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white.”

    Adam hated that the first comment he made was about race. Reese turned and leaned against the table she’d just cleared of their dinner. She pursed her lips before speaking. “So race is important.”
    â€œYeah. There aren’t enough people of color in comics.” The statement was true, but not the reason.
    â€œNot enough, no. But we have Green Lantern and Cyborg.”
    This was solid footing for them, arguing the merits of comics. “Marvel has Black Panther. And let’s not forget the new Ms. Marvel, who is a double whammy as a woman and a person of color.”
    â€œIf you think you’re going to convince me Marvel is better based on this argument, you’re out of luck. I get the importance of full representation. I am a woman. That’s why the portrayal of Lyrid is so important. So your guy, he’s black?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œI guess what I’m really asking is if he’s black just because that’s how you envision him or if you made him black because it’s part of your character building.”
    And there went the footing. “You can’t take race away from character. It’s part of who you are.”
    â€œIt doesn’t have to be.”
    He snorted. “Only naïve white people say shit like that.”
    â€œHey.” She stepped toe to toe with him, tilting her chin a notch. Irritation blazed from her blue-gray eyes. “I am not naïve. I believe race is only as important as you make it in your life.”
    He wanted to cross his arms, needed to, but the action would make him come in contact with her. She was close enough that the movement would cause his forearms to brush her chest. That couldn’t lead to anything good. “You have no idea what you’re talking about. No one considers your race first because you’re white. Everyone considers my race first because I’m not.”
    â€œNot everyone.” A flash of hurt crossed her face, quickly replaced by anger. “But people do look at my gender first. Mostly men, but it’s the same idea. They don’t consider whether I’m intelligent or kind. They want to see how big my boobs are, how thin my waist is, how shapely my ass is. The quality of the rest of me is shaded by that.” As she spoke, her hands waved out at the sides of her body emphasizing everything she said.
    Those motions almost distracted him. She had a point, a valid one, but he didn’t want to have this discussion with her. He didn’t want to have it with anyone.
    She stopped moving. “I don’t let that run my life. It mostly doesn’t even take up space in my head. Only when I’m faced with something like a guy in a comic shop who assumes I’m buying for my boyfriend.”
    â€œI never did that.”
    â€œNo, not you, which is why I spend my money here. My point is, I don’t walk through life worrying about how other people view me. I just try to be the best I can for me.”
    Adam tried to do the same, but it didn’t always work. He took a step back. “All I’m saying is that my guy is black. I picture him that way, but it’s also who he is. His race colors his perception of things.”
    She inched closer again. “Why?”
    â€œWhat do you mean, why?”
    â€œThat’s his story. That’s the part you’re telling me doesn’t exist, but it does. You know it, in here.” She poked his chest.
    His heart thumped so hard he was sure he’d need CPR any minute. Why couldn’t she take a hint? As much as he wanted to step back again, he also wanted to step forward. But he knew better.
    Reese took mercy on him and stepped away. She walked over to the table and flipped through his sketch pad. She found a picture of the character they were discussing. “I want his story. Even if we don’t make it a book, I want to know.”
    The way she looked into his eyes stirred