Page 105 of Sparks Fly

“Because I don’t know how,” I admitted. “I spent most of my adult life convincing myself I was straight enough. Jason made sense on paper. My mom loved Jason.”

“Your mom loves control,” Tiff said dryly.

“And you didn’t even like Jason.” Rowan said.

“Exactly,” I said. “And now? I don’t know how to explain Sawyer. Or us. Or who I am when I’m not performing the life I thought I was supposed to have.”

Rowan shrugged gently. “Then don’t explain it,” they said. “Just don’t hide it.”

I looked at them.

Rowan lifted one shoulder. “Sounds like Sawyer already decided you belong there.”

Tiff met my eyes across the room. “Don’t keep her in the shadows too long,” she said quietly. “People don’t stay there without wondering why.”

“I know,” I whispered.

I took another sip of wine before adding, “She invited me to her best friend’s birthday. Friday.”

Rowan smiled. “Sawyer’s world.”

“Yeah.”

Tiff tilted her head. “You going?”

“I want to,” I said softly.

“That’s big.” Tiff said.

“I know. So do I go?”

“Absolutely they both said at the same time.”

* * *

The drive home was quiet.

No music. Just streetlights passing over the windshield and the steady realization that saying girlfriend out loud hadn’t felt wrong. It had felt like relief.

My condo was dark when I walked in, too quiet and too clean. I set my bag down and pulled my phone out while leaning against the kitchen counter.

Sawyer’s message was still there.

Waiting.

Me: Just got home.

A moment later the typing dots appeared.

Sawyer: Hey. How was Tiff’s?

I smiled before answering.

Me: Loud. Warm. Exactly what I needed.

Sawyer: Good. You deserve that.

The pause came next, the space where the real thing lived.