Page 29 of A Little Light

Turning back into the loft, Andi closed the door and rested back against it. She took in every inch of the decor and layout, but it would be forever in her memory anyway. She couldn’t forget this place even if she wanted to. I don’t ever want to forget. She wrapped her arms around herself, sighing as she pressed her head to the back of the door.

Say your goodbyes…and start again.

* * *

Rachel was struggling to contain her excitement. In the next ten minutes, she would walk into her new loft…as the owner. The sale seemed to have happened much quicker than Rachel thought it would, she was sure it usually took longer, but maybe Andi had managed to pull a few strings to get things moving. If that was the case, Rachel had gotten really lucky in meeting Andi. She grinned at the thought of seeing her today. Few things in life made her feel this happy, but as she crossed the main road and strode through the huge gates on the dock, her palms tingled. Really, she was beside herself.

She’d tried not to be. Rachel knew Andi wouldn’t be feeling an ounce of what she felt herself, but she would tone it down the moment she knocked on the door. Andi was leaving an entire life behind today, and Rachel had to remember that above all else. She could squeal and gaze around in wonder when Andi had left. Not a moment sooner.

As the building came into view, Rachel stopped on the cobbled side road. She looked up at it, the sun shining even though it was bitterly cold on the dock today. The wind had one hell of an icy chill, but inside, Rachel felt warm and happy. She felt…settled. It didn’t matter if she hadn’t brought her belongings with her; she would do that this evening. But this was a new chapter in her life, and she was sure as hell going to make it count. Andi had loved this place, and Rachel was already head over heels for it.

She shoved her hands in her pockets, strolling towards the main entrance. When she looked up, Andi was sitting on the bench to the side. She had her head down, twisting the keys in her hands, her legs crossed.

“Andi?”

Andi looked up, her eyes bloodshot and puffy. “Hi.” She got to her feet and cleared her throat. “Here. It’s all yours now.”

Rachel took the keys from Andi’s shaking hand, a reminder of that soft skin warming her instantly. “Are you okay?”

“Yes. I’ll…email the finalised documents over to you if that’s okay?”

“Oh, of course. There’s really no rush.”

Andi offered a single nod. “Okay, well, enjoy your new home. Take care.” She stepped around Rachel and walked away, her head still down and her arms wrapped around herself.

Rachel hadn’t expected Andi to be overjoyed to see her, but she hadn’t quite expected the reception she received, either. Andi…was in a terrible state. While Rachel knew she shouldn’t, she couldn’t help but feel dreadful.

“Andi?” She called out, receiving nothing. Should she leave Andi be, or should she go after her? While things had been strained between them lately, Andi clearly needed a friend. “Andi!” She rushed after her, catching up with her across the street. “Andi, wait.”

Andi turned around, frowning. “Is everything okay?”

“I think I should be the one asking you that.”

Andi managed a tight smile. “I’m fine. Did you need something?”

“N-no.” Rachel shifted uncomfortably, shoving her new keys into her pocket. “Would you…like to get a coffee or something?”

“Why?” Andi stared back at Rachel, her eyes glazed over.

“Because…I don’t know. It seems like you may need a friend right now.” Wow, Rachel didn’t know how to approach this. Christ, she was used to striking up conversation with women, it was her bloody job, but with Andi, she felt out of practice. Out of place. “I think maybe we need to talk.”

“I don’t know what you want to talk about.”

“Then why don’t we find a coffee shop and figure it out as it happens?” Rachel dipped her head, holding Andi’s gaze before she could look away. “Hey, come on. You said it yourself…we don’t need to fall out.”

“Oh, it’s not about that. I never should have even entertained the thought. It was stupid on my part. Things just feel a little strange today, but it’s nothing a few hours at home won’t fix.”

Rachel chewed her lip, nodding. “Okay. I still would have liked to get coffee with you, though.”

“You should go and check out the loft. This is an exciting day for you; I don’t want to ruin that.”

Rachel’s heart broke at the look in Andi’s eyes. She appeared void of anything. “You haven’t, and you couldn’t ruin it. The loft will still be there when we’ve had coffee.”

Andi blinked back tears, her bottom lip trembling. “Okay. There’s a place just around the corner if that works for you?”

“That’s perfect.” As Andi turned and walked away, Rachel followed, chancing a loose arm around her waist. She leaned in ever so slightly, feeling Andi relax. “It’s going to be okay, you know. I promise you.”

“I-I know.”

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