ANOTHER PATH: May's stepdaughter is surprised at home

Lacey pushed open the door to her small, cluttered apartment. The late afternoon sun cast warm hues across the wall. She was still mulling over the poem from her English lecture when she realized that there was someone in the living room. Her girlfriend Maeve was sitting cross-legged on the couch. "Hey, babe! Surprise!" she chirped, her smile wide and genuine.

Lacey's heart skipped a beat, but not in the way it usually did. "Maeve, I—hey! I didn't expect you here," she stammered, trying to keep her tone light and breezy.

Maeve hopped off the couch and wrapped her arms around Lacey, her embrace warm and familiar. Her blonde bob, flecked with brown, framed her pretty face. Lacey would have preferred to enjoy staring at her, but all she could do just right now was worry. Her girlfriend was wearing her usual ripped jeans and Converse, with a breezy t-shirt tucked into the waistband. "I wanted to surprise you! Thought we could hang out for a bit, maybe catch up on Love is Blind."

Lacey's hazel eyes darted around the room. A hoodie—his hoodie—was draped over the back of a chair. She subtly moved Maeve to the side, trying to block her view as she reached out and grabbed it. In a swift motion she tossed it into the closet. "That sounds great! I just—uh, I wasn't expecting company. The place is a mess," she said. She picked up a stray sock and stuffed it into her jeans pocket. She quickly scanned the room for anything else that might give her away.

Maeve laughed. "You don’t have to worry. I don't care if it’s a little messy. I’m here to see you." She moved closer, her hands sliding down Lacey’s arms. "How about we go to your room, get comfy?" Her bright blue eyes flashed.

Lacey’s heart raced. If only, she thought. "Oh, um, actually, why don't we just hang out here?" she suggested, guiding Maeve back to the couch.

Maeve gave her a curious look but let it slide. "Whatever you want."

Lacey sat beside her, forcing herself to relax. She leaned in for a kiss. She could feel Maeve’s excitement, her energy, but all she could think about was the door to her bedroom and who might still be sleeping behind it. For now she pushed it all aside, focusing on Maeve's familiar scent, the way her lips moved, her body twitching with anticipation.