“We’ll just have to learn together.”
Ash thought about that for a moment. “I’m not always a very fast learner.”
Carrie laughed again. “Believe it or not, neither am I, but I’m willing to try new things if you are.”
“Hmm.” Ash cocked an eyebrow. “I can think of a few new things I’d like to try with you right now.”
“Does one of those things happen to be making love in my office?” Carried asked with a sly smile.
“Why yes, I do believe it does.”
As she felt Carrie’s hands run under her shirt and up her back, Ash thought that while she still felt pretty unsure about how to be in a relationship, she was certainly looking forward to learning.
Epilogue
Ash checked her reflection as she passed the mirror. She barely recognized herself in the rented tuxedo she was wearing. She took a second to run a hand through her hair, making sure it lay flat, and then tried to straighten her bow tie before turning to Tess.
“Well?” she asked, turning slowly so the girl could get a good look.
“What are you worried about? You look great. Carrie could barely keep her hands off you at dinner tonight.” Tess laughed. “Now can we get back out there?”
“Hang on a minute.” Ash turned back to the mirror. “I’ve never worn one of these things before. I want to make sure the tie is right before I go back out.”
“God, you are so whipped,” Tess muttered, stepping up and tugging the bow tie back into place.
Ash spun around. “I’m whipped? At least I picked out my own tux. I didn’t need my girlfriend to tell me what to wear.”
She alluded to the white tuxedo Tess was wearing. Tess, or rather her date, had opted for a traditional tie that tucked into a black vest. Tess had cut her hair to shoulder length, but it was still sun-streaked blond, which complemented the color of the tux.
Tess rolled her eyes. “No, you just needed her to tell you how to wear it.”
Ash frowned and looked back at the mirror. She had to admit that Tess had her there. She would have never been able to get into the tuxedo without Carrie’s help.
“No comeback?”
Ash thought for a moment. “Did you have to go shopping with Michelle to pick out her dress?”
Tess cringed. “Yes, it took her, like, seven hours.”
“Well, there you have it. I stayed home and worked on the Mustang while Carrie and Mary went shopping.”
“Oh well, I’d rather have spent seven hours at the mall than been in the doghouse for a week.”
“I guess you’re right. Do you think we are just learning to pick our battles more wisely?”
Tess shrugged. “Either that or we are both completely whipped.”
“I never though I’d say this.” Ash paused. “But I think I’m okay with that.”
Tess nodded. “Me, too.”
Ash smiled and gave Tess’s white tuxedo jacket a short tug so it hugged her shoulders snugly. “All right, let’s get back to our dates.”
When they entered the main room of the youth center, Ash thought again how different it all felt from the first time she’d been there over six months ago. The beanbags and video games had been pushed aside for the evening to leave room for a makeshift dance floor. The walls were covered in decorations, balloons, and streamers. The lights were turned low and Michael was manning a stereo system that kept music pumping through the room. Everywhere Ash looked, there were teenagers and chaperones dressed to the nines.
The alternative prom, as the center referred to it, was the only chance most of the teens would have to take a date of their choice to a formal dance, and they were making the most of the evening.
Ash got lost in her thoughts as she watched Tess and Michelle dance in that awkward adolescent way, hands on waists while they swayed to the music. She never ceased to be amazed by the person Tess was becoming. Since she’d been living with Betty, she was happier and more easygoing. And while she still had a knack for wit and sarcasm, she was much more good-natured about how she used it. She was even having dinner with her mother once a week. They still had a long way to go, but Ash thought they might find some peace with each other down the road.
Her reflections were interrupted when a flash bulb went off a few feet from her and Betty Ryan advanced into view waving a camera. The older woman had chosen a sleek pantsuit with a sequined jacket for the prom. Ash thought it looked very mother-of-the-bride.
“It’s not often I get to see you in a monkey suit.” Betty laughed. “I just couldn’t resist one more picture.”
“Betty, if it makes you that happy, then you can take all the pictures you want.”
“You know what would really make me happy?”
“Just name it.”
“A spin around the dance floor.”
Ash bowed. “It would be my pleasure.” She took one of Betty’s hands in her own and slipped the other arm lightly around her waist. She hadn’t danced like that since, well, probably ever, but she tried to do her best to keep up with Betty, who must have had some ballroom training at one point.
“So, are you enjoying your first prom?” Betty asked in what Ash took as an attempt to distract her from the fact that Betty was now leading.
“Actually, I am.”
“Don’t sound so surprised. We all know that underneath that cool exterior, you’re just a big old softie.”
“There goes my reputation,” Ash joked.
“Oh, honey, your reputation flew out the window the minute Carrie came downstairs wearing that dress tonight.”
Ash blushed at the memory of how her knees had gone weak at the sight of Carrie’s bare shoulders covered only by spaghetti straps that flowed into a snug-fitting chocolate-colored bodice before flaring out into a skirt so long it nearly touched the ground.
Betty laughed. “You’ve still got it bad for her, and everyone can see it.”
Ash couldn’t disagree with that. She was every bit as taken with Carrie as she had been the first night they’d met in the very room where she was now dancing.
When the song ended, she gave Betty another bow. “Thank you for that dance, madam.” She affected a regal air.
Betty gave her a playful shove and shook her head. “Once a scoundrel, always a scoundrel.”
Ash was just about to walk Betty off the dance floor when she felt a hand on her shoulder.
“Hey, good-looking, got a spot on your dance card for an old friend?”
“Always.” Ash smiled, slipping her arm around Mary’s waist. She was wearing a sleeveless, ankle-length charcoal dress with a shawl draped over her shoulders.
“Who would have thought ten years ago that we’d be dancing together at a prom?” Ash asked with a little laugh.
Mary just gave her a squeeze. “I think I would have. You’re as full of surprises now as you were then.”
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Ash, you’ve changed more in the past six months than you have the entire time I’ve known you.”
Ash thought about that for a second. “And what do you think of the new me? Do you like her as much as you did the one you met a decade ago?”
Mary smiled. “I can honestly say that I like you even more.”
They danced in contented silence until the song faded to a close.
Mary gave Ash a big hug. “I’d tell you to save me another dance, but it looks like you’re spoken for.”
When Ash turned to see who Mary was looking at, her eyes met Carrie’s and her heart skipped a beat. She had resigned herself to the fact that she’d never get used to seeing those amazing eyes searching her own. The space between them seemed to close automatically when the next song started. Ash felt the rise and fall of Carrie’s chest under the satin of her dress with each breath she took.
“You feel amazing,” she whispered.
“You, too.” Carrie rested her head softly on Ash’s shoulder. “I love that tux on you.”
“Yeah? Well,
I don’t have to return it until noon tomorrow. I’ll wear it all night if you want me to.”
“Hmm, that does sound tempting, but I think I’ll have to take it off you when we get home.” Carrie paused. “Maybe we’ll just leave the bow tie on, though.”
Ash laughed. “You can take off or leave on whatever you want about this tux, but you look too good in that dress. I don’t know how much longer I can take it.”
Carrie gave her a sly smile. “And what do you plan on doing about that?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see.” Ash kissed her lightly on the lips.
“I’m looking forward to it.” Carrie settled her head on Ash’s chest and they continued to sway to the music.
Ash rested her chin gently on the top of Carrie’s head and breathed deeply, inhaling the sweet smell of her shampoo, wondering if she’d ever be able to get enough of the woman in her arms.
“What are you thinking?” Carrie asked after a moment.
“How much I love you,” Ash answered honestly.
“Really?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Me, too,” Carrie whispered.
“So, Dr. Fletcher, I guess we’re doing pretty good at this relationship business after all.”
“Do you think we have it down pat yet?” Carrie’s eyes met Ash’s, deep blue and sparkling.
Ash shook her head. “No, I think I’m going to need a lot more practice. I’ll probably have to spend the rest of my life studying you.”
Carrie smiled. “Now that you mention it, I think I’ll need a lot more hands-on research, too.”
Pressing her lips to Carrie’s, Ash murmured, “Let’s start now.”
As the soft familiar warmth began to spread through her body, she decided that this was going to be another enjoyable learning experience.
About the Author
Rachel Spangler has avoided getting a real job by staying in school for way too long, and she has loved (almost) every minute of it. She holds degrees in politics and government, women?s studies, and English, and recently completed a master?s degree in college student personnel administration from Illinois State University. Throughout her college experience, she has been actively involved with PFLAG, PRIDE, FMLA, and Safe Schools, all of which influenced various aspects of her first novel, Learning Curve.
Rachel and her partner, Susan, recently moved to western New York, where during the winter they make the most of the lake-effect snow on local ski slopes. In the summer, they love to travel and watch their beloved St. Louis Cardinals. Regardless of the season, Rachel always makes time for a good romance, whether she?s reading it, writing it, or living it
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