Audrey’s whole face lit up. “They’re the best. My parents even threw me a rainbow-themed party for my twentieth birthday, after I came out to them. I really lucked out in the family department. I love them so much.”
“That’s wonderful,” Michelle said. “Does art run in the family?”
“Nope, only me.” Audrey shrugged. “I’m adopted, though, so who knows where I get my artistic talent from.”
Michelle felt her eyebrows go up. “Really?”
“Yep. My mom was adopted as a child, and it changed her life, so when the time came, she and my dad didn’t even try for their own kids. They knew they wanted to adopt.”
“So both you and your brother are adopted?”
Audrey nodded. “No shared genes in my household. Just love.”
She said it with such earnestness, Michelle felt a tug of yearning. That kind of love? She didn’t know what it felt like. “That’s really beautiful.”
Audrey held up her phone, showing Michelle a photo of a Black woman and white man in their fifties, embracing Audrey and an Asian man about her age who must be her brother. “My family. I love them to pieces.” She looked up, and some of Michelle’s wistfulness must have shown on her face, because her expression turned tender. “And your family?”
Michelle shrugged. “They’re fine. I think we get along better with an ocean between us. Honestly, it was a relief for them when I followed Kelly to the States. Now they can show off their other children and grandchildren at church without having to endure the whispered comments about their lesbian daughter.”
“Oh, Michelle ...” Audrey looked like she was moments from hugging her.
Michelle held up a finger to ward her off. “No, my story isn’t tragic. It justis, and compared to what a lot of the kids in this room have been through, I got off easy.”
“It’s not a competition. You’re entitled to feel however you feel about it.”
“I don’t, though.” She sounded more vehement than she’d intended. “I don’t feel much of anything when I think of my parents. I’m tired of talking about them, though.”
Audrey stood, extending a hand. Something playful sparked in her eyes. “Dance with me, then. For real, no photo booth involved. Let’s show these kids how to have fun.”
And dammit, despite her better judgment, Michelle heard herself saying yes.
Chapter Twelve
Audrey never expected to have so much fun at a student party. Even Michelle, who had been initially reluctant to join her on the dance floor, looked like she was enjoying herself. Someone had queued up an energetic playlist, heavy on Hayley Kiyoko, Sam Smith, Chappell Roan, Billie Eilish, Anna Moss, and other young, queer artists. Audrey could tell that Michelle didn’t recognize a single song, but it was worth it to see Anne Lister grooving to “Lunch.”
Michelle’s skirt swirled as she moved, black satin brushing against the thin leggings Audrey wore beneath her dress, andoof. It took effort to keep from reaching out and gathering a fistful of that satin, then using it to haul Michelle in for a kiss. Their eyes locked, and before Audrey could worry that her desire was visible on her face, she saw the heat simmering in Michelle’s dark gaze.
She stared at Audrey with such raw hunger, Audrey felt an answering clench low in her belly. Michelle blinked, and it was gone, replaced with the slightly aggrieved expression she’d worn since Audrey had asked her to dance. Had she imagined that flash of heat?
Because she was watching Michelle so closely, Audrey saw the exact moment she realized what the song was about, that it was an unabashed celebration of sapphic oral sex. Michelle’s steps faltered, and embarrassment flitted across her features. She rested a hand on Audrey’s shoulder as she leaned in to murmur in her ear, “Is this appropriate for a university-funded event?”
“Of course it is! I’ve heard much more graphic lyrics on the radio.” Audrey ignored the way goose bumps rose on her skin from the gust of Michelle’s warm breath against her neck.
“I suppose. Still, I wasn’t listening to anything like this in college.”
“That sounds like ayouproblem,” Audrey said with a playful wink. “Prince was singing about oral sex before I was even born. So was Madonna, and—”
“Okay,” Michelle interrupted. “Enough of that.”
“Oh, come on. Surely you’re familiar with cunnilingus.” Audrey thought she must be having an out-of-body experience, becausesurelyshe hadn’t just said that.
“Of course I’m ...” Michelle drifted off, giving her head a quick shake. “Why are we talking about this?”
“I have no idea.” Audrey waved her hands in front of her face. “Immediate change of subject.”
Michelle glanced around the room, seeming to notice all the students singing along to the song, and then she tugged at the collar of her shirt. “I need something to drink.”
“Good idea.” It was warm in here, and Audrey was thirsty too. She followed Michelle to the refreshment table, where they both grabbed bottles of water. Chappell Roan’s “Hot to Go!” began to play, much to Michelle’s obvious relief.
