Page 40 of Fibre and Ink

“That’s incredible, thank you so much for this.” I turned back to Barbara and shook her hand. “Thank you.”

“It’s my pleasure.” Barbara grinned. “You would have had trouble finding this. I suspect a certain someone had done his best to hide the relevant data. But with my access I was able to uncover it.”

I raised my eyebrows. “Well. I would like to hug you, if that’s okay.”

“Yes.” Barbara opened her arms and I hugged her.

“You’re awesome. You have our full support any time you need it.”

“Let me know if you encounter anything else that needs my attention.”

“I absolutely will.” I shook her hand again, then turned to the crowd of protesters, who were all watching with an expectant quiet.

“They aren’t legally allowed to build there! The forest is a wildlife reserve!”

The crowd broke into cheers.

“Thanks to councilor Barbara Traylor here for unearthing the truth!” More cheers and applause. I cleared my throat again. “And with that, our work here is done. Thanks to all of you for showing up for our town, and for the environment. You are all my heroes now. Thank you, and stay in touch!”

The crowd applauded for me this time, and then started to wander off, some of them returning their signs and some leaving them by the nearest trashcan.

“Come on,” Harlow said. “Lunch at the Blue Star, it’s on me.”

I turned to Mickey. “Is that what you want—”

He grabbed me in a tight hug and kissed me deeply.

I made a surprised noise, then closed my eyes and sank intothe kiss.

Mickey’s beard tickled my chin and it was way too hot to be pressed against him, but I wound my arms around him, pushed up on my toes and kissed him back with everything I had.

“Okay,” Harlow said, her voice less pleased than it had been a moment ago.

That caught my attention, and I pulled back from Harlow to look at her.

Mickey’s grip tightened on my waist. “Harlow?”

“You two are absolutely disgusting,” she said. “And I ship it. But that doesn’t mean I want to see it less than a foot from my face.”

“You ship it?” My voice cracked, hardly able to believe my luck — First the data center couldn’t go ahead, then Mickey kissed me and... Harlow wasn’t against that?

“Yeah, you two are cute as hell.” Harlow rolled her eyes. “And I’m honestly so glad you finally realized that you’re both in love.”

In love? I swallowed, my heart thudding. I looked to Mickey, sure he was going to deny and say it wasn’t that serious.

“Well, we have some things to work through,” Mickey said. “But yes, I love Aster. I’m glad I have your permission, baby sister.”

Harlow chuckled. “I’m going ahead to the diner. You two do whatever you need to do and I’ll see you there. But be quick! I’m gonna order a burger when I get there.”

She walked off and I turned back to Mickey, certain he’d be able to feel the intensity of my excitement.

“You mean that?” My voice was gravelly and I blamed it entirely on all the shouting I’d done and definitely not from the emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

“I mean it.” Mickey nodded. “If you’re... if you’re okay with me being demisexual, then I’d ... I really want you to move in and be my boyfriend.”

“I’m already moved in?” Was I panting? I could not catch my breath.

“Properly move in, not a temporary thing.”