Page 110 of November

“Maise, I have to go,” India said, making no attempt to get out of bed or unattach her lips from Maisie’s neck.

“But you don’t,” she replied. “You could call in sick.” She ran her hands down to the shorts she had let India borrow and cupped her ass. “Or, you could tell them you’ll be late because you got a flat tire.”

India chuckled against Maisie’s neck and said, “I have a meeting first thing about a project.”

“And it can’t be moved?”

“Not really. We have vendors coming in,” India replied, shifting until she was no longer on top of Maisie and causing Maisie to feel a cool breeze due to the absence that she didn’t like. “I can stop by for lunch, though, or you could meet me in the café, and we can talk aboutthatproject. You’ll be on the agenda soon, right? You can ask them if doing any kind of demo work on the building would interfere with your status.”

“I forgot all about that, with everything else going on,” she said. “But yeah, that sounds good. Want to shower here?”

“No, I’ll shower at home,” India replied and climbed outof bed. “But not because I don’t like your shower. It’s just easier, with my stuff being there.”

“Okay,” she said. “Want me to make you some coffee before you go?”

“No, I need to get running.”

“Fine, but think of me when you’re using your crazy complicated machine at home.”

India laughed, then climbed back onto the bed, straddling Maisie’s hips, and said, “I pretty much think of you all the time, so that won’t be a problem.”

Maisie smiled up at her as she ran her hands over India’s smooth thighs.

???

“So, how was it?” Lainey asked.

“How was what?”

“Sex with your hot new girlfriend.”

“Oh, my God,” Maisie said. “We didn’t do that. And she’s not my girlfriend… Yet.”

“Yet?”

“I’d have to ask her that, or she’d have to ask me that, I guess.”

“It’s not grade school, Maisie. You’re with the woman all the time. She’s not seeing anyone else. Neither are you. You’re together.”

“Not all of us are like you and Paige. You met, and it just happened. You were suddenly together.”

“Yeah, and you and India are suddenly together, too.”

“I don’t think I should just assume that, Laine. I should probably talk to her about it first.”

“Do that. She’s clearly crazy about you. And I can tell you’re crazy about her, too. I watched you take India’s hand when you thought she and that Sophie woman might have been exes.”

“I just held her hand. No big deal.”

“Your eyes gave you away, Maisie. I sawthose, too. You were about to pounce. I thought you would say somethinglike, ‘Babe, should we get a table or something?’ to India just to prove that she was there with you.”

“Shewasthere with me.”

Lainey laughed and picked up the stack of books she’d just placed on the counter.

“I’m glad you’re happy, Maise. You deserve it.”

“Thanks. Me too,” she replied just as the door opened and the bells jangled.