Page 58 of Paradigm

“I will,” Eline replied. “And I’ll see you tomorrow for our second first date.”

Arlowe smiled, waited for Eline to get inside the car so that she could close the door for her, and then watched her pull out of the parking lot before she headed to her own car and drove herself home. Seconds after she arrived, she got a text from Eline saying that she was home safely. She let her know that she was as well and went inside the house, where she found all of her friends sitting around the living room.

“Please don’t tell me you’re all moving back in,” she said in lieu of a greeting.

“No, we were just hanging out,” Violet replied from her position next to her girlfriend on the sofa. “How was your night? Enya told us you were hanging out with Eline.”

“I was. We were. We had dinner.”

“Yeah?” Sarai said. “And?”

“And it was fun.”

Arlowe flopped down next to Gabi, who was to Sarai’s right.

“That’s all we get?” Violet asked.

“Hey, none of you live here anymore, so I can kick you out if I want,” she suggested.

“Enya lives here. Enya, ask her for details,” Sarai encouraged.

But Enya, who was sitting next to Stella on the other couch, just shook her head and said, “Not getting involved here.”

“Smart woman,” Arlowe replied, offering her a wink. “And because I’m exhausted and want to go to bed, all you’re going to get out of me is that dinner was great. We went for a walk after and talked about what we both want.”

“And what is that?” Sarai asked.

“To go out on a real date.”

“Really?” Enya asked.

“We’re going out tomorrow night,” she said with a little smile. “I can’t believe it, but I’m going on a second first date with the love of my life.”

CHAPTER 18

“Thank you for coming over,” Eline said as she ushered Marti inside the apartment.

“I brought reinforcements.” Marti hooked her thumb over her shoulder. “I hope that’s okay. We were hanging out when you texted me 911.”

Marissa gave her a little wave and said, “I can wait outside, if you want.”

“What? No, of course not. Come on in,” Eline replied. “And thank you both. I don’t know why I’m so nervous.”

“Marti told me this woman was the only woman you’ve ever loved,” Marissa said. “Seems like a pretty good reason to be nervous if you’re finally going out with her again.”

“Babe, probably not helpful right now,” Marti replied.

Eline closed the door behind her two new friends and said, “No, she’s right. When I said yes last night, I thought I’d be fine today, but I’ve been really anxious. I have taken two showers because I keep sweating, and I’ve gone through my closet five times and still can’t pick out what to wear. I picked out what I wore to dinner with her last night without issue.”

“That wasn’t a date, though, was it?” Marti asked.

“No,” she answered and looked around her apartment. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even offer you anything to drink. Coffee?”

“Coffee?” Marissa asked.

“Sorry. Habit. I was raised in Holland. We always offer coffee when people come over, but I have other stuff. Water? Tea?”

“I’m all right,” Marissa replied. “Babe?”