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They clinked their glasses together and both took generous drinks.

“Now, what is this about kissing girls?” Cat asked.

“Do you remember when I first came into the bookstore?”

“Sure I do.”

“We went straight to the sapphic literature shelves,” Elena said.

“Straight? There’s that word again.”

Elena chuckled. “My last year in college, I met a woman—in the library of all places.”

“Come on, Elena. In the library?”

“I kid you not. She was working on her graduate degree and was researching lesbians in literature. I can’t remember the time period she was studying, but I found both her and her research fascinating.”

Cat took a sip of her wine to let Elena gather her thoughts. She could tell by the faraway look in her eyes that Elena was back in that library.

“We became friends and I helped with her research. She was a lesbian and would tell me about the bar she and her friends went to and the parties they had. I was mesmerized. I couldn’t get enough of her or her stories.”

Cat smiled as Elena continued her story. She could remember how it felt when she and her first girlfriend were getting to know each other. The excitement of finding someone who thought you were as special as you thought they were. Come to think of it, that’s how she felt every time Elena walked into the bookstore. She’d have to think about that later, but right now she wanted to focus on Elena.

Elena took another sip of wine and continued. “She kept asking me to meet her at the bar and one Saturday night I said yes. It was eye-opening since the only lesbian I knew at the time was her. I tried not to stare and at the same time take it all in.”

Cat smiled. “Oh my God, I can imagine.”

“We danced and danced,” Elena said. “We drank beer and she introduced me to a few of her friends. I recognized a couple of women who had been in my classes.”

“Were they surprised to see you?”

“Not really. I’m sure it was obvious that it was my first time there. Anyway, a slow song started to play and she put her hands on my hips. She pulled me close and we swayed to the music. I can remember the soft lights glowing, the music, and the smell.”

Cat chuckled. “There’s nothing like the aroma of stale beer and heated bodies.”

Elena nodded. “So true. The song was winding down and she pulled back to look into my eyes. I remember feeling like my heart was about to beat out of my chest.”

Cat leaned in a little closer as Elena’s voice dropped. “She looked at my lips and then softly pressed hers against mine.” Elena’s eyes widened and she stared at Cat. “I thought I was going to die!”

“But you didn’t!” Cat exclaimed.

“That was the best kiss,” Elena said. “Do you remember some of the great kisses you’ve had?”

Cat nodded.

“That was some kiss. So gentle, so sweet, yet so hot all at the same time,” Elena said.

“What happened next?”

Elena took a big drink and sighed. “I graduated.”

“What? Didn’t you see her again?”

“We met one more time at the library.” Elena leaned a little closer. “And we made out in the stacks in the women’s lit section.” Elena laughed. “Can you imagine? I would’ve died if we’d been caught.”

Cat chuckled. “No you wouldn’t have. There’s no telling how many people have made out or even had sex in the stacks at a library.”

Elena laughed again. “Let me have my moment.”