I smile back weakly. “Sorry I tore you out of the shower. I just worried when William called. I’m supposed to hide this for a lifetime, and the thought that I may have already stumbled not weeks after getting my first girlfriend—” I cut myself off when I notice Danni’s face, and that’s when I realize what I’ve just said. My face burns and prickles as I scramble for a way to recover. “I mean, not that we’ve … not girlfriend.”

“A lifetime?” Danni repeats.

“Well, princesses obviously can’t be lesbians,” I say offhandedly. “Not when they’re next in line. I know we haven’t discussed labels for us,” I plow on. “So please don’t think I’m rushing you, or pressuring you. I’ve never done this before, so I don’t know how it works.”

How does one know when one has a girlfriend? Is the term automatically applied after a certain amount of time has passed? Does one propose? Are there gifts involved? Because I can sort that out if need be. Only if Danni’s open to the idea, of course. Which … certainly doesn’t seem to be the case … because she’s staring at me with an expression that can only be described as abject horror.

“So, you’re never gonna tell anyone you’re a lesbian?” she asks.

My heart skips a beat at her tone. Why is she acting as though this is brand-new information? “My parents know.”

“But no one else can?” she asks. “Not ever?”

I falter, trying to understand the confusion. Surely it goes without saying that I can’t come out publicly. Or does she mean within close circles? “I’m able to share it with people on a need-to-know basis,” I say carefully. “I do intend to tell some friends eventually. But it’s difficult to navigate. I need to be certain they’ll keep it secret even if our friendship fails.”

Would Molly, for example? Keep my secret? I believe she would. But would I be willing to gamble my future on it?

“They’d need to keep it secret forever,” Danni says. “Because you will never come out publicly.”

“I … no,” I say, dazed. “I thought you knew that.”

She raises her hands in a weak, uncertain gesture. “I figured you weren’t gonna do it, like, tomorrow. But…”

“But what?” I ask. “Why do I need to come out? I’m happy. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, I think.”

Danni’s curled her hands into fists, so tight she’s white-knuckled. “You don’t need to come out. You don’t need to do anything. But I don’t think I’m cool with hiding this forever. I mean, that’s a long time.”