Page 56 of September

“I bet you did.” Myra laughed. “So, are you going to talk to her? And I don’t mean about the dog.”

“We’re slowly getting to know each other, which is fine; I don’t mind taking our time. But she’s going to be traveling for so much and soon… I just want to get to know her and see if I’m right in thinking that there’s something between us.”

“Tell her you want to talk then and leave Carly out of it. If Juliet brings her up, try to change the subject,” Elisa suggested.

“Yeah, I guess. I mean, like you said, Iamgetting paid, so I can’t just ignore it if she brings her up.”

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this before,” Elisa said, squinting at her. “And I’ve seen you with every girlfriend you’ve ever had.”

“Well, she’s not my girlfriend.”

“Not yet,” Myra noted.

“Elisa, you’ve never really seen me in this phase. You’ve seen me with girlfriends, yes, but not much before that, when I really like a woman and think that she might like me, but we haven’t said it out loud yet.”

“It looks good on you,” Elisa said, smiling at her.

“It’s kind of scary.”

“Didn’t you just tell my daughter that love is scary, but you should still go for it?”

“Well, don’t go quoting me tome,” Gwen replied with a wink. “I’m going home now. I have to wake up early to go pick up Carly.”

She stood.

“Are you okay to drive?” Myra checked.

“Yeah. I finished my beer, like, over an hour ago, and I ate everything on my plate. I’m good,” she replied. “But thanks for checking on me.”

“Anytime,” Myra replied.

???

The following morning, Gwen arrived at Juliet’s just before eight and knocked on the door, preparing to keep this conversation about Carly since Juliet needed to hit the road and Gwen was technically on the clock.

“Hey, good morning,” Juliet said with a wide smile. “I made you something.”

“Um… Hi,” Gwen replied. “And why are you so chipper? It’s early.”

“Not for me. Early riser for work, remember?”

“Sorry; I haven’t had my coffee yet. Did you say youmademe something?”

Gwen walked into the apartment and found Carly right there, ready to sniff her legs.

“Hi, Carly,” she said, letting her sniff around.

“I made you coffee,” Juliet replied. “The good stuff. I’d hoped you hadn’t had any yet.”

“You made me coffee?”

“Yeah, and it’s medium roast. Your new favorite.” Juliet smiled as she walked into the open kitchen and carried a mug over to Gwen.

“This is great, but doyouhave a to-go cup? You have to hit the road, right?”

“Not yet. I’ve got some time.”

Juliet nodded for them to sit on the sofa, so Gwen followed her over there and let Carly sit next to her.