Page 349 of Bride of Choice

“No be shy. Both have female’s parts. Cramps monster all part of lady time.” Reaching out, they patted my shoulder comfortingly.

“I- You’re a girl?” I blurted.

When they gave me a look, I corrected, “I mean, a woman, not a girl- a- a female.” When they continued to stare down at me, their expression unreadable, I laughed nervously. “I mean, of course you’re a gir- female. Uhm…”

A soft chuff left L. “You no know.” The corner of their mouth jerked up.

“I knew,” I insisted, trying to cover up my major flub. Damn, I’d really put my foot in my mouth on this one.

My heart sped up for reasons not mating hopes related.

Were they mad I’d thought they were a male, and that I admitted I found them attractive? Did it matter to L?

Were they like Trevor? Did the idea of having a bisexual partner send them into a jealous tailspin that led to them accusing me of wanting every single human being I have any kind of civil conversation with? I hadn’t even told Trev. He’d found out about it through an old highschool acquaintance I’d run into who’d asked me in his hearing if I’d gone all beef with age. So not funny.

Would I be treated similarly if anyone knew?

Truth time. “Okay, I didn’t know, but you can’t tell anyone.”

L paused at that. Jerking back, she stiffened and nodded. “No worries tell you think Elle male,” they scoffed.

Tears welled in my eyes when they laughed. I had no clue how it was intended but it felt mocking and that shit hit deep. “Am I just a joke to you?” Swiping at my eyes, sniffling, I went to rush off but L grabbed my arm.

“Why cry?” L frowned. “Not mock you, human.”

“Carrie,” I mumbled miserably. “Might as well have a name to go with your story about the human who thought you smelled like-” Hesitating, I let out a long, blustery sigh.

“Human who think Elle smell like what?” they grunted out. Cocking their head, they leaned in and gave me a sniff.

Were they checking to make sure I didn’t lie to them? “What, uh, what do I smell like to you?” I countered, darting a peek at them as they scooted in closer and closer, then began snuffling at my hair.

A soft, humming purr rattled their chest as they buried their nose in the loose braid I’d pulled my dishwater blonde hair back into.

Surprise lit my features as that sound, soft and unsure, quietly rattling their chest grew. Lifting my hand, I carefully reached out and placed my fingers lightly over the spot. A soft gasp left me when that soft, quiet hum burst into a full on, chest vibrating rumble.

L pulled back long enough to glance down at my hand, then my face. “What byed-seg-soo-all? Mean want females?”

“It, uh, it means I like males and females.”

L stared down at me thoughtfully and nodded. “Car-ree no mind L hunts, be warrior? L like males but not male. L warrior female.”

“Uhm, no.” I blinked at that. “I think you should do what makes you happy.” Biting at my lip, I mumbled, “Do you care that I don’t want to do those things?”

L shook her head. “Car-ree wants make home in hut, have babies?”

“I, well, I mean, kids never really came up for me… I haven’t exactly been the best with relationships or anything- I, erm, I have a penchant for picking the wrong romantic partners.” Realizing I hadn’t answered their question, I thought about it for a moment. “If they’re meant to be, yeah, I could see myself having kids some day.”

“Goot. L want lots babies.”

“I- You do? Is that, I mean, could we even make babies together? Is that possible.”

L shook her head. “No.”

“Oh.” My heart sank. L wasn’t talking about an us like a couple but more of in generalizations. Damn. There I go, putting the cart before the horse.

“Car-ree no pick Elle.” L glanced around as if to scan the woods and make sure we were well and truly alone. Of course they did.

The way they said their name clicked before their words did. “O- Uh, alright.”

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