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“I’m sorry I lied to you,” I said when she still didn’t react. Tenley closed her mouth, opened it again, made a sound and then stood up from the couch.

“You’re a lesbian,” she said, and it wasn’t a question.

“Yeah,” I said.

“For how long?”

“My whole life?” I said.

She closed her eyes for a second. “How long have you known?”

“Oh, I mean, I always knew, but I came out in college.” Tenley started pacing in front of the couch.

“Did you know in high school?” she asked.

“I did. I just didn’t want to come out. I wasn’t ready,” I said. “I really am sorry. I kept wanting to tell you and then I figured it didn’t matter because we were done.”

Tenley abruptly faced me, pointing an accusing finger. “You lied to me.”

“I mean, yeah, but it’s not like I’m required to disclose my sexuality to anyone and everyone,” I said, starting to get annoyed. I owed no one my sexuality.

Tenley shook her head and started pacing again. “I would never, ever have asked you to do this if I knew that, Mia. Why did you agree to it?”

“I’ve been asking myself that same fucking question this entire time. I don’t know. You just looked so devastated that day when you came in and then it was so easy to say yes to you. I mean, I did get a lobster dinner out of it,” I said, trying to lighten the mood. Tenley crossed her arms and then sat on the couch again.

“Okay, I have to admit that I’m a little mad that you lied to me. I can’t help that. But I have to ask you something and I’m going to need you to be honest when you answer.”

I licked my suddenly dry lips. There was a pit in my stomach and I absolutely knew what she was going to ask before the words left her lips.

“Did you agree to fake date me because you’re into me?” she asked carefully.

Fuck.

Chapter Ten

“No!” I immediately yelled. “No. No! I promise I didn’t.” Not at the time, definitely not.

Tenley’s eyes narrowed as she studied me, and I tried not to flinch or blush or give any indication that I might have other-than-platonic feelings toward her.

“So you didn’t agree to be my fake girlfriend in hopes of being my real girlfriend?” she asked, as if she wanted to be absolutely sure.

“No, I didn’t. Besides, you’re not even queer, so it wouldn’t matter if I was into you anyway.” Falling for a straight girl was a right of passage that I had left behind long ago. I was beyond that point in my life.

“Right,” she said, as if just remembering that she was straight. “I wouldn’t date you anyway. Even if I was into women.”

“Ouch,” I said, putting my hand over my chest. “I wouldn’t date you either. I can do sooooo much better.”

I breathed a sigh of relief that we were back to teasing and picking at each other.

Tenley raised one eyebrow. “There’s no one better than me. I’d ruin you for everyone else.”

I tried to laugh, but I choked on a breath and started coughing.

“Do you need some water?” Tenley asked, and I shook my head.

“I’m good,” I said when I could breathe normally again.

“I’m not saying she’s near as fantastic as I am, but Karissa is single,” she said. “I could put in a good word for you. If she’s your type.”