Page 37 of When You Smile

“You don’t have to convince me. Did you get some good stuff?”

“So much. I can’t wait to go through it all.” She touched Taryn’s wrist briefly. “You were awesome, by the way. Roger was right about your eye. You saw things I would have missed in there.” She leaned against her Jeep and turned her head to Taryn. “So, what’s your story, if you don’t mind my asking.” She offered a friendly smile. Ashley was easy to like, respectful and talented and kind.

Taryn searched for the high points. “My first semester at Hillspoint. I’m made a handful of friends and spend way too much time on my photography classes. But I’ve always worked hard in school.”

“Common problem. And you’re recently out?” She placed a hand on her own cheek.

Taryn nodded. The conversation had her in her happy place, affirmed by someone she respected and was beginning to like. “That part has been, I don’t know, encouraging in many ways.”

“I remember coming out my senior year of high school. The most liberating and terrifying thing I’ve ever gone through. If you ever need anyone to chat with or a sounding board…”

“Awesome of you to offer. I’ll remember that.”

“You’re also incredibly pretty. Have you been kissed since you’ve been here?”

“No,” she said automatically. A car pulled out near them. A breeze hit. Taryn blinked.

“You could tell me to go to hell, but you seem really cool, and I very much want to kiss you right now.”

“What’s stopping you?” Taryn asked after a beat. They were alone in the parking lot. The fluorescent street lamp buzzed overhead. She was aware of it all.

“Yeah?” Ashley asked, turning to Taryn and meeting her eyes unabashedly. This girl was unflappable and so incredibly smooth.

“Yeah,” Taryn said, enjoying the moment. Ashley had a very nonthreatening vibe about her that quelled a tad of Taryn’s anxiety.

A sweet smile appeared on Ashley’s face, and she leaned in, paused, and captured Taryn’s lips in a slow, lazy kiss. “You’re a really good kisser.”

“Yeah?” Taryn asked. Her body had gone warm, and she found herself in a dreamlike state. This had been entirely unexpected, but not at all unwelcome. She liked Ashley, and she liked their dynamic. The kiss didn’t necessarily feel like anything other than what it was, a moment in time. Low-pressure.

“Mm-hmm.” Ashley straightened. “Thank you for all your help today. I’m happy Roger thought we would work well together.”

“Same,” Taryn said, in slight amazement at what they’d just done and wishing she’d cobbled together a more eloquent response.

“Maybe we can work another project together sometime. If nothing else, I’d love to show you the final product of the shoot today.”

“Yes. For sure. Thank you.” Thank you? Why did she have to exist?

Ashley laughed. “You’re cute and really awesome, Taryn. Have a good one, okay? Let’s talk soon about your next class project.”

“I’d love it. Good night!” Taryn stepped away from the Jeep and watched as Ashley started the engine and pulled away, her headlights shrinking into the night.

Alone in the parking lot of an old church, Taryn touched her now sensitive lips and smiled. She needed to learn to expect the unexpected, apparently. Either way, that kiss made her feel like she had joined the land of the living. Was Ashley Taryn’s type? Not exactly. But she’d made Taryn feel special, and hot, and noticed, which counted for a whole hell of a lot. Maybe they’d kiss again. Maybe not. Either way, Taryn felt alive and happy, enjoying her little gay life, going on shoots, kissing girls in parking lots like it was no big deal. Big, happy sigh. She could really get used to this.

* * *

“Are you nervous or something, babe?” Danny asked, his eyes on Charlie as she adjusted the place settings for the third time. His mother would be there in under twenty minutes, and as much as she adored the woman, she certainly had strong opinions for days. As her own mother’s best friend, Monica was the closest thing she had left to a parent in her life, and Charlie wanted to impress her more than she had even fully admitted to herself. Monica’s opinion mattered. It just did.

“I’m not nervous, but I do want tonight to be nice. I want her to be comfortable and see our life and think that we’re doing just fine because we are.” She wanted to believe her own words, but Charlie knew better. Something wasn’t right between her and Danny. They were best friends who’d made the leap to a relationship, and now it was up to her to fix what wasn’t working.

“And it will be.” He opened the bottle of cab she’d set out and allowed the wine to breathe. He thought of those details that she sometimes missed. “Can I pour you a glass?”

“I think I’ll wait.”

She’d been looking forward to this dinner for weeks now, but the trepidation was starting to overtake the joy. Seeing Monica always drummed up memories of her mother, so many wonderful, happy, welcome reminders. But Monica also stirred up her grief, something she worked hard to contain. She missed her own mother more than she could quantify and knew unequivocally that she would feel it most potently today.

Two hours later and they’d already covered any and all small talk. Charlie’s nerves were at ease, and she had to admit, it was really good to see Monica. Plus, the pot roast had been a hit, and the burgundy sauce was perhaps the best Charlie’d ever made. Even Monica had thought so.

“So…do we have anything important to discuss?” Monica asked and then looked expectantly between the two of them. “Any exciting plans? You know, for the future.” She didn’t come right out and ask if there was an engagement, but the insinuation was clear.

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