Page 13 of More Than a Friend
“I should have figured you were gay when you refused to drink hot coffee, even in a blizzard,” Skylar mumbles around a bite of her breakfast.
“Are you stereotyping me?” I tease.
“Hell yeah, I am. Now that I know, things are starting to piece together. Your desire for a septum piercing, your love of the color purple, and the flannels. God, Aves. The cuffed jeans, too! How did I not know?”
I bite my lip to stifle another laugh. “I don’t know, Sky. But considering I’ve been in heteronormative relationships the entire time you’ve known me, andIdidn’t even know I’m into women until after the divorce, it makes sense you wouldn’t have known.”
Skylar waves off my logical explanation and shrugs. “I guess.”
We eat in silence for a few more minutes, and it isn’t awkward like I thought, thank God.
Once our plates are empty, I take them to the dishwasher, and Skylar helps me clean the pans she used before wiping down the counter.
I’m taking the final few sips of my coffee when Skylar finally breaks the silence, “So, about last night.”
I choke on the liquid in my mouth and fall into a coughing fit.
Skylar is suddenly right next to me, rubbing a soothing hand down my back and handing me a glass of water. I shake my head and push it away, more liquid isnotwhat I need right now.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to almost kill you.”
“It’s okay,” I rasp as the coughing finally dies down.
“Let’s try this again. Are you okay if we talk about what you asked me last night? Because I’ve been awake most of the night trying to figure out what you meant and what it means for us, and I don’t want to just… ignore it.”
I love Sky’s no-bullshit attitude, and I should have expected she wouldn’t simply sweep it under the rug, but I was hoping she would.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything to you. I was tipsy and horny, and you were there, and it seemed like a good idea.”
Sky’s face falls at the implication I would have said it to anyone if they had been here, so I rush to correct my statement.
“Not like that! Not becauseyou werethere. But becauseyouwere there.” Oh God, now it sounds like I have feelings for her. “BecauseI trust you more than anyone, and you have experience with women. Who better to teach me than someone I trust implicitly?”
Jesus Christ, talk about word vomit.
Skylar’s staring at me with an unreadable expression, and it kills me not knowing exactly what she’s thinking right now.
“Ava, you’re my best friend,” she says slowly, and I don’t think I’m going to like what she says next. “Which is why I don’t think getting…physicalis a good idea for our friendship. It would blur the lines, and feelings could get involved, and someone could get hurt. I don’t want to lose you over something like this.”
I’m nodding, even though I don’t agree. Feelings are already involved, at least on my part. I think the only one really at risk is me.
“What if we agree to one night—no strings—and we don’t talk about it or let it affect our friendship after?”
Why am I pushing this? Skylar’s clearly made up her mind.
She’s probably not even remotely attracted to me.
Oof. The thought stings more than I want it to. But it makes sense. I’ve never seen Sky with a brunette, and most of the women she’s been with are more masc presenting than I am. Maybe that’s what she’s into, and I can’t fault her for it.
“Actually, you’re right. It is a terrible idea. I shouldn’t have brought it up. I don’t want to ruin our friendship, and Idefinitelydon’t want you to feel obligated to do something you don’t want to do. I’ll just have to watch porn or read some articles or… wing it if I ever get that far. I have a pussy, so it can’t be too hard to figure out, right?” I let out a forced laugh to try and ease the tension, but Skylar’s frown deepens again.
I can’t bring myself to look at her, so I stride out of the kitchen to get some space and start looking for something to do with my hands.
Dammit. Why is everything so clean? I could grab a sock and clean the blinds…
I settle on refolding the blanket on the couch, making sure the edges line up perfectly before placing it directly in the center of the cushions.
“Ava, sit down, and look at me, please,” Skylar commands gently as she enters the room.
