“I don’t want to do it,” Hillary said.

“You don’t have a choice. You can’t back out at the last minute,” her wife, Amara, told her as she walked out of their bathroom trying to put in one of her earrings.

Hillary looked her up and down, loving the tight blue dress that Amara had chosen to wear that night.

“No,” Amara said.

“No, what?”

“No, we’re not having sex right now, Hill.”

“What? I didn’t even say anything.”

“Babe, I know your faces well enough by now. We’ve been married for ten years.”

“Shouldn’t you be happy that I still look at you and want you like crazy after being married for so long?”

“I am happy about that. Will you zip me up?” Amara turned around, giving Hillary a nice view of her back through that unzipped dress.

“Can I zip you down instead?” Hillary asked.

“A professor and now a writer who doesn’t know the word unzip? Who did I marry?” Amara teased. 

“Do we really have to go?” Hillary asked as she zipped up Amara’s dress.

“You are being honored for your achievement tonight. It’s literally a party for you.”

“We can make a quick appearance and come home, right? I’m not good with compliments, shaking hands, kissing babies, and all that.”

“There will be no babies. And, Hill, you can do this, babe.” Amara wrapped her arms around Hillary’s neck. “You wrote a book on the importance of modern feminism in society. It was a bestseller, and you won an award. The university wants to throw you a party.”

“They want to use me for fundraising.”

“Maybe that’s true, but it’s still your party. And you’re giving a speech. You have to at least do that. Then, shake a few hands, and we’ll talk about leaving after that, okay? Just give this to me. I’m your wife; I want to see you up on that stage getting all that applause.”

“Please don’t take any pictures.”

“Can’t promise you that at all.” Amara kissed Hillary quickly on the lips. “Come on. We’re going to be late.”

“Just… one second.”

“Babe!”

“No, for real.” Hillary sat on the bed and picked up the hardcover copy of the book she’d spent years writing before it was finally published. “Can you check out the new edition for me?”

“I’ve read your book, Hillary.”

“No, the new edition. This one is different.” She opened it up to the page she wanted her wife to read. “I didn’t do this in the first one, but I asked them to add it to this one.” She held it out.

Amara took it and sat down next to her before she read it out loud.

“Dedication. To the love of my life and the bravest woman I’ve ever known. You make me better every day. I love you, Amara.” Amara turned her face to Hillary’s. “Babe…” She smiled softly at her.

“Is it okay? I’ve never written a book dedication to anyone before.”

“It’s perfect. I love you, too.” She rested her head on Hillary’s shoulder. “But you’re still going to the party.”

“Ugh. Fine.”