An evening of fun: clothes picked out as Mikey cheered and Susannah laughed, Kate and Zoë, Blanche and Marge enjoying the cheer. Viewers loved it, tweeted, sent questions as Darcy tried on every item, showed them how to wear it, Blanche heckling from the side. The large aisle between Clothes and Kitchenware became a runway. Kate pulled lights from the household department, Zoë pulled white sheets from the linen to act as a backdrop. Marge pulled a Nikon camera from the electronic section, all on camera, all loved by every person watching.
Darcy had Mikey pose like a model, Susannah too. Flash, click, laugh. Flash, click, laugh. Kate relaxed the more Darcy let through the tips she had picked up through years of modelling; Kate gazed too long at her in different lights, smiled too warmly when she laughed, looked at her like a lover. Unconscious, yes, but clear for all to see. It took so much not to smile back, not to show how good it felt, not to pose in ways that only Kate—and Zoë—would know the significance of. She was careful to be pleasant yet not beyond professional. Careful, restrained, detached.
She lingered behind in the store and let the others go on to the apartment. She hoped that by staying away, everyone would retire for the night before she got home. So instead, she had the driver take her to Seren and Jemma’s restaurant.
“Susannah was very keen to show support for us,” Seren had said with her jolly smile as she led her to the kitchen after their tour of the restaurant. “We want to make it a safe place for people to enjoy a meal together without issues.”
Darcy made sure to talk to the clients—definitely rainbow coloured. Would have been a better place to have come on Valentine’s Day with Zoë. “I had to leave because I was unwell, but I didn’t want you to feel it was your food.”
Jemma, a sinewy woman with a tall chef’s hat on, beamed at her through the hatch to the steaming kitchen. “We know.” She exchanged a glance with Seren. “We’re just delighted that Kate was so romantic and here in our little place too.”
Romantic? With whom? Best not to scowl. “I take it she liked the food?”
“She didn’t get chance to eat it either, but hopefully you’ll both have the chance to visit again.” Jemma laughed, a twinkle in her eyes. Why did Darcy get the feeling she’d walked into a verbal trap? “Love tends to make you lose your appetite at first.”
“So I hear.” She rubbed at her stomach. Keep smiling. Nice polite smile.
Seren gave Jemma a pointed look and cleared her throat. “This is why we keep her in the kitchen.” She beamed at Darcy. “Zoë, Susannah, Marge, and the crew were fantastic.” She nodded, her cheeks flushing. “You’re all welcome back anytime.”
Zoë and her charm, but then, Susannah seemed to have a way with people even if she didn’t think so herself.
“It’s important that Kate and Zoë have places that celebrate them,” she managed, sounding polished, professional and hollow all at once. “They are beautiful people.”
Jemma cocked her head. “You stuck up for them both, and Mikey. We saw.” She nodded and leaned through the hatch further. “You’re beautiful just like them.”
Seren nodded. “You’re an amazing ambassador for equality.” She led Darcy to the door. “We’re honoured Susannah brought you here. She’s a wonderful young lady.”
Darcy couldn’t help the huge smile that burst through. “She is. She really is.”
As she got into the car afterwards, only Susannah’s words that she was a fake rolled through her mind all the journey back to the apartment and all the way to the door.
She hesitated outside it, relieved there was no sound from behind it. Perhaps everyone had gone to bed? She snuck inside and to her room. Fake? Was she fake? Wasn’t it reasonable to have a layer without a camera on it? A layer that was private? She undressed and lay on her bed, gazing up at the clouds swirling overhead. Was it fake to guard the people she loved?
A knock on the door made her sigh. She didn’t want to talk to anyone.
“Darcy?” Kate whispered and walked in. “I just… Mikey was really boosted by what you did.”
“I’m glad.” She kept her focus on the clouds. The haze from the lights of the city gave them a pinkish-orange touch.
“You didn’t have to, but I know Mum and Dad, even my stepdad, were really choked up by it.” Kate sounded as if she expected to be evicted.
“Kate, my bed is open to you. You’re welcome to stay or leave as you wish.” A few stars peeked through the light and twinkled. Somewhere below on the street a lorry rumbled and a siren sounded. The song of a city, her city.
“Yes, but your bed has rules.” Kate perched on it even so. “I’m so confused.”
“Yes.” She reached out and stroked Kate’s bare forearm. “As I said, privately, you are welcome; publicly, I cannot do that.”
Kate kissed her hand. “I don’t know if I can do that.” She held it to her breastbone. “It makes me ache here.”
Darcy splayed out her fingers and grazed her nails over the soft skin. “I know.”
“You acted like my girlfriend today, you get that, right?” She leaned over. Her face was awash with the pinkish hue reflected off the white bedsheet. “You did more than any presenter would.”
“Yes. I care about Mikey.” She smiled. Did Kate think she would ignore it? “I would never refuse to help where I could. Don’t you see that?” She pulled Kate lower. “I just can’t cross the line completely.”
Kate hovered inches from her lips. “Why, when you spent the whole of this evening trying not to kiss me?”
“I don’t like being gay.” She brushed her lips to Kate’s. She’d found the orange juice by the taste of it.
“But you’re kissing another woman.” Kate trailed soft kisses down her neck.
“I’m kissing you.” She eased Kate down until she was securely wrapped around her, easing her tension, covering her worry. “You’re not a label in my head.”
Kate raised an eyebrow. “Think my anatomy might give it away.”
Darcy sighed. “You’re more than your body to me. A beautiful body, but you’re… It’s inside you.” She held Kate inches from her mouth. “Just take me as I am.”
Kate kissed up her neck again. “What does it look like I’m doing?”
“Delaying.” She grazed her nails over Kate’s back. “And I’m not in the mood for delays.”
Kate rolled her eyes. “Are you ever romantic?” She yanked off her top. “Seriously. You make it sound like I’m filling in paperwork.”
Darcy grazed her nails over Kate’s stomach. “No. If paperwork gets you like this, you have a serious stationary attachment.”
Kate yanked off her trousers. “You’re the one who digs pencils.” She fixed her with a look—half passion, half confusion. “Do you normally sleep with no clothes on?”
“No.” She smiled and pulled Kate to her, tasting the orange juice on her lips, kiss by kiss. “I was expecting you.”
Kate growled. “Why does that work on me?” She glared at her, passion building. “Why do I like that you knew it?”
“You like bitches, or so you tell me.” She winked. Yes, Kate was a sucker, and they both knew it. “So?”
Kate sighed. And lowed her lips to Darcy’s collarbone. “I love you.”
Darcy let out a laugh. It sounded smug. It felt smug. “Now you’re getting it.”