Free Flaw Less by Shana Burton Page A

“I don’t know. Do they, Kina?”
    Kina laughed. “Don’t ask me! I said I met one, not that I am one! But Joan’s cool. I like her.”
    Sullivan shot her a side-eyed glance and muttered, “Yeah, I bet you do.”
    â€œ As a friend!” finished Kina, glaring at Sullivan. “We met at the gym and before I knew it, we were laughing and crying over our failed relationships and attempts at weight loss.”
    Angel frowned. “You sure she wasn’t just trying to hit on you?”
    â€œWhy would she be trying to hit on me?” asked Kina, offended by the assumption. “Do you assume that every guy who strikes a conversation is trying to hit on you?”
    â€œKina, look at me,” Sullivan scoffed. “Of course, I do.”
    â€œI’m not saying that she’s trying to turn you out,” clarified Angel. “I just think the whole thing is a little weird.”
    Kina narrowed her eyes. “Why? Because she likes women? With the men being as crazy as they are, who can blame her?” Kina passed a quilt to Lawson. “Personally, I think everybody is a little bi-curious.”
    â€œNot everybody,” insisted Sullivan, combing through the pile of spring clothes. “There ain’t a woman in this world who can make me turn down a long, stiff— ahem —drink.”
    â€œAmen!” Lawson concurred, slapping hands with Sullivan. They all joined Lawson and Sullivan in laughter.
    Kina sidled up next to her. “You mean to tell me you’ve never checked another woman out before?” she asked playfully.
    â€œNo,” insisted Sullivan. “I believe everyone in here knows that I’m a huge fan of the shaft!”
    Angel laughed. “If I look at a woman, it’s in a ‘She’s pretty’ or ‘ Her hair is fabulous! ’ kind of way,” she revealed. “But not in the ‘I kissed a girl, and I liked it’ sense. I don’t think you palling around with her is a good idea, Kina. You don’t want to give the wrong impression.”
    â€œWhat impression would that be: That I don’t judge other people? That I accept people for who they are without trying to change them?” Kina shook her head. “I’m looking at who Joan is as a person, not which box she checks when asked about sexual orientation.”
    â€œJust make sure she’s not checking for your box —that’s all I’m saying,” replied Sullivan.
    Kina huffed. “Sullivan, that was very crass and uncalled for.”
    Sullivan smacked her lips. “So is all this lesbian talk!”
    â€œAvoid the appearance of evil ,” quoted Lawson. “Now that’s all I’m sayin’.”
    Kina’s annoyance flared. “I’m hanging out with an adulterer, a teen parent, a stripper, and a woman who’s shacking up with her ex-husband. Someone could make that same argument about all of you!”
    â€œDon’t get all sensitive, Kina,” piped in Sullivan. “You know what we mean.”
    â€œI do, and that’s the problem! I’m not going to shun this woman because we don’t play for the same team. I couldn’t care less who she sleeps with. I think it’s sad you’re not more open-minded, especially in this day and time.”
    â€œThe times don’t have anything to do with what the Bible says is right and wrong,” asserted Lawson. “Now, I know that everyone here has made her fair share of mistakes and has broken more commandments than a few, but homosexuality is on a whole other level.”
    â€œDon’t tell me you’re homophobic, Lawson,” countered Kina.
    â€œNo, Kina, I’m Lord-a-phobic .”
    Kina shook her head. “Homosexuality isn’t more or less of a sin than anything else. If you want to hate something, hate the sin, not the person.”
    â€œI’m not saying I hate gays or anything like that.