AllFreeNovel
Share Us
A waiter approached their table, handing them leather-bound menus. They ordered a bottle of Malbec to share, and Heather’s mouth watered as she perused the options. She decided on the oven roasted duck with honey glaze. Vanessa ordered the pan seared seabass.
“Excellent choices,” the waiter said when he came back to them a few moments later.
Heather held up her glass of wine, thinking she’d never get enough of looking into those hazel green eyes. “What should we drink to?”
“To taking chances,” Vanessa said, holding her gaze. Their glasses clinked together.
They fell into easy conversation and then the waiter arrived with their dinner. The duck looked delicious. She took a bite, savoring the tender meat and the sweetness of the glaze. Vanessa’s pan seared seabass also looked incredible.
As they ate, their conversation flowed easily. They talked about their work, both finding satisfaction in their careers but also acknowledging the challenges that came with it. Heather told Vanessa about her latest project at the agency, a campaign for a new line of eco-friendly products.
They talked about their interests, sharing stories about their travels and their hobbies. Heather told Vanessa about her love for photography, and how she often spent her weekends exploring the city with her camera. Vanessa told her about her interest in hiking and camping, telling Heather about her favorite trails.
“How did you get started with your coffee shop?” Heather asked before taking her last bite of duck.
Vanessa told the story of how she’d worked odd jobs in other people’s coffee shops and cafes, but always dreamed of having her own space. When the building had gone up for sale nearly fifteen years ago, she took a chance, pooled her savings and secured a small business loan. She told Heather how difficult the early years had been but that she had no regrets, and Heather loved seeing the passion in Vanessa’s eyes.
After dinner, they walked hand in hand down the tree-lined streets of the West Village. Despite the chill in the air, Heather felt warm from the wine and Vanessa’s touch. When they reached Washington Square Park, Vanessa led them to a bench. They sat close together, shoulders touching. A contented silence settled between them as they sat together.
Vanessa rested her head on Heather’s shoulder. “Can we just stay like this for a little while?” she asked softly. Heather wrapped her arm around Vanessa, pulling her close.
“We can stay as long as you want,” she answered.
They sat wrapped up in each other under the night sky, the rest of the world fading away. Heather was enveloped in Vanessa’s warmth, until she was struck with the realization that Vanessa might think Heather was bringing her back to her own place. As in her own one-bedroom apartment.
“I uh…” Heather started, not wanting to ruin the moment, but she had to say it. “I have roommates.”
“I figured,” Vanessa said softly without moving. She lifted her head then to meet her gaze. “It’s New York.” The lines around her eyes fanned out as she smiled. “I imagine that I’d have roommates too if I lived here. Do you like them?”
Heather blinked, exhaling slowly. “Yeah. They’re solid. They pay their bills on time. We’re friendly, I would say, so yeah.”
“Were you worried? About impressing me?”
Heather pursed her lips together. “Yeah. I was.”
“Don’t be.”
Vanessa gently rested her hand on Heather’s cheek, guiding their lips together. Heather leaned in and kissed her back, soft and tentative.
They broke apart slowly, foreheads touching, caught up in the intimacy of the moment. “I’d love to see your place,” Vanessa said, her voice low.
Heather kissed her again. How could she not? Heather knew then that this was more than just attraction or infatuation. The spark between them went beyond anything she’d ever felt before.
As they walked hand in hand back to the subway, Heather knew she was falling hard and fast for this captivating, beautiful woman.
22
Vanessa got to her coffee shop early on Sunday morning, trying not to feel too disappointed that she wasn’t seeing Heather this weekend. It was slightly unrealistic to think that they’d see each other every weekend.
She gave Danny a smile as he came in a few minutes later. This wasn’t the first time that she’d had to change her plans because she didn’t have enough staff to cover when someone called in sick. She’d have to talk to Danny about their numbers and what he thought about hiring some more college students now and have them settled in by the time summer arrived.
“Morning boss,” Danny said, breezing past her as she took the chairs down from on top of the tables.
“Morning.” Vanessa moved behind the counter, going through the familiar motions of preparing for opening. She ground the beans for the day’s first batch of coffee and inhaled the rich, earthy aroma.
There would be other weekends, she reminded herself.
The morning rush came and went in a blur, and around noon, things slowed to a lull. Vanessa wiped down the tables while she waited for the next wave of customers and her barista went on her lunch break. She didn’t turn when the door chimed, but then a familiar voice filled the quiet space.
