Page 110 of Derivation

“Wait.” Gabi leaned back in her chair after she set down her lunch. “Are you just angling for information on our sex life?”

“So, you have a sex life with Sarai?”

“Arlowe!” Sarai exclaimed, walking in just in time.

“What? You normally tell us these things.”

“Oh, my God!” Sarai said and moved to the table to sit down next to Gabi. “You can’t just ask Gabi things when I don’t tell you now.”

“So, there is something to tell?”

“Stop it,” Sarai told her with a little laugh. “It’s none of your business.”

“That’s never stopped us before.”

“That’s because we might tell each other everything, but Gabi might prefer that you, Enya, and the rest of our company not know details about our relationship.”

“I don’t care,” Gabi said.

Sarai turned to her and looked surprised.

“What? I don’t care. They can know whatever.”

“So, there is something to know?”

“Arlowe, get your own girlfriend and leave mine alone,” Sarai said.

Gabi’s eyes went wide.

“Was that the first time you called Gabi your girlfriend?” Arlowe asked after taking in Gabi’s shocked expression.

“It slipped out,” Sarai replied without turning to Gabi. “How is she taking it so far? Freaked out? Does she look happy? Sad? Confused?”

Gabi smiled and let out a little laugh at that.

“I think it’s safe to turn around and take a look for yourself,” Arlowe answered.

Sarai turned then, and Gabi’s smile softened.

“Arlowe and Enya are going to be out tonight. Want to curl up on the couch and have a chill night in with your girlfriend?” she asked.

Hearing Sarai use that term for her really only made the amazing week they’d had that much better. Yes, it had been a little awkward because they were dating and living together, but they’d tried to deal with that the best they could. During most workdays, Gabi had been at her own office while Sarai had been working here in the garage. When Gabi would get home, they’d usually disappear into one of their bedrooms for a while to talk, hold each other, and make out like teenagers until Arlowe or Enya would knock and ask if they were joining them for dinner or doing their own thing. They had fallen asleep holding each other every night and had woken up next to one another every morning, and Gabi wasn’t sure that she had ever been this happy.

It was Saturday afternoon, and they hadn’t talked about whether or not they’d go out that night or stay in, but now that Gabi knew that the house would be empty, all she wanted to do was stay at home and have the place to themselves.

“I love that idea,” Sarai replied.

“Okay, okay, I get it: you’re obsessed with each other. Now, tell me.”

“Oh, my God! Arlowe, take your damn food to your room and stop asking us about sex.”

“Fine. But now that I know Gabi is okay talking about it, I plan to grill her again later.”

“My lips are sealed unless Sarai wants to share, so good luck with that,” Gabi told her.

“Yeah, yeah,” Arlowe said and stood up with her plate, where she had a sandwich and some chips. “We’re leaving around five and will be gone until probably eleven or so because Violet wants us to go to this place for dinner that’s, like, an hour away. I’m sure it’s a nice place, but you know Vi… She’s going to want an appetizer, entrée, and dessert.”

“Plus, some after-dinner drink to go with it,” Sarai said.