They reached the main entrance. As they walked past the parking lot, Mel froze on the spot. “Vanessa?”
Vanessa stood in the parking lot leaning against the side of a sleek, black convertible. The top was down, showing off the white leather interior.
Vanessa took off her sunglasses and gave Mel a brief wave.
Jess’s eyes widened. “Is that her? Vanessa?”
Mel nodded. Her mind went back to high school when girls would get picked up by their older boyfriends in banged up wrecks that to their teenage eyes were luxury cars. Of course, Mel was never one of those girls. She’d known she was gay since she was five, and dating girls was not an option at her conservative high school.
“Wow, she’s gorgeous.” Jess stared at Vanessa, wide-eyed. “If I was into women, I’d be all over her too.”
Mel had to agree that Vanessa looked stunning. She was dressed a long tan coat that went down to her knees, and glossy black heels. Her dark, wavy hair was blowing in the wind, and she wore her signature red lipstick.
“Sorry, Jess, I gotta go. See you tomorrow.” Mel hurried over to Vanessa, leaving Jess to gawk from the sidewalk. Mel was torn between shrinking with embarrassment and running up to Vanessa and throwing her arms around her.
“Hello, Melanie.” Vanessa pulled Mel into an embrace and kissed her on the cheek.
“What are you doing here?”
“What do you think? Picking you up.”
Mel looked over her shoulder. There were a handful of students standing around waiting for rides. And they were all looking Mel’s way. Expensive sports cars weren’t uncommon at Mel’s prestigious school, but women like Vanessa were rare everywhere.
“Where are we going?” Mel asked.
“I thought I’d take you somewhere nice so we can talk.” Vanessa opened the passenger side door. “Hop in.”
Mel got into the car and buckled her seatbelt. She looked around. The interior was as luxurious as the outside of the car.
“Do you like it?” Vanessa got into the driver’s seat.
“It’s nice. But I don’t know much about cars.”
“My father was a mechanic,” Vanessa said. “He was always working on something in the garage. As soon as I was old enough to hold a wrench, I was his little helper.” Vanessa saw the look of surprise on Mel’s face. “What, did you think I was born with a silver spoon in my mouth?”
“I hadn’t really thought about it…” Mel found it hard to see the elegant, glamorous Vanessa as anything other than who she was now.
“I wasn’t born into this life. I grew up as an only child in a normal working-class family. I had to fight to get to where I am. Everything I have, I’ve earned through hard work.” Vanessa put her sunglasses on and turned the key in the ignition. The engine burst into life. “I’ve missed this sound. I don’t often get the chance to take my Maserati for a spin. It’s far more exciting than being chauffeured around everywhere.”
As soon as they left the parking lot, Vanessa slammed her heeled foot on the pedal, sending them flying down the road. Mel clutched the side of the seat as the wind whipped around them.
Vanessa glanced at Mel, a hint of amusement on her face. “You should see what it’s like on the track. It’s the most incredible feeling. It’s almost like flying.”
As they sped off from a red light, Mel began to relax. Although the sheer power and acceleration made Mel feel like she was on a roller coaster, Vanessa wasn’t driving recklessly. She was in complete control the entire time.
Still, Mel was relieved when Vanessa parked the car and announced that they had arrived.
A few minutes and an elevator ride later, Mel and Vanessa walked onto the roof of a small cocktail bar. There were only a handful of other people around. They took their seats at a long bar that ran around the edges of the rooftop. The glass walls allowed for a view of the city below.
“Wow.” Mel leaned forward and looked through the glass. The sun was setting, and the sky was a haze of orange, pink, and blue.
“This is one of my favorite spots in the entire city,” Vanessa said. “Especially at this time of the evening. I love catching that moment when the sun disappears behind the skyscrapers and the city comes alive with light. It’s spectacular.”
A waiter brought out their drinks. Whiskey for Vanessa, and a cocktail recommended by the bartender for Mel. They chatted about nothing of consequence as they watched the sun sink below the horizon.
“So, Melanie.” Vanessa ran her fingers through her hair. Not a curl was out of place, despite the windy drive. “It’s time we had a little talk.”
“What do you want to talk about?” Mel asked.