Page 50 of Derivation

“Stella put her to work,” she replied and nodded to the grill.

“Oh. I’ll never see her again, then.”

“She likes to cook?” Sarai asked.

“She loves to grill. It’s a weird thing, but she’s an extravert who loves to cook, so the grill is perfect for her: people come to her, and she can talk to them while she cooks.”

“Everyone’s got their thing, I guess.” Sarai chuckled.

“Are you going to introduce me?” Jen asked.

“Shit. Sorry. Yeah. Gabi, this is Jen, Stella’s best friend. Jen, this is Gabi.”

“Stella didn’t tell me you were dating anyone.”

“Oh, we’re not. I mean, we’re not dating. I… Gabi’s my roommate. She’s our roommate, I mean. When Violet moved out, we had the extra room, so she… took it.”

“Oh. I thought Arlowe took Violet’s room. She was just bragging to me about it a minute ago.”

“She did. But her room was empty then, and Gabi…”

“Took it?” Gabi asked.

Sarai looked over at her, and Gabi’s expression was not a happy one.

“So, you replied to an ad or something?” Jen asked.

“I knew Sarai a while ago. Well, not really knew her. We hung out once, and I saw her again at a bar recently. I needed a place to live. They had a room. So, she got a new roommate.”

Sarai sensed that she had messed up. No, she knew that she had. Gabi wasn’t exactly being subtle. At minimum, they were friends, and Sarai should have called Gabi that, but she couldn’t help but think that maybe there had been something else there, too. The way Gabi was looking off at the rest of the people in the backyard and not at her or even at Jen, though, confirmed that she was pretty pissed off about being called just Sarai’s roommate.

“That’s cool. It’s always nice, having someone to share the rent with. I love Haley, but I won’t lie to you, splitting the rent is another big reason to move in together. It gives us a chance to save more for a wedding.”

“You’re engaged?” Sarai asked.

“No, not yet, but that’s the plan. We’re typical lesbians. We have been talking about getting married since our fourth date.” Jen laughed. “We’re taking our time to get there, but we know what we want, so we’re already saving. I’m, personally, hoping that our parents chip in so that we can take some of that money we save and use it on a kick-ass honeymoon.”

“Isn’t that what your wedding gift registry is for?” Gabi asked, rejoining the conversation.

“Yeah, but I’d really love two weeks away in a private villa on a private beach, where Haley and I could be naked, rent a boat for sunset cruises, eat the expensive seafood, and have butler service. I know it’s a pipe dream, but you haven’t seen my girlfriend naked. It’s worth it.”

“Babe, why are you talking about me naked?”

Haley walked over to the table and sat down next to Jen.

“Because I love when you’re naked.”

“You two know her, right? I don’t have to explain why she’s like this?” Haley teased.

Sarai laughed and said, “I know her, but Gabi just met her. Haley, this is Gabi. Gabi, this is–”

“Jen’s girlfriend, Haley. Yeah, I got it,” Gabi stated, and yes, Sarai had definitely messed up.

“And Gabi is…” Haley said, looking between the two of them expectantly.

“The new roommate,” Jen replied right when Sarai had opened her mouth, preparing to remedy her mess from earlier, but missing her shot.

“Oh, you’re living with Enya, Arlowe, and Sarai now?”