Ladyfish by Andrea Bramhall Page A

her chair and stretched, and her shirt pulled tight against perfect breasts. Oz looked away quickly, but not before her own body reacted.
    “Four thirty. We better get going, if you want to check this place out. I happen to know that the room isn’t furnished yet. It had been a study till a little while ago. Mrs. Richmond said she’ll take care of that but has asked that you go pick out the furniture. If you want to move as soon as possible, then ordering the larger pieces is probably best done today. It’s only Tuesday so it should be possible to get things delivered for Friday.”
    Finn scooped the books and papers together and stuffed them into her backpack. “What should I do about all that gear?”
    “I can lock it in the office if you don’t mind leaving it here overnight.”
    “That’s fine. Will I get to play with it all soon?”
    “The day after tomorrow. We’ll be doing some pool skills and taking your first breath underwater the day after tomorrow. That’s an experience you never forget.”
    Finn fished around the pockets of her shorts and tossed the car keys to Oz. “I like to look at the scenery. I can’t do that while I’m driving somewhere new. Do you mind?”
    “Do I mind?” Oz looked at her like she was crazy. “Do I mind driving that amazing car of yours so you can stare out the window? Nope, I don’t mind at all.”
    They traveled in silence for a while before Finn started to recognize the streets they were traveling.
    “Aren’t we near your house?”
    “Not too far.”
    Oz pulled into the driveway a few minutes later. An elderly woman was sitting on the porch swing and waved as they both climbed out of the car. “Hi, Mrs. Richmond.”
    “Hello there, Olivia.”
    Finn stifled her laughter as Oz rolled her eyes at the use of her first name. “Can I call you Olivia too?”
    “No, you can’t. Mrs. Richmond, this is Finn.”
    “Pleased to meet you, Finn. Olivia tells me you’re looking for somewhere to live while you’re learning to be a dive instructor. Is that right?”
    “Yes, it is.”
    “Excellent. Well, why don’t I show you around and we can get to know each other a little bit. See if you think you can put up with an old woman like me.” Mrs. Richmond didn’t wait for an answer as she pulled open the door and ushered them both inside. “I haven’t had your response about my birthday party, Olivia. Shall I expect you to grace us with your presence?”
    “I’m planning on it. Uncle Charlie said they’d all be coming too.”
    “Wonderful. I’ll be seventy next week, dear.” She clasped her arm around Finn’s elbow as she showed them each room.
    “Really?”
    “Absolutely. You’ll come to my party too, won’t you, dear?”
    “I’d love to.”
    Oz followed close behind her and whispered in her ear. “Does it smell like lavender and pee?”
    Finn laughed softly and followed Mrs. Richmond about the house until they were sipping lemonade on the front porch, Mrs. Richmond happily ensconced in her swing.
    “So what do you think, dear?”
    “I think it’s perfect, Mrs. Richmond.”
    “Call me Emmy. If you’re going to live here, I can’t be doing with hearing Mrs. Richmond over the breakfast table. So when do you want to move in?”
    “Oz said we should order furniture today to get it here for the end of the week. If that’s okay with you Mrs—Sorry. Emmy. If that’s okay with you, Emmy?”
    “That works perfectly for me. Olivia, you go and show this young lady where the best deals are. And then I’ll settle up with you later.”
    “Sure, Mrs. R. Finn, are you ready?”
    “Absolutely. Thanks, Emmy.”
    “Okay, let’s go shopping. You’ll need a bed and a chest of drawers, the desk and chair in the study are a bit dated—” Oz started to pull her toward the door and realized she was still holding Finn’s hand. She dropped it like she’d been burned.
    “Do you always ramble?” Finn teased her.
    “No, mostly, I’m accused of being the silent