Southern Comfort (9781622863747) Read online

  Devon was impressed by the British beauty. She helped her carry her bags out of the hotel room. They waited for the valet to bring Devon’s car. Two men stared them up and down, obviously thinking they were together.

  “So, Devon, I like this look today. It’s very different from yesterday.” Willow smiled.

  “Yeah, I like to switch it up from time to time.” Devon put her Ray-Bans on.

  “I like it. Well I like both looks. You can pull them off well.”

  Devon handed a couple of dollars to the valet as they got in the car. Devon turned down a side street, which ended up taking them by the historic Beale Street. They ended on Main, passing a theater.

  “Oh that’s playing at one of our theatres,” Devon pointed to the marquee’s sign for Book of Mormon.

  “I went to see Mary Poppins the last time I was in London,” Devon said as they drove down South Main.

  “Oh you have been to London?”

  “Yes, about a year and a half ago was my last time there. I went with my family.”

  “Very cool.”

  “So if you like fashion there are a few trendy spots on this street if you want to maybe check them out. You can also see the National Civil Rights Museum.”

  “Oh yeah, I read something about that.”

  Devon shook her head. She didn’t expect a woman from London to know too much about Black American History. She parallel parked between two cars. The two got out and walked down the artsy street. They walked into a woman’s apparel store where the manager complimented Willow on her dress. Devon was impressed to learn she made the dress herself.

  They walked out of the store and headed down the street. They chatted as if they had been friends forever. Willow was very intelligent and knew a lot about fashion. She promised to make Devon a dress for her birthday.

  Devon watched as Willow absorbed all she was learning inside of the National Civil Rights Museum. She knew a lot more than Devon expected her to know. Willow told her more about the British slave trade, something they didn’t teach much of in the US school system.

  They took photos outside the balcony where Dr. Martin Luther King was assassinated, before heading to grab lunch at one of Devon’s favorite places on the street. The small restaurant reminded Willow of some of their local cafés.

  “So tell me, when was the last time you dated before meeting Tree?”

  Willow took a sip of her martini. “I didn’t do too much dating before her. I went to boarding school so outside of fooling around with promiscuous girls I didn’t do much. At university I met a few girls but none I truly took interest in. I had one boyfriend but that was to make my father happy. It wasn’t until he told me he knew I liked girls that I just decided to come on out.”

  “I totally understand that. My parents are so freaking conservative and big in the community. It took them awhile to warm up to the fact that baby girl might not marry a man.”

  They both laughed.

  “London is a little more liberal than America. I see all the gay rights issues you guys have. It seems positively horrid.”

  “Yeah, and this is the South so it’s twice as bad. People like Teri and Katrina have it much harder at times than me. As a feminine woman I can pass, but Katrina and Teri, it’s not nearly as easy. We’ve had a few run-ins with men before.”

  “That’s horrible. But Teri and Katrina aren’t that masculine.”

  “But any bit of masculine can be too masculine.”

  “Devon.”

  The women turned around to see a woman standing at the takeout counter. She pulled her shades off. Willow noticed the change in Devon’s energy. She watched as Devon shifted in her chair as the woman walked up.

  “Isn’t this a surprise?” The woman smiled at Devon. She glanced at Willow giving her a slightly evil eye.

  “Shanice, what are you doing down here?” Devon stood up.

  The two awkwardly hugged each other.

  “What am I doing here? You are in my hood. I am living over in South Bluffs while my house is being renovated.”

  “Oh, okay.” Devon’s voice changed. She sat back down in the chair. “Oh where are my manners? Shanice, this is Willow.”

  “Pleasure to meet you,” Willow said flashing a smile as she shook Shanice’s hand.

  “Likewise. I’m sorry am I interrupting a date?”

  Willow watched as Shanice stared at Devon.

  “No, actually Willow is dating Katrina.”

  “Oh.” Shanice took it upon herself to sit at the empty chair at the table. “I heard about her opening. I have to try her restaurant soon.”

  “You should,” Devon said folding her hands on the table.

  The waitress brought Shanice her to-go order.

  “Well, I guess that’s my cue. Devon, keep in touch okay? Nice meeting you again, Willow.”

  Shanice walked out the door, but not before giving Devon one final glance.

  “Sooo, an ex I’m guessing?” Willow sipped her drink.

  “That obvious?”

  “A little.” Willow smiled hoping to ease the tension created by Shanice.

  “She’s the ex, the one who has been around for years but just won’t seem to stay gone.”

  “Ah, that has to be hard.”

  “Especially since all of a sudden she’s back and popping up all over the place. But that’s neither here nor there. I have to stay away from her.”

  “If you think that’s best.”

  The waitress brought them fresh glasses of water. Willow stared at the glass. “Katrina was right, you guys do use a lot of ice in your drinks.”

  Devon laughed. She knew that in London ice didn’t come in soft drinks. “I really like you, Willow. I’m glad Katrina met you.”

  “Well I’m happy you like me.”

  Both girls smiled as they continued to enjoy their afternoon.

  Chapter 18

  Katrina sat in her car in the driveway. She still hadn’t completely worked out how to deal with the situation at hand. After the night before she knew she wanted to take the time to really see what was growing between Willow and herself. Saura made her bed, and now she had to lie in it.

  Katrina mustered up the strength and headed into the house. Sitting on the couch was Saura with a very angry expression.

  “So you just got rid of all traces of me I see?” Saura snapped.

  “Sorry; that happened after I saw the photos.” Katrina sat on the barstool. She didn’t want to get too close to Saura.

  “Well, I guess I deserved that. How was your night?”

  “Don’t ask questions you really don’t want to know the answer to.” Katrina folded her arms.

  Saura stood up. She walked over and sat on the stool next to Katrina. “Tree, come on, are you telling me you really want to be with that girl?”

  “I like her. I really do.”

  “Okay, but like and love are two completely different things.”

  Katrina sighed. She stood up and walked back to the room they used to share. Saura followed her. Katrina began pulling out an outfit to change into.

  “You don’t get it, Saura. You chose to leave. What did you expect me to do, sit around and wait on you?”

  Saura folded her arms. “No, but I didn’t expect you to jump into a relationship with the first Pop-Tart you met.”

  “It wasn’t like that. I didn’t expect to meet Willow; the shit was real random. We had a connection. I can’t deny that. Hell I spent the whole month with her.”

  The words cut Saura like a knife. “So you are telling me that you didn’t just meet this chick in London, you took her on the rest of your trip with you?”

  Katrina could tell it hurt Saura but a piece of her didn’t care. She wanted Saura to hurt just as much as she hurt her.

  “Saura, how was I supposed to know you were going to come back? You never called me on my cell; you never even gave me your new number.”

  “I didn’t want to hurt you any more than I already did,” Sau
ra protested.

  “Well someone else was there for me when you weren’t.”

  The two stood in silence. Katrina continued to pick out her outfit while Saura sulked in her corner. Saura didn’t know what to say. Truth was, she left, and now she was forced to deal with the reality that she might not get her woman back.

  “So are you kicking me out?”

  “Saura, you know you can’t stay here. Willow came all the way from London. I am not going to make her stay in a hotel.”

  “So you are going to make me stay in one?”

  “I don’t know what to tell you, Saura.”

  “This is utter bullshit. This is our house, hell I decorated everything in there and now you are telling me I can’t stay here?”

  “Well you never should have left.”

  Saura threw a shirt at Katrina. Katrina turned around to see the tears rolling down Saura’s face. Even though she was upset she knew she couldn’t put Saura out on the street.

  “Saura, I will go and stay in Devon’s guest house with Willow. You can stay here, but you need to find a place to go by the end of the week. No exceptions.”

  Katrina threw a few clothes in a duffle bag and headed out the door.

  Teri knew it was a bad idea to drink as much as she did at the party. Even Ming was filling prescriptions with his shades on.

  “Is it me or is the light brighter than usual in here?” Ming leaned against Teri’s door.

  “It’s a bit brutal,” Teri said reading over an inventory list.

  Ming pulled his shades up, resting them on his head. “So you and Victoria, what happened?”

  “None ya.” Teri continued to read.

  “Bitch, you better spill the tea.” Ming sat in the chair next to the desk.

  “Don’t you have some work to do?”

  “Nope, I’m all ears.” Ming crossed his arms.

  Teri thought about the night. It almost felt like a drunken dream. Victoria was a force to be reckoned with. Teri had never been someone’s bitch before; she had to admit she liked it more than she expected.

  “We hung out at the party and she went home.”

  “To whose home?” Ming stared at Teri.

  “Ming, I slept alone in my bed last night.”

  Teri knew that Ming could read her when she lied so she decided to tell a partial lie. Truth was she did sleep in her bed alone. Victoria left as soon as they were finished.

  “Well that’s tragic.” Ming frowned. “I guess there is always next time.”

  “I guess.”

  Teri continued to work through the afternoon. Things heated up in the pharmacy causing her to actually help Ming with orders. She decided to take a break to grab a bite to eat at the cafeteria.

  Teri decided to sit outside on her lunch break. She took a bite of the turkey club she got from the cafeteria. She put her shades on and closed her eyes, allowing the sun to soak into her skin.

  “That looks good. What is it?”

  Teri turned to see Victoria standing next to the bench. She sat down next to Teri.

  “Turkey club, want a bite?”

  Victoria broke a small piece off of the edge of the sandwich.

  “What are you doing here?” Teri questioned.

  “Well I decided to come and do a little work. I saw you sitting out here and couldn’t resist the urge to come mess with you.”

  “Ah is that what you are doing? Messing with me?”

  Victoria smirked. “Yes, among other things. You should stop by my office when you have a free moment.” Victoria grabbed Teri’s hand. She placed something in it and closed her fist. Teri watched Victoria walk off in her high-priced heels. She opened her hand to find a black lace thong.

  Teri knocked on Victoria’s office door. She heard Victoria telling her to enter in her most professional voice. Teri closed the door behind her, locking it and pulling the shade down.

  They didn’t speak as Victoria sat on top of her desk. Teri walked in front of her asserting her body in between Victoria’s legs. Teri’s hand grazed Victoria’s thigh until reaching its destination. Victoria was more than ready for her, heat pulsated from her legs.

  Victoria let out a soft moan as Teri sexed her. Not to be outdone Teri shoved Victoria’s thong into her mouth. Victoria body responded with delight at Teri’s aggressiveness. Teri didn’t care about the bun; she pulled on Victoria’s hair until the bun came down. She licked and sucked on Victoria’s neck, tempted to leave a passion mark, but knowing that would be highly unprofessional.

  Victoria erupted, covering Teri’s hand. Teri didn’t move, she wanted to feel her until the last drop fell. Victoria panted, trying to catch her breath after the intense orgasm. Teri pulled her hand out, licking the essence of Victoria off of her hand. She took the panties out of Victoria’s mouth and wiped her hand with them.

  “These go in my new collection.” Teri pecked Victoria on her lips before walking out of the room, leaving Victoria stuck in the same position.

  Teri arrived back at the pharmacy to find Ming looking stressed.

  “Um, where the hell have you been? I could use a little help here,” Ming bitched.

  “No problem; let me just wash my hands.”

  Teri walked into their private bathroom feeling a true sense of accomplishment.

  Chapter 19

  Willow loved Devon’s house. The one-story house was very open and spacious but still felt very warm and inviting. But the thing Willow loved the most was the backyard. It was an entertainer’s dream. The kidney-shaped pool had a waterfall that hid the grotto, which was also a hot tub. There wasn’t much grass, just a few patches in between the pool and the patio area. The lawn chairs were also very plush with thick waterproof cushions. In the middle was a fire pit. Farther back was a completely separate residence that used to be a pool house that Devon remodeled to be a guest house.

  “Your house is just amazing.” Willow said as she sat on the barstool watching Devon cutting up lettuce.

  “Thank you, it’s my baby. My parents bought her for me when I graduated from grad school but I did a big remodel on it.” Devon was very proud of her house. It was the main thing that kept her living in Memphis. She pulled a tomato out of the large refrigerator.

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to help with anything?”

  Devon shook her head. “You just sit there and enjoy your wine.”

  The women both turned their heads when they heard a key unlocking the front door. Katrina walked in wearing her chef’s jacket. She put her bag down and walked toward the living room.

  “What’s up, chica?” Devon smiled as her friend walked in the living room.

  Katrina kissed Willow on her cheek. Willow’s face turned pink.

  “Nothing much, things are going good at the restaurant. We are booked for dinner for the next two weeks.”

  “Damn right.” Devon gave Katrina a high five.

  Katrina walked in the kitchen to watch what Devon was doing. She checked the fish, which was sitting in a marinade.

  “What did you use on this?” Katrina frowned.

  Devon pointed at the store-bought marinade. Katrina scolded her as she pulled out a few seasonings and began seasoning the fish. Devon shook her head at her perfectionist friend.

  “So what did you think of that chick Teri was with last night?” Devon said handing the knife to Katrina. She watched as Katrina quickly diced the tomato that was taking her forever to cut.

  “She seemed a hell of a lot better than the chickenheads she usually dates.”

  “What is a chickenhead?” Willow asked.

  The friends laughed explaining the meaning to her.

  “I don’t know; she seemed a bit dodgy to me.”

  “Dodgy?” Katrina and Devon said at the same time.

  “Yeah, um like a bit shady.”

  Both women shrugged their shoulders.

  “I guess we need to pay better attention next time we are around her.” Katrina continued to cut up veggies.
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  Devon grabbed her glass of wine. “Whelp, looks like you got this here. I’m going to go prepare the grill.” Devon walked out the sliding patio door.

  Willow and Katrina smiled at each other.

  “How was your day?” Katrina looked at Willow.

  “It was nice. We went to the Civil Rights Museum. I learned so much.”

  “Cool, cool. Did you do anything else?”

  “Just a little window shopping. How about you, how was your day?”

  Katrina put the knife down. She knew she had to break the news to Willow. She came from behind the kitchen counter and sat on the stool next to her. Katrina held Willow’s hands.

  “I don’t want you to think anything of this, but we are going to stay here at Devon’s for the week.”

  “What’s going on?” Willow braced herself.

  “Saura and I used to live together. So when she came here she didn’t expect that I would have someone else. She didn’t have anywhere else to go so I told her she could stay at my place for the week but she had to be gone at the end of the week.”

  Saura was officially getting on Willow’s nerves. She thought of Piper and what she would tell her to do. She didn’t see it as a huge threat. Katrina was going to be staying at Devon’s with her. That was the most important thing.

  “I’m cool. Hell I like Devon’s house. I can get an early dip in.”

  “Maybe even a skinny dip with me.” Katrina winked her eye.

  The two began to kiss.

  “Ugh get a room,” Teri said as she walked in the house. She put a bottle of wine on the counter top.

  “Where’s your date?” Katrina smirked.

  “What date?”

  Katrina grabbed the tray of fish and the group headed out to the patio. Willow watched as Katrina grilled the fish. Teri and Devon argued about who could cook the best out of both of them. Willow admired the friendship they had. She had schoolmates but no one she was close to outside of Piper.

  “So where is Ms. Sexual Chocolate?” Devon joked playfully hitting Teri.

  “Why does everyone keep calling her that?”

  “Ming said it to me so I thought I’d keep it going.”