Page 36 of Steve's Barmaid
We had been working on the bar for a long time. The finish line was in sight, but everyone was getting tired. And now I needed to figure out why I wouldn’t be joining them and continuing this afternoon. Billie and I hadn’t discussed what ruse we would use to skip out on afternoon work.
I finished my lunch and stood. I was still formulating a plot in my head as I brushed the crumbs off my hands. Billie stoodat the same time as me, but instead of looking at me, she called Joey.
“I told Emla I would have some berries for her to sample by tomorrow. Do you want to come with me? Let’s have some girl time.”
I tried to hide my confusion. I looked at Billie, and she gave me a quick look that told me she was lying.
“Sure, sounds better than more sanding.” Joey stood, brushing off her lap.
“Steve, do you want to walk part of the way with us?” Billie asked me. “Agnarr has asked to be updated on the bar, and I figured you’d like to see him.” She was clearly trying to stress the unspoken meaning of her words.
Everything clicked together in my head, and I tried to sound casual when I realized what was happening. I joined Billie and Joey as we headed down the path toward the longhouse. We walked in tense silence until we rounded the bend and were out of sight and earshot of the bar. Joey stopped, crossing her arms over her chest.
“Alright, it’s time to fess up. I know you don’t want to go berry picking with me,” she said, giving her best friend a knowing look.
Billie looked embarrassed but held her chin aloft.
“Steve and I went on a date last night, and?—”
Immediately, Joey was jumping up and down and squealing. “I knew it! I knew there was no way you went to bed early!” She pumped her fist toward the sky with success. “So am I your cover?” she asked, practically dancing with excitement.
“Yes, if you wouldn’t mind,” Billie said, trying to keep her voice low. “I would appreciate it if you told everyone that you and I went berry picking this afternoon.”
“Sure, sure. Anything for you, babe. What are you actually doing?”
“We’re going berry picking,” Billie said.
Joey put her hands on her hips and pouted. “That’s a lame-ass date, Billie.”
“Well fuck, we’re on another planet with no electricity. What are we supposed to do? Go to the movies?” Billie rolled her eyes.
“I dunno, you could take him to the caves that Piper told us about,” Joey suggested.
“Joey,” Billie had a note of warning in her voice. “The caves aren’t really an appropriate place for a firstorsecond date, are they?”
I couldn’t read what was going on between the two women, but they seemed to come to an unspoken understanding.
“Ah, yes. That makes sense. Well then, I guess enjoy your berry picking? Where should I go so people think I’m with you?” She smirked at Billie with such mirth that I could tell she was enjoying tormenting her friend about this.
“Go take a nap or a nice long shower,” Billie said, dismissively waving her hand.
“Fine, that will work. I guess I’ll go enjoy my unexpected afternoon of freedom,” Joey said, giving me a knowing look.
I raised my hands in defense. “I don’t even know what’s going on right now.”
Joey gave us one last knowing look before heading to the cabins.
Once she was out of sight, I turned to Billie. “So I guess we are telling Joey?”
“There’s no one else I trust to cover for us,” Billie said. “And she can be a blabbermouth, but she knows this is important to me.”
“She knowswhatis important to you?” I asked, wanting to hear her say it out loud.
Billie blushed but lifted her chin. “You and me. I want you and me to be something. Isn’t that what we agreed to?”
“Já, it is. And it is what I want to do,” I said, pulling her close.
She let me wrap my arms around her for only a moment before she pulled away.
