Page 7 of More Than a Friend
Donotthink about your best friend in the shower.
Dammit. It’s been a hot minute since I got laid, but has it really been so long I can’t even have decent thoughts about my oldest friend?
“You’re my favorite person ever,” she says, grabbing one of the drinks and taking a long sip.
“It’s pretty sad if coffee and pastries get me to the number one spot,” I tease, even though hearing her say it makes my heart warm.
Ava rolls her eyes. “It’s not like you’ve got much competition. But even if you did, you’d still be my favorite.”
“Thanks,” I deadpan. “What’s on the cleaning agenda today?”
“I actually finished everything last night.”
“Ah, so you were stress cleaning?”
Ava scowls at me, so I raise an eyebrow at her, and she reluctantly nods.
Then, she straightens her spine and lifts her chin. “But you’ll be proud of me because I downloadedtwodating apps last night and already have three matches!”
Aw fuck.
Ava’sactuallyready to get out there and start dating?
I knew this day would come eventually. But she just turned down David; I thought she wasn’t ready.
I hope my smile comes off as supportive and not like the grimace it is. “That’s… great, Aves. I’m proud of you for putting yourself out there.” Truly, I am. It’s a big step, especially since Shea was the only serious relationship she’s ever had.
But…
Who are you kidding, Sky? Did you think she’d magically start liking women after her divorce? That she’d randomly develop feelings foryouafter all these years?
“Thanks, Sky. It’s scary how many people are out there, especially once you account for both genders and nonbinary people. There are so many options to choose from, and I don’t know how best to vet them. What if they’re a serial killer or hate kids? It’s pretty obvious I’m a single mom, though, because I had to use some pictures from our last family photo shoot. I donottake a lot of pictures of myself.”
My brain does a record scratch.
“Hold on. Rewind. Go back. Both genders and nonbinary people? Ava, you’re straight.”
Ava’s cheeks turn bright red. “Yeah, so about that…” She holds her hands up and does jazz hands. “Surprise. I’m bisexual—pansexual? Queer? To be determined. But I’m definitely not straight.”
I can’t stop my mouth from dropping open. “For how long?”
That’s a dumb question, Skylar.
Ava gives me an incredulous look. “Well, probably for as long as I’ve been alive. But I’ve only realized it since the divorce. I’ve been working through the new… feelings I’ve been having with my therapist. Lots of discussions about comp-het and my inability to explore this side of myself because of the church. Lots of deconstructing the internalized homophobia I was taught to feel.”
I’m speechless. I have no idea what to say, but I know being silent right now might give her the wrong impression. She might think I’m judging her or think less of her—which I don’t. I’m just… shocked.
And it’s not that I’m not happy about her discovering her sexuality, but now with the possibility shecouldfeel the same way about me as I feel about her is actually on the table, my brain is short circuiting.
“Ava, that’s so great,” I manage to say, my voice wobbly. “Sorry.” I shake my head. “I didn’t expect you to come out to me today, so I’m a bit shocked.”
Ava gives me an understanding smile. “I’ve been wanting to tell you about my newly realized sexual orientation for a while now, but I never knew when the right time was. I figured you wouldn’t… ya know, think less of me or anything, but it’s still scary. You’re the only person other than my therapist who knows.”
I round the counter and wrap her in a hug. I melt when her tense shoulders slump, and she leans into me, wrapping her arms around my neck. My cheek rests on the side of her head, and I’m assaulted by the subtle floral scent of her hair products. I stop myself short of burying my nose in her hair and inhaling.
“Thank you for trusting me.”
She pulls back and looks at me, her honey eyes with splashes and swirls of emerald are full of an emotion I can’t define. “There’s no one I trust more, Sky.”
