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She’d spent the rest of the party attempting to convince Taylor that no, she didn’t need flirting lessons, she’d be just fine without them, she would manage to figure out some sort of hobby, wasn’t that good enough? Taylor had just laughed at her arguments and demanded her phone number.

She’d texted the very next day.

Taylor

Tuesday. 6:30 pm. be ready. what’s your address? i’ll pick you up

Avery texted back.

Avery

You really don’t have to do this!

Taylor had just sent a laugh reaction.

Taylor

Address please

Avery gave in and sent her address. Oh God, Taylor was really going to make her do this, wasn’t she?

Avery

Where are we going? what should I wear?

Those were both, she thought, perfectly reasonable questions. Had Taylor answered either of them? Obviously not.

Taylor

Hmmm, I think where we’re going should remain a surprise, don’t you?

Avery

No. I don’t think so.

Taylor

Lol

And then she hadn’t said anything else! Finally, Avery had texted her earlier that day and asked, again, what she should wear. Taylor had responded immediately.

Taylor

Oh you were serious about that question ok. ummmm wear something kind of nerdy but also approachable. does that help?

Avery

No

Taylor had just sent the laugh reaction again. And that was the last Avery had heard from her.

It had felt good to tell Taylor that she wanted to date women. That wasn’t something she talked about with most people; it wasn’t a secret, just that she was usually private about her love life. Luke knew, of course, as did some of her old friends back in L.A. But since she’d moved home to Napa, it hadn’t really come up, especially since she’d been dating Derek for a lot of that time.

But she was stillverynervous about how the night would go.

“Where are we going?” Avery asked as soon as she got in Taylor’s car.

“You’ll see,” Taylor said. Of course she did.