Page 34 of The Love We Make

“There wasn’t one.” I’m unsure whether I’m glad about that or not. I suspect, deep down, I’m not, but I’m not yet willing to admit it to myself. “I might have bridged some distance between our lips, but Mimi respectfully pulled away. Because I’d had too much to drink to consent.”

“For real?” Juan asks. “What a woman. In a perfect world, that would be what any decent human being would do, but boy-oh-boy, is this world imperfect or what?”

“It wasn’t just that she didn’t take advantage of the situation. She was so nice,” I say. “So… understanding and caring and worried. Even though I was behaving like an asshole, she still put me first. She putmyfeelings first.”

“You are starring in one of her shows,” Juan says.

“No. I mean, yes, that’s true, but that’s not why she was so courteous with me. She wasn’t nice to me because I’m Nora Levine. She was nice despite… because of who I really am. I seem to amuse her instead of annoying her.”

“Oh, Nora.” Imani touches my foot with hers.

“Trust me, darling,” Juan says. “Nora Levine or not, if you really were such an annoying bitch I wouldn’t still be around after all these years.”

“What he said.” Imani points at Juan.

“It’s different with you guys.” I’m not going through the whole rigmarole of explaining to them how, sinceHigh Life, so many people have ended up bitterly disappointed after meeting me, simply because I wasn’t the person they expected me to be—because I’m just me.

“Anyway, let’s move on, because this is far from processed,” Juan says. “You’ve had all day to come to terms with this plot twist in Nora’s life, but I haven’t. Why didn’t you call me?”

“Because you were busy falling in love, darling,” Imani says.

“Looks like I’m not the only one.” Juan glances at me.

“Let’s not get carried away.” I like Mimi, but I’m not about to fall in love with her.

“The real question is,” Juan says, wisely choosing a different direction for the conversation. “Do you still want to kiss Mimi now?” His gaze on me is piercing.

“That is the million-dollar question.” Imani joins Juan in staring at me.

“I don’t know, you guys.”

“Bullshit,” Juan says. “Of course, you know.”

“You have to want to know,” Imani adds.

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I ask.

Imani purses her lips and gives me a look saying, “Girl, you know.”

“I kind of look forward to seeing her tomorrow,” I admit. “But it’s just coffee. And actually, on the way home after dinner, Mimi and I kind of decided we can be friends. That we are friends. And friends meet up and chat, like we are doing right now. It’s more like that. It’s no longer about kissing her.”

“Darling.” Juan leans forward and puts his hands on my knees. “I’m only going to say this once.” Even though I don’t know what he’s going to say, there’s no way he will only say it the one time. It’s not how he’s wired. “Let yourself have this. Enjoy it. Whatever it is. Don’t… stop it before it can be anything.”

“I won’t. Maybe a friend like Mimi is what I’ve been looking for.”

Juan inhales sharply. “You can’t just add my boyfriend’s mother to the entourage.”

“I can kiss her, but I can’t be her friend?” My turn to stare at him intently.

“It’s complicated. Give my poor old brain some time to absorb all of this. It’s a miracle my brain’s still working at all after the weekend I’ve had. If Mimi’s anything like her son, I say, latch on right away and don’t let her go any time soon.” He bursts out laughing. “Listen to me. I’m terrible.”

“Come on.” Imani squeezes his knee. “Give us the downlow on your dirty weekend.”

“It’s not just that it was dirty, although it sure was.” Juan grins. “Austin’s just so kind and wholesome, as if he doesn’t have a bad bone in his body. As if he never even has a negative thought. He’s so upbeat and gorgeous, it’s infectious. I can barely stand to be away from him, but, you know, we’re not lesbians like that.” He winks at Imani. “No offense, darling.”

“None taken.” Imani huffs out some air. “Looks like I’m the only one in the entourage without a love interest. I never saw that coming.”

“Guys,” I say. “Mimi’snotmy love interest.”

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