Page 29 of Frosted Fakes

"Being a couple." Elliott said it like it was obvious, which to her it sort of was. "When was the last time you were in a relationship?"

Julia went pink. "That's not relevant."

"It's completely relevant. If you go rigid every time I touch you, your mother will notice." Elliott set down her mug. "So?"

"Two years ago," Julia admitted. "Sophie. Three months. She said I was too accommodating."

"Shocking." The word came out drier than Elliott intended, though it was accurate. Julia accommodated everyone. It was exhausting to watch.

"What about you?" Julia asked.

Elliott's chest went tight. "Five years. Rachel. It ended badly. Moving on."

She didn't elaborate. Didn't mention the words Rachel had used. Cold. Unfeeling. Incapable of real connection. Didn't mention how Rachel had looked at her like she was fundamentally broken.

Julia, mercifully, didn't push.

"So, what's our cover story?" Julia asked.

Elliott pulled out her phone. "Details. How we met, how long we've been together."

"We met when I smashed a cake into your face."

"Not romantic. Try again."

Julia considered. "You were working here when I arrived. I was charmed by your skill and sparkling personality?"

"My personality doesn't sparkle. It barely glimmers." But Elliott's mouth twitched. "Fine. We met through the bakery. I was helping Milly, you arrived, we talked. Simple. A bit whirlwind, perhaps, since we’re already living together, but that’s what lesbians are famous for, isn’t it?"

They worked through it systematically. A mere two weeks together. First date at the pub. Elliott liked Thai food and proper sourdough. Julia, apparently, had a weakness for fish and chips.

"Fish and chips?" Elliott couldn't help her tone.

"Don't judge me."

"I'm not judging. Just surprised." Elliott almost smiled. "The daughter of Gabby Richardson likes fish and chips."

"The daughter of Gabby Richardson likes lots of things she's not supposed to," Julia said, and there was unexpected bitterness in her voice.

Elliott filed that away too.

"What else?" Julia asked.

"Pet names."

"Sorry?"

"Couples have pet names." Elliott felt deeply uncomfortable. "What do you want me to call you?"

"Julia's fine."

"That's your actual name."

"Then I don't know. What did your ex call you?"

Elliott's jaw tightened. Rachel had called her plenty of things. None of them affectionate. "Nothing worth repeating. Forget pet names. We'll avoid them."

"My mother will notice."