California Girls(43)

She walked into the restaurant and stood in the foyer, not sure what to do. Ask for a table? Wait?

“Zennie?”

She turned and saw a tall, slender Hispanic woman approaching. She was pretty, with long, wavy brown hair and large brown eyes. The woman wore a snug deep-orange dress that outlined every impressive curve. Zennie immediately felt like a plain glass of club soda next to a pi?a colada in her go-to black capris and loose top.

The woman smiled. “Hi, I’m C.J.”

Zennie had to admit she hadn’t seen that coming. Her mother had set her up with a woman, and not just any woman. Had Zennie been willing to play for the girls’ team, she had to admit she would have been tempted. As it was, well, she had absolutely no idea what to say.

“Um, hi.”

C.J. stared at her for a second, then started to laugh. “Oh, God, you’re not gay.”

“I’m more cheerful than gay.”

C.J. laughed. “I like that. I’m cheerful, too. So hey, awkward. Why did your mom do this?”

“I have no idea. Where did you meet her?”

“In her store.”

Zennie looked over the gorgeous, brightly colored dress that screamed upscale designer. Her mother’s boutique in the Sherman Oaks Galleria leaned more toward stylish but affordable work clothes. Dark suits, plain dresses and the like. “Not buying that.”

“In my work life, I’m in real estate,” C.J. told her. “I wear a lot of black pants and jackets. When I’m not working, I like to take things up a notch. After seeing your picture, I was dressing to impress.”

“I am impressed and I’m seriously wishing I was more than cheerful.”

C.J. grinned. “You know what? I like you. Let’s have dinner anyway. I’ll even buy.”

“You’re on, but I’m paying for my own dinner. I’m just that kind of girl.”

“Perfect.”

They went up to the hostess and were quickly seated. C.J. ordered a margarita with a tequila shooter on the side while Zennie got herbal iced tea.

When their server had left, C.J. leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “So, why does Mom think you’re gay?”

“There are a thousand reasons. I don’t have a man in my life. I refuse to settle down.” Zennie smiled. “I was athletic in high school.”

C.J. threw up her hands. “Naturally. I mean everyone knows male athletes are sexy hunks while female athletes have to be lesbos. What is this, the seventies?”

“You asked.”

“I did. So no guy?”

“Wow, we are getting right to it, huh?” Zennie thought for a second, then decided she didn’t mind answering the question. “I’m not a two-by-two person. I don’t need that. I’m not looking to settle down. I have a great life with great friends. As for the sex thing, which is the next question...”

C.J.’s eyes widened. “Absolutely. I mean at this point, we have to talk about sex.”

Zennie laughed. “I don’t love it. I just don’t. It’s nice and yes, I’ve had an orgasm. It’s not a big deal for me. I’ve decided I’m wired differently than most people. I’m not wrong, I’m simply living my own life.”

“Good for you.” C.J. shifted in her seat. “I am one of four daughters in a very Catholic household. The whole traditional Hispanic thing. Catholic school, uniforms.”

“You looked cute in yours.”

C.J. flashed her a smile. “I did. I wasn’t supposed to see a boy naked until my wedding night.”

“How old were you when you saw your first boy naked?” Because Zennie knew C.J. had to have tried it out at least once.

“Sixteen. It was gross. He was sweet and he tried to do it right, but he was only seventeen and it was over in like six seconds. I just couldn’t stand the thought of doing that again. I told myself it was because I was going to live my life in service of God but the truth is I had such a crush on the head cheerleader at the local high school. She was so much more my type.”

“So when did you figure it all out?”

“My first year of college. I met this older girl.”

Zennie leaned forward. “She was what? Twenty?”

“Nineteen and very worldly. She’d been to France.”

“Oh la la.”

“I know. It was amazing. The first time she kissed me, I just knew. When we made love, it was perfection. She broke my heart and I was devastated, but at least I knew where I belonged.”

“Does your family know?”

“Yes, and while they’re not happy, they’re supportive, if that makes sense.”

Their server delivered their drinks. They toasted each other. C.J. drank her shot of tequila, then picked up her margarita.

“So, Mom says you’re a nurse.”

“I am. I work in the OR, mostly with cardiologists. It’s intense, but I love it. No two days are the same. We save lives—nothing beats that.”

C.J. looked crushed. “You’re right. I mean all I do is sell real estate.” She set down her drink. “What am I saying? I find people their homes. That’s important, too. Okay, you get to be the most special, but I’m right there, one rung down.”

“Half a rung,” Zennie told her. “Where’s your territory?”