Page 125 of November

“I was going to say that I had great teachers.”

“Well, you’re still beautiful,” Maisie replied.

“Thank you. But when all that happens, things tend to just fall in your lap, and that meant I never had to study hard. Even with dance: I worked hard because you have to train for hours for ballet, but my body type was right for it, and I had the best facilities and teachers. They told me I was a natural, so while other girls worked for five hours, I only needed to put in three. Eventually, that becomes ingrained in a person, I think, and I’ve carried that into every one of my failed romantic relationships as well. I don’t want to carry that into this one with you, Maisie.” She cupped Maisie’s cheek with her free hand. “I want to work for things, and I want to give you things and figure them out with you. For the first time in my life, I’m actually excited at a partnership with another person, and I think that has to mean something, right?”

“I think so, yeah,” Maisie replied.

“So, can we talk about what this is?”

“Where’s that ring you bought for Finley now, exactly? Still in the safe?”

India laughed and said, “It was until very recently. Now, it’s with a jeweler I know, who’s going to sell it for me.”

“You don’t want to save it for someone else?”

India shook her head and replied, “No. If I buy another engagement ring, it’s going to be perfect for the woman I’m going to give it to.” She moved her hand out from between Maisie’s and entwined their fingers. “Maybe she’ll even help me with the design.”

“Design?” Maisie asked.

“Yes, with the designer.” India looked at her, confused. “I designed Finley’s on my own, but–”

“It was custom-made?”

“Of course,” India said.

Maisie laughed and said, “Oh, babe… If we’re talking about you and me one day, in the very far-off future, you can just take me to a store somewhere, and I’ll point at a few to try on.”

India shifted until she was standing in front of Maisie and said, “I will compromise on most things with you, Maisie.” She moved into Maisie’s lap, straddling her, and Maisie’s hands moved to her hips, holding her in place. “But this isn’t one of them. If we ever get there, you’re getting a ring that no one else on the planet will have.”

“Oh, I am, huh?” Maisie teased.

“Yes. There’s also one more thing I’m unwilling to compromise on.”

“What’s that?”

“You need to kiss me now,” India said.

Maisie smiled up at her and replied, “I can accept that.”

CHAPTER 31

Maisie loved India’s lips. They were so full and soft, and whenever Maisie wanted to deepen the kiss by sucking on one of them, India was always right there, prepared, as if she had known what Maisie had wanted or maybe she had wanted it, too.

“Maise?” India asked after several minutes of this nice, slow pace.

“Yeah?”

“Can we…” India pulled back a little, causing Maisie to swallow when she started unbuttoning one of those cute pajama tops Maisie had seen in her closet drawer. “Are you ready?”

Maisie thought for a second. Yes, she was ready for this. She was ready to touch India and be touched by her. The fact that they had made it through the bumps and were still here told Maisie what she needed to know. She nodded but put her hands over India’s, wanting to undo those buttons herself. She’d had dreams of undoing those buttons, trying to find out what India wore beneath shirts like this, if anything at all. There were only six buttons, and one was already undone, but her hands shook a little as she tried to undo the next one.

“Are you sure?” India checked. “We can wait. It’s been a long day. I–”

“I’ve just…” Maisie finally managed to get one button undone. “I’ve never felt so close to someone before, so I’m pretty new to this.” She undid the next one. “I’m a little nervous.”

“Me too,” India replied, cupping Maisie’s cheek.

“Really?”