#datie

“Yep!” Katie says brightly. “She was surprisingly helpful. Sent me a video of her making them and everything.”

Dana’s mom is never that accommodating to Dana’s girlfriends. Which—okay, sure, there haven’t been that many girlfriends, and even less that Dana has actually dared to introduced to her parents, but the point still stands. Girlfriends are just a reminder that their daughter is a lesbian.

How on Earth did Katie get Dana’s mom to actually like her?

Dana asks as much, spluttering and indignant.

That makes Katie’s smile widen. “Oh, you know me. I’m personable.”

“No one is that personable!”

“Clearly,” Katie says, teasing, “you are underestimating your girlfriend here.” She tilts her head to one side, bob swishing with the motion. “Honestly, Dana, I expected better.”

“You,” Dana says, “are not allowed to make my mom like you.”

One of Katie’s eyebrows arches. “Oh, is it not allowed?”

“No, it’s not!”

Katie laughs, low. “Okay, then,” she says. “I guess I’ll just turn down the invitation to your family Christmas.”

That makes Dana gape. “You—”

“Actually got an invite.” Katie looks smug. “What was it you were saying, about your partners never being allowed to come?”

“I can’t believe it,” Dana says faintly. “I can’t believe it.” She shakes her head, which feels full and buzzy from the noise of her own thoughts. “Maybe you actually are, like, personable.”

“Finally, you agree,” Katie says, and it’s light. Playful.

How does Katie always manage to make her feel better with just a few words? It’s actually kind of annoying. Scratch that—it’s really annoying.

Katie reaches out to the little plastic tupperware she’d set down on the table when she came into the apartment. It’s stuffed to the brim with bite-sized golden pastries. They’re yakgwa, a deep-fried Korean sweet that Dana’s grandmother used to make every Sunday when she was arguing with Dana’s mom about going to church, and they taste of honey and a long-gone childhood.

Katie eats one whole, then hums appreciatively, nodding. “You know what,” she says, “that is good.”

“Well, now you’re just complimenting yourself.”

“Am I not allowed to compliment myself?”

“You,” Dana tells her, “are too perfect.”

“I’m so sorry,” Katie says, sounding amused. Then she hesitates. “I don’t have to come to your family Christmas. If you don’t want me to.”

“What, are you kidding?” Dana shakes her head. “Having someone who’s actually on my side is going to be great. Besides.” She grins at Katie. “It’s always nice to have a pretty girl around.”

“Oh, so I’m pretty now?”