Page 111 of Derivation

“Yup.” Arlowe nodded. “So, have fun tonight. We’ll be quiet when we come back so that we don’t wake you if you’re asleep already.”

“Okay. Thanks,” Sarai replied.

“So, we’re girlfriends now?” Gabi teased when Arlowe left them alone in the kitchen.

“I swear, it just slipped out. I was trying to protect your honor.”

Gabi laughed and pushed her plate over to Sarai.

“Have you eaten lunch?”

“No.”

“Want the rest of that?”

“Want to finish eating and go outside with me? It’s a nice day. We can bring a blanket and just lie there,” Sarai suggested before she picked up the wrap and took a bite.

“That sounds really nice, actually. And I finished what I needed to do for the hardware, so I’m free for the rest of the day.”

“I like the sound of that,” Sarai said and winked at her.

After they finished their lunch, they carried supplies out to the backyard, and Gabi laid out the blanket for them. Sarai then set down some bottles of water and snacks and lay down first before Gabi moved to snuggle into her side.

“I like it out here,” Gabi said.

“Yeah?” Sarai asked, wrapping her up tighter.

“It’s quiet, except for the neighbor’s dog barking every few minutes.”

“His name is Rocco, and he’s a sweetheart. I’ll introduce you one day. You should prepare to be bowled over, though. He’s a Great Dane.”

“God, they’re huge. What are your thoughts on dogs? Or are you a cat lesbian?”

“I’m a neutral lesbian. I like both cats and dogs. Cats are easier to take care of, though, so I could see myself getting one in the future since they’re so low-maintenance. You?”

“I could go either way. I had a dog as a kid, but when we started moving for my parents’ jobs, we had to give him away to someone in the family. We never got another pet. I think a cat would be cool since I have very little practice with pets. Then, maybe a dog later.”

“That could be fun,” Sarai replied and began rubbing Gabi’s back.

“You’re down for that?”

“Maybe. I feel like work is going to get even busier soon, so depending on how long that craziness goes on, that might change things, but yeah, a cat could come first, at least.”

Then, Sarai yawned loudly, making Gabi smile.

“Didn’t sleep well last night?” she asked, lifting herself to look up at her.

“I slept well. I just didn’t sleep much,” Sarai reminded. “You were there, and there was this kissing… I had to wear a sweater to cover up the mark on my collarbone.”

“And they’re very nice collarbones, too, so it really is a shame,” she teased and pulled down on Sarai’s sweater a bit to see the mark she had made the previous night before she leaned down and kissed the spot. “Want to take a nap out here? I could sleep, too.”

“Out here?”

“It’s honestly quieter than it is inside that house, with Enya reciting words in some language I don’t comprehend while walking back and forth from one side of the house to the other, and Arlowe… well, being Arlowe.”

“I love that you understand how she is already and that it doesn’t bother you.”

“I like her. She can be a little much, yeah, but she’s also loyal and very protective of you.” Gabi smiled. “My girlfriend. God, Sarai Kaplan is my girlfriend.” She laughed and shook her head before she settled it on Sarai’s chest again. “I cannot believe the hot chick I had a thing for when I was a teenager is now my girlfriend.”