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"It's not much, but I like being so close to Sweet Delights," Eva explained as she unlocked the door and gestured for Claire to enter first.
Claire stepped inside the small apartment and smiled. "It's wonderful," she said sincerely, taking in the brightly painted walls, plush sofa, and kitchenette.
Eva breathed a small sigh of relief, glad Claire wasn't judging the limited space. She watched as Claire made herself at home, trailing her fingers over the art prints and photos adorning the walls.
"Thank you again for dinner," Claire said, settling onto the couch. "Everything was delicious, especially the tiramisu."
"Of course, I'm so glad you enjoyed it," Eva replied, joining her. She loved seeing Claire in her personal space, looking utterly comfortable and content.
"Let me make you some tea, okay?" Eva said gently. Claire had played it off, she'd tried to seem brave, but Eva knew that Peter's interruption had shaken her. Eva was far more used to Peter, and all the other homophobic morons, in town and was less surprised by his outbursts, but was no less annoyed by his interruption.
Claire nodded. "I'd love a cup," she said.
Eva busied herself in the kitchen preparing two cups of tea, trying to calm the butterflies that were now flitting about in her stomach.
The tea was ready a few minutes later. "I hope chamomile is alright," she called, bringing the two steaming cups into the living room and handing one to Claire.
"Chamomile is perfect, thank you."
They sat together, the silence between them stretching out.
"I just don't understand how you can be so calm after the horrible things Peter said. Aren't you upset too?" Claire asked her.
Eva nodded. "I am. But I'm also, sadly, used to him. He's always been terrible. Always. His idle threats don't faze me anymore."
"You shouldn't have to be so accustomed to cruelty," she said fiercely.
"I'm so sorry you've dealt with him before," Claire said, rubbing a comforting hand up and down Eva's back. "But I'm glad to know his bark seems worse than his bite at least."
Eva nodded. "Exactly. He'll stomp and shout but it rarely goes beyond that." She tucked a lock of hair behind Claire's ear. "But that doesn't mean he didn't scare you," she said, voice softening. "He shouldn't have done that, he had no right."
"I'm fine, Eva," Claire insisted, though her smile was shaky.
"I just hate the way he treated you, and that he had the nerve to interrupt our date." Eva sighed, shaking her head.
Claire gave her an understanding smile. "It's not your fault. And I'm just grateful I have someone to support me through all this. There have been a lot of changes recently. All of them good though." She took Eva's hand and kissed her palm.
Claire took a deep, shaky breath. "I really have grown to love it here, and almost all of the people here. You're a huge part of the reason I'm so happy here, you know," she added.
Eva grinned. "So are you, you make me happier than I've been in a long time."
Claire relaxed against her. "Really?"
Eva nodded, eyes bright with affection. "Yes, really. Do you want to go sit outside on the balcony?" Eva asked her. It was a nice night, maybe the last truly warm evenings they would have now that the chill of fall was coming in.
Claire nodded. "Let's take our tea though."
Eva led her out to the small balcony off the living room. She settled down onto one of the cushioned chairs. Claire joined her, sitting on her lap with Eva's arms securely around her.
They sat quietly, enjoying the soft sounds of the night and the warmth of each other.
"What were you like in school?" Claire asked, tilting her face toward the star-strewn sky.
"Not that much different from now, I guess," Eva replied.
"Me neither. I've always been quiet, always into art. David had to make the first move." She chuckled, her voice tinged with pain. "I don't think I'll ever really get over him. And I'm sorry to drag that into us and what we're becoming."
Eva gave her a gentle squeeze. "You two were married for a long time and then you lost him tragically. I wouldn't expect to take his place and I don't ever intend to erase him. You can always talk about him with me. Bring him into what we are. He's a part of you."
