Chapter 31
Tara met her cousin’s frank gaze for a long moment. Then she shrugged. “Yes, I am. There. Happy?”
With a squeal of delight, Amanda fell back on her bed and grabbed a pillow, hugging it close to her. “I knew it! I knew it!” she cried, grinning from ear to ear. “And everyone says it’s so hard to spot gay girls unless they’re butch. Which you’re obviouslynot. So, tell me everything. Do you have a girlfriend?”
Amanda was so pleased with herself, Tara had to laugh. “I hate to disappoint you, but no.” At her cousin’s pout, Tara explained, “There’s really nothing to tell. I had a girlfriend a few months back, but we broke up. End of story. Sorry.”
Suddenly Amanda chucked the pillow across the span separating the beds. Tara dodged to avoid it, laughing as she batted it aside. “You’re no fun. Maybe I should let Mom invite Paul over after all. You can both bore each other to death over dinner.”
“God.” Tara fell back onto the bed and stared at the ceiling. “Do you think she’d call it off if I told her I’m queer? Or will that only make her try harder to turn me straight?”
Amanda’s mattress squeaked as she stood. Two seconds later, she plopped down onto her stomach beside Tara, who scooted over to make room for her. “Mom likes Paul,” Amanda said, her voice low as if she were divulging a deep, dark secret. “I mean, reallylikes him. I don’t know for sure, but I think she’s even hit on him. Seriously, and not after a few too many drinks at the office Christmas party, either.”
“Office?” Tara propped herself up on her elbows and frowned at Amanda. “Your mother isn’t retired? How old is she?”
“She still works part-time at the bank over in Cape May,” Amanda explained. “Paul’s one of the managers at her branch. She has him over for dinner every few weeks, and I know he only comes over because we’re so close to the beach. Until Tommy finally popped the question, Mom kept pestering me about breaking up with him and going out with Paul instead. Like I’d want to date someone thatold.”
Tara smirked. “How old is he?”
“In his forties, at least.” Amanda wrinkled her nose, then seemed to remember who she was talking to, because she quickly added, “Not that there’s anything wrong with that. I mean, you’re what, thirty…”
“Nine. I turn forty in two months.” Tara didn’t drop her gaze, but it took everything she had not to laugh as Amanda squirmed uncomfortably.
“Well, I’m not saying you’reold,” her cousin hastened to explain.
Tara shook her head. “No, of course not.”
“I’m just saying I wouldn’t date you. You’re too old for me.” Amanda grinned. “I’m not making this any better, am I?”
“Not at all.”
With a sigh, Amanda tried, “Well, he’s also divorced. Dealing with ex-girlfriends is bad enough. I don’t want to find out what an ex-wife is like. Plus, he’s a sleaze. Half the time he’s over here, he’s trying to look down my shirt. I don’t know whatMom sees in him.”
Tara dropped back onto the bed. “An easy lay?”
“Pfft. Please. She has a vibrator for that.” Amanda smiled down at her. “I know, I gave it to her for Christmas last year.”
Tara’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You didn’t!”
“It’s the same thing I’m giving all my girls at my bachelorette party tomorrow night,” Amanda said proudly. “I even got you one once you said you’d be coming. Get it? Coming?”
Tara felt her face heat up. “Got it. Why are you having it so early?”
“It’s more bar-hop than actual party,” Amanda admitted. “I don’t want to be hungover on Saturday. I’ve taken Thursday and Friday off work, so I can get as shit-faced as I want tomorrow night, then spend however long it takes sobering up before the big day. Who knows? Maybe when we’ll all come back here and crash Wednesday night, we’ll break out those vibes and put them to good use.”
“Or maybe we’ll be too drunk to even make it up the stairs,” Tara offered.
Amanda’s eyes lit up. “Maybe!” she cried, a little too enthusiastic.