Page 51 of Hot Tea & Bird Calls

Chin on her clutching hands, Zinnia was on cloud nine. “That’s...wow. That’skindof her.”

“It is,” June added, as reasonably bewildered as Skye.

Thalia billowed over to them in her tulip-like skirt, attached Celene’s necklace, and added the pendant to Skye’s.An appreciated action, since Celene, looking into her eyes, reattaching her chain would’ve ended her.

Skye should’ve vetted her fake girlfriend; this was too convincing. Tonight was about appeasing Luce and having a good time, not swooning.

What else could she do, then, when Celene slipped her arm around her waist, posing for Pearl’s camera? From it, two Polaroid-like copies were printed. One for them and the other for Pearl’s wall of couple photos. The marquee read, ‘Bready for Love.’ Celene scoffed at its cheesiness, but nobody else heard.

The new photo in Skye’s bag begged for her to stare at it. Picture proof of them happy as hell, bodies merged close, beaming.

Skye glanced after Celene, who’d opened the floodgates. Now, her friends orbited her “girlfriend” to whatever lay next, no longer too terrified to speak to her. Celene would be inundated with stories and jokes for the rest of the night. Through the chorus of attention, Celene met Skye’s eyes and winked.

Flicking hair from her blazing face, Skye only wobbled out a smile she hoped didn’t set off blaring signals.

Because Celene, in particular...

Was too damn hot.

13

The remaining hours of toast activities went by in a whirlwind. Gaining Skye’s friends’ trust came with a barrage of questions. Celene tactfully answered what she could, studied up on their cover stories and research.

Nevertheless, she hardly had to lie. Thalia, sparkling with necklaces and color and fabric galore, asked, “What first attracted you to our Skye, hm?”

“I saw her in the dark first,” Celene replied after giving Skye a wry, pointed stare. “Even then, I couldn’t ignore her elegant bone structure—cheekbones, chin, how everything is set. Her entire face is timeless and refined.”

“Well, shit.” Zinnia pouted up at June. “When Thalia asked you that, you said my eyes.”

June had shrugged in bewilderment, mouth stuffed with hummus toast. “Eyes is good!”

They were a cute bunch. Celene especially enjoyed Larkin, who’d disappear for twenty-minute chunks to edit clips in real-time for her social presence. Whenever she caught up with them, she’d discuss interesting tidbits about Yielding instead of quizzing Celene. In a soft, soulful voice, Larkin revealed howSkye’s parents did invaluable promotion to get her name out in the digital space, and she’d been forever indebted to the Florentines.

Then, smoothing the sleeves of her crisp top, Larkin told Celene she used to harbor a years-long crush on Skye. Their nine-year age gap kept her on the sidelines, and, eventually, Larkin moved on.

In any other circumstance, Celene would disclose her father and the much larger gap with his wife, Shanice. But Celene chose impartial acceptance. Because throughout the day, it’d become clear that Skye hadn’t ever considered fake dating until the ice cream night. Amused by this revelation, she slinked to Skye, who’d just finished losing to June at the Slamwich playing tables, and draped herself onto her lap.

“Maybe next time,” Celene had cooed, knowing Skye would be onto her antics. Taking it further, she toyed with the two charms on Skye’s necklace.

Skye leered, suspicious. That couldn’t mask the warmth coming from her. She flustered easily, and Celene loved it.

They ended their outing at the Yielding Pride booth. Surrounded by circular standing tables, its house music practically drowned out the fair’s playlist. An elderly gay couple in matching panel shirts ran the operation, and Celene got a little wistful when they giddily clasped each other’s hands before greeting them.

Thalia and Larkin wandered off to find “the perfect last snack” while the rest of them laughed with the couple and discussed local events and fundraisers. A no-brainer—Celene, Skye, June, and Zinnia tapped their phones to donate.

Nadine – 6:46 pm

How’s Toast Day? Are you an unofficial townie now?

Celene stepped away, worrying her lip. Honestly, she’d had a fabulous day. Any snarkiness on her part abated, allowing her to immerse herself in the special occasion. It was a rush, a release.

Celene – 6:56 pm

Not a townie yet. Toast Day’s really, really fun.

The three dots of Nadine bounced. Stopped, then bounced some more.

Nadine – 7:00 pm