Mirror Images in Willow Lake

The next week was a total blur. Andreas had been pulled away by a heavy workload in town, wrapping up jobs before leaving to visit his mother abroad. Without his distractions, Addy threw herself into the work of settling in. Her days filled quickly with grocery shopping, exploring the college library, virtually meeting her financial advisor, and finalizing a trip to the Mediterranean between Halloween and Thanksgiving. By then, she figured the chill would have settled in, and a little warmth would do her good. She also managed to clean up the attic and make it ready for her to spend time there writing in the fall.

Of course, there were her morning runs along the lake. As she trained for the half marathon and runs increased in length, more of the lakeside revealed itself. Wearing something cute and sexy any time her route would take her past the Lawson's bungalow topped the preparation list on the off-chance Ned would be outside to catch a glimpse. The opportunity to tease was too good to pass up. But aside from the training runs, she hadn't yet ventured far. Her first real tour needed to be with Ellie and Ned, especially since Ellie has been so welcoming in her texts and recurring check-ins. Sharing the experience would be far better than exploring alone.

When the lists were done and the house was quiet, Addy always found herself back in the living room, drawn to the cedar chest waiting in the shadows. The photographs were more than she could ever have imagined. She ran her fingers over the faded and torn edges with her fingertips, surprised at the expressions on their faces. There were women in gowns and corsets staring straight into the camera with almost defiant looks. In one, a woman sat straddling a man's lap, her dress pulled up around her hips, his trousers gaping open. His face was turned away, and her expression was lustful, hungry, and demanding.

Others were darker and glossier. Addy lifted a few carefully taking in the scents of the old pictures. She flipped to one where a woman was kneeling between another woman's thighs. Her lips were parted in mid-kiss. Another showed two men in short sleeves kissing passionately with their arms wrapped around each other. Their bodies were pressed so close together she could almost feel the heat of them.

The images appeared more candid the more she explored. Multiple people caught in frozen motion together on messy beds, couches, and other places throughout the house. There were couples, threesomes, and even a few moresomes. One caught Addy's eye. There was a man and a woman side by side kneeling on the floor on each side of another man standing over them with an evil grin as his cock was inches from their mouths.

As if that wasn't enough, a handful of 35mm prints caused a flood between her legs. Addy's eyes fixated on a man bound to the ornate bedposts she recognized from the upstairs guest room. He was completely naked with his arms stretched overhead and wrists cuffed in restraints and his mouth was open in a soundless moan. Straddling his hips was a black-haired woman in a black leather corset and stilettos. She held a coiled whip in one hand letting the tip rest lightly on the man's chest. It was as if she were deciding what to do next. Addy's skin tingled as she imagined the sharp crack of the whip and the sounds the man might make as the thick tension in the air was cut by that thrashing of the whip. Feeling so turned on by such an image was a bit of a shock to her system, although one she wasn't sad to be experiencing. Nothing quite like this ever crossed her eyes the few times she and Roger had watched erotic videos together.

Another photo showed two women together on the same bed, their bodies gleaming with sweat, hair tangled across their shoulders. The next captured a group of four, two men and two women, tangled together on the rug near the mirror she'd already grown so familiar with. She felt a shiver work its way down her back, her fingertips tingling as she flipped through image after image.

She set the last Polaroid down, her hand trembling just slightly. For a moment, she couldn't look away from the images spread across the quilt. It startled her, how easily her mind slipped into the scenes, imagining the woman in the corset straddling her instead, or the press of soft female lips against her own. She thought of being watched by more than one pair of eyes, hands roaming over her body from every angle, and surrendering to so much at once she couldn't think, only feel. The idea was so thrilling it made her thighs clench and her pussy tingle.

The phone buzzed several times from the daybed across the room and jolted Addy back to reality.

Ellie Lawson:

Hi Addy! I hope you are getting settled. I know it's been a busy week for everyone, and I haven't had a chance to check-in and see how you were doing this week. It is supposed to be a lovely afternoon and evening today. Ned and I don't have any plans and wondered if you were up for a tour of the town.

Addy Rowan:

Sure! What time were you thinking? I was just organizing the attic a bit more and don't have any plans. I feel settled and have been very productive the past few days. Little did Ellie know exactly how productive she had been exploring the contents of the chest and herself.

Ellie Lawson:

How about noon? We can have lunch at the cafe and then walk around downtown. We can spare you a tour of the college since you've been hanging around the library.

Addy Rowan:

Perfect. I will meet you at the cafe at noon. I just need to shower.

Wait, how did you know I had been to campus? I don't remember telling you that.

Ellie Lawson:

Oh, haha! I forgot to tell you Ned saw you a couple of times after his class was over.

Addy Rowan:

Ahhh! Makes perfect sense. I forgot you mentioned he was still teaching one class this term. See you at noon!

The afternoon was bright and mild, the kind of day that made the town feel like it belonged in a postcard. Addy chose a bright coral sundress that clung softly to her breasts and skimmed the curve of her hips before flaring just enough to show off her legs. She stood in front of the mirror for a long moment, then smiled to herself and slipped her panties back into the drawer. More daring and somehow more honest. She passed by the mirror in the living room on her way out and admired herself for a moment.

Ellie and Ned were waiting for her on the porch of their bungalow when she arrived. Ellie looked effortlessly elegant in a crisp pale cream linen shirt and cropped trousers that showed the trim lines of her figure. Her white hair was pulled back, a few strands straying across her face in the breeze. Ned's look was more relaxed than she'd expected. He wore khaki shorts that showed off his long, toned legs and a soft blue Tommy Bahama shirt, the top buttons undone to reveal a little sun-browned skin and the edge of his salt and pepper chest hair that matched the hair on his head. The easy confidence in the way he smiled at her made her feel warm and welcome.

"You look absolutely radiant," Ellie said, her blue eyes bright as they took her in from head to toe. "I don't think you're going to need a tour guide. Half the town will stop to offer directions if you walk around looking like that."

Addy laughed, feeling a little embarrassed. "I'm not sure whether to say thank you or apologize."

"Definitely don't apologize," Ellie teased, her gaze lingering a second too long to be entirely innocent.

They set out down Ash Street, strolling past the old storefronts and the little bakery where the smell of fresh bread drifted through the open door. Ned pointed out the diner that still had its original soda fountain and the antiques shop that used to be a pharmacy when he was a boy.

"I used to teach economics full time and was the Dean at Belhaven for ten years," he said as they waited to cross at the four-way stop. "But I'm happy these days to be a little less...serious. No more meetings, no more deadlines. Just the occasional teaching assignment, and the pleasure of walking through campus without worrying who's publishing what and which professor upset a student, or worse."

"And I'll admit, it's not the worst thing in the world to walk across the quad and enjoy the scenery," he said.

Ellie gave him a look, but her mouth curved in a wry smile. "He means the trees," she said dryly.

"Of course," Ned agreed as they winked at each other.

They paused in front of the corner general store, and Ellie turned to Addy with a gentler expression. "You mentioned your husband when we spoke on the phone. Roger, wasn't it?"

Addy nodded, her fingers smoothing the edge of her dress. "Yes. He passed away two years ago. We were together for almost twenty years." She hesitated, then met Ellie's eyes. "I had a hysterectomy in my early thirties, just after we met. We couldn't have children, so we threw everything into the company. It kept us busy, and for a while, that was enough."

Ellie reached over to squeeze her hand. "I'm sorry. But I'm glad you're here now. You deserve a place that feels like yours."

"Thank you," Addy replied, feeling a surge of something, something that felt a lot like belonging.

They walked on together, the breeze lifting the hem of her dress as she fell in step between them. Now and then, she caught Ned's eyes lingering on her legs before he looked away with a faint smile. More than once, she had to remind herself not to stare right back.

They ate a leisurely lunch at a small cafe on Sycamore Street, tucked into a corner booth beneath a row of black-and-white photos showing the town as it looked a century ago. Conversation drifted easily from their favorite shops to stories of Ellie's early days in real estate, to the quiet pleasure Ned took in no longer having anywhere he strictly needed to be. He seemed to be stuck on that theme. She chuckled to herself and thought perhaps he was missing work, or the coeds.

By the time they stepped back out into the sunlight, the air had grown warmer, a soft breeze carrying the smell of cut grass, flowers, and something sweet from the bakery down the block. Addy felt almost giddy, the combination of good food, easy company, and the soft hum of curiosity sparking between them more intoxicating than any wine. They walked together back toward her street. As they reached the path that led up to her porch, Addy paused, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

"It's such a beautiful afternoon," she said, her voice light but a little deliberate. "And this house feels so big when it's just me rattling around in it."

Ellie lifted an eyebrow, smiling. "Are you saying you'd like some company?"

"Um, yes," Addy teased, feeling her pulse pick up. "I was thinking...if you don't have other plans, you could come back for a swim. The pool's warm and I have the salt volume all worked out thanks to Andreas. Salt water is so rejuvenating, don't you think? I'd love not to be the only one enjoying it. I could make a pitcher of margaritas."

Ned glanced at Ellie, then back at Addy, his mouth curving into a slow smile. "I can't think of a better way to spend the rest of the afternoon."

Ellie's gaze flicked over Addy's sundress again, just shy of openly appraising. "We'd be delighted. We can grab our suits and meet you back here?"

"Perfect," Addy said, her heart giving a little flutter she refused to analyze too closely. "I'll get things ready."

She watched them walk away down the sidewalk, feeling the quiet promise in the way Ned turned to look back at her one last time before they disappeared around the corner.

Fifteen minutes later, Addy heard soft conversation at the end of her walkway. She glanced up from the kitchen window just as Ned and Ellie walked toward her onto the patio. Ned had traded his Tommy Bahama shirt for a simple black T-shirt and a pair of slate-blue board shorts that showed off the long, lean lines of his runner's legs. He looked casual and devastatingly handsome in a way that made Addy slightly weak in the knees. Ellie wore a plain, elegant cover-up the color of pale sand. It draped just to mid-thigh, cinched lightly at the waist, and contrasted beautifully with the gleaming white of her hair, still pulled up from their tour of town. She looked effortlessly composed, though something in her smile suggested she was enjoying herself more than she let on.

Addy had chosen a bikini she bought online earlier in the week. Prior to moving here, she would have kept scrolling when it popped up in her app. It was a deep plum, cut low across her chest and higher at the hips. The color made her skin look warmer, brighter, and she'd decided not to care if the faint line of her scar showed when she moved.

Passing the mirror on her way out to the patio, she caught sight of herself and felt an unexpected rush of exhilaration. Maybe it was the house and all its hidden stories. Maybe it was Ned's offhand comment about enjoying the view of the coeds, or the way Ellie's gaze sometimes lingered on her legs with open appreciation. Either way, she felt bold and in control in a way that was equal parts thrilling and anxious. She didn't even bother with a cover up.

As she stepped out, Ellie looked her up and down, her blue eyes gleaming. "Now that is a swimsuit," she said, her voice warm and a little teasing. "I have to say, you make me regret going conservative."

"You're welcome to change your mind," Addy offered, lifting her brows in challenge.

Ellie just smiled, her lips curling as though she knew exactly what she was doing. "Oh, don't worry," she murmured, a hint of promise in her tone. "I have something underneath this you might not expect."

Ned let out a low laugh and carried their towels to the chairs by the pool, glancing over his shoulder at Addy with a look that made her heartbeat more quickly.

She sensed that this afternoon may test more than one of her boundaries and she didn't mind at all.

"I just need to run inside and make the margaritas," Addy said motioning to the house. "Make yourselves comfortable."

Addy slipped back inside to the kitchen, her pulse still fluttering from Ellie's teasing remark. She gathered the ingredients for the margarita and proceeded to mix up her special recipe her friends all raved about. She found a pitcher and glasses and set them out, taking a moment to steady her hands as she arranged them on a tray. Through the window over the sink, she could see Ned setting their towels neatly over two lounge chairs. Ellie stood beside him, fingers toying with the sash at her waist.

Curiosity took a hold on Addy as she watched Ellie untie the cover-up and let it fall open. Underneath, Ellie wore a sleek black bikini that was far more daring than Addy had guessed. The top was cut low and narrow, showing the elegant curve of her small but firm-looking breasts and just enough of the swell beneath to feel indecent in the most delicious way. The bottoms rode higher on her hips, the thin straps framing the long lines of her legs. For a woman her age, or any age for that matter, she looked fantastic. Ellie was not lacking any confidence and Addy was stuck by her almost timeless beauty. At that moment, Ellie glanced up, catching Addy's stare through the glass. Instead of looking away, she smiled slowly and knowingly. She ran a hand through her white hair to secure it for a swim before slipping the cover-up off completely. Addy pressed her palm to the counter, catching her breath.

Ned stepped close behind Ellie, one hand resting lightly at her waist. They exchanged a few quiet words she couldn't hear. Then, to Addy's surprise, Ellie turned her face up and kissed him slowly. It was the kind of kiss that belonged to people who had nothing left to prove to each other. When they finally separated, Ned's eyes drifted toward the window. For a moment, all three of them were caught in the same awareness, before Ellie turned and settled gracefully onto her lounge chair.

Addy took a deep breath and finished her task before reappearing at the pool. When Addy stepped back onto the patio with the tray, the sun had drifted past its highest point, casting short warm shadows over the slate tiles. She set the glasses on the low table between the chairs and tried not to feel self-conscious under Ellie's quiet gaze.

"To new friends and a sense of belonging," she said, lifting her margarita in a small toast.

Ellie smiled, her eyes glinting with something Addy couldn't quite name. "I'll cheers to that," she replied, tapping her glass gently against Addy's.

They settled back into their chairs, the hush of the afternoon broken only by the hum of cicadas and the occasional soft splash of water against the tile. Conversation continued effortlessly. Stories about the town's history, the neighbors, little bits of gossip about who was feuding with whom over fence lines or tree branches. Ned leaned back, one ankle crossed over his knee, and told a story about the first class he ever taught, when he was so nervous he'd lost his notes halfway through a lecture on international trade.

"It's a wonder anyone signed up for my courses after that," he said, grinning.

"Oh, I'm sure they did," Ellie teased, reaching over to rest a hand on his knee. "You're far too charming for your own good."

Addy found herself smiling as she sipped her drink, tasting the tartness of lime on her tongue. The warmth of the sun and the rhythm of their voices lulled made her feel calm, comfortable, and completely happy. At some point, Ned stretched out on his chair, the condensation from his glass trailing down his forearm. Within a few minutes, his breathing had evened out, the rise and fall of his chest slow and steady.

Ellie tipped her head back against the cushion and laughed. "He's always been able to sleep anywhere," she said, her voice carrying a twinge of jealousy.

It's getting warm," Addy said after a moment, setting her empty glass aside. "I think I'm going to cool off."

Ellie turned to look at her, one pale brow lifting. "Mind if I join you?"

"Not at all!" Addy answered with a little too much excitement in her voice.

They slipped into the water side by side, the surface breaking in smooth ripples around their bodies. For a few breaths, neither of them spoke, just drifted in the hush of the afternoon, while behind them Ned slept peacefully in the sun. Addy felt the question rising before she could talk herself out of it. "Can I ask you something?" she said, her voice low.

Ellie turned, wearing a curious expression. "Of course."

Addy hesitated, then met her eyes head-on. "Earlier...you made that comment about the coeds. And then...the kiss." She felt her cheeks turn an embarrassed shade of pink, but she pressed on. "You and Ned seem so...happy. So comfortable. After all these years together."

Ellie flashed a faint smile, a softness around her eyes.

"What's the secret?" Addy asked, her voice dropping almost to a whisper. "How do you stay that...alive with each other?"

Ellie studied her for a moment, her pale blue eyes thoughtful, as though she were weighing how much to share. "I suppose part of it," she said slowly, "is never pretending to be something we're not. We've always been honest about what we want. That took some time to grow within us, and it wasn't always easy, especially after his affair with a cute coed." She slid a hand over the water, watching the ripples move out over the calm water.

Addy flashed a shocked look toward Ellie, "An affair? How did you find out? What happened after? I mean..."

"Why did I stay with him," Ellie interrupted?

Addy nodded.

"Well," Ellie continued, "I knew he admired the coeds and they admired him as well. It was only a matter of time. I'll spare you the details, but I just decided that I couldn't blame him. They were all quite attractive...he always had good taste. So, I gave into my own desires and joined him in the pleasures he encountered."