Marcy’s smile widened. “I love Chinese food. I had a taste of Zoe’s authentic dumplings, and I can’t wait to try more. Is there anything I can help you with?”
Zoe let out the breath she’d been holding and sank back in her chair. Her mother disliked people with bad manners but Marcy had manners. It was clear her mother would rather she didn’t date women, but Zoe still saw a smile on her face and that was a good sign. For years, she’d pictured worst-case scenarios when imagining introducing a girlfriend to her parents. They were still here, though, and the tension had subsided. Perhaps tonight wouldn’t be the disaster she’d imagined after all.
64
The old town was bustling by the time they walked back to the main road to hail a taxi. “Without getting ahead of myself, I think your parents might like me,” Marcy said. “I even made them laugh a couple of times, especially your father.” The night had turned out really well, considering. Ling had cooked amazing Cantonese food, they’d talked about anything and everything, and Arturo had shown her the most adorable pictures of Zoe as a child. Zoe’s parents were polar opposites, with her father giving off a carefree hippie-ish vibe and her mother being much more reserved, but they were both sweet and welcoming and there had been no uncomfortable silences or awkward moments.
“You have no idea.” Zoe’s face lit up as she turned to her. “They asked me when you were coming again. I’ve never seen my mum so nervous, but she really came around after a while. It’s incredible; I feel free.” She smiled and raised her hands as she looked up at the night sky.
“It makes me so happy to see you like this.” Marcy noticed the difference in Zoe, even from before they had planned to see her parents. It looked like a weight had been lifted from her shoulders; she walked with a bounce in her step and her eyes were sparkling with joy.
“Over the years I’ve adjusted my expectations of relationships,” she said. “I accepted the fact that I might never tell them and that even if I did, I would never be able to bring my partner home to meet them.” Zoe took Marcy’s hand and kissed it. “And then you came along and the idea of never telling them just seemed so ridiculous because you’re amazing and I want them to see how happy you make me. I realise now that it was me holding me back, not them.”
“Well, nothing will hold you back anymore.” Tears welled up in Marcy’s eyes as she pulled Zoe in for a hug. She couldn’t imagine hiding who she was from her parents; to worry that they wouldn’t accept her as their daughter if they found out that she was gay. “It’s all going to be different now. No more secrets.”
“And no more lies,” Zoe said as she held onto her. “You make me brave.”
“You make me brave too,” Marcy whispered.
“How so?”
“I feel brave enough to open up when I’m with you; to tell you how I feel and that’s a first.” Marcy was aware of all the people passing them as they stood there in the middle of the street hugging, but Zoe didn’t seem to have a problem with it. “You brought that out in me.”
Zoe inched back and met her eyes. “I guess we’re good for each other, then.”
Marcy nodded and opened her mouth to speak, but she wasn’t sure what she wanted to say. Something inside her was fighting to get out; something big. It had started a couple of days ago, this tugging sensation that made her unable to think straight. The need to constantly see Zoe, the urge to touch her when she was near, the happiness she felt when she made her smile, the euphoric sensation at hearing her laugh. And then there was this sense of responsibility, of wanting to protect her. The way she felt lifted from the earth when they kissed. Deep down, she knew what it was, and it didn’t scare her.
“What?” Zoe asked, stroking her cheek.
The light touch caused a shiver through Marcy’s body, and she swallowed hard before she finally spoke. “I think I’m in love with you,” she whispered.
“You…” Zoe bit her lip as she stared at her for what seemed like an eternity. “You’re in love with me…”
“Yeah. You make me a better person and I’m in love with you,” Marcy said, surprised by her own honesty. “I know it’s soon and I don’t expect you to feel the same, but I want to be honest about my feelings.”
Zoe silently ran a hand through Marcy’s hair and her beautiful mouth pulled into a wide smile. “I’m in love with you too,” she said, brushing her lips over Marcy’s. “Madly. I’ve always been. I mean it.”
Marcy had never felt happier. Basking in a warm glow, she kissed Zoe softly, then lifted her and spun them around. The sound of people around them laughing, clapping and whistling pulled them out of the moment, and Marcy blushed when she saw everyone’s attention was fixed on them. Some were sitting on the terraces that lined the street, a handful of shop owners were standing in their doorways, and several passers-by had stopped to witness the romantic display. “Sorry about that, guys,” she said with a chuckle, and took Zoe’s hand to walk them away from the crowds. “Let’s get out of here. Do you want to have a drink somewhere to celebrate how well it went tonight, or do you want to go home?”
“Hmm…” Zoe entwined her fingers with Marcy’s and stroked her hand with her thumb. As she glanced over the cafés by the harbour, Marcy noticed she couldn’t stop smiling either. “As much as I’m always up for a celebration, I’d like to go home.” She shot Marcy a sweet look. “I really want to be alone with you.”
“Good. Me too.” Marcy couldn’t resist another kiss before they headed for the taxi rank. Zoe referring to her house as ‘home’ was a silent promise of so much more to come, and she was longing to make love to her. Raising her hand to one of the drivers, she curled the other around Zoe’s back. “Let’s go home.”
65
She feels the same.It was all Zoe could think of as they arrived at the house. Rico looked up from his iPad and got up when he saw them coming.
“Hey, Rico. How are they?” she asked.
“They’ve been moving around more; they’re getting curious now. Tank went out and came back with a rabbit. I cleaned up the blood on the floor, but it might be messy in the nest.”
“I’ll take care of it tomorrow if she’ll let me, although she’s been really good at keeping the space clean herself,” Marcy said. “That’s the third time she’s been out since we stopped feeding her. It’s a good sign, right?”
“Yes. I think we should remove the screen tomorrow. It will make it easier for them to follow her outside once they’re ready. They cried when she was away, but it’s all quiet now. I think they’re sleeping, but I haven’t checked on them in a while.” Rico grabbed the coat that was hanging over his chair. “Well, I’ve been here long enough. I’ll leave you two lovebirds alone.”
“Thanks, Rico.” Marcy patted his shoulder. “I’ll be here tomorrow so no need to come in. Go and spend some time with your family.”
“I will.” Rico gave her a thumbs-up. “Call me if anything happens.”
