Celeste and I don’t move in together right away. We don’t even start staying overnight at each other’s places until a full month after we start dating again, and only when we feel absolutely ready. Even then, we keep things separate, only seeing each other when we need to for work and on weekends—but not every weekend.

The U-Haul lesbian life may work for some people, but we need more time and space. For now, anyway. And it’s nice. I’m still enjoying living alone. But I’m also enjoying my time with Celeste.

In lieu of living together, we go on a lot of dates, and do short little trips in-state. And that’s exactly what we do one weekend in the spring, with Celeste tagging along when I return to San Francisco to help with last-minute preparations for Kiara and Val’s wedding.

When we’re all done with errands for the big day, my friends and I meet up at the gorgeous Palace of Fine Arts. Kiara and Val are getting married here tomorrow. My skin buzzes with excitement at the thought.

Despite its name, the Palace is more of a huge, Greco-Roman rotunda with beautiful green lawns and a lagoon. Over a hundred feet tall and surrounded by ancient-looking columns, the entire area is picturesque and mystical, practically glowing in the afternoon light. The perfect setting for a very sapphic wedding.

“I know it’s too late to make changes now, the day before the wedding,” Kiara says when we meet up in the parking lot. “But I wanted to chill here for a bit to make sure the vibes are right. Plus, I figured it’d be nice for us to hang out, since I doubt we’ll have time to talk much tomorrow.”

“It was a great call,” I agree. “Coming to the venue in a much more casual context can also help with your nerves.”

My friends laugh at what I said, and I smile sheepishly when I realize I slipped into my advice columnist past self without even realizing it.

“It’s nice to meet you properly as Gemma’s girlfriend,” Val says, reaching around me and Kiara to give Celeste a firm handshake. “With all your clothes on.”

I laugh the hardest this time, and Celeste blushes as Kiara also shakes her hand. “Pleasure to meet you, Celeste,” she says.

“It’s nice to meet you both,” Celeste replies. “Congratulations. I’m looking forward to the wedding.”

Collectively, the four of us have filled our picnic baskets to the brim with various cheeses, jams, crackers, wines, and salami. We went a bit overboard, and at least two wine bottles stick out from the baskets.