Laughing, I untangle myself from Ronin’s arms. “Sorry Idon’t have a table yet.” I help myself to a slice of pizza. “That’s on my agenda for my next day off.”
I donated my table and couch when I moved from LA, not wanting to put them in storage since I was unsure of how long I’d need the storage unit. Thankfully, my parents let me take their guest room bed since it used to be mine anyway. One less thing I need to shop for.
I take a seat on the floor across from Sydney, the rest of the group settling into spots around us with their dinner. “I can’t thank you guys enough for helping me move today,” I say around a bite. “Not that I have that much stuff, but still. I appreciate you guys.”
Brooklyn holds up a slice of pizza. “Hey, when you pay me with food, I’m in,” she says.
“So, was Mama Baker sad to see you go?” Bree asks, taking a huge bite.
“Ha, no. I think her and Dad were eager to have the house to themselves once more.” I don’t let myself consider why. “And I’m so happy to have my own space again. This is the biggest place I’ve ever rented.”
“You got a great deal, Mel,” Ronin adds. “It’s really nice. Clean, too.”
I nod. “The owners used it as an Airbnb before this, so they took great care of the place. I was thrilled when I saw it listed for rent.”
The day I walked past the little white house, dark wood-panel accents charming me from the sidewalk, I had immediately called Blue Field’s realtor, Chloe, and she met me there that day for a showing. My application was in by evening’s end, and now, a month later, here we are.
After supper, the girls leave, promising to come back as soon as I’m unpacked and ready to “break it in” with a house party, as Bree put it. She and Brooklyn recently hosted their own, since Brooklyn finally moved in. It was about damn time, as we all very nicely informed her.
Ronin has already set up my TV in the living room,so we gather together my pillows and bedding and make an impromptu bed against the wall, snuggling in to watch a movie.
As I sip my glass of the crisp white wine—a house warming gift courtesy of Sydney—I scan the empty space, nothing in here except us and the boxes containing everything I own. I glance at the kitchen and dining room, already envisioning girls' nights to come. Bree, Brooke, Sydney, Cat and I crowded around the table with plates of food and bottles of wine. Surveying the living room, I picture Ronin and I snuggled up under a cozy blanket once I find a couch, watching TV together like we are right now.
Ronin catches my gaze, and I smile.
“I’m really happy,” I say, leaning in to kiss him.
His dimples wink as he smiles widely. “Me, too, babe.”
June is my favorite month of the year.
There’s something about seeing rainbows take over the world for the whole thirty days that makes my little bisexual heart so happy. Our small town has gone all out this year, Pride displays in nearly every storefront along Main Street. I’ve never been more proud of my fellow townspeople.
I call out goodnights to the last of the teens leaving the bookstore as I flit around the table we had set up for our youth PrideDungeons and Dragonsgame night. I’d spent most of the month of May planning this project, wanting to give the local LGBTQIA+ youth community a safe space, talking to more teenagers than I did whenIwas the one in high school. I gather up the last of the books, stacking them up next to my giant bag of dice, and then roll up the battlemap and tuck it under an arm.
“Well, that was a huge success!” I turn to Sydney, beaming. “They all seemed to love it, don’t you think?”
“I think that was one of the nerdiest things I’ve ever watched you do, and by now, I’ve seen a lot. But yes, they loved it.” Sydney puts down the book she was reading. “You were really laying it on thick for those guys.”
Laughing, I place the bag of dice on top of the stack ofPlayer’s Handbooksand pick the whole thing up. “I wanted them to get the full experience, cheesy Dungeon Master and all.”
“Well, I’d certainly say you succeeded there,” Sydney teases. “So this will be a monthly occurrence, then? Asking so I can make myself scarce for these shifts.”
Rolling my eyes, I drop my pile of supplies behind the front desk, and bump her hip with my own as I stand. “Don’t act like you don’t love every second of this. I know you’ve got a hidden nerdy bone somewhere in there.” I smirk at her as she grimaces.
“Sadly, I think you might be right.” She glances down at herself, frowning. “Your dorkiness is catching.”
“All part of my master plan.” I throw in an evil villain laugh that elicits a snort from her.
Sydney disappears into the rows of shelves, and not a moment after I situate myself behind the front desk, the door flies open. Ronin barrels inside, his phone in hand. My stomach drops to the floor as I realize what else today is.
The short story contest results are in.
Ronin strides up to the counter, not letting his expression give anything away. He places his phone screen-up on the surface, spinning it so that it faces me.
“Good news, or bad?” My stomach is a beehive of buzzing nerves. It’s like a fucking three-ring circus in there.
Ronin nods to his phone. “Just look.”
