“Good for you. I hope you’re loving it. I went to college here, then left for a while and moved back last year, so I appreciate how different it is living somewhere rural when you didn’t grow up here.”
They stepped outside into the weak January sunshine. Marin pulled her coat more firmly around herself, but the cold at least was something she was used to. And in a minute, she’d be in her car, where she could blast herself with heat.
“Listen, I don’t know if you know anyone in the area or not, but my fiancée and I would love to have you over for dinner sometime if you’re interested. We’re always looking to make more queer friends around here. The community is fairly small.” She smiled at Marin,and Marin’s stomach filled with a fizzy sensation at being so casually referred to as queer. It felt sogood. So right. So validating.
“I’d love that,” she said, trying not to sound overly eager. “I don’t know many people in Vermont yet, and like I mentioned to the students back there, I’m very newly out as well, so I’d love to make some queer friends.”
“Perfect,” Audrey said. “I need to double-check with Michelle—my fiancée—but maybe this weekend?”
“Actually, I’m bringing home a new puppy on Friday, so my weekend is likely to be fairly hectic getting her settled,” Marin told her regretfully.
Audrey’s smile widened. “Aww, a puppy! How fun. Why don’t I get your number? I’ll check with Michelle and text you. Maybe we can squeeze in dinner before you bring home your puppy, since I imagine you’ll be busy after.”
“I imagine I will be, and that sounds great.” She read off her number to Audrey; then they said their goodbyes, and Marin headed for her car. She was thrilled by the possibility of dinner with Audrey and her fiancée. She’d never hung out with a sapphic couple before, and she could hardly wait.
In the meantime, she was chatting with two women from the dating app, and her pulse kicked as she anticipated checking her messages once she got home. Laura was fun to talk to, although Marin still wasn’t sure how to know if she had chemistry with someone before she’d met them in person. For now, they were sending a lot of messages, which made Marin happy.
Bridgette, the other woman she was messaging with, seemed a little forward for Marin’s taste. She’d already sent several selfies of herself posing seductively. Marin had been putting off her requests to reciprocate. She wasn’t a “sexy selfie” kind of woman, at least not until she knew someone well enough to have that level of comfort with them.
Sexy was the last thing she felt as she turned on the heated seat in her Outback to help loosen muscles that had tensed from nerve pain,but this heated seat might be what got her through the Vermont winter. It was seriously amazing, the best help she’d found for sore muscles since the Jacuzzi tub at the house she’d shared with Andrew. She wouldloveto have one of those at her new house.
When she got home, she found another message from Bridgette waiting for her, as well as some new puppy pictures of Ember from her foster mom. She also had a text from Audrey asking if she could come over Thursday for dinner.
The selfie request from Bridgette was a no-go, but dinner with Audrey and Michelle? That earned a resounding yes.
Marin arrived for dinner with her new queer friends on Thursday feeling equal parts nervous and euphoric. Audrey greeted her at the front door, wearing burgundy corduroys and a black top.
Marin held out the bottle of wine she’d brought. “I hope you both enjoy red wine. I forgot to ask if you drink when we planned dinner.”
“We do, and thanks so much.” Audrey made a welcoming motion with her hand. “Come on in. Michelle’s in the kitchen finishing up dinner.”
Marin stepped inside and began unbuttoning her coat. “I’m obsessed with the location of your house. That view! I pulled into your driveway just in time to catch sunset over the mountains.”
“Isn’t it amazing? This was Michelle’s house, and I loved it so much it was a no-brainer for me to move in here with her when the time came.”
“Did I hear my name?” An elegant brunette entered the room, wearing fitted jeans and a pin-striped shirt. She offered Marin a polite smile. “Hello. I’m Michelle.” She spoke with a crisp British accent.
“Marin,” she responded. “It’s so nice to meet you. I was just admiring your house. I’m house hunting myself right now, and this is definite goals.”
“This house is the main reason I still live in Vermont,” Michelle said. “I love it, and I love the location even more. You should see the views during the daytime.”
“Excuse me,” Audrey interjected, giving her fiancée a playful nudge. “The house is the only reason you still live in Vermont?” She gestured to herself.
“I said themainreason.” Michelle gave her an affectionate look. “If you recall, you offered to move to London with me if it was what I wanted. So yes, I stayed for the house ... mostly.”
“I recall.” Audrey kissed her cheek. “And I meant it too. London would have been a fun adventure, but I’m glad we stayed here.”
Michelle gazed adoringly at her fiancée, and Marin felt a tug of yearning watching them together. This was what she wanted. She wanted a woman who looked at her the way Michelle looked at Audrey. It was the kind of sapphic love she’d spent so many years daydreaming about. Watching them made her want a girlfriend of her own more than ever.
“Anyway.” Michelle turned toward her. “Welcome. Would you like something to drink? I’ve cooked a squash risotto for dinner.”
“She’s getting domestic now that she’s quit teaching,” Audrey said.
“And now that I have someone else to cook for.”
“Cooking for one is a drag,” Marin agreed. “Although I do end up with a lot of leftovers I can use for lunch the next day.”
“No significant other, then?” Audrey asked. “I’m going to have a glass of wine with dinner, if that sounds good to you. Riesling, probably. Michelle usually goes for whisky.”
