Page 34 of Lovetown, USA
“What’s that?”
She blinks slowly as her gaze intensifies. “Are you seeing anybody?”
Oh.
Ohhhhh.
I take a breath, leaning back to rest against the booth. “I should tell you…I’m not a lesbian.”
Shayla chuckles. “I clocked that an hour ago, baby girl.”
I blink. “Then why—?”
“You’re fine as hell. The vibes were vibing. I figured I’d shoot my shot.”
I nod as she tries to flag down our waiter again. “I didn’t mean to kill the vibe.”
“You didn’t,” she says with a wave of her hand. “It’s all good. I can handle rejection. I’m not a man.”
We both laugh at that before she looks around. “Guess I have to go up to the bar myself. You want another?”
“Please.”
Once she’s gone, I smile to myself while also mentally kicking myself. How did I not catch that?
When she returns with our drinks, I change the subject back to the town. I have an exposé to write.
“What’s it like dating in this town as a queer person, if you don’t mind me asking.”
Her dark eyes flicker over me as her mouth lifts at the corners.
“I mean, I know queer couples who have gotten married. Whatever this is, scam or magic, it seems to work on everybody equally.”
Well, that’s good. That’s fair. No story there, I suppose. But I’m not satisfied.
“When did this all start?”
Her lips press together in a tight line as she exhales sharply from her nose. “I can’t say for sure. I don’t think about it. I really don’t.”
I’ve lost her, I can tell.
We finish our drinks between polite small talk, then head to the car in silence. The ride to the hotel is equally quiet. Shaylapulls up to the curb and puts the car in park before turning to me.
“It was very nice meeting you, Lane.”
“You, too. Sorry if I was pressing too hard back there.”
She frowns.
“With my questions about the town?”
“Oh.” Her face relaxes. “I’m good. I just think you’ll have better luck with the transplants. Folks who grew up here, we just kinda ignore all this shit.”
I nod, giving her a shy smile. Our eyes lock, and it’s honestly kind of unsettling the way she stares at me. But not in a bad way. It’s simply…new.
“Are you sure you’re not a little bit curious?” she asks.
I avert my eyes, looking out of the dash at the door of my hotel. “Maybe a little,” I admit.
