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Ali straightened her blazer, rosy cheeks desaturating. “How much did you hear?”

“Enough to know you could’ve handled her on your own. But I was tired of hearing her voice.”

Charlotte replied, squeezing her thighs together just so. Mere inches existed between them. She could close the distance in half a heartbeat. But she wouldn’t.

“So, the whole thing?”

“Pretty much.”

“Was she always like this?”

Charlotte cringed, swallowing the bitter taste spreading across her tongue.

“I wish I could say no, but looking back I know she was. She’s just very skilled at hiding it when she wants or needs to.” Charlotte shook her head at her own naivety. “She seemed kind and giving… In the beginning.”

Ali smoothed Charlotte’s hair back into place, nodding in approval before rising to her feet, offering Charlotte a hand.

Charlotte’s skin tingled where their hands met. Ali wove their fingers together and Charlotte found she didn’t mind. She followed the trail Ali’s perfume left in her wake. The floral fragrance reminded her of the sunbathed herb garden out on the family farm in late spring when all the flowers were in full bloom, their scent heavy in the air, honey bees buzzing from blossom to blossom.

Charlotte’s hands itched to reach out and pull her back in but Ali kept leading them back out into the hall. All Charlotte could do was follow, desire still smoldering low in her belly.

10

ALI

Stepping out of the shower the following morning, Ali wrapped herself in a towel, wisps of her hair fell from the messy bun piled atop her head to form damp ringlets.

With a soft trill, Willow slipped out from between the shower curtains. Ever since she was a kitten, the weirdo loved watching her shower. Ali just made it into her bedroom when she heard the knock.

Trotting forward she poked her head around the corner, peering down the narrow hall to the front door, gasping when she spotted the unexpected visitor through the narrow glass pane.

Without hesitation she scurried out into the hall, Willow’s soft footsteps padding behind her. The locks popped back, chain slid loose and the door flung wide. She waved with one hand, the other tasked with keeping the towel secure.

“Hi! What are you doing here?”

Surprise painted Charlotte’s face, eyes skating Ali’s dewy frame, catching on her hip pieces large enough the bottoms peeked out from beneath the hem of her towel.

It occurred to Ali, Charlotte only knew about the delicate vine tattoo etched into her arm and shoulder. But her hip pieces were on partial display. A cluster of Japanese magnolias on one. Two sparrows on the other, one in flight, the other perched amongst an arrangement of poppies and sprigs of lavender reaching all the way up to one of her love handles. A vine-like sprig under each breast, one curved up, the other down, with a geometric design in between. Last, a blacked out fern leaf wrapped around her other love handle before arcing down, accentuating her waist. One of its thicker leaves covering up the evidence of one of the biggest mistakes of her life.

The urge to laugh bubbled in her gut as Charlotte lurched, blinking, cheeks tinting as she dragged her eyes back up. Ali reveled in the effect she was having on the goddess of a woman, standing tall, dressed in tailored slacks and a scoop neck navy blouse. Tiered gold chains draped over her elegant collarbones, each with its own small medallion and charm.

Always a bit stiff in her chic business attire. But with her weight on one sandaled foot, thermos in either hand, sleek hair pulled back into a severe braid… She almost looked at ease.

“Our brunch reservation is at ten thirty. I came to pick you up and bring you coffee,” Charlotte blurted, thrusting her hand outward.

“Brunch?” Ali asked, chest tightening as her thoughts began to race.

Did I forget? Obviously but—Oh!

The memory of Charlotte’s offer sprung to the forefront of her mind.

“I’m so sorry. I definitely didn’t think you were serious.”

Charlotte hummed as Ali took the cup, slurping some of the sweetened beverage. She peered at the thermos in her hand and put together Charlotte made it herself. Taking another sip, she smacked her lips together, assessing the blend.

Well done.

No one ever made her coffee.