Lil makes up a story and flatters Raquel

Raquel signaled for a turn as she drove her little hatchback out of the mall's parking structure. The bright, hot sun shone through the car windows on Bernie and Lil crammed in the back behind Raquel and Habiba, with the flaming logo of the HOT boutique on their shopping bags.

"So tell us all the sordid details, Naomi," Raquel said.

Bernie balked, opening her mouth and closing it again. Lil squeezed Bernie's arm and jumped in.

"Oh I should tell the story," Lil said. "Guys, you know? So yeah I was crazy for this guy Steve, he was fun to go out with, but guys, you never know what they're really after. And one day I show up early for my shift and catch him cheating with my redhead co-worker Colleen, just giving it to her hard."

"Guys," Raquel echoed. "Uh-huh. My brother is like that with girls. He's got his arm candy girlfriend he goes out with, but he'll hit on anyone that doesn't say no. And a lot of them say yes!"

Bernie felt a flush. Raquel was like that with girls.

"Uh-huh," Lil said. "So yeah, Colleen said that Steve had told her he and I weren't really dating, and that she was really hot and well, that's what I caught them doing. She's still with him as far as I know." She took a breath. "So I was complaining to my brother that maybe I should just give up on guys, and then his study partner here, she just swooped in, mm-mm." Lil made kiss-kiss noises. "I don't know that I'm off guys for good, but maybe it's time for me to try girls. Ber-, ah, Naomi told me about you, you're really the Big Lez on Campus, Raquel, is that right?"

Raquel laughed. "A big fish in a small pond," she said. "And not the only one. You look more like the sorority type, Lil. Lesbian Until Graduation? Blondes with matching clothes and hair-dos and matching lipsticks? How did a Crunchy Granola like Naomi catch you?"

"Well... I'm a fan of her mom's work?" Lil said. "So, I said... show me?"

Raquel and Bibi laughed loudly.

Raquel teased, "Saying Hey, I'm Joyce Bernstein's lesbian daughter is like bringing out the big cannons. Someone isn't playing fair. Or maybe I should say someone's finally using her advantages? Seriously Naomi, you could have had a new date every weekend with a line like that. Just the pictures in her book. And her book was in half the high school sex-ed classes in the state! Abstinence education, pish posh, it was straight up Girls Should Masturbate More."

"Boys too," Bernie objected.

"Who cares about boys? They don't need any help with that," Raquel said. She laughed and took an exaggerated deep breath. "Mmmmm... ahhh. I love having a car full of girls on a hot day. Hotboxing cunt!"

Habiba leaned over and kissed Raquel's cheek. "Rae," she said. "Sexy girl? Easy, we have guests."

Raquel laughed. "I can't help it, sweetie," she said. "I love the attention."

Bernie looked at Lil, rolled her eyes and nodded.

Lil smirked, shrugged, and nodded back.

"Well," Raquel said. "Since someone suggested I should cool it, should we stop and get some cold drinks? Tank up a little before we get down? Or did you all want to see my girlfriend show off her new strap-on before anything else?"

"Rae! Be nice," Habiba protested. She moved her fingertips lightly on Raquel's shoulder, like she was erasing a chalkboard.

"I am being nice," Raquel persisted. "You know you love it. And I know Naomi loves it, hey girl?"

"I know you're always lit, Raquel," Bernie said.

Raquel laughed.