Finally deciding that she could prolong the meeting and remain contained within the stationary vehicle any longer, Dylan pushed her door open and stepped out, removing her keys as she did and locking up before heading towards the gravel-paved driveway. Her heart trembled as her index finger brushed over the doorbell, the ringing from within provoking a tightness of her expression as she waited for the door to be answered. 

“Dylan, hi,” Helena’s smile evolved from polite to genuinely happy to see the other woman as Dylan greeted her back. She invited her inside and, trying to ignore the thundering within her chest, took her seat back on the sofa, Dylan following suit and perching down at the other end of the settee. They stared at each other for a short while, both unsure as to what to say first, before Helena finally decided that they probably wouldn’t get in another situation that was as uncomfortable as walking downstairs to Andrew and Peter the day before. She was the first to break their silence, stating, “I really…enjoyed yesterday…”

Dylan nodded once, adding, “Me too,” though from the look Helena gave her she thought to state aloud, “I sense a ‘but’ coming…”

Helena blinked twice, dropped her eyes, though finally forced herself to stare straight back at Dylan as she continued, “…but…I really feel it would be better remaining a ‘one-time’ thing.” She saw a shadow freeze within Dylan’s eyes, though Helena wasn’t quite sure what to make of it, and so continued, “I’m not gay…I like having sex with men. I always have,” She shrugged a little, uncomfortable with where she was taking this, and shuffled in her seat before proceeding. 

“I don’t know what to make of my feelings for you,” Helena slowly uttered, “but I know I’m not ready for any kind of relationship just yet.”

Dylan nodded slightly. “I understand…” She felt rejected and hurt, though wasn’t surprised at what was transpiring. 

Helena shook her head a little, guilt beginning to suck at the back of her neck at the look upon the other woman’s face, and she told her, “I do care about you, Dylan.” She took a breath before continuing, “I’ve always been open about my sexuality, but this is the first time in my life I’ve ever had to question it. I don’t know how I feel, or how I should feel, if this is normal or whether any of that even matters…but even if I already knew about this side of myself, I’m not ready to go any further with anyone.”