Page 92 of Ascending
Palmer kissed Elizabeth’s forehead and said, “My parents are going to shit a brick.”
“Oh, my God!” Elizabeth exclaimed through her laughter as she placed her head back down on Palmer’s shoulder. “Is that an expression here? That’s terrible.”
“We’re not known for our class in America, Lizzy.”
“I suppose not,” Elizabeth said, placing an arm over Palmer’s middle and settling into Palmer’s side.
It was the closest they’d been since they’d met. Sure, Palmer had woken up in the middle of the night and found Elizabeth spooning her in her sleep, but this was different. They were both fully awake right now, and Palmer wasn’t comforting Elizabeth this time; they were just enjoying being wrapped up in one another while watching a movie they’d ordered on the TV.
“Is it okay that you’re staying here tonight? Your parents and sister aren’t disappointed?”
“My parents are asking questions I’ve yet to answer, but my sister is so excited to meetyou, she doesn’t even really care thatI’llbe there.”
Elizabeth turned her face up but didn’t move her head from Palmer’s shoulder.
“They’re asking questions?”
“My mom just wanted to know what I wasn’t telling her. I’ll talk to her tomorrow. It’ll be fine.”
“About us?”
“Yes.”
“And you don’t have the answers?” Elizabeth checked.
“No, I don’t. I have… feelings.”
Elizabethdidlift up then and looked into Palmer’s eyes.
“So do I,” she admitted. “But I don’t know if that makes it harder or easier.”
Palmer smiled, cupped her cheek, and said, “Well, it at least lets me know I’m not the only one in this thing; whatever it is.”
“I want you to stay tonight, Palmer, but I’m not ready for–”
“It’s okay. Neither am I.”
“You’re not?” Elizabeth’s arm moved from Palmer’s middle to her thigh.
“No, I’m not.” Palmer shook her head. “I want to, though.”
“Me too.” Elizabeth gave her a shy smile. “I just need time.”
“I can give you that.”
“You don’t have to. This is all so unfair to you.”
“How’s that, exactly?” Palmer shifted so she could see Elizabeth’s face better.
“Because I come with all this baggage, and it’s recent baggage.” Elizabeth sat up more. “Palmer, I don’t even know what I can offer you.”
“This is pretty good so far,” Palmer replied.
“Thisis temporary,” the woman argued, shifting out of Palmer’s grasp.
“Thisis enough for now, Elizabeth. I know things are complicated; I’m not naïve.”
“I know you’re not. I just worry I won’t be enough for you, Palmer. I worry I can’t give you what you deserve. I couldn’t give Teagan what she deserved, and it made her look elsewhere. I–”