Page 50 of For the Record

Coy grabbed her wallet and keys, and then she was gone again. Their downstairs neighbor was in the entranceway of the apartment when Coy approached to leave. She enjoyed witnessing the pretty ginger telling her sister off as she slipped past the open doorway.

Coy found herself keeping Tegan company, still in the apartment’s parking lot. Her phone was hooked into the car charging port, and she was restlessly unlocking her screen to where she had Sawyer’s SMS pulled up. Things between them had been going at a snail’s pace since the night Sawyer had fallenasleep at Coy’s apartment. Twenty-four days ago, but who was counting? Definitely not Coy, no sir.

It didn’t help that Sawyer had returned to work two weeks ago, or the week before that J.D. took five days off to compete with Sloane in the bike rally so Coy had to clock in longer hours. Coy and Sawyer’s schedule often didn’t line up, so they’d resorted to text messages and late-night video calls. Sawyer’s messages still left a lot to be desired, but Coy appreciated the effort. Truthfully, she’d grown quite fond of Sawyer’s no-nonsense personality.

Coy: How are you? Miss you.

Coy almost dropped the phone when a reply came back almost instantly.

Sassy Sawyer: I’ve already met drunk, cheesy pickup line McCoy. Stop while you’re ahead.

Coy simpered, all too aware of the butterflies doing a happy dance in her stomach.

Coy: You’ll be happy to know I only had two beers tonight. Not in the mood, I guess.

Sawyer must have been busy at work, because five minutes passed before she replied.

Sassy Sawyer: If you’re not in the mood to drink, what are you in the mood for?

Coy’s heart skipped a beat.You,she wanted to reply.Always you, Sawyer.

Sawyer would forever be an enigma. Coy would just be feeling like perhaps she’d figured the older woman out and then Sawyer tossed a random question out like this one.

Coy: I feel like that’s a trick question. Is that a trick question, Sawyer?

Sassy Sawyer: Well, how else will I keep you on your toes, darling?

Coy swooned. There was no other word for it. Right there in the driver’s seat of Tegan, she swooned like the lovesick fool shewas. Never in her life, or in the lives of all the fictional lesbians she’d read about, had a pet name achieved that.

Coy: I’m in the mood for calories. Currently sitting in Tegan, wondering if I want a burger or Chinese food.

Sassy Sawyer: The meat pie at Desmarais is quite nice late at night.

Coy’s stomach flip-flopped as she read the message. She grinned from ear to ear.

Coy: Was that a hint, or …?

But the reply never came. Coy was left in limbo, undecided if showing up this late at the restaurant would be welcome. She started the engine anyway and drove toward the west side and Sawyer. Because what was life without taking a risk now and again?

When she pulled into the parking lot of Desmarais only a handful of vehicles remained. The restaurant was closed, but the staff would still be cleaning and getting ready for the following day. She sidled Tegan between an older model hatchback and a newer looking sedan, turning off the ignition and climbing out.

An unopened box of shortening currently held the back door of the restaurant ajar and Coy read that as a good sign. The door wouldn’t be left open if no one was expecting her, right? Ugh. Coy peered down at her clammy palms, wiping them on her skinny jeans before pulling the door open wider. Compared to the stillness in the parking lot, crossing the threshold into the kitchen was like stepping into the twilight zone. Staff were everywhere, some with platters of dishes, others carrying produce or containers with what appeared to be leftovers. And it was loud, which was surprising. Coy had imagined Sawyer keeping her kitchen as quiet and tightly in line as possible, but no. Music blared from a tabletop speaker, and there was dancing. Well, at least some heavy hip swaying, Coy mused,watching as a familiar face bobbed her head as she made her way over.

“Coy, you came,” Bree greeted with a wide smile, leaning into Coy for a quick hug. She still had her chef coat on but had traded the hat for a bandana to secure her hair.

“Your mom told you?” Coy asked slowly. Inviting her here was a new move for Sawyer and Coy didn’t know what to expect. Her eyes widened as another thought came. Was Sawyer even out of the closet? She stood still as Bree gave her outfit a head-to-toe appraisal, settling on the black suspenders over her black dress shirt.

“Very handsome.Mamanwon’t know what to do with you.”

“What? Why do you say it like that? Like she doesn’t know I’m coming?” Coy’s stomach sank as she realized what had happened. Her gaze darted behind Bree, widening slightly as she spotted Sawyer coming toward them all business like. Sweat broke out on her forehead.

What’s with the constant interference into my love life?

“McCoy. What are you doing here?” Sawyer asked, barely concealed surprise coloring the question. Tension radiated from her rigid shoulders as she stood entirely too far apart for Coy’s liking.

“And that’s my cue to leave,” Bree announced, turning to pat her mother on the shoulder. “Later, Coy.”

“Yeah, see you,” Coy murmured, not taking her eyes off Sawyer. Even bone-weary tired she was a sight Coy could never tire from. Nerves took hold of her, and suddenly she didn’t know what to do with her hands or facial expressions and began glitching like some character in a video game. Her lips went up and down between a smile and a frown and her arms did something similar until finally a jittery cackle flew out of her mouth.

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