Page 39 of Nothing Heals Me Like You Do

“I didn’t know you were into older women,” Alexis said in that laconic way she had.

“She’s not,” Taissa said. “She’s into difficult, hard-to-get women.”

So much for having her sister by her side for moral support, although this was perfectly predictable Taissa behavior.

“Oh, yes. Then I totally see it.” Alexis smiled. “Although, honestly, having done all this research on her, I think underneath whatever it is Justine’s trying to present to the outside world, she’s a real sweetheart.”

“She so is,” Sienna said, because she couldn’t help herself. “She’s rough around the edges, but she’s such a presence.”

“Fuck,” Taissa said. “Youarein love.” She patted Sienna’s knee. “I so can’t wait to meet this wonder woman now.” She left her hand on Sienna’s knee for a moment. “She’d better not break your heart or she’ll have me to deal with.” That, too, was very much Taissa.

“I appreciate you telling me.” Alexis smiled sweetly at Sienna.

The car came to a stop and a few moments later, the doors were opened.

Justine didn’t look like Justine at all—not the Justine Sienna knew. She was dressed in what could only be a bespoke two-piece suit, its fabric embellished with sequins in a multitude of colors, creating an amazing glittering effect. Her blonde hair was swept back stylishly—and was that a hint of lipstick on her lips?

Sienna had to stop herself from doing a double take at the sight of her.

“I’m so happy you could come.” Justine opened her arms wide to Alexis. Earlier, on the phone, Justine and Sienna had agreed on no public displays of affection to avoid the inevitable fuss that would be made of it.

“That’s Justine Blackburn?” Taissa whispered in Sienna’s ear. “I think I might have just become gay for your girlfriend. She’s a stunner.”

“She is,” Sienna sighed. She wanted to throw the no-PDA rule out of the window there and then and kiss Justine on her gorgeous lips.

“You must be Taissa.” It wasn’t just Justine’s looks that were different. It was as though wearing that suit had injected her with a shot of the warmest gregariousness. She hugged Taissa, a stranger she had never met, as well. “Really lovely to meet you.”

“And you.” Taissa had suddenly grown demure—which was the opposite of who she was.

Justine wrapped her arm around Sienna’s waist discreetly and found her ear with her lips. “It means a lot that you’re here,” she said, and Sienna nearly melted into the floor. Oh yes, she was very much in love with Justine Blackburn.

“Who the hell are you and what have you done with Justine?” Sienna’s lips couldn’t stop stretching into the widest smile.

“Sometimes, dressing up comes with the job. I could hardly put on my worn jeans for drag night.” Justine’s hand drifted up to Sienna’s neck and gave her a light squeeze—just a little token of affection, that made Sienna glow hot inside.

“Give a girl a word of warning next time,” Sienna said. “Even my straight sister has the hots for you now.”

“Hello strangers.” Rochelle and Rita walked up to them. They didn’t need Sienna to introduce her sister. They took Taissa in their arms as if they’d known her for years.

Justine pulled Sienna away from the little group that had formed.

“I’m going to be busy talking to just about everyone, but I’ll see you later, okay?”

“You’ll be doing a lot more than just seeing me. Let there be no doubt about that.” Sienna wished the show was over already so she could take this other version of Justine home with her.

“You look amazing, like always,” Justine said, her features as soft as her voice. Then her gaze drifted away from Sienna. “Mimi and Nora are here,” she said. “Have fun tonight. We’ll talk later.” She shot Sienna a quick wink while she briefly touched her arm, before being swallowed up by the crowd and all the people that wanted a piece of her.

It was the kind of night Justine thoroughly enjoyed, and not just because it was good for the shelter’s bank account. A lot of the work she did was hard and spiked with grief and sadness, but tonight was all about joy—the indisputable, incomparable joy of being queer.

There was no better way to celebrate queerness than by having a bunch of queens and kings on stage. The smiles on the teenagers she had such difficult conversations with every day only confirmed that. And then there was Sienna in the audience. Justine had brought dates—possible love interests even—to events like this before, but she’d never felt this way about them. And Sienna was already so much more than a mere love interest.

Darrel sidled up to her at the side of the stage.

“You’re a rock star, you know that,” Justine told them. Darrel was in charge of organizing the event and, as usual, they had done an outstanding job.

“And you look like one,” they said. “Are you ready?”

“Yes.” Justine gave a confident nod. Her only job at this event was to be there, be nice, and give a speech to wrap things up.

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