Page 76 of Hot Tea & Bird Calls
“Look at you,” Celene purred, tracking her eyes over the simple mini dress Skye bought with today in mind. In heels, she trailed a semicircle around Skye. On the prowl, almost.
Skye nearly voiced that. Yet, she got no chance when Celene cupped her cheek, thumb caressing her in time with a warm, relaxed kiss that tasted of peppermint tea. Not one to refrain from making Skye’s pulse race, Celene engaged her tongue, winding it deftly until they transported back to her bedroom days ago. Slick and ravenous but controlled, holding back. Skye indulged despite them in plain sight of neighboring homes, wrapping her arms around Celene’s neck.
This was a benefit of involving herself with an out-of-towner. In the instances of June and other Poconos-based ex-girlfriends, they’d remained vigilant for busybodies, family members who’d dampen the mood, or the occasional homophobe à la closeted Mrs. Locke. Skye rewarded that irreverence with an intentionally needy sigh whenever the lips strayed apart. She swore Celene shivered.
“This lighting is gorgeous on you,” Celene told her as she opened the door for Skye. There was a softness, an openness to her that rushed Skye’s blood hot.
“On you, too.” Skye had been coordinating for today since the night Celene stopped by for their first real kiss. Now her hands pumped onto the steering wheel while Celene boarded, ravishing in the golden hour’s oranges and cosmic pinks. There was something so radiant about the play of light upon their dark hair, their skin that married with the sun like soulmates. “I packed us some nibbles. Thought we could go by Red Clover Lake and catch up?”
Celene drifted her gaze to Skye’s fingers that’d been drumming until they halted in a flinch. “Should I say Dragonfruit now? Is this a Dragonfruit moment?”
Skye drove them within their neighborhood’s speed limit, glad for the task to ground her. “What does that mean to you?”
“It means this is a real date.”
“Will Dragonfruit become obsolete?” She turned the wheel with both hands, hedging a glance at Celene, who hadn’t stopped staring at her. “I wouldn’t mind that.”
Celene took liberties to fiddle with Skye’s cupholder. She raised the reusable water bottle to her lips and took a sip. “Am I your type yet?”
Skye gasped out a laugh she definitely needed. “You are. Very much.”
“Full disclosure: our Dragonfruit reality word’s important to me. If this—” Celene pointed between the two of them with the bottle, “—continues to develop, I’d like to keep it. I’ll be real with you always, but I love the effect of pausing and assessing ourselves.”
“I can get on board with that. Our reality word evolves.” She gestured to the radio. “Any music?”
“No. I’m liking our ride without extra noise.”
“Agreed.” Skye waited for the community’s control gate’s bar to rise. Two cottontail rabbits bounded into view, nibbling at the roadside grass, and Celene made a noise suspiciously close to asqueal. A woman of many faces, Celene should stick around long enough for Skye to experience them all. “You look nice today. You dressed perfectly for where we’re going.”
Celene scrolled through photos she’d taken. Her friend Nadine would receive bunny pictures soon, more than likely. “Do I fit in with the Yielders?”
“You stand out no matter what you wear.”
That called for more staring from Celene, underscored by: “You’re wearing a dress today.”
Skye tugged at the hem at her thigh, a touch self-conscious. For her personal comfort and, of course, any critters that may land on her arms and hands, her long sleeves were a must, and shorts were usually more convenient. “Do you like me more in dresses?”
Celene’s hand found the back of Skye’s head in a soft stroke. “I enjoy any reason to see your legs. Your shorts, skirts, cut-offs, even pants. Variety is appreciated, that’s all.”
Great, because dresses didn’t always fit into Skye’s femininity. She reached for her chest, thumbing at both stones. The hair play zipped tingles down her neck and spine and wouldn’t cease, especially knowing Skye wore her peanut butter necklace. “Any style fits you, but I won’t lie and say I don’t have a thing for you in leggings. Or those yoga shorts.”
“The more skin-tight, the better. I noticed.” Celene’s voice fell to a fake whisper. It dripped with conspiracy. “That’s why I wear them so often.”
Leaving Yielding, Skye gripped the steering wheel hard on the 9 and 3 position. Otherwise, they’d fly off the road. “I did not know that.”
“Oh, yes. You’re very obvious.”
“Stop, I can’t.”
“What? It’s okay to be an ass girl.”
“And you, Celene,arean ass, girl.”
Their laughter resounded in a mighty burst, as loudly as they’d laughed in their best moments, regardless of age.
They’d be okay. Regardless of Celene’s temporary status, they’d be alright.
She drove on, swallowing down remorse.
