13: I Want You To Think of Me

"Cora! Wait up!" A strawberry-blonde, athletic woman in scrubs trotted down the hall toward Cora. Her blue eyes flashed with familiarity and Erin grinned. "Why is it I'm always chasing you?"

"Hello, stranger, how have you been?" Cora smiled cautiously, Edra's words replaying in her head.

Erin smiled genuinely. "I know, right? It's been a minute. Good, better. How about you?"

"Very good. I'm just heading out."

"Cora, have a cup of coffee with me? Please?" Erin blue-grey eyes washed with both regret and hope.

Cora smiled with compassion. "Of course, Erin." Cora moved with Erin toward the staff lounge, catching up on their latest cases and talking lightly about the daily routines of the hospital.

Once the two women were settled, Cora probed."So, it's been a while. Are you okay? Happy?"

"I'm good, thank you." Erin smirked. "What happened with us? It's been almost a year, but it still feels ... "

Cora laughed lightly. "Unsettled?"

"Yes, that. Unsettled."

"Erin, we were just in two different places. We were so out of sync and it ended so abruptly. And, I didn't handle it well, so it didn't really allow for closure."

"Cora," Erin grinned, "you practically ran the other way whenever you saw me coming."

"I know. I just wasn't ready."

"But you seem ready now. Who was that woman you were with last week?"

"Oh, you saw Zola. We've been dating. It's early."

"So she hasn't told you she loves you and asked you to move in?" Erin laughed at herself, shaking her head gently.

"Um, no." Cora was relieved that Erin's determination and intense nature seemed to have waned. "Again, sorry. I didn't handle that very well."

"I know, I'm sorry too. I guess I just wanted to have you from the start. I should have let 'us' just unfold."

"I'm glad you asked me to have coffee, Erin. This feels right, being able to talk to you. Have you been dating?"

"Me?! No." Erin chuckled. "I've been on hiatus, waiting and trying to figure out how to and get it right, next time." Erin examined Cora's eyes. "That's kinda why I wanted to talk to you. I was hoping you'd go with me to Casino Night next week."

"Oh ..."

"Please, Cora. Are you dating Zola exclusively?"

"No, but I do care for her, of course. You know that about me."

"Of course, I get that, I'd expect that of you. But we have some history. I care about you too. You did care about me too, right?"

"Erin, you know I did. You know I do."

"Yes, I do." Erin smiled softly at Cora. "You're so giving and genuine. I think that's what drew me in so quickly, so easily. Do you get that? Do you get how intoxicating your genuine nature can be?" Erin saw Cora's eyes widened slightly and Erin grinned. "I didn't think so. Your chink in your armor. It's why so many women here are infatuated with you. You can't see how impactful you are."

Cora's brow furrowed in consideration. "What are you talking about, Erin?"

"Ask Edra and Joce. I'm sure they'll paint you a perfect picture. Your perspective, your nature. You're like a siren. You draw people in."

"Don't you think you're exaggerating just a little bit? I'm not beating back a line of women."

"Maybe. Maybe not. But you're .'" Cora leaned in, concentrating as Erin continued to explain. "You don't see what you do to other people. Why do you think your two closest friends are happily in significant relationships?"

"Oh." Cora's head was beginning to spin.

"Right, women have a hard time being 'just friends' with you." Erin saw the contemplation and discomfort on Cora's face. "Cora, it's okay. It's your nature, but it's scary. Compassion, emotional connection, humility, great sex. I kind of want you again just thinking about it."

Cora shifted back and just sat staring into space.

"How about this, let's at Casino Night and spend the evening at the event together and see how it feels. I think it's worth it. Maybe it was a time and place thing with us. But if it doesn't feel right, then we have closure, right?"

Cora hesitated, her eyes shifting back to Erin. "But you're saying we be friends."

Erin grinned. "I don't know. I think it would be harder for me than for you."

"Okay.. I'll meet you there. And for the record, I think we could be friends, regardless."

Erin grinned. "I'm glad to hear that. I'll see you at Casino Night." Erin stood and kissed Cora's cheek, and Cora's skin tingled at the familiar feel of the touch.

----

"Definately! I work everyday"

"Tuesday afternoon? have to work @ 7pm"

"Lowkey"

"walk through Zilker & early dinner?"

"parking lot by botanical gardens 2:00"

"See you soon"

"ive missed you"

----

Tuesday's weather for a walk through Zilker park was perfect. Sunny, upper 50s, the public park in the heart of Austin was always busy. When Zola saw Cora waiting for her, she could barely contain her excitement. ", Cora!" Zola jogged the last couple steps as she wrapped Cora up in an embrace, kissing her lightly on the cheek. "It's so good to see you! Feels like it's been forever."

"Yes, I know." Cora beamed. "You look amazing, you feel even better."

Zola sighed. Cora's arms felt right and hearing her voice was like hearing a song playing just for her. Zola whispered softly, "I've missed you."

"Come on, let's walk for a bit and catch up. I want to hear about New York." The women fell into stride easily. They walked through the gardens and along the outer paths, taking in the sights and sounds of the park while they caught up.

Zola fell into the rhythm of New York easily. She was as at home there as she was in Austin. She described to Cora the general anxiety and excitement that transcended the company and her family as they prepared for Fashion Week. Everyone's eyes were on the clock now, finishing up shoes, checking, re-checking, checking again on every detail. Shows, meetings, dinners, parties, every event carefully planned.

"I'm really looking forward to Rimini. It's similar to Necker Island, but it doesn't feel like vacation. It's . How about you? What's on your plate?"

"Oh, well I have a hospital function coming up on Saturday, 'Casino Night.' I'm meeting an ex there and we're going to spend the evening catching up." Cora glanced sideways as they moved, gauging Zola's reaction.

"Oh? A date?" Zola couldn't mask the disappointment in her voice entirely.

"You know, I'm not really sure what it is, Zola. I haven't seen her in over a year, but we both work in the hospital. Erin is an intensive care pediatric nurse. She kind of caught me off guard with the invitation, but I am glad to reconnect and see how she's doing."

"Wow, so she saves babies' lives. That's a tough act to follow!"

Cora stopped and turned to face Zola. She smiled at Zola, easing her mind, "Zola, you are the perfect you." Cora stepped in slowly and pushed back Zola's hair, loving the thick soft feel. "I think you're wonderful." She kissed Zola softly, tasting and pulling gently on her lips.

Zola eyes rolled at the delicate touch. "Well, then I'm happy for you." Zola grinned. "Although I have to admit I'm more than a little jealous."

Once the women started moving, Zola wondered out loud, "Cora, you're so easy going and genuine. What happened between you and Erin the first time?"

"Oh, I think we were in two different places in the relationship. Timing mostly." Zola raised her eyebrow at the cryptic nature of her statement. "I started dating her shortly after I met you actually." Cora grinned, winking at Zola. "You were already taken."

Zola laughed. "Bad timing for us too, I guess." The women continued their walk, falling in and out of silence and light conversation. They followed the paths in an unplanned manner. Twisting and turning and stopping and starting as they pleased. They found their way back to the parking lot and stood by Cora's car to make a plan for dinner.

"What do you feel like? I have a couple of hours." Cora grinned at the smile that spread across Zola's face.

"It's up to you, Cora, but my preference would be take out and eat in."

"Zola, I wish I could, but I have a suspicious feeling that it would be hard for me to get into work on time."

Zola closed the distance between them. She placed her hands on the car on either side of Cora, trapping her. She moved in close, letting her lips just barely graze Cora's ear. "." She pressed both her hips and mouth gently into Cora. Cora felt her body relax and her hands settled easily on Zola's lower back.

"Zola, you ..."

Zola moved and covered Cora's mouth, stopping her from completing her thought. She moved her tongue and lips, unhurried. She folded Cora's tongue into her mouth and sucked gently, breaking slowly when she heard Cora whimper with need.

Zola's breath was strained and slightly broken. "You're right, we need to eat dinner out."

Everything fiber of Cora's body screamed for gratification. She spoke softly and with need. "That was not kind."

Zola maintained contact, speaking into Cora's mouth and letting her lips brush over Cora's lips. "Forgive me, , but I want you to think of me this week. All week."

Cora smiled and kissed Zola softly. "Zola, you are wonderful. I think of you and my heart fills with delight."

Zola sighed audibly. "Come on, let's eat before you become the only thing I want to taste."