Tongue-Tied

Harley’s stuck in her room rehearsing a speech she doesn’t want to give when Shay walks in. Turns out Harley’s valedictorian and never said a word. Shay gets why once she hears the girl admit she’s terrified of the graduation mic. Public speaking makes her throat close up. So Shay, ever the helpful stepmom, offers a quick fix: drills. They try clear enunciation, but the words still stick. Shay ups the game with tongue twisters, firing off “Luscious lesbians lick their lovers and lemon lollipops.” Harley snorts, cheeks hot, and Shay grins—laughter means she’s loosening up. They move on to warm-ups: Harley pressing her tongue to the roof of her mouth, then licking a fingertip. Shay watches, then gets that look, the one that says why stop at drills when there’s a much hotter way to work that tongue and melt the nerves at the same time.