by Jae
With their sodas, they settled at one of the nearby picnic tables beneath a huge umbrella to wait for their food.
Denny fiddled with the tab of her can without glancing at Eliza.
“Does that bother you?” Eliza asked softly, nodding toward the food cart.
“No. Not particularly.” Denny finally opened her can and looked up.
She meant what she said; Eliza could see it in her eyes. So far, she had mostly adored Denny for her shy, sweet side, but now she realized the quiet strength and bravery it took for Denny to be true to herself and dress in a way that felt right to her, risking confusion and negative reactions from people every day. Her admiration for Denny grew.
Denny searched her face. “Does it bother you?”
“Me? Why would it bother me if someone thinks I’m going out with a guy? That’s what I did up to now.”
Denny slid the ring of the tab onto her pinkie and turned it around and around. “Yeah, but now she knows I’m not a guy.”
Eliza slid her hand over Denny’s to stop the nervous fiddling. “That doesn’t bother me either. I’m enjoying our date, so I don’t care what people think.”
The guarded look on Denny’s face gave way to a smile. “I’m enjoying it too. Very much so.”
Eliza returned the grin. “Despite winning only very narrowly?”
Denny chuckled. “Yeah, despite that.”
The woman at the food cart waved at them, indicating that their food was ready.
Eliza reluctantly let go of Denny’s hand. “Hold our spot, please. I’ll get it.” She walked to the cart and pulled some napkins from a dispenser.
The woman slid the burger and Eliza’s orange chicken across the counter. “Enjoy your food. And sorry again about earlier. It was an honest mistake.” She waved in Denny’s direction. “With her boyish haircut and men’s clothes.”
Eliza’s temples started to throb. She fought the urge to throw the food in her face. “Boyish?” she repeated, struggling to keep her voice calm.
The woman held up both hands. “Um, her hair is quite short. That’s all I meant.”
“And that makes it boyish?” Eliza pierced her with a narrow-eyed gaze. “Women come in all shapes and sizes and with all kinds of clothes and haircuts. Just because a woman prefers a style that has traditionally been associated with men doesn’t make her boyish.”
The woman blanched and took a step back. “I…I didn’t mean to offend her…or you.”
Eliza bit her bottom lip so hard it hurt. She inhaled and exhaled twice. Maybe she was overreacting, but she hadn’t expected to encounter that attitude in such a hip place in liberal Portland. She couldn’t bring herself to apologize because she meant what she’d said. Without another word, she picked up the food and marched back toward the table.
Denny watched her approach with wide eyes.
Oh shit. So she had heard. Eliza hoped she hadn’t totally messed up their first date. She busied herself placing the food on the table without looking at Denny.
“What was that?” Denny pointed at the food cart.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to make a scene. Stuff like that just makes me…gah!”
“Gah?” Denny repeated, sounding amused.
Eliza peered at her. “You’re not angry?”
“Stunned is more like it. I’ve never had anyone defend me before and certainly not with so much passion.”
“Sorry.” Eliza poked around the container of orange chicken with her chopsticks. “I guess I just feel passionate about people making ignorant assumptions about how a woman is supposed to look.”
“Stop apologizing,” Denny said. “I kind of liked it.”
Eliza looked her in the eyes, and when she saw the soft twinkle, she relaxed. “Good. I would defend you anytime, but I guess I did overreact a little.” She swiped a few chopped scallions off her food. “As a teenager, I was teased for the way I looked too, and what she said hit a sore spot.”
“You? Why would anyone tease you? I mean, not that assholes need much of a reason, but you’re so beautiful!” Denny swept her gaze over her, not lingering in any one area but including her entire body.
A tingle engulfed Eliza from head to toe but stayed mostly low in her belly. “Thank you, but not everyone shared that opinion. In high school, I was called ‘boyish’ more often than I could count. That’s why I got so angry.”
Denny gaped at her. “What? Why would anyone call you that?”
It was nice that Denny didn’t think it was obvious. Eliza pointed at her chest. “Because I wore a training bra through most of high school. I’ve been called everything under the sun: Mosquito Bites Girl, Flattie, and—my all-time favorite—president of the Itty Bitty Titty Committee. Once, a boy I had a crush on told me he preferred a real woman with a grown-up body.”
Denny clutched the table. “God, people are ignorant jerks,” she said through gritted teeth. “You don’t need big boobs to be a real, beautiful woman. Back in high school, I would have killed for smaller breasts like yours.” More quietly, she added, “Still would.”
Now it was Eliza’s turn to stare. “Are you kidding? Your breasts are beautiful!” She bit her bottom lip. “Uh, I didn’t mean to say that out loud, but I’m not taking it back.”
Denny went as red-faced as Eliza assumed she was. “Thank you.”
They peeked at each other, then a grin crept over Eliza’s face. “Okay, so we’ve established our mutual admiration for each other’s breasts. Not what I expected for my first date with a woman, but I’ll take it.”
Denny stared for a second, then burst out laughing. She regarded Eliza with a shake of her head. “God, you’re something else.” Her tone was filled with so much affection that Eliza couldn’t help beaming back.
Eliza slid the burger closer to Denny’s side of the table. “Come on. Let’s eat and then get out of here.”
The sun was starting to set by the time Eliza pulled into Denny’s driveway. After they had finished their food, they’d driven to the Japanese garden and strolled along the moss-green ponds hand in hand, enjoying each other’s company and the soothing patter of the waterfalls.
Eliza wasn’t quite ready for their time together to end, so she shut off the engine. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
A smile played around Denny’s lips as they got out of the car.
“What?” Eliza asked.
“Nothing.” Denny put her hand on Eliza’s back as they walked toward the house—a gesture that always made Eliza feel as if she was about to melt into a puddle. “Normally, I’m the one walking my date to the door.”
“Lots of firsts for both of us, then.” Eliza searched Denny’s face. “That’s not a bad thing, is it?”
“No, not for me. You?” Denny studied her so intensely that Eliza knew she was still worried about her deciding dating a woman was not for her.
Two steps from the door, Eliza turned to face Denny and caught her hand. She wanted her to see the truth of what she was about to say in her eyes. “It’s a really good thing. I can’t remember ever having such a wonderful first date.”
Denny’s tight grip on her hand loosened. “Phew. Um, I mean, me too. I had a great time.” The look in her hazel eyes left no doubt about her sincerity. “So, since we both enjoyed ourselves, does that mean we’re doing this again?”
Eliza bit back a grin at how adorable Denny was. “Are you asking me out on a second date?”
Denny stood taller and squared her shoulders. “Yes, I am. Would you like to go out with me next Friday?”
For a moment, Eliza was tempted to say they didn’t need to wait six long days; they could do something tomorrow, but she held her tongue, knowing she needed time to process what was happening between them. “I’d lo— Wait. Darn. I can’t go out with you on Friday.”
Denny’s face fell. “Oh.” She directed her gaze to the ground at Eliza’s feet. “That’s okay. I didn’t mean to be too clin—”
“I can’t go out with you on Friday beca
use I’ll be here, teaching your niece…and you how to make a polymer clay journal,” Eliza said. “I promised her earlier, provided your sister says yes.”
Denny looked up, the smile back on her face. “So I’m included in your journal-making plans?”
Eliza wanted to tell her she was included in many of her plans, not just the journal-making ones, but she held back. Why did she have a need to spend more time and be more intimate with Denny? She had never been like that in any other relationship, at least not that fast. Was that why those lesbian U-Haul jokes existed? “I wouldn’t dream of giving journal-making lessons without you.”
“I’m in. But I’d still love to take you on a date. How about Saturday?”
Eliza nodded without consulting her calendar app. “Sounds good.”
“Great.”
They took the two steps to the door, where they stood facing each other.
“I’d better get inside before Salem comes looking for me. I think they’re back already.” But despite her words, Denny didn’t move, and neither did Eliza.
They lingered, their gazes searching each other, then veering away.
Eliza wasn’t sure how to say goodbye. Should she hug her or kiss her? As wonderful as Denny’s tender embraces were, she longed to be kissed, but was it the right time for Denny too? She hesitated. Then Heather’s words came back to her. Denny might not make the first move, even if she wanted to kiss her.
“Good night, Eliza.”
The way Denny said her name sent a shiver down her spine. “Good night.”
Denny reached into her pants pocket, probably to pull out her keys.
Oh, no. Eliza couldn’t let her go. Not like this. She curled her hand into the fabric of Denny’s shirt at her shoulder and leaned in. The scent of Denny’s cologne and something that was just her teased Eliza’s senses.
Denny froze, and her breathing quickened. Longing and uncertainty were etched on her face. “You don’t have to do this if you don’t w—”
Eliza gave a light tug on the shirt, pulling her closer, and touched her lips to Denny’s.
For two thudding heartbeats, they stood like that, then Denny kissed her back. Her lips slid along Eliza’s, warm and inviting. Her hand left her pocket, and she cradled Eliza’s face in a gesture so tender that Eliza melted into her.
Their kiss was sweet and soft—God, so incredibly soft—a caress of lips, no tongue or wandering hands, yet it sent a hum of excitement through Eliza. She never wanted the kiss to end.
But much too soon, Denny eased her mouth away and finished in a breathless whisper, “…want to.”
It took Eliza’s dazed brain several seconds to piece together the sentence Denny had started before they’d kissed. “Did that feel as if I didn’t want this?” She touched Denny’s bottom lip with the tip of her index finger, then couldn’t resist stroking it. Wow. So silky.
Denny shook her head, seemingly unable to form words. Looking deeply into Eliza’s eyes, she placed one hand on her hip.
How could such a fleeting touch send ripples of sensation through her body?
Then Eliza stopped pondering that question as Denny leaned in, and this time, Denny kissed her. She captured Eliza’s lips, still tenderly, but with more confidence.
Eliza ran her hands up Denny’s shoulders, over her neck, and into her hair. It felt bristly and soft at the same time as she ran her fingers through it.
Denny made a helpless little groan against her mouth. Her hands—both on Eliza’s hips now—flexed, but she kept them there.
Eliza became lost in the slow slide of Denny’s lips over her own, featherlight at first, then with slightly more pressure. Mmm, she couldn’t get over how soft and sensual Denny’s lips were.
Finally, it was Eliza who broke off the kiss to catch her breath.
They stared at each other.
Slowly, as if hesitant to lose the contact, Denny dropped her hands from Eliza’s hips.
Eliza immediately missed their warmth. She allowed her fingertips to caress the back of Denny’s head once more before withdrawing them.
Denny’s face was flushed, and her sandy-brown hair glowed like gold in the setting sun.
She looked so stunned and happy that Eliza wanted to pull her into another kiss right away, but she needed to slow down and process what was happening.
Denny’s hand trembled as she reached up to touch her lips. “Damn.” She laughed, a hoarse, shaky sound. “It’s going to be almost impossible for me to top this date when I take you out next weekend.”
A giddy chuckle started low in Eliza’s chest. “I guess you’ll have to find a way to recreate this experience.”
“Or improve on it,” Denny said with a smoldering gaze. Then, more timidly, she added, “I mean, if that’s what you want.”
“It is.” They were still talking about kissing, right? Eliza glanced down and tugged on one of the buttons on Denny’s open shirt. She struggled to voice what was on her mind, but she wanted honesty with Denny because their lack of games and pretenses had made their relationship special from the start. “But, um, to be honest, I’m not sure I’m ready for more yet.”
Predictably, a blush stole onto Denny’s cheeks. What Eliza hadn’t expected was the happy smile on Denny’s face. She had known Denny would be patient with her but had assumed she’d look a little disappointed anyway. “Um, why does that make you smile?”
“Because I’m not sure I’m ready either. We aren’t ready.” Denny’s smile broadened. “And you said you’re not ready yet.”
“Oh. Yeah, I guess I did. I mean, I assume eventually, we’ll—”
“No expectations, okay?” Denny said. “I want you to do only what feels right in any given moment.”
God, Denny was almost too good to be true. “Well, in that case…” Eliza pulled Denny close and kissed her again.
Chapter 21
Denny’s keys clattered onto the side table. As soon as the door had fully closed between her and Eliza, she sank against it, not trusting her legs to keep her upright. Her mind was still reeling from that last kiss—from all three of their kisses, really.
Even though they had been more tender than passionate, they had rocked her to her core.
She licked her lips, still feeling the sweet pressure of Eliza’s mouth against her own, and yet she couldn’t believe this was happening to her. Eliza had kissed her! And she’d said yes to a second date.
“You okay?”
Salem’s voice startled her. She pushed away from the door and nodded. “Fine. Great. Wonderful.”
Salem walked over and eyed her. “Then why are you breathing so hard?”
Was she? Denny touched her chest. Her heart still thudded way too fast. She could lie, pretend she had jogged to the door and that was why she was out of breath. But she didn’t want to deny this magical feeling for even a second. “Eliza kissed me.”
Salem let out a wolf whistle. “Hot damn! Please tell me you kissed her back.”
Denny snorted. There was no way she could have kept herself from reacting to Eliza’s lips on hers. “Of course I did.” On shaky legs, she followed Salem to the couch.
“So,” Salem said once she had plopped down next to Denny, “was the rest of the date as good as the kiss?”
“Well, that’s hard to top, but…yeah.” The familiarity of their previous conversations had still been there, but now an undercurrent of newness and excitement seemed to run between them too. Apparently, Eliza had enjoyed it just as much. Not even for a moment had she looked as if she wanted to be anywhere but right there, with Denny, even when the woman in the food cart had called her boyish. “It was the best date I’ve had in…well, ever.”
Salem bumped Denny’s knee with her own. “I’m really happy to hear that.”
“Thanks. How was your date?”
“Not as exciting as yours.” Salem chuckled. “Since we had a chaperone, all I got was a kiss on the cheek when Matt dropped us off.”
Part of Denny’s walking
-on-clouds haze cleared from her mind as she went into worried-aunt mode. “How was he with Bella?”
Salem let out a dreamy sigh. “Wonderful. I found out he gave his friend the zookeeper a prized baseball he caught as a kid to bribe him into letting us into the giraffe house after hours.”
Denny had to admit he seemed to be a great guy. “What about Bella? Did she warm up to him?”
“Not at first. She barely said a word and just watched Matt like he was a prisoner out on parole—until we got to the sea otters. Then it was as if someone had flipped a switch, and they chatted like best buddies.” Salem laughed. “By the time we left the zoo, I was starting to feel like a third wheel.”
“Wow, that’s great.” Denny wrapped one arm around her in a celebratory embrace.
“Mm-hmm.” Salem leaned her head against Denny’s shoulder and continued to smile. Then she sobered and peered up at her. “How would you feel about me inviting Matt to join us for the Pride parade next Sunday?”
Going to Pride was something they had done as a family for years, so Denny knew this was about more than inviting Matt to hang out at a fun event with them. Salem was asking her to accept him into the family. While she was happy her sister had found love, she couldn’t help being sad for herself. She had been Salem’s confidante and a second parent to Bella for years, and now she was about to lose those roles. A sense of loss wrapped around her heart like a fist.
Salem moved her head off Denny’s shoulder to study her. “If you’d rather I didn’t invite him along, that’s fine. I was just thinking it might be fun.”
Denny gave herself a mental kick. She hated change, but she would deal with it—for Salem’s sake. “No, that’s okay. Invite him.”
“Are you sure?” Salem asked.
For a moment, Denny imagined herself at the parade, watching Salem, Matt, and Bella cheer and laugh with each other as the floats moved past, while she observed from the outside. But then another image superimposed itself on the first one: a slender hand slid into hers, and Eliza leaned in to her as she pointed at something that made all five of them laugh. The fist around her heart loosened its grip. “Positive. In fact, I might invite Eliza to join us too, if that’s okay with you.”