When Hanna saw who was calling, she knew right away what it was about. She decided to play it coy, though. "Paigey!" she said, in a playful voice, 'How are things in sunny California?"

"Not so sunny in this part of the state, actually. What's it like in Rosewood?"

"Oh, you know. Same as always - cloudy with a chance of boring. So, to what do I owe this unexpected surprise? – No, no, wait. Don't tell me:" she said playfully. "Someone needs advice. Someone needs to get the perfect gift for her girlfriend but has no idea what that would be, so someone had the brilliant idea of calling her girlfriend's dearest and bestest friend in the whole wide world! Does that sound about right"

"Wow – that sounds… uncanny!"

"Yeah, well, this girl's got skills."

"Skills are good! Skills are perfect! Skills are exactly what I need right now! Do you think that you can help me?"

"Honey, please! The two things in this world that I'm an expert on are my best friend and shopping. So, what were you thinking?" Hanna had switched from playful to businesslike in the space of a sentence. "Something romantic, sentimental, sexy, adorable, classic…"

"Uh," Paige interrupted, a little overwhelmed, "You're going to have to guide me here, Hanna. What are some options?"

"Well, if you want something romantic, you could get her a nice Cupid costume. You know, to match your boob piercing. It would be a little inside joke, between the two of you and me. A nice flaming red would go well with her skin tone, and the thong would really show off her – "

"M…maybe next year for that!" Paige couldn't get the words out fast enough. "What else have you got?"

"For sentimental, you know how Em loves penguins?"

"She does?"

"Paige, you didn't notice? Her room is like March of the Penguins!"

"Oh, I guess so, now that you mention it! Hey, that explains why she's always 'borrowing' my Penguins jersey!"

"Yeah. 'Cause that's the reason."

"What? It's not?"

"Are you serious right now?"

"Why, what do you think the reason is?"

"Uh, Paige, give it some thought before you speak."

"I mean, it's comfortable, it's so soft, and nicely broken-in…"

"Paige. She borrows it because it smells like you, silly!"

"Oh! Right!" Paige was having an epiphany. "Kind of like the way I 'mistakenly' grab her shampoo sometimes!" Paige cringed in embarrassment at the thought that her ploy was so obvious to Emily – especially because, on the days when she used Emily's shampoo, she had a tendency to idly pull strands of her hair under her nose and inhale the scent. She must think I'm some creepy stalker chick!

"Hello! Paige! Are you there?"

"Oh, sorry. I zoned out. I tend to do that."

"Don't worry about it. I can totally relate. So, how about sexy?"

"We already covered that!"

"No, that was romantic. Now, for sexy, I need a little bit of information about you: Top or Bottom?"

"Next!"


By the time Paige hung up the phone, she was exhausted. She had only spoken with Hanna for a little less than ten minutes, but it felt as if she had been swimming sprints for an hour. The time had been productive, though. Paige hadn't gotten the solution from Hanna, but Hanna had given her a direction. In the end, this was something that Paige would have to figure out for herself. Hanna may have been an expert on Emily, but she wasn't an expert on Paige - or on Paige-and-Emily.

After some careful thought, Paige hit upon the perfect solution. She had some research to do. She would also need to borrow Vicki's car. Vicki lived in the San Francisco area and had her car with her at school. It was never a problem for her to loan it to her teammates.


Paige sidled up to Emily's desk and stood there with a sly grin on her face until Emily acknowledged her. She knew that Emily would see through her charade, but she pressed on anyway. "So…"

"So."

"I was just thinking…"

"Oh, you were, huh? Just now?"

"Yes, just now, I was just thinking about the fact that I've never actually asked you out on a real date."

"Yes, yes, that is a true statement, McCullers."

"So, how would you like to go out on a date with me sometime?"

"'Sometime?' Sounds perfect."

"How about next week? Are you free on, oh, let's say, the tenth?"

"The tenth, huh? Any particular reason for choosing that day?"

"No, it just seemed like a good night to go out."

"Wednesday? The middle of the week? Going out on a school night?"

"Yes, Wednesday." Emily was making her work.

"Well, it's your lucky day, McCullers! My regularly scheduled midweek date had to cancel next week, so Wednesday night is wide open. So, yes, Ms. McCullers, I'm free to go out with you on Wednesday, the tenth of December, a day with no particular significance whatsoever."

"So, great – the tenth it is!"


Paige was in Vicki and her roommate Jana's room to get ready. She had made arrangements to get dressed there so that Emily could get dressed in the privacy of their room. Also, Paige wanted to pick Emily up at her door, like a real date. And, she needed the keys to Vicki's car.

Paige texted Emily to confirm that she was ready and was soon knocking on her door, a bouquet of yellow tulips in her hand. That piece of advice from Hanna that paid off. Emily was thrilled. Emily looked stunning in a simple off the shoulder midnight blue cocktail dress and matching pumps. It was a cool evening, but when she caught a glimpse of Paige's reaction to her exposed shoulder blades, she smiled, knowing that she had picked the right dress. Paige couldn't wait to show her off.

Paige had reservations at The Sea, a fairly quick drive from campus. Hanna hand-picked the restaurant and made the reservation. Paige gave her last name to the Maitre D', who replied, "Ah, yes - Party of two: Paige and Emily McCullers. Please follow me." Thanks, Hanna! Paige was glowing bright red as she explained to Emily that it was Hanna who had placed the reservation in those names.

Emily could tell that it was an expensive restaurant by the décor, but when she saw the menu, she freaked. "Oh, Paige, this is way too expensive!"

"Don't worry. You're worth it!"

"But did you have any idea how expensive it was? Did you bring enough money?"

"I've got you covered."

"Are you sure? I can't let you pay this much for dinner…"

"I'm sure. It's covered. Plastic Daddy." Emily shot her a confused look. "You know," Paige explained, "My Dad's Sapphire Preferred card."

"Paige! You can't use your dad's credit card to pay for my dinner!"

"He won't mind! In fact, he'll love it! He gets double points for dining out!" Emily looked unconvinced. "Look, Emily. I hardly ever use it. Let me just go crazy this once. Enjoy yourself! It's your birthday! Don't worry about how much we're spending – I mean, how much my Dad's spending!" Emily wasn't really convinced, but she decided not to let it ruin their time together. Paige had gone to so much trouble to make her birthday special.

"I thought you didn't like seafood, anyway."

"I don't," Paige admitted, "but it's not my birthday. Besides, I can find something edible on any menu!"


Hanna had pre-arranged a slice of carrot cake with a birthday candle at the end of the meal. Paige was relieved to see that Hanna hadn't recruited the wait staff to sing Happy Birthday.

As Emily devoured her cake, Paige reached into her vest and pulled out a slim cardboard box. Emily's eyes lit up at the sight. She opened it to find a heart with an arrow, just like the one in Paige's piercing, but on a chain. Paige had tracked down a local body-art shop that sold the heart, and a jeweler who was able to add a mounting to it so that it could go on a chain.

"I hope you like it?" Paige said, hedging her bets. Emily's bright smile gave her the reassurance that she needed. She got up from her chair and put it on Emily's neck. "I got it so that, whenever you touched it, it would remind you of me." Emily's hand instinctively made its way to touch the heart when she heard those words. "And also," Paige continued, "whenever I see it, it will remind me of our connection. It's like our secret - no one else will know what it means to us. Except Hanna, of course."

Emily reached across the table for both of Paige's hands. She leaned over and kissed her. "I love it. It's perfect. Tonight is perfect. Thank you!"

On the way to the car, Paige noticed her date shivering, so, as much as she hated to cover up those magnificent shoulders of Emily's, she took off her jacket and slid it across her. Emily settled into it as though she were settling into Paige herself.


Paige had given Vicki the key to their room and arranged for her and some of the other freshman swimmers to set things up for their return, with candles, rose petals, the whole nine yards. The teammates were waiting to intercept Emily in the lobby to sing happy birthday to her, and, while they gave her hugs and presents, Paige slipped away and headed up to the room to make sure that everything was in place and to light the candles. When Emily came to the door, Paige greeted her with a kiss and swept her up into her arms. "Do you remember the night that we danced at that frat party after midterms?"

"I could never forget it. Even as drunk as I was, I'll never forget that night!"

"We were dancing. The DJ played a slow song"

"'Put Your Head on my Shoulder.' Old school song."

"Yeah, Paul Anka – and I hustled us out of there, because I didn't trust myself on a slow song."

Emily put her hand on Paige's cheek and smiled at the memory.

"Well, Ms. Fields, I have been waiting 8 weeks for that dance!"

Paige tapped her phone and "Put Your Head on my Shoulder" came on through the Bluetooth speakers. Paige wrapped her arms around Emily's waist, and Emily put her arms around Paige's back, obligingly putting her head on Paige's shoulder.

"By the way, Emily?"

"Hmm?" Emily was too content to look up.

"I still don't trust myself on a slow song," Paige said, as her hands slipped further and further south down the back of Emily's dress.


Paige kept holding Emily tighter and tighter, and it felt great for Emily just to relax into Paige's body as they danced by candlelight in their small, cramped dorm room.

When the dance ended, Paige gave Emily a slow, sensual kiss. Emily enjoyed the faint taste of wine that lingered on Paige's breath. On reflex, she ground against Paige into the kiss, finding herself getting light-headed. Paige broke first the kiss then the hug and ran her fingers through Emily's flowing hair. She reached down onto the bed and picked up an oversized towel, telling Emily that to put it on. "I'll be back in 5 minutes," she said as she headed out of the door.

Emily was atingle with anticipation. This was happening! She didn't understand the towel, but she decided to trust Paige and roll with it. She sat on the bed and waited, unable to stop her legs from bouncing.

Paige returned in white slacks and a white polo shirt, with a basket of massage oils in her hand, and Emily had to laugh at the sheer adorkableness of it all. Paige laid her down on the bed, on her stomach, and folded the towel down to expose Emily's back. She set to work rubbing the warming oils into Emily's back, and Emily responded with moans and cries of Paige's name. Paige was embarrassed at the effects that Emily's utterances were having on her. No longer able to trust her legs to support her, she sat next to Emily on the bed as she continued the massage.

Emily, too, was finding herself affected by the attention that Paige was lavishing on her. She was ready, and it wouldn't take much for Paige to send her over the edge. Paige's hands were so strong, gentle, and caring. The scent of the candles was relaxing. Emily felt so loved and safe that – she fell asleep.

The room was dark when Emily awoke, and she could hear the faint raling of Paige's breath as she slept beside her. Emily wanted to cry. The evening had been perfect – almost perfect, that is, until she ruined it by falling asleep. She looked at the time on Paige's phone on the nightstand. It was just after midnight. She didn't know whether she should wake Paige and try to recreate the mood or just let her sleep and apologize to her in the morning. In her head, she knew that recreating the mood would be impossible. She let Paige sleep, and got up to change into more suitable sleeping attire.


The next time that Emily awoke, it was to the gentle, comforting stroking of Paige's hands through her hair. Paige was sitting up in the bed, smiling down at her with a look of pure love.

"Paige, I'm so, so sorry! I fell asleep!"

Paige looked puzzled. "Don't apologize! I wanted you to relax. I'm glad that you got some sleep!" She lay down next to Emily, and Emily threw her arms around her. The wheels started turning in Emily's head. Oh... so, last night wasn't about...

It made sense that Paige wasn't ready. She had never been with a woman before. She had never even gone beyond kissing with Sean.

Emily knew that avoiding issues had never worked for them, so she let her thoughts spill out. "Paige, last night was perfect. It really was. But the way that it ended wasn't what I was expecting." Paige caught up with Emily's thought process and turned bright red. "And that's fine!" Emily continued, before Paige could apologize. "I mean, I know that this is new for you – not just the girl/girl aspect. Know that I'm only saying this because we both know that you and I work better when we put everything out in the open. So, Paige, I'm putting this out there: Last night, I realized that I'm ready. And it's cool that you're not yet. I'm not in a hurry. And I'm not disappointed about last night. It was perfect. I'm just letting you know. Because, when you're ready, I want you know that I'm ready."

Emily looked up to see Paige's reaction. Paige had a shy, apologetic look on her face. "I don't think I'm ready yet."

Emily put her hand behind Paige's neck and gave her a kiss. "That's fine, Paige."

"I'll try to get ready, Emily. Really try!"

"No, Paige. When you're ready, you'll be ready. I not going to rush you. And I don't want you to try rush yourself. Because, really, you can't. I want to wait until the time is right – for both of us. I just told you because I don't want you to think that you have to hesitate when you are ready. Because, I'm ready. Well, I guess you get that."

Paige gave her a hug. "I love you so much, Emily."

"I know, Paige. And I love you so much, too."


Paige was determined not to let things become awkward again between Emily and her. She actually felt liberated by the discussion: Not only did she not have to worry about the fact that she didn't feel ready to take their relationship to the next level, she also didn't have to worry about overstepping boundaries with Emily, because, as Emily had made quite plain to her, she was ready. So, if Emily came back from the shower looking hot in her robe, Paige wouldn't be shy about giving her a pinch. If Emily was leaning over Paige's desk in a low-cut top, as she seemed to enjoy doing, Paige wouldn't feel guilty about enjoying the view. If Emily was cuddled up next to her in bed – Paige knew that she had to stop that line of thinking. She wasn't ready, and she didn't want to be a tease. It would happen in due time. And it would be worth waiting for.

That night, Emily had almost drifted off to sleep when she felt Paige's voice tickling the back of her neck. "Emily?" Emily rolled over onto her back so that she could look Paige in the eye. "I've been thinking," Paige continued. "I wouldn't mind having sex with you in this cramped bed, but I don't think that I want our first time to be in this bed. In this room, even."

"So, where were you thinking of going for our first time?"

"I'm not sure. Where was your first time?"

"Do you really want to have this conversation?"

"I don't need details. I'm just curious."

"It was in Maya's bedroom. Her double bed. Her parents were away for the weekend."

"Were you ready?"

Emily thought it over before she answered. "Yes and no. I wanted it to happen, but I didn't really know how much it would change things, you know? I don't regret it, and it wasn't a bad experience, but I know that it would've been different if I had been older - more mature."

"Oh." Paige paused. That didn't really help her with ideas for her first time with Emily. "So, what was the most romantic time?" Emily laughed. "You can tell me. I promise not to get mad or jealous."

"You really want to know?"

"Yeah."

"The truth?"

"Yes. I'm just curious, as I said. It's not a jealousy thing. I'm not trying to compare the two of us with you and Maya."

"Okay, Paige. Well, the truth is, my most romantic time didn't end in sex."

Paige was intrigued. "How did it end?"

"I fell asleep while my girlfriend massaged me." Paige rolled her eyes. "Don't roll your eyes, Paige! You wanted the truth, so I told you. Last night was the most romantic night of my life." To prove her point, Emily gave Paige a kiss. A mind-blowing, earth-shaking, fireworks-inducing kiss. Paige was rapidly losing control. She couldn't control the roaming of her hands or the contracting of her thighs. But, in her heart, she knew that this wasn't the time or the place. She wasn't ready. She sadly extricated her tongue from Emily's mouth and pulled away from the kiss and from her girlfriend, only to kiss her again, hard. "It's going to be great, isn't it?"

"Oh, yeah. Our first time is going to be off the charts, McCullers!" Emily rolled over onto her side, pulling Paige's arm across her waist as she snuggled in to sleep.