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Eva shook her head. "You don't have to lie to me, I'm not that good looking. I'm too tall and my nose is crooked."
Claire got up and put her arms around her. "You're absolutely beautiful. Every part of you. Your hair, your eyes, your nose."
Eva laughed. "My nose is crooked and weird."
"No, it's perfect," Claire insisted. "Just like the rest of you."
"And what about the other parts?" Eva teased her as Claire took her into her arms.
"All of you is perfect," Claire insisted, kissing her gently.
"I could get used to being perfect," Eva replied with a smile.
"It's all true, even if you can't believe it yet," Claire said. She kissed her again, then stepped back and picked up her paintbrush. "I'm going to keep working. Will you stay with me?"
"I'd love to," Eva said, taking a seat nearby and opening her phone. Michael had texted that he would take care of the cafe and she should enjoy her day with Claire. She planned to do just that. "Michael is covering the cafe this morning, but I'll go in a little later. He's so good to me."
Claire smiled and continued painting. "He is. I'm so glad you have someone like him in your life."
Eva nodded. "Me too. It was rough, coming out, dealing with Liz. He was always there for me," Eva said, smiling. She found a soft patch in the garden and sat back, letting the sun wash over her as Claire painted.
They stayed like that for a while, until Claire was happy with her work. Then, Claire packed her things up and joined Eva in the warm spot amongst the flowers.
"Hey," Eva said, putting her arm around her.
"Hey yourself," Claire said.
Eva leaned against her, wishing they could stay like that all day.
"Hey?"
She turned, surprised to see Abby at the fence.
"Oh, good morning Abby!" Claire called to her. "This is a nice surprise. What brings you by?"
Abby gave a small smile. "Good morning, Claire, Eva. I hope I'm not intruding. I just ran out of butter and wanted to see if you had any you could spare."
Claire stood and went to the small wooden garden fence, opening it for Abby. "Of course. Come on in."
Eva got up as well. "How are you?"
"Fine," Abby said with a little shrug. "I am sorry to interrupt. You two looked really happy and peaceful in the garden."
Eva didn't have the heart to tell her that she had interrupted them. "It's completely fine." Claire led them inside into the kitchen where Daisy immediately started seeking attention. Eva picked her up, holding her close and scratching her under her chin as Claire got Abby a stick of butter.
"Here you go," she said, handing it over.
"Thank you," Abby said, taking it and clutching it to her chest.
Eva frowned. "Are you sure you're okay? You look a little pale."
"I'm fine," Abby said again. She was staring down at her feet.
Eva didn't believe her.
"You can talk to us, you know," Claire said. "Anything you tell us will be in confidence."
Abby glanced over at her. "Even from Peter?"
