“I’m the wrong person to ask. I’m still so messed up from my last long-term relationship that I haven’t had the strength to try monogamy since.”
“I mean, we don’t need to be monogamous. I told her that before, if she wanted to try an open relationship, I was for it. Heck, I’d be happy if we added another person to our relationship and committed to that.”
“I’ve never been able to share. I know many people find it to be amazing, but I’ve always been a jealous bitch.”
Jax finished off another pierogi and then packed up their leftovers. “Thanks for picking these up. Now I have food for tomorrow.”
Kate was full as well and put away her food. “Same. I’ll be so happy to have these around three p.m. tomorrow when I realize I’m starving because I forgot to eat lunch again.”
“So, no relationships for you, huh?” Jax asked.
“Nope.”
“Huh,” Jax said, rubbing their sleeve-tattooed arm. “So, on Halloween, all that texting and smiling at your phone, that was just a one-off? Someone you met on an app and hooked up with?”
Kate took another drink of her beer. “No app hookup.”
“Then you are seeing someone!”
Kate made air quotes. “I’m not ‘seeing someone’.”
“You should have seen your face on Halloween; it sure looked like you were into someone.”
Kate frowned, extra acid made her meal swish in her stomach. Part of her knew she was into Hannah, no matter how she tried to slow down her feelings and talk herself out of it. She hadn’t realized it would be obvious to others. “We’re just having a little fun.”
Jax pointed at her. “I knew it. There is someone. How long has this been going on?”
Kate’s ears burned. “We’ve just hung out a few times.”
Jax took their turn to make air quotes. “Hung out. Listen, I get it; your ex really did a number on you. Especially when she took the dog. But why let that dictate the rest of your life? Why not date someone?”
“I–it’s just that I’m her first, and I’m tired of being an emerging bi’s first experience. I told myself I wasn’t going to get invested in another woman navigating their sexuality only to get left for a guy again.”
“I hear you. But—”
“I know what you are going to say, I shouldn’t judge Hannah by what Brittany did.”
Jax raised an eyebrow. “Hannah?”
Kate clamped her hand over her mouth.
“My Hannah? The sweet little redhead who works for Zaina?”
Kate put her head on the bar. “Yes, that’s the one.”
“I thought she was bi, but I wasn’t very sure. This is exciting! We have another baby queer in Marley Creek! She is delightful! And all that gorgeous red hair and her tiny waist. The gentle curves, and I can’t say I haven’t noticed her boobs. They’re smallish and frankly, I kind of love that.” Jax leaned their forearms on the bar while speaking.
Kate punched them on their bicep.
“Hey, what was that for?”
“Stay away from Hannah, she’s—”
“You were going to say mine, weren’t you?”
Kate bounced her knee, trying to take in the fact that she had been about to say mine. Here she was, almost forty years old and unable to admit she wanted more than sex with Hannah.
Kate crossed her arms. “Look, I just came here for tasty carbs and beer. Do I need therapy? Of course, but do I want it right now?”
