Now Noelle was thinking about dildos. She was suddenly uncomfortable in her jeans. “That’s enough shop talk for today,” she declared, pulling Miriam back inside the circle of her arms. Now that she was allowed to touch her, she wanted to be doing it all the time. “It’s your birthday, and I want to take you on a date.”

“You don’t need to do that!” Miriam protested. “I don’t usually make a big deal out of my birthday. Besides, we already had a romantic ice-skating date, and I already got my birthday wish.” She looked up at Noelle, waggling her eyebrows. “If you know what I mean.”

“I may not have dated for a while, but I haven’t forgotten how a butch treats her lady. I’m going to make a big deal out of your birthday, and I’m going to woo you. You planned that date last night, and I didn’t get a chance to impress you.” Noelle kissed her on the nose. “I’m taking you out. But just to Advent, because we have to be home in time for Mrs. Matthews’s big secret birthday celebration with her cake, or she’ll kill me.”

They took Noelle’s refurbished red 1976 Chevy pickup. The wood paneling on the door gleamed, the white leather seats oiled to a sheen. “Did you do the rehab on this yourself?” Miriam walked around the truck, trailing her fingers down the white stripe on the door.

Noelle felt herself puffing up with pride. “She’s not overwhelmingly practical in the snow, but I love her. The heat is out, sorry. I haven’t had time to fix it, what with everything else going on. You can snuggle up next to me for warmth.” She smirked at Miriam, who rolled her eyes.

“Oh, that’s so kind of you, ma’am. I don’t mind if I do,” Miriam drawled. She pressed her body up against Noelle’s. Noelle cleared her throat. I did this to myself, she thought, and now I’m going to have to enjoy the torture.

“Did you build this to impress girls?” Miriam asked, laying her head on Noelle’s shoulder.

“Hell yes,” Noelle said, suddenly nervous. “Is it working?”

“Definitely working. I love that I destroy antiques, and you restore them. Although if you want me to add some glitter glue…”

Noelle glared at her, and she grinned mischievously.

They drove into Advent with only the sound of the radio between them, their legs pressing against each other every time Noelle shifted. Noelle kept her eyes firmly on the road, hoping Miriam couldn’t see her blush.