Page 95 of Lumi
Lumi and I were grinning at each other, waiting for the other to speak. Lumi nodded for me to be the one to tell the news.
“We’ve decided to take our friendship in a new direction,” I finally exclaimed, my tone light from happiness. “We’re a couple now.”
“Ye’re what?” Kit gasped. “Are ye takin’ the piss?”
Lumi answered, “No, we’re serious. You’re the only one we’ve told so far, so please don’t tell Liv. I’d like to tell her and Charles myself.”
“I won’t, but what if it doesn’t work out?” The concern in Kit’s voice made Lumi and me exchange a glance.
“We thought ye’d be happy for us.”
“Iamhappy. It’s just unexpected, that’s all.”
“It’s not that unexpected, is it? I mean, Damian and I have loved each other for more than ten years,” Lumi argued.
“Aye, but ye two are opposites, and Damian never…”
I sighed. “If ye’re goin’ to say that I was never attracted to Lumi, ye’d be wrong. I’ve been attracted to her ever since she became a woman. There’s always been a deeper connection.”
“Damian was my first, Kit. Before he married Siobhan.”
“Jesus, Mary and Joseph.”
I didn’t have to see Kit to know that she was gesturing the sign of the cross in front of her. “When was this?”
I wish Lumi hadn’t brought the virginity part up but figured that I’d better be honest. “When Lumi was twenty. Now ye know,” I told my sister while squeezing Lumi’s hand.
“But, but…”
“There are no buts, Kit. We’re crazy about each other.”
“Oh, ye two. I’m really happy for ye. A little shocked, but happy.”
“Everyone will be gathered for Lumi’s birthday celebration this Saturday, so we’ll tell them then. We trust ye to keep our secret.”
“A thousand percent. I’d rather swallow my tongue than let it slip yer secrets, I promise.”
“Thanks, sis. We’re havin’ pints with my colleagues tonight at the Pierced Pig, why don’t ye join us?”
“Tonight? Sure, why not? I could swing by after seven if ye’re still there. Would that work?”
“Perfect. See ye tonight then.”
“I can’t wait to drink to ye two love birds, but if ye’re doin’ some kind of prank on me, I’ll be cross with ye.”
“It’s no prank.”
“So ye say, Damian, but I’ll decide that for myself when I see ye two together tonight.”
We laughed and ended the call.
“Do you feel better now?” Lumi asked me. Her face was glowing with joy and happiness.
“So much better.” Pulling out from the curb, I gave her a last bright smile before I put the car in gear and backed out. “I’m not sure how I feel about how surprised she was, though. Do ye think everyone is going to react the same way?”
Lumi smiled and looked straight ahead. “We’ll find out soon enough.”
