Liz noticeably blanched at that. She realized that she had never really understood the devotion her girlfriend had for this muscular woman standing across from her. Michelle had taken Alice's virginity, helped her come to terms with her sexuality and been a source of constant support for eight months before Liz even met the young woman. Who was she to think she could tell Alice that she had to leave that part of her life behind?

Alice turned to Michelle. "When I was . . . with you . . . that first time, I knew what you wanted, but you let me make the decision. You trusted that I...