“There’s a Xena convention in the city in a couple of weeks. They’re fun and zany. What do you think?”

Marissa made a show of biting her lip. “I have to confess I never watched the show.” The mention of Xena made her think of Linda. What didn’t? “I never gave it a chance. The history thing bothered me.”

Eve laughed and it was full-throated and utterly charming. I could like her a lot, Marissa realized. I bet making love with her is easy and fun. There’s just no room in me right now for something so simple. Which is a completely messed up way to be.

“I have so many friends who feel the same way. Okay, so not your speed. Can I make a confession?” Eve’s expression turned serious as they sidestepped out of the way of more people exiting the coffeehouse.

“Sure.”

“I really did sign up because a friend did and filling out the questionnaire was really interesting. It was like a mini-therapy session. I had to think about a lot of things to be really honest. But I’ve been out of a relationship for about six months. It was a really bad relationship and I like you. Enough that I’m thinking hey, I could date you. And then this little voice asks me if I’m really ready to subject someone I like to some of the leftover stuff. I’m totally over her but some of the things that happened I’m not.”

“Oh. Thank you for being honest about where you are, really.” Marissa briefly touched Eve’s sleeve. “I’m, well maybe I’m a little bit in the same place. I got hurt, well, let’s say I let myself think something was more than it was and when it was clear it meant nothing to her it took me a while to get over it. I’m not sure that I am. The hurt, I mean.” Plus, she knew she could have added, the woman in question just showed up again and now I don’t know what I’m feeling.

“Well,” Eve said, her eyes taking on her easy smile again, “I think what all that means is for now, let’s not presume we’re going anywhere with this.”

Marissa had to grin. “I think that’s a total violation of the Finders Keepers recommendations. We signed something, didn’t we, that we felt ready and able to enter into a new relationship?”

“Yeah.” Eve flushed. “But doesn’t everybody think that in the abstract? But when faced with taking that next step, everything feels a little different.”

They turned toward the parking lot as Marissa said, “You and I are going to bring down the Finders Keepers statistics.”

“I am hungry now, though.” Eve had an engaging grin, and Marissa had no trouble imagining a room full of five-year-olds thinking their teacher was a total rock star.

“Me too. Think we should have dinner in the same place and share a table? For expedience, not because it’s a date?”

Eve chuckled and pointed at a burger place across from the movie theaters. “They do a turkey burger with mashed avocado and a lime sauce that’s pretty good. We could skip the fries.”