I angrily buttered what was left of my scone. “You’re not my favorite cousin anymore.”
“Hey, babe.” Mia, clad in a long, gauzy flowered dress, dropped into the seat next to Claire. She unselfconsciously kissed Claire’s cheek. “So remember the wing chairs I was telling you about? They’re on sale through the end of the weekend. D’you think they’d look good in the sunroom, near the bookcases?” She whipped out her phone and started scrolling through photos.
I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. “So… You guys are furniture shopping?”
Mia twisted a lock of blond hair around her finger. “Yeah, I think I’m going to sell my condo. I’ve been ready to get out of the Back Bay for a while. The South End’s so much cozier, you know?” She looked perfectly refreshed and gorgeous, eye shadow sparkling in the morning sun, not a trace of hangover in sight.
Fucking orgasms.
She leaned against Claire as they looked at the pictures. “Plus, it’s so much easier if we just have all of our stuff in one place. No going back and forth, you know?”
Claire oohed and aahed over the wing chairs or whatever the heck they were. She and Mia were an exquisite-looking couple, all light and dark mixed together. Their long hair flowed past their shoulders, blending together, and their neutral makeup palettes perfectly complimented each other.
“So you’re a lesbian now?” I blurted out at Mia.
Claire narrowed her eyes, but Mia patted her thigh. “It’s okay, babe. I got this. Just like we talked about, right?”
Claire frowned at me as Mia cleared her throat. “For me, love is all about the person. And this weekend, after years of searching, I finally found that person.” Claire rubbed her back as she continued. “Never in my life have I met someone that not only can I truly be myself around, but who ‘gets’ me. Claire and I can talk about hair and makeup, and her eyes don’t glaze over. We both care about interior design and cuticle care. We love foreign movies and miniature dogs. And I’ve never”—she tossed her hair over her shoulder for effect—“been as well taken care of in the bedroom as I have been this weekend. I mean, come on.” She jerked her chin in Bob’s direction. “You all really need to step up your game. I’ve never been satisfied like this.”
“Oh, baby,” Claire cooed, “I’m so happy you feel this way.”
“I feel like…” Mia choked up. “I feel like I’m coming home.”
Claire wrapped her arms around Mia, but their comforting feels-like-coming-home hug quickly got steamy. They started making out as the three of us stared. There was a lot of hair flinging. Claire grabbed Mia’s ass, and I saw Bob lean in a little as though he were trying to get a better look.
“Um, is anybody else uncomfortable?” Josie asked.
“I’m good,” Bob said, leaning in further.
“Claire—Claire!” I hissed. “Get a room!”
“Yes ma’am.” She winked at me as she pulled Mia up from the table. “Don’t text me; I’m going to be very busy.”
“Can we buy these chairs online after?” Mia asked.
“Of course we can, baby.”
“Sex and shopping.” Mia fanned herself. “I am living my best life.”
Claire grinned. “We can even do a sheet mask afterwards.”
Mia shook her head, her eyes shining. “Oh my God, I love you.”
With their arms wrapped securely around each other, they strode off.
Josie put down her coffee cup, positively stymied. “I mean…”
“I think it’s sweet.” Bob helped himself to some fruit. “They’re in love, and they’re happy. They can wear each other’s shoes. What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing,” Josie and I both said glumly.
Bob glanced at me. “They’re lucky to have each other.”
I swallowed hard. “Yeah, they are.”
“I don’t think it’s easy to find something like that.” He put down his napkin. “You know what? I’m not hungry anymore. I’m going to go for a run.” He was gone before either Josie or I could object.
“What’s up with him?” Josie asked. “I take it you two didn’t ride the love train last night?”