I laugh, just once. “Yeah. Nothing happened until very recently between us. We, um, well, I was… a late bloomer?” I crinkle my nose and Loretta smiles mercifully.
“Maybe for the best, given how you met?”
“Well, my parents would never have cared.”
“But Evan’s?”
“They cared a lot. Too much.” I stop myself from sharing Evan’s story any further.
“Such a shame.” Loretta sighs, crossing her arms. Her eyes land nowhere in particular below, as more people funnel into the gallery. “To have a child and not accept every facet of them.”
I nod. “I should be getting back downstairs. Unless?”
“No, I’m fine. Enjoy the party. Introduce me to Evan later, okay? Keep her away from Heather,” Loretta teases with a smile.
“Will do.” I take one step before Loretta mumbles to herself and laughs. I hesitate to inquire, but curiosity gets the better of me and I turn around.
She smiles at her feet. “You know, it’s silly. When you mentioned agirlfriendon your first day here, well…” She laughs, “at the risk of sounding entirely ridiculous—theoldlesbian that I am—I thought you simply meant a friend that was a girl.”
I can’t help it. The laugh that escapes me is a shocked, obnoxious thing. Half snorting, half disbelief. And it goes on for way too long before I manage to contain it.
“Is itthatsilly of me?” She tilts her head, looking at me conspicuously.
“Loretta…” I choke through a laugh, “I think it’s time I set the record straight…”
Chapter Fifteen
Clara
“You told her?” Evan glances over my shoulder at Loretta who’s greeting some new arrivals. “Just flat out told her the truth?”
“I did.” I take a sip of mulled wine. “I mean, Lorettalovedthe story. I think she considers herself responsible. She says she wants to officiate our wedding someday.” The words slip out and I shut my mouth tight. “She was joking, obviously.”
You’re going to scare her off.
“Only if she wears that sweet suit.” Evan takes a sip, like nothing either of us said is absurd. So, I kiss her. Just briefly, at the risk of not being able to stop once we start. Athank yousort of kiss.
I love that there are no games between us. No carefully chosen words. No unspoken thoughts. Just honest, blunt enthusiasm for what's to come. It’s freeing to not have to pretend.
“We have to mingle for another hour or so. After Loretta makes her speech we can get going,” I say as Evan checks the time on her watch.
“Sorry, it’s a nervous habit.”
“Don’t be. I’m just grateful you’re here. I know it’s a lot.” I take her hand in mine and pull her over to the smaller exhibition room. There’s a small crowd in here, but it’s a lot quieter. Nothing but hushed chatter as folks admire the photographs. A room filled with tilted heads and narrowed eyes. Some scowling, some appreciative. It’s everything I love most about being in a gallery—watching other people take it all in. Deciphering what they think.
“Heather is very talented,” Evan whispers, admiring the photograph entitled,inferno overpass.
You guessed it, it’s a bridge on fire.
“I’m not entirely convinced she juststumbledacross that fire,” I whisper back.
We side-step over to the next photo, and the one after that too. Sharing quick glances and appreciative nods with one another.
Heather comes around, greeting the guests. I introduce her to Evan and Heather actually smiles. Once she’s moved on, I tell Evan just how rare that is and watch her prideful smirk grow.
Overall, the evening goes smoothly. Heather will most likely receive warm accolades, and Loretta will be able to boast about another successful winter showcase. And I got to be a part of it. That’s pretty fucking cool.
When we eventually leave and make our way to Evan’s through the cruel onslaught of snow—I’m on cloud nine.
