No Strings Attached(59)

After most of the small crowd had dispersed, Micky found herself huddled around a table with Robin, Amber, and Sheryl, while Kristin and Alyssa cleared up. Micky had offered to help, but Kristin had waved her off, claiming it would be done in no time as she winked at Micky ostentatiously.

“While you’re here,” Sheryl said to Robin, “can you make this country a little less backward and tell the government they’re utter pillocks for not having passed marriage equality yet? It’s just ludicrous.”

“I’ll do my best, but I have to say, I never thought the US would legalize it in all states before Australia did. It is, indeed, ludicrous.”

“Would you and Kristin get married?” Amber asked.

“At this point, I truly don’t know.” Sheryl slanted her body over the table. “Kristin asked me to marry her when New Zealand legalized it, but I had to say no. Just out of sheer principle. What’s the point of getting married somewhere else, only to return to a country that doesn’t recognize it? We have all our paperwork in order, anyway. I know she asked me for romantic purposes, because why else bother? But, Goddamn it, it’s just so unfair, and I’m so sick of being treated like a second-class citizen and not having the same rights as all those heterosexual people who get married without giving it a second thought, then end up divorced and bitter ten years later.” She shook her head. “No offense, Micky,” she added.

“None taken, but I guess you’re right.” Truth be told, Micky hadn’t given the whole marriage equality issue a lot of thought. She’d been married. She wasn’t planning on doing that again. She couldn’t possibly see the point of once more promising herself to one person for the rest of her life. She’d been there, done that, and had the emotional scars to show for it.

“Hey, Amber, Martha’s been asking about you,” Sheryl said next. Clearly she’d spent the better part of the poetry readings finishing her own personal bottle of wine—despite The Pink Bean’s lack of license. “Now that Micky here”—she pointed her thumb at Micky—“is off the table.” She followed up with a deep-bellied chuckle. “But it’s okay, we’re all lesbians, after all.”

Micky didn’t see what was so funny about that, although Sheryl obviously thought what she’d just said was hilarious.

“She was very sorry she couldn’t make it tonight, but she’s a grandmother with babysitting duties.”

Christ. A grandmother. Micky wasn’t sure Sheryl was doing a good job selling Martha to Amber by saying that.

“Anyway, she asked if I could give you her number.”

“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea,” Amber said.

“Why not?” Sheryl drank from the glass of water Kristin had given her earlier.

“I haven’t had a chance to speak to Micky about it,” Amber said.

“Micky is sitting here smitten as a kitten with Robin,” Sheryl said.

Then Kristin arrived and put her hands on her partner’s shoulder. “I think someone’s had enough,” she said. “Come on, babe. I’ll take you upstairs.”

“Things are just getting interesting, honey.” Sheryl looked up at Kristin. Her eyes narrowed, then her chin dropped and she rose. “I bid you all adieu.” She pointed at Amber. “Let me know, okay?”

“So that was the erudite professor you told me about,” Robin said, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

“She likes a drink. Don’t we all?” Micky was starting to see through the perfect exterior of Kristin and Sheryl’s relationship. “What did you want to talk to me about, Amber?” she asked, not wanting to gossip about her employer’s partner’s drinking habits too much.

“I haven’t seen you in days. Let’s catch up soon,” Amber said. “I have an early class tomorrow, so I’d better head home.”

“I guess it’s just us then,” Robin said after Amber had left. “Want to come back to my place for a bit?”

“Oh God, please don’t ask me that.”

“Just for half an hour. Forty-five minutes tops.” When Robin cocked her head like that and smiled that seductive smile, Micky couldn’t possibly say no.

✶ ✶ ✶

“I won’t see you all weekend?” Robin asked while she peppered Micky’s neck with kisses. “Not even on the sly?”

“Don’t ask me that while you kiss me like this,” Micky said in between groans.

“You’re making me feel like a teenager again, with all this sneaking around.” Robin pulled away from her and looked her in the eye. They’d barely made it inside Robin’s flat. Micky stood with her back against the front door.