Free The Ties That Bind by Andi Marquette Page A

loving the way she smelled.
    "I'm sorry," she said after a while.
    "For what?"
    "Last night. I know you don't like guns, especially after what happened with Megan. And that was really stupid of me. I don't know why I freaked and reacted that way."
    "You've got stuff on your mind," I said, stroking her back. "But is it okay if I ask you not to go all John Wayne like that at every little noise?"
    Sage giggled. "Please do."
    "I know. We'll have a safe word."
    She started laughing and pushed away.
    "No, really," I continued, following her into the bedroom. She threw the towel at me and I caught it. "No, wait...A safe phrase. 'Hey, there pardner,'" I said in a bad John Wayne drawl. "Or how about 'back off, pardner'."
    Sage picked her T-shirt off the bed and threw that at me, too.
    "Now, now. Back off, pardner," I repeated, tossing her shirt aside as I advanced toward her. She pulled me into a kiss and nothing else came to mind.
    "Thank you," she said against my lips after what might have been minutes or hours. In my fogged state, I didn't know. "You always make me feel better." She ran her fingertips over my mouth and along my cheek. "I'm sorry for being so weird," she added.
    "We're all weird, honey. It's just that I happen to like your weirdnesses. I think they look good with mine." I kissed her forehead. "I'm going to call Chris. See if they can come over tomorrow for dinner. We haven't had a pizza party in a while. What do you think?"
    "I think...you're the best girlfriend in the fucking world. That sounds great." She pecked my cheek and I released her. She moved to her dresser.
    "Maybe you should swing by Abuelita 's this week," I suggested. "She might have some clarity for you."
    "I might." She pulled on a pair of black panties and put on a matching bra. "I love that Chris shares her grandmother."
    "And speaking of Chris's relatives, call John, too. Maybe he can do some cooking with you this weekend."
    Sage turned to look at me, a wry smile on her lips. "Too bad he plays for our team. He might have been a good match for Kara."
    "You think?"
    She pulled a pair of black linen shorts on. "He's very grounded, like Chris. Even since he came out to the family."
    "Give it time." I flopped onto the bed, staring at the ceiling. "It's only been a couple of months. Their mom'll drive him crazy soon enough. She's checking with all her friends to see if their daughters are available."
    Sage giggled. "He'll be fine. He's focused but easygoing. Someone like that would be good for Kara."
    I sat up and watched as Sage slipped a light blue v-neck tee on. "I don't even know if she's seeing anybody right now."
    Sage opened a hand-carved cedar box on her dresser and selected a pair of earrings. "She didn't say?"
    "No. But then, I didn't ask. She gets weird if any of us ask her."
    She put her earrings in, a pair of small silver hoops. "I'll ask her. I'm interested to see where she is with things."
    I smiled to myself. Sage sounded more like herself today and I fervently hoped this creepy shit with her dad passed quickly, though Tamara Kee's words echoed through my thoughts. "Watch your next steps on your path."
    "Sweetie, I have to go," she said, turning to regard me.
    "I know. You want a bagel for the road?"
    "I'd love a bagel for the road."
    I bounced off the bed and went to prepare the requested item. Ten minutes later I stood on the front porch with her. "Bye. Have a good day. Say hi to all those senior citizens. Especially the old men who stare longingly at you. The ones who take this workshop every time you offer it."
    "For sure. 'My hot lesbian lover wants you all to know she says hi'." She kissed me. "Actually, most know. I talk about you quite a bit." She bounded down the steps with her bagel in one hand and her travel cup in the other, messenger bag draped over her left shoulder.
    "Hey," I called after her. "I want full disclosure."
    She air-kissed me from her car. "See you later."
    I waved as she pulled away from the curb and waited