“Because they’re better. Anyway, sorry to bother you. Can you check your boxes for me? Not now, because I’m a lost cause, but I really do love that one, and it’s not that old. It’s also expensive, so if I don’t have to buy another one, I’d appreciate it.”
“I can check, but not tonight. I’ve got to get dressed. I have a work thing tonight.”
“Oh. Is it time for the winter obligatory holiday party that’snota holiday party?” Alicia asked.
“Yes, unfortunately,” she replied with a laugh. “I already have to spend forty hours a week with these people. Why do they make us hang out together during our nights, too?”
“No clue. My company doesn’t do that.”
“I wish this one didn’t,” she said on a sigh.
“Who are you taking?” Alicia asked.
“Larissa is on her way here now.”
“I should have guessed.”
“Don’t start… Things were going so well with us just now. We were talking about curling irons. Let’s go back to that,” she suggested.
“I’m not trying to fight with you, Harlow. I’m not your girlfriend anymore, so I don’t have to fight with you about this. Just stating that I should have guessed. Last year, whenIwas there with you, people kept asking where Larissa was.”
“Only because she’s been before.”
“And because they thoughtshewas your old girlfriend and that I was the new one, and they wanted to know whathappened. I was literally standing right there, and they were asking about your friend, who they thought was your ex.”
“She’s been around since I started there, so they’ve all met her. Some of them forget that a lesbian can be friends with another woman.”
“Yeah, but they’re not wrong here. They picked up on what everyone else picks up on outside of Larissa herself.”
“Alicia, do we have to do this again?”
“No, we don’t. Just be prepared for them to ask how your relationship is going tonight and when you’re going to finally get engaged, then married, and when they can expect to see pictures of the kids you don’t want to have.”
“They should mind their own damn business.”
“Yes, they should, but they won’t. Besides, you’ll have to handle all that with Larissa there. Have you thought about this? I know you’re usually pretty good about making sure she has no clue how you feel about her when you’re around other people, but you said that the last time you two were at that summer thing, people asked about you two in front of her, and you had to make up some excuse to get her out of there.” Alicia chuckled a little. “I wish I had seen that, honestly. I bet it was hilarious.”
“I pushed her toward the pie-eating contest.”
Alicia laughed louder and replied, “And to think, you could just tell her.”
“Bye, Alicia. If I see the curling iron you’re weirdly obsessed with, I’ll mail it to you.”
“I live, like, fifteen minutes away. I’ll pick it up.”
“Fine. I’ll put it on top of the trash bags in the bin on trash day. You can race the garbage guys for it.”
“Asshole,” Alicia said, laughing again. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye,” Harlow said and hung up the phone.
“Hi! I’m home! I’m late, and I’m sorry, but I’m here.” Larissa appeared in Harlow’s doorway, looking a little out of breath. “You’re naked,” she added and closed her eyes.
“I’m not naked. I’m wearing a towel,” Harlow said, but clutched it to her chest as she dropped her phone to be safe.
“You’re naked under the towel.”
“That’s usually what happens when you take a shower, yes. Do you take your showers fully clothed?”
