Great.

  “I’m not sure how much you two talk, but just don’t mention you had to go to the data center.”

  “Too late.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I mean she already found out.”

  Matt cussed.

  “Is she going to report me to the data center?”

  Matt seemed to consider it for a moment. “I think it’d be too much hassle and I don’t think she really cares.”

  “Then why do you care?”

  “Well…You know, I guess I don’t care.” He let out a short laugh. “I was thinking I didn’t want her lecture, but at this point all I’d have to do is hang up the phone.” He laughed again. “I’m fucking free. God, it feels good remembering that.”

  “Yeah, okay, you enjoy that feeling. I have to pretend to be a Padres fan and sneak into a data site.” She ended the call and tugged the brim of the Padres hat lower on her head. “Let’s hope the security guard isn’t chatty tonight.”

  Fortunately, she didn’t have any trouble gaining entry with Matt’s badge, and once inside the loud hum of machines in the data center made it impossible to focus on anything aside from finding and fixing the problem. Matt had texted her with directions to go to cage seventy-five on the east wall and then check rack thirty, but it took her a minute to orient in the huge warehouse.

  Once she located the rack, she checked the cables and texted Matt a picture of what she guessed was the problem. Loose cable. Maybe a rat had tripped over it? She always wondered how things could be jostled loose in an empty room—empty save thousands of machines constantly running and too many cables to count. The place sounded like the inside of a jet engine but felt more like the inside of an icebox. After a hard power off, seating the loose cable and then systematically checking everything else, she texted Matt and waited for his reply.

  As she waited, she thought of Matt’s comment about feeling good to be free. He’d made enough comments to convince her he had no interest in getting back together with Devyn. Whatever had happened to bring about the divorce, Matt wasn’t longing to fix things. Which was a relief considering how she felt when Devyn had raised her eyebrow at her and called her a charmer. Arguably, it might not have been a compliment.

  Her phone buzzed with a text from Matt: That was it. Thanks.

  You owe me. She snapped a selfie, making sure to look disgusted in the Padres gear.

  He sent back a heart emoji and then: Want to sell your houseboat? I know this was only supposed to be for a month but you look good in a Padres hat and I could stay here forever.

  She sent a middle finger emoji followed by: No one looks good in a Padres hat. Also—I’m not selling. I can’t leave my uncle.

  Everyone looks good in a Padres hat. Matt’s text bubble blinked again. I can’t leave your uncle either. I’ve never eaten so well. So I take the couch and you take the bed?

  She laughed. The answer’s no.

  She gathered her things and made her way out of the warehouse. The guard looked up as she left and gave her a nod when she waved. Apparently, she looked enough like Matt after all. Her phone chimed twice more before she got to the rental car. She settled in the seat and read another text from Matt. This one made her stop mid-reach for the seat belt.

  BTW. Got a text from Devyn. She says you’re doing all the shit I didn’t do. Good job.

  Matt’s words weren’t what stopped her. It was the fact that she immediately wanted to ask what Devyn thought of her.

  “She’s straight and it doesn’t matter.” She blew out a breath. “I need tacos.” If anything could get her mind off Devyn, tacos from the hole-in-the-wall restaurant she’d discovered near the beach might be it.

  After waiting in a long line and then getting caught in beach traffic, her stomach was rumbling by the time she got back to the house. More annoying, her parking place in the driveway was taken and all the street parking nearby was full. She considered who Devyn might have over and then remembered the comment about the work colleague. Had she said that so Robbie would know she wasn’t on a date?

  She couldn’t exactly ask. Asking Devyn anything felt off-limits. Pushing back a wave of annoyance at her crush and Devyn’s mixed signals, she parked in the one open spot she found on a street three blocks away. By the time she jogged back to the house and pushed open the side gate, all she was thinking about were the tacos in the take-out bag.

  The sound of multiple voices all talking at once—and then a woman’s laugh—stopped her. “Great. She’s having a party.”

  She stared down at the take-out bag, debating going back to eat in her car. It was silly to not go to the cottage. She lived there, even if it was a temporary thing. When Angel appeared, giving her a howl of greeting, she had no choice but to pass through the yard and hope what followed wasn’t awkward.

  “Hey.” She held up a hand, surveying the scene. Fortunately, it was only Devyn and two other women seated around the lit gas fire pit. Still, the other women were as good-looking as Devyn and equally as intimidating to walk in on.

  One was probably her age—midthirties—but the other she guessed was in her late forties. Both Latina, both looking cozy under Devyn’s living room throw blankets, and both holding glasses of wine. Devyn had wine, too, but no blanket. She had a coat instead and an expression that was hard for Robbie to guess at. Annoyance?

  “Sorry to interrupt.” She pointed to the cottage. “Just need to pass through.”

  She had to weave around the chaise lounge the older one of Devyn’s friends had pulled up to the fire pit. As she crossed in front of the chair, the woman said, “Devyn told us you fixed the fire pit so we had to test it out.”

  “Glad it’s working for you.”

  The older woman continued, “You’re welcome to join our little party.”

  “Thanks, but I had to work late and haven’t had dinner.” She held up the taco bag as evidence.

  The younger woman on Devyn’s right held up her glass. “Tacos and wine go well together—despite what they’ll have you believe about beer. We’ll save you a glass.”

  “It’s nice having the fire working again,” Devyn said, nodding at the fire pit without looking at Robbie as she took another sip of wine. “It’s been a while.”

  “In case you haven’t figured her out, that’s a sincere thank-you from Devyn.” The older woman leaned toward Devyn and poked her shoulder.

  Devyn looked at Robbie then, her eyes catching Robbie’s. “Thank you. And there is plenty of wine, if you want to join us.”

  “We’ll save you a glass,” the woman to the right of Devyn said. “Gina’s Tacos are my fave, by the way. Enjoy.”

  Chapter Eight

  Devyn knew she’d had one too many glasses of wine. She was coming off a hard day at work, which didn’t help. Exhaustion and a mild buzz, she argued, were enough to explain why she’d forgotten to make proper introductions—and enough to explain why she’d let her eyes linger on Robbie’s retreating backside. She didn’t think she’d been obvious, but as soon as Robbie closed the door of the cottage, Elena turned to her and pointedly stared.

  “What?”

  Elena tapped her nail against her wineglass. “You tell me.”

  “What are you two talking about?” Mari asked.

  “Nothing,” Devyn said, knowing she’d answered too quickly when Mari gave her a second look.

  “What’s her name again?” Mari jabbed her thumb in the direction of the cottage.

  “Robbie.”

  “Right.” Mari lowered her voice and added, “It’s funny she’s a Padres fan. Didn’t you say she was from Seattle?”

  Devyn nodded. At least Mari hadn’t noticed her checking out Robbie’s butt. If Mari had seen that, there’d be no end to the questions. Thankfully, Elena was more discreet.

  “So why the Padres?”

  She didn’t want Robbie to get in trouble for something that was likely Matt’s problem, but she couldn’t see how telling Elena and Mari would lead to anyone else finding out. “She had to pretend to be Matt. Something to do with their work.”

  “She doesn’t look anything like Matt,” Elena said.

  “I could kind of see it. They’re both about the same height. Both white. And I bet she gets mistaken for a guy all the time.” Mari leaned toward the fire pit and asked, “Is it weird she’s Matt’s friend?”

  “Why would it be weird?” It was weird. For more reasons than Mari knew.

  Mari lifted a shoulder. “She’s here in your space, fixing things in your house and…I guess it’d be weird for me? Like if Elena and I broke up and she invited her hot queer friend to move in.” Mari shot Elena a look. “Don’t do that, babe.”

  “You can’t get mad at me for hypotheticals.” Elena laughed. “Anyway, you know I have no interest in us breaking up.”

  Mari held Elena’s gaze for a moment and then dipped her head. “I know.”

  “I love you,” Elena said. “We’ll figure it out.”

  Devyn knew the comment was in reference to the question of kids. Elena had mentioned Mari had tried to bring up the conversation earlier that day and things had ended in another argument. It hurt to see her two friends struggling, though Devyn was momentarily happy for the subject change. Then Elena turned to her and said, “So. Are you going to talk about it?”

  Mari’s eyebrows bunched together. “Is she going to talk about what?”

  “Her housebutch.”

  Devyn fought back a blush as Elena raised her glass. “Whenever you’re ready. You know we won’t judge.”

  “Am I missing something?” Mari asked, glancing between Devyn and Elena.

  Devyn shook her head. “There’s nothing to say. She’s taking care of all the things on Matt’s to-do list and I’m obviously happy about that. I’m not sure it wouldn’t have been more efficient to hire out the work and I would have liked to have been asked, but—”

  “You wouldn’t have picked her?” Mari guessed.

  “It’s not that.” She felt her cheeks get hot as Elena studied her. “I don’t have any issues with Robbie. At all. She’s easy to get along with and gets the work done.”

  “What about the lesbian part?” Elena asked.

  “What about it?” Devyn heard her voice go up an octave. “You know I’m not homophobic.”

  “That’s not what I’m suggesting,” Elena said calmly.

  “Okay.” Mari put both hands on her knees. “Now I know I’m missing something.”

  Elena met Mari’s gaze briefly but didn’t offer an explanation. Devyn knew Elena guessed her attraction to Robbie. She wasn’t sure if she felt relieved or anxious about her knowing.

  “Is it a problem she’s a lesbian?” Mari continued.

  “Not at all.” Devyn motioned to Mari and then Elena. “Have you noticed who my friends are? You two are the only people I hang out with and I love you both.”

  “You’re not attracted to us,” Elena said. “This is different.”

  Elena’s comment took the air out of Devyn’s lungs. Not because it wasn’t true but because she suddenly felt exposed. “Maybe I’m the one missing something here.”

  “She’s your ex-husband’s friend,” Elena said. “And you two are living together. Not by choice, clearly, but feelings can still develop. With her being Matt’s friend…That’s a lot to unpack. How close are they?”

  “Hold up.” Mari sat up straight. “Devyn, are you bi?” She looked over at Elena when Devyn didn’t answer right off. “Babe, did you tell me and I somehow spaced that detail?” She huffed. “How the hell could I not have known? God, I swear I have absolutely no gaydar. I’m always the last to figure out this stuff. But honestly, it fits.” She nodded at Devyn. “Of course you’re bi. Did you date women before Matt? If I’d known you went for women, too, I could have set you up with my old college roommate when she was in town. Lou. The lawyer. I think you may have met her.” Mari shook her head. “No, you were working when we had that party she came to. But you two would be so cute together.”

  Mari not waiting for anyone to answer her questions or interrupt her stream of consciousness at least gave Devyn time to steady herself. She felt Elena’s gaze still on her, though, and knew she needed to say something soon.

  “Do we need to drop this?” Elena asked, her eyes narrowed with concern. “I don’t want to push you to talk about something you aren’t ready for.”

  “I’m fine. It’s fine.” Devyn felt a pull toward the cottage and gave up resisting looking that direction. “I’m attracted to her, yeah, but she’s…This is…Nothing’s going to happen.”

  Elena nodded slowly. “Is this the first time?”

  “Sort of. I mean…” Devyn pushed herself to finish. “I’ve never done anything with a woman, but I’ve thought about it before.”

  “Thinking about it is the first step,” Mari said. “Next thing you know, your mouth is on some woman’s pussy and she’s screaming your name and you’re wondering why you waited so long.”

  “Oh, God.” Devyn pressed her palm to her forehead as Elena and Mari both laughed. Going down on Robbie had been her fantasy all week. She’d even watched two lesbian movies to study the sex scenes. And she’d never been more turned on.

  “I don’t even know her. Not really, you know?” She felt like she was spinning but she hadn’t moved from her seat.

  “That’s okay,” Elena said. “A passing attraction can be fun and nothing more. Nothing has to happen.”

  She swallowed and glanced again at the cottage. Robbie was still inside. Eating dinner alone. Devyn wished she’d join them even as she worried what her friends might say now.

  “How do you feel if you imagine letting something happen?” Mari asked.

  “Letting things happen isn’t really my style. First I have to analyze, overanalyze, then second-guess…”

  Elena laughed. “So true. But when it’s the right person, it’s surprisingly easy to let things happen. I’m proud of you either way.”

  “For what?”

  “For letting yourself feel again. It’s been a long year.” Elena patted Devyn’s hand. “Feeling things is healthy even if those feelings don’t lead to anything.”

  “I agree with that. And she’s cute.” Mari spread her hands. “I’d like to officially say I approve of you being bi.”

  Devyn rolled her eyes. “Thank you.”

  As Mari laughed, she felt a sense of weight lifting from her chest. It wasn’t only admitting her attraction to women. Both Elena and Mari knew how she’d shut her heart down after finding out what Matt had done. This felt like formally stepping beyond all of that. She looked over at Elena and said, “I did consider telling you before.”

  “That you liked women?” Elena asked.

  She nodded.

  Mari grumbled. “I would have been the last to find out then, too.”

  “No, I almost told you both at your wedding. You two were so beautiful and so in love. You still are. I wish I was as brave at going for what I want as you two.” She wasn’t fearless like Elena, nor as easily loveable as Mari. They both had an energy that everyone around them felt. She worried about admitting her own desires partly because she couldn’t imagine ever having what they had. And wasn’t sure it was hers to even want.

  But then she thought of how Robbie looked at her. From nearly the first time they’d met, Robbie’s desire had been plain. There was no threat in it, no pressure, it was simply there. Robbie seemed to sense nothing would happen between them, but she hadn’t held back in the way she looked at Devyn. Now the words what if? tumbled through Devyn’s mind.

  What if Robbie was the right person to let go with? What if she got out of her own way for once and didn’t think about what might happen next? What if she went for someone she was actually interested in—someone who might not expect anything from her? It sounded nice. All of it. And the idea of wrapping her arms around Robbie? Absolutely exhilarating.

  “You’re thinking of her, aren’t you?” Mari said. “You just smiled.”

  “I don’t know who I am right now.” She shook her head. “Clearly I’ve had too much wine.”

  “Maybe you want to be someone else for a bit,” Elena said. “Or maybe you’re letting yourself finally be you. You said you’ve never had a fling. Maybe now’s the time.”

  “I wouldn’t even know how to go about it. I don’t know what she wants or if she’d be interested in someone like me.” She noticed Elena and Mari exchanging a look. “What?”

  “All you have to do is let her know you’re interested. I guarantee she’ll do the rest.” Mari’s expression showed how confident she was of that fact.

  “You think I should tell her I have a crush on her?”

  Mari and Elena laughed.

  “Hey, I don’t know what to do here. You know I’m used to dating men and things did not start out well between Robbie and me. She’s not going to suddenly get the hint I’m into her and ask me out.”

  The whole week had been one disastrous conversation after another, and she’d done nothing to endear herself to Robbie despite how much Robbie had done for her. Plus, Robbie was Matt’s friend. Robbie might not act on any feelings out of respect to Matt.

  “Start paying more attention to her,” Elena said. “Spend more time with her. Ask about what she’s interested in. All the things you’d do with a friend.”

  “And then brush against her on accident.” Mari winked at Elena. “But also completely not on accident.”

  Devyn smiled. She’d heard the story of how Mari had come on to Elena and how the accidental touches did not go unnoticed. She glanced at the cottage and exhaled, feeling a rush of bravado at the thought of quasi-accidentally touching Robbie. It might be the wine convincing her she could do it, but it still felt good to imagine.