Page 58 of No One Like You

“Yes.” Megan blushed crimson as she acknowledged that, but she smiled as well.

“So, girlfriend,” Tasha drawled. “Maria got you dolled up for me?”

“Tasha, you should have seen it! Maria hired a professional crew from a TV show. They were amazing!”

“Megan, I think you’d look beautiful in a burlap sack, but wow…”

“Thank you, and you look amazing as well! Oh, we’re green and red tonight. Like Christmas!”

“You’re so silly, but you’re right. Also, where did you learn that walk? I’d break an ankle!”

“The Strut? Watching movies and stuff. I can’t believe that I didn’t break anything!”

“You were like a goddess! Growing up with my father, he wanted me to read about ancient cultures and their stories. I never understood why so many cultures had goddesses like Ishtar, the Goddess of Love and War, Kali, the midnight-hued Mother and Destroyer, bright-eyed Athena, Goddess of Crafts, Wisdom, and War, whose father so feared her birth that he swallowed her mother whole, or Freya, Goddess of Love, Sex, and War, whose chariot is pulled by two cats.”

“Two cats? Really?”

“Yes. As I was saying, I never understood that duality ascribed to so many goddesses until you walked across the room. Like life and death hung in the balance.”

“Wow… I mean, in that moment, I felt powerful, but more than anything, I was focused on one thing. The Goddess in front of me.”

“Oh, I like it. I guess that we can be goddesses together.”

“Right now, though, this particular goddess could use a drink and some food.”

“Of course, Megan. Let’s get you some food and a drink, and then I’ll introduce you to my co-workers.”

“As your girlfriend?”

“Definitely!”

The pair made the rounds, chatting with people as they went. Eventually, they found themselves alone at a table where they listened to the band and got caught up on each other’s days.

After a bit, Megan said, “I want to dance with my girlfriend.” She grabbed Tasha’s hand and drew her out onto the dance floor. They danced for a few songs before the band slowed things down. Then they moved close for the slow song, the world falling away as they did. As they swayed to the music, they felt as if there was no one else in the room.

That spell was broken as the band kicked up the tempo. Megan said, “My feet are starting to hurt.”

“Me too.”

“Tasha…”

“Yeah…”

“Let’s get out of here. There’s something that I want to do, and I don’t want a room full of strangers around.”

“What’s that?”

“I want to kiss you.”

CHAPTER 37

THIS KISS

Tasha felt an electric thrill at Megan’s words. She felt her face light up with a smile fueled by that electric feeling. “Where should we go?” she asked.

“I don’t know, but we really need to get out of here. Do you need to get a coat?”

“That’s my girlfriend, practical as always.”

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