Page 79 of Sizzle Reel

“No. I haven’t asked. But we’ll be at the wrap party together. She’s very clearly out. She’s said that to me.”

Julia frowns. “I’d have that conversation with her sooner rather than later. Keep it as clear-cut as possible.”

Yeah. Totally. Sooner rather than later.

There was one thing that for some reason I could never get Wyatt to do even when we were dating: go into Victoria’s Secret. It’s one of the reasons I thank the world for femme friends, because Saturday afternoon, Romy and I are contentedly walking into the shop at the Grove. Contentedly mostly because it’s a relief to get away from how blazing it is outside. But it’s also very nice to not hear any male groaning, But what’s Victoria’s secret? It’s also great because Romy’s festival premiere is over, it went amazingly, and I think she can finally breathe. Everything about her seems a little more polished, a little more energetic. Even her dark hair seems to be shining more than usual. I’m still waiting on an answer from Brendan, so I’m living vicariously through her.

“Are you looking for anything?” I ask her.

Romy nods. “I do happen to have needs outside of your celebrity girlfriend antics.”

There’s a moment of charged silence where Romy’s mouth falters between a frown and a smile. It’s like she forgot she was supposed to be joking.

I softly push her shoulder anyway. Take it as a joke. “Too real, Fonseca.”

Romy navigates her way over to the basic bras, the ones with medium lining that always come in cool patterns. They’re her go-to for summer, when she wears extremely short crop tops. Gotta have something cute to show off if the shirts can’t do their job.

I pull out my phone as she browses. I know Julia’s at least sort of right about Defining the Relationship before the party tomorrow. I know. But I can’t help but get itchy thinking about it. We’ve been together for only a week. If Val were a guy, I’d look “insane” wanting to D.T.R. this early. I have no idea what it’s like with girls, though.

My gaze falls on a lingerie display. The label says it’s a teddy, whatever that is, but it looks amazing. It’s a lace one-piece with a deep plunging neckline, bands that emphasize the midriff, and a high-cut bottom that shows off the hips.

It’s something I could wear under an outfit for the party easily.

I’m, like, 80percent sure I could make sex happen after this party. Valeria already said I could crash with her afterward. That we could cut out from the chaos and exhaustion of the wrap and just be us together. A calm after the storm.

I look back at my phone. But if we D.T.R.’d—god, that picture would look different. We could spend the whole party together. She could joke around with Brendan with a hand on my back. I’d have every right to feast my eyes on whatever she decides to wear without being self-conscious. She could look at me the same way. We could grab each other drinks and food and introduce each other to friends. Wyatt said he’d be there. Wyatt would be able to see Val and me together, see what he and I were hoping for. It all sounds like a dream.

But yeah, it’d involve D.T.R.’ing.

“Hey, Rom?” I say.

“Leopard print or weird lips?” she asks, holding up two bras.

A hint of the lips would be a more unique pattern. It would look cool popping out from under a crop top when Romy stretches.

“Weird lips for sure.”

She puts the leopard back and bends over to find her size.

“Hey, how long do sapphic couples wait to D.T.R.?”

Romy laughs. “Like three days.”

My heart pangs. “Wait, what?”

“Sapphics tend to move very fast.” She raises an eyebrow. “Why? Did Valeria ask you to D.T.R.?”

“No, but now is it not gonna happen?”

Romy shakes her head. “You’re fine. Are you gonna ask? You seem eager.”

I run a hand through my hair. “I just want clarity for what we’re doing at this party tomorrow.”

Romy smiles. “Look at you, evolving into a smart gay! My baby’s growing up.”

I give a weak smile. “Julia said to.”

Romy pauses a moment before narrowing her eyes at me. “Julia is becoming a smart gay. A very impressive skill for a married straight woman. You better catch up.”

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