Banning Street house. She’d wondered if Emory would call, hoping secretly that she would. She thought about calling herself but didn’t quite know what she’d say. Hi, Emory, have you thought about that kiss as much as I have? Sarah rolled her eyes at herself. Emory was a gorgeous, successful woman who was quite comfortable with her sexuality. Sarah, and the moment they’d shared, was probably a fleeting blip on her radar and one it was clear she’d regretted as soon as it was over. She probably hadn’t thought about Sarah since. No, it was better to push the memory of Emory aside and focus on the here and now. Emory surely wasn’t dwelling on it; why should she?

The situation did beg her to ask some difficult questions of herself, however. It was time she took a good hard look in the mirror. She was attracted to Emory; she knew that much. But did that mean she was gay? She wasn’t denying the possibility, but she’d never noticed an attraction to women before. But then again, when she thought about it, she’d never actually noticed an overwhelming attraction to men either. She could definitely tell you if she found a man good-looking, as she did James, but did that mean she was attracted to him? Sarah was beginning to understand that there might be an important difference. She liked James. He checked all the boxes. But he didn’t make her stomach flip-flop the way Emory did. She’d postponed her next date with James, feigning exhaustion, until she could understand things better. It seemed only fair.

Despite whatever had happened between them personally, Emory had given her the extra shove she needed to take Immaculate Home to the next level. She would be stupid not to take Emory up on her offer to help. It was up to her to make the best life for herself and for Grace. No one was going to do it for her.

*

“Trevor, did you confirm lunch with Veronica from Penino and Partners at one?” Emory stopped next to her assistant’s desk.

“Yes, she confirmed an hour ago, and you’re all set for your three o’clock with the developers after that. They have new art they want to run by you, and legal wants to touch base at four forty-five about the new language in the proprietary agreements.”

“Damn it, I don’t have time for legal today. I’m going to be here until midnight tonight as is. See if you can make some time for them tomorrow morning or ask Lucy to meet with them if she has a break in her schedule.”

“Will do.”

“Also, Trev, make sure the Nashville office is back online. They were having uplink issues with their satellites, and Chicago had to transmit all their releases. If they’re not back, let me know so I can rip someone in IT.”

It was all Emory could do to not slam the door to her office. Things were beyond hectic and didn’t show any sign of letting up. The “to address” pile on her desk was only growing, and she’d like to punch herself in the face for volunteering to be on the committee for the Women’s Health Initiative fundraising dinner. It would have been so much easier to just write a check. She dropped into her executive chair and swiveled around to face her monitor. Lots of new e-mails had flooded her inbox in the short time she’d stepped away from her desk, and after a few well-placed curse words, she decided it was best to just dive in.