“Thanks.” I drop my arms to my lap. “Was the chips thing part of the character too?”
“Not at all! They’re great. You gotta trust me on this.”
It’s cute seeing her beam. I just wish that jump to seeing her romantically, or at least sexually, was a bit easier.
She whispers, “so, is it really your first time?”
“Yeah.”
“Not even with another consort?”
“I don’t know. All my friends are Ringborn, and they’re a bit exclusive with how they pick.”
She tosses her head back. “How are all your friends Ringborn? Most of mine are consorts, and I’m a Ringborn myself!”
“I met one Ringborn, Lucia, and she just started passing me around her Ringborn friends. And while they do have consorts for friends, they tend to be mostly men.”
“It’s only women with you, is it?” She props her arm on the table and leans her cheek into it.
“I’m—Just. Particular! There’s some men I like.”
“Like in what way?”
I can’t believe I’m saying this. “…He was wearing a dress.”
“So”—she confidently brushes the shoulders of her own dress—“if it were me versus any man, but we were both wearing this dress, would you know who to choose?”
“Well—I mean… Obviously women look better when in the same conditions, but I could begin to consider a guy. I wouldn’tpickhim over any women I can think of, but I could like…”
“Maybe I’m wrong, but I think you’re just gay.”
“...Were we talking about sexuality?”
She bursts out laughing. “You would only consider beingfriendswith a guy on the condition he wears a dress?”
“That’s not unfair! I can have preferences.”
“I know. I know. And I approve.” She flexes out her hands. “I’m glad I’m a woman then; it’d be a shame if you lost interest in me tonight.”
I stare at her for long enough to feel stupid. “Oh.”
“Are you… still up for our night ending that way?”
I rest my hand on my chest to feel my roaring heartbeat. Painful. Stressed. “It’s kind of paralyzing thinking about that. I… think I would enjoy the date more if I thought it wasn’t happening yet.”
She pulls out a piece of paper, writes on it, and slides it over. “Either way, it would be a shame not to get a second date from such a cute woman.”
“I would like that. I’m going ghoul hunting next week, but after?”
Her eyes pick up suddenly. “You’re going ghoul hunting?”
“My friend, Lucia, she’s hosting it.”
“You should maybe consider inviting your friend who’s a practicing doctor,” she nonchalantly offers.
“Sure! If she says yes, it would be fun.”
”Alotof fun—Wait, shut up. Chips are here.”
