Page 80 of September

“My girlfriend’s a nerd,” Caroline added with a shoulder shrug. “A hot one.”

“Thanks, babe,” Enid said and took Caroline’s hand.

“So, how’s Willa?” Caroline asked Jill.

“She’s also kind of a hot nerd,” Jill said. “And I love it. I love her.”

“She’s sweet. I like her for you,” Enid noted.

“Well, it’s always important to have the ex’s opinion of the current,” Caroline joked.

“Exes? You two are exes?” Gwen asked.

“No, she’s kidding,” Enid said, looking over at Caroline and shaking her head. “We were never together. Jill and I went out on a few dates.”

“And made out,” Caroline added. “But I’m being totally mature about it.”

Enid laughed at her.

“She’s joking right now, but she actuallyismature about it,” Jill shared. “These two met right around the time I started dating Enid briefly. Two official dates. Then, on the third one, which could’ve been the sex date, she comes over and says that she’s not into me at all and is obsessed with this other girl named Caroline. Enid dumped me for her, and then, a month or so later, I met Willa, so it all worked out.”

Gwen watched as Caroline and Enid both rolled their eyes at Jill but smiled at the same time.

“I guess so,” Gwen replied.

“What kind of incestuous ex stories doyouhave?” Enid asked her. “Help me out here.”

“Oh. None that I know of. I’ve only been in a couple of relationships, and I don’t really talk to them anymore.”

“You don’t stay friends with your exes? Are you even a lesbian?” Caroline teased.

“I know. I know.” Gwen laughed. “I just think it’s easier that way. If one of us is still hung up on the other, she doesn’t have to see the other move on with someone else, so it’s not awkward. Later, if we’re both cool about it and we want to be friends, we can, but if we’re not feeling like it, we just don’t do it.”

“Yeah, this wasn’t awkward at all when we first started dating and they stopped,” Caroline said sarcastically.

“But we’ve all moved beyond it now because I have a girlfriend of my own, whom I love, and Enid loves you, so we can all hang out and it’s fine.”

“Yeah, it is,” Caroline agreed seriously this time.

“Hey, tell us more about Juliet,” Jill said and elbowed Gwen in the side playfully while they walked.

“What about her?”

“Oh, don’t play coy with us. Why isn’t she joining us for lunch?”

“She’s working,” Gwen replied. “Also, I didn’t ask her, but I guess I could have.”

“Why didn’t you?”

“I didn’t think about it. She’s really busy right now, so I’ve gotten used to her traveling and not being in the office.”

“How often does she travel?” Caroline asked.

“She didn’t use to, but she got promoted when her boss got fired, and now, it’ll be pretty much all the time.”

“Shit. That sucks. Right when you meet her,” Enid said.

“Well, technically, I met herbecauseof the travel. I met her because I’m her dog walker.”