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“Palmer Jane Honeycutt, you will not pressure that–”

“Mom, I wouldn’t.” Palmer laughed at her mother being ridiculous. “I’m not like that.”

“You better not be, or your father and I would be very disappointed in you.”

“Mom, I love her. I’ve waited all this time already. I’d wait as long as she needs me to wait for that.”

“Then, what are you worried about?”

“I want a girlfriend, Mom.”

“Are you two not girlfriends?”

“I don’t know what we are. There’s so much going on for her right now. She might not even be aQueenin a few weeks. Then again, she might be one forever.”

“It’s not the Queen thing that you’re worried about, though, is it?” her mother asked.

“I don’t want to be a secret, Mom. I won’t marry some man – gay, too, or not – just so I can be with the woman I love. And I won’t just make up some excuses for why twofriendswould be so close or spend so much time together.”

“You want her to be out with you?”

“Yes. Eventually, anyway.”

“And you don’t think she’ll be able to do that?”

“Her dad was an asshole about the gay thing,” Palmer explained. “I think he really messed Elizabeth and her brother up about it. I mean, Alex was willing to get married to a woman because he didn’t want to come out to his dad.”

“That’s terrible, honey. And as much as we love Elizabeth – and we do – you have to do what’s going to make you happy in the end. Elizabeth was very sweet with your sister, and she obviously cares about you. When the time is right, I think you need to tell her what’s important to you in a relationship. And keep in mind, she might not be able to give you everything, but relationshipsareabout compromise. It’s rarely black and white. You might need to give a little in one area or for a time, at least.”

“I know,” Palmer sighed. “Mom, I miss her already.”

Her mother laughed and said, “Yeah, you’re in love, kiddo.”

“It’s both amazing and terrible, isn’t it?”

“Only when they’re away, sweetie.” The woman stood up. “Now, I have to get to work. Your father is upstairs, playing video games with Camilla, if you want to join them.”

“Actually, can I go to work with you? I could use a distraction.”

“Sure. But you know I’ll put you to work.”

“Doing the paperwork or waiting tables?”

“Worse: my bartender called out sick.”

Palmer laughed and replied, “I haven’t bartended in a while. Are you sure?”

“I’m sure. Plus, you can keep your tips. Sounds like you’re going to need a whole lot of travel money.”

Palmer rolled her eyes and stood up.

???

Hours later, Palmer had a giant wad of cash in her pocket from a very good night of bartending. When she got back to her parents’ house, she made her way to Camilla’s room. Her sister was sound asleep, so Palmer walked over to her piggy bank, opened the bottom as quietly as she could, and shoved the cash inside, closing it back up and walking over to her kid sister’s bed. She brushed the hair off Camilla’s face, said a silent prayer for her sister’s happiness, and went back to her own room.

She readied herself for bed, then checked her phone for the hundredth time, even though Elizabeth wouldn’t have gotten home yet, and slid under her covers. She smelled Elizabeth on the pillow she’d used and pulled it toward her, missing the woman she loved more than she thought possible. She wasn’t sure what time it was, but her phone started vibrating in her hand, waking her from sleep. Her eyes snapped open when she realized she was getting a call.

“Hey, babe,” she said sleepily.