India got back to her flat and flung her keys on the coffee table. She flicked on the TV and slumped on the sofa. It had been a long few days of meetings in Manchester, but she felt like they were getting somewhere even though she’d been promised a break. She’d taken work with her, though, because she’d needed to. She and her dad had worked together side by side since she’d got back, and he’d told her on the way home that the company was her baby now. He was stepping down at the end of the year, and India should consider the next six months her formal transition period.
India had gulped, but also, she’d been flushed with pride. Her dad trusted her with the company’s future. She’d worked hard for it and she deserved it. However, it was also a turning point. If she wanted to be the best at being the company CEO for real, she might have to take a step back from her TV work. They both understood that, and it was something India was prepared to do. Less TV work hopefully also meant more time at home. More time when she wouldn’t be working super-long hours trying to do two jobs.
With luck, more time for her and Gina to explore where their relationship might go.
Should she be factoring Gina into her future? India had no idea. She was just going with her gut. It told her she wanted Gina in her life, so she was going for it. If the constant stream of texts this week were anything to go by, Gina wanted India in her life, too.
She reached over and picked up the pink velvet cushion, the same one Gina had hugged in her flat a few weeks earlier. Bernie was still giving her grief. India had spoken to Frankie, and hopefully she could sort it out. India didn’t want to wade in and fight Gina’s battles for her, but she would if she had to.
She took a quick shower, then dressed in some casual trousers and a white shirt. She picked up some big clacky beads, then put them down. That was more part of her work uniform. Her carefully cultured public persona. Yes, it was her, but she wasn’t feeling that today. Instead, India went to her jewellery box and fished out a plain silver necklace with a compass on the end that her mum had given her on her 30th birthday. It was before big clacky beads took over her life. Plus, hadn’t Gina said she liked her weekend look? Now, India wanted Gina’s approval.
She put it on and nodded at her reflection. Maybe she needed to mix up her jewellery. Maybe she needed a compass. Although, she seemed to be taking better roads these days. Roads that led somewhere, rather than dead ends. Roads with Gina waiting in the wings.
Her phone flashed and India grabbed it. It was a message from Frankie, telling her she’d spoken to Bernie. ‘I think it should be sorted.’
India sent her a thank you text. She hoped that was the end of it. Gina was too lovely to need any more aggravation in her life. India was determined to bring nothing but chill to her. Starting tonight.
Her phone buzzed again and she glanced down.
‘Still on for later?’
India grinned. She couldn’t help it. She was due at Gina’s for dinner at 7pm.
‘Leaving in five,’ she replied. Then hastily added three kisses.
She wasn’t leaving anything to fate this time. She’d believed in fate with Andi, and look where that had got her. This time around, she wanted her intentions to be crystal clear.
Gina was waiting for her outside her building when she arrived. Was she thinking about the scorching-hot kiss they’d shared outside her flat last time India was there? India was, and she had no shame.
Gina beamed, then reached up for a kiss. It was light, but it reconnected them. As soon as their lips touched, calm washed through India. She could so get used to it.
“What’s in the bag?” Gina pointed at the white holdall on India’s shoulder, packed tight and bursting at the seams.
“Chocolate Rockets, Rainbow Rings, plus a few others. You said we had to make a pit stop to meet your sister, and she loves biscuits. I keep a stash in my flat for just such an occasion.”
“To impress potential suitors’ sisters?”
India gave her a grin. “Exactly that. Lead the way.”
Gina walked India to the lift, stabbing floor 14 and waiting for the door to close. As soon as it did, their eyes locked.
It’d been a long week apart after the weekend they’d shared. Gina seemed to have the same thought at the exact same time, as she stepped towards India.
The lift juddered to life.
India dropped her bag on the floor.
Gina’s hand stretched up behind India’s head to pull her closer, and their lips connected again, this time with more purpose. India’s insides lit up as they touched.
This was what had kept her going through this week of negotiations. The thought that when she got back, Gina would be waiting. India slid her tongue into Gina’s mouth.
Gina clutched her harder.
Desire drenched India. They could have carried on kissing if the lift hadn’t stopped.
“Floor 14!” said the voice.
India pulled her lips from Gina’s. They both checked themselves in the mirror, Gina’s hand on the button keeping the lift in place.
“Do we look presentable and not like we’ve just been snogging each other’s faces off?”
India nodded. “I think we do. No stubble rash here.” She gave Gina a wink.
“I hope not,” Gina said, squeezing her arse.
Gina’s sister was waiting at the door when they turned the corner, nervous energy radiating from her. She gave them both a wide smile, before her arms encircled Gina, then she held out a hand to India.
“Lovely to meet you. My sister has been troublingly short on detail about you.”
India turned to Gina. “You need to do better. Family gossip is the lifeblood of any relationship.”
Neeta nodded towards India. “I like her, she speaks the truth.”
“You’re going to like her even more when you see what she’s brought you.”
Neeta took the offered bag, peering inside and giving India a thumbs-up. “Biscuits galore, including Chocolate Rockets!” She pointed at Gina. “Did I mention I like her?”
India immediately warmed to Neeta. She had spunk, just like her sister.
They walked through to the living room, with its open-plan kitchen at one end, and its large windows looking over one of the many waterways of Canary Wharf. India admired the view. “Do you have the same view from your flat?”
Gina nodded. “Yep, just three floors higher.”
“We bought them off plan, and Gina was sad we couldn’t be neighbours. I like the three floors’ separation. You know what they say about family.” Neeta gave Gina a grin.
“Lies!” Gina laughed. “I was going to buy in the next block, but Neeta almost cried.”
Neeta boiled the kettle, her words drowned in steam. “That is actually true. Mainly so I could come and get food from Gina when I needed it. She’s a much better cook than me.”
India raised a single eyebrow. “Is that so? I haven’t had the pleasure of eating any of her food.”
“You haven’t been back to my flat, so the chances have been slim.” Gina paused. “But we’re going to rectify that later.” Her gaze was loaded as she spoke.
Gina patted the seat beside her and inclined her head.
India did as instructed.
Gina put a hand on her thigh.
Every single action Gina did put India on high alert. Their kiss was still swirling around her brain. She wanted to do it again. How quickly could they drink their tea?
In the kitchen, Neeta was oblivious. “Also, you’re actually just as tall in real life as you are on the TV.” She brought the mugs over to the coffee table, followed by a plate of Rainbow Rings, then sat on the armchair facing Gina.
India picked up a biscuit, holding it in front of Gina. “You didn’t eat one at my flat. You can’t say no a second time, I’ll be offended. This is my life’s work.”
“Will they make me gayer than I already am?” Gina took it, along with a small plate.
“You won’t know until you try.”
Neeta took one when she was offered. “I always thought I’d make a really good gay, so I’m excited for the possibility of change.”
Gina chuckled through a mouthful of biscuit. “What about Neil? What would he say?”
Neeta waved a hand. “He’d be fine with it. So long as I only do it when he’s working, how will he ever know, anyway?”
India laughed, too. “Maybe that should have been part of the marketing campaign? ‘This biscuit will turn you gay.’ It would have been an interesting concept.”
“It would certainly have caught people’s attention,” Gina said. She paused, pointing to the counter-top. “Why have you got a gold-embossed statue of Lord Ganesh? Have you been born again?”
Neeta rolled her eyes. “Mum sent it to me because Lord Ganesh removes obstacles in your life. I’ll leave it to you to work out which obstacle she wants removed.”
“Not getting pregnant?”
“Bingo. Neil thinks we should create a shrine and not tempt fate. I think we should hide it in the wardrobe.” Neeta turned to India, hardly pausing for breath. “Gina tells me you’ve got a Pride bus and you’ll be giving these away. You’re going to be very popular.”
“That’s the idea.” India paused. “You should come if you’re free.” She glanced at Gina, then back to Neeta. “If that’s okay with Gina and something you’d like to do.”
“If I’m not working, I’m there. I get my new rota next week, but if I can, I’d love to!”
India fished out her phone and gave it to Neeta. “Put your number in my contacts. I’ll add you to the Pride Bus message group.”
Neeta looked as if she’d just won the lottery. “I really like her,” she said, pointing.
Neeta gave India her phone back just as another message came in. India glanced at the screen. It was from her PR guru, Eden.
‘Just to let you know we’ve found Joan, and she wants to meet Eunice! To say I’m excited is an understatement. I’m arranging a suite at The Savoy so they can come to London before Pride. I’ll sort everything out. Call me when you get the chance.’
India couldn’t help the grin that spread across her face. Joan wanted to meet up with Eunice. Their love story might have a happy ending. But she shouldn’t get ahead of herself. Instead, she pumped her fist before stashing her phone back in her bag.
“That was Eden. Eunice’s long-lost love is still alive and wants to meet up with her.” She stared at Gina. She wasn’t sure why this was so important for them too, but it was. Like their relationship was intrinsically linked to the success of Eunice and Joan.
“She said yes?” Gina grabbed India’s knee as she spoke.
India nodded. “Eden is going to sort out dates, but she’s coming.”
Gina put a hand over her heart. “It’s too much. I can’t wait to meet Joan. It’s like an old-school Hollywood romance come to life.”
“Only better, because it’s full of lesbians,” India added.
“India’s going to ask them to be in a biscuit ad, too,” Gina told her sister. “We’ve already got a gorgeous couple doing it, but think of the squidge factor with two women reuniting after 60 years.”
“They might not agree, so let’s not get ahead of ourselves.” India stroked Gina’s arm, giving her a loving look.
“If they don’t do it, you two should. The looks you’re giving each other right now are enough to scorch my sofa.”
India pulled back reflexively, giving Neeta a sheepish look.
“Don’t stop on my account. I’m just going to ask if you could not shag on the sofa. I only just washed the covers.”
Neeta grabbed another biscuit and gave her sister a smug, triumphant look.