Page 40 of August
“It didn’t look like a cheek kiss from where I was standing. You turned to her, too, and it looked like she straight-upkissed you. I thought we’d had a moment last night, and you had told me you hadn’t dated, but then, there was this car kiss, and I didn’t know what to do with that.”
Elisa nodded and said, “There’s no one else, okay?”
“No oneelse?”
“Yeah, no one else.” Elisa laughed a little before adding, “Myra, I like you. I froze last night and couldn’t tell you.”
Myra internally sighed and asked, “You like me?”
“I do, yes. I have been flirting with you pretty non-stop since we met, and I told you some things last night that no one outside of Gwen really knows.”
“I worried that maybe I’d gone too far last night.”
“You hadn’t. I’ve just never had anyone show me any kind of actual affection like that before. It’s not like my ex-husbandwantedto be with me. I’m not sure we’ve ever said, ‘I love you,’ and meant it how married couples are supposed to mean it. I don’t think we’ve ever really liked each other all that much. I came here for that fresh start, thinking I’d focus on the kids, the house, and work – in that order – but then here’s this sexy lesbian next door, who builds and fixes things, and she’s just my type. And, oh, she’s also single and possibly likes me.” Elisa chuckled a little. “I got scared.”
“Notpossibly,” Myra replied. “Idolike you.”
“Then, go out with me,” Elisa said with a fervent nod, and that adorableness made Myra laugh.
“Just like that?”
“Yes. Why not? Do you not want to?” Elisa checked.
“I think we both might struggle with putting ourselves out there, probably for some of the same reasons. And I know I can be immature at times and not ask questions or tell someone how I feel because it’s just easier not to, causing me to assume things.”
“Like me making out with another woman in my car while you’re standing ten feet away?”
“Yes, like that.” Myra laughed a little. “Sorry. It caught me off guard. And, honestly, it hit me a little hard.”
“Gwen is like a sister to me. I’ve never nor would I evermake out with her in my car. I’ve known her since she was a pre-teen.”
“Can we maybe just agree to really talk to each other and not do this whole awkward avoidance thing we’ve been doing anymore? It’s exhausting, but I also don’t want to do that with you, Elisa. You deserve the truth and someone who can communicate with you.”
“I’d like that,” Elisa said with a smile. “So, tell me now, then. How do you feel about us maybe going out on a date?”
“I feel pretty good about it, actually,” Myra replied.
Elisa smiled and moved closer to Myra on the sofa.
“I’m sorry I froze last night.”
“I’m not,” she replied.
“You’re not?”
“No,” Myra said. “It got us here, didn’t it? I think here is a pretty important place to be.”
“Were you going to kiss me?” Elisa asked.
“Yes,” she confirmed. “But now, I get to wait until after our date to do that.”
“Getto? Nothaveto?”
“I don’t think I’ll ever feel like Ihaveto kiss you, Elisa,” Myra said as she cupped her cheek. “But a little anticipation is a good thing, I think. Besides, I don’t want to do anything you’re not ready for. And keep in mind, I haven’t been with anyone since my ex, so there might be thingsI’mnot ready for, too.”
“You’ll tell me those things?”
“I will,” Myra said and dropped the hand from Elisa’s cheek.
