see her like this. But I have to shake my head.
“It’s at the same time as Fusion Bowl in Vancouver. I really think you should go to that before the X Games. It’ll be good to have another major contest behind you.”
She puts out her lower lip in a pout. “My first contest without you then, huh? I guess I need to put on my big girl panties.”
Reaching for her, I hook my fingers through her underwear. “Not yet. Let’s take them off first.”
Chapter Eleven
Jordan
I always feel more womanly after Beck makes love to me. I’ve never been much of a girly girl, whatever that term encompasses. I can admire put-together girls with beautiful hair and makeup, manicured and stylish, but never had enough interest to embrace that side of femininity. I like my clothes and hair functional, though according to Zora I do have a style, but anything I express with it is entirely unintentional. In any case, after a morning in bed with Beck, I feel like wearing a dress. Sure, I pull on spandex shorts underneath just in case a skateboarding opportunity presents itself, but this is my version of feeling womanly.
Beck comes up behind me and kisses me on the shoulder. “No boyfriends allowed to brunch, huh?”
“Or girlfriends. But I think all of you crashed here last night so the four of you can go have your own heart to heart if you want,” I offer.
“That’s all right. I should get a little work done anyway.”
Our favorite brunch spot, The Mecca, is still crowded on a weekday but we’re able to get a table after just a short wait. I’m expecting the focus to be on Zora but she fires the first question, wanting to know how Sydney was the one to spill the beans. I fill them in on the conversation, and they aren’t too thrilled I never mentioned before that our three favorite sorority girls are in class with me.
“Until yesterday, I’ve mostly only hung out with Brie at the Jay Beach house. She came here once but we were basically at the condo pool the entire time.” Zora frowns. “I guess we went surfing at the beach one other time. Maybe that’s where she saw us.”
“I should’ve asked how she knew, but I was caught off guard and still half thinking about their weird proposition.”
Lucy puts down her menu. “It’s weird, but not totally unexpected for them.” She shifts her attention to Zora. “Talk to us. How did you and Brie happen?”
Zora leans back in her seat, holding her mug between her hands. “I’ve always been interested in girls as well as guys. I’ve had crushes on both since I was a kid.” She looks at me. “These two already know, but I’ve been with girls a couple of times. I guess I assumed I was bi, but now that I’ve met Brie… I’m thinking I’m more lesbian.”
There’s a beat of silence before Ellie asks, “You’re not sure?”
“I just know I’m totally into Brie and being with anyone else doesn’t interest me at all.” She shrugs. “I’ve never felt more like myself. We click.”
“I’m really happy for you,” I reiterate my sentiments from yesterday. The nuances of her sexuality aren’t important, even if I’m sure I’m not the only one of the three of us a little curious about the lack of clear distinction. She’s found her person, and that’s what matters.
“When did things start happening between you two?” Lucy asks.
“Your birthday party.” Zora pauses, and then amends, “Well, I guess at Southskate is when I started really crushing on her. But we kissed for the first time at the birthday party.”
“How’d we miss this?” Ellie wonders.
Zora shrugs. “It was in the pool after you all went to bed.” Zora sighs like she’s remembering the moment, and then she smirks at me. “Remember when we dragged you here, ran into Griffin for the first time, and then decided you’d get some kissing practice from him?”
“I can’t believe I told you guys about my first kiss disaster and lack of experience after just meeting you,” I say on a groan.
Lucy laughs softly. “I’d say we all clicked, in the friendship way, just like Zora and Brie clicked in the kissy way.”
Zora almost chokes on her coffee. “The kissy way? Really? Is that what we’re calling it, Lucy?”
“Well, what do you want to call it?”
Ignoring their banter, Ellie raises her orange juice glass. “Hey, let’s toast to clicking with people. The kissing-way or kissing-advice way,