Page 51 of A Little Light

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Andi settled back on the couch, feeling at home here for the first time. Perhaps having someone around helped, she didn’t know, but she wasn’t allowing it to invade her thoughts. Things felt good, positive, and that was all she needed to focus on.

Rachel was upstairs, changing into a pair of sweatpants and a hoodie, while Andi gave her food the chance to digest. Who made such a hearty meal for the woman they were interested in? Maybe next time, she would opt for a chicken salad or something much lighter. Though, judging by how Rachel almost licked the plate clean, she’d won with her choice for dinner.

Footsteps in the hallway caught her attention, and as Rachel walked into the living room, Andi’s breath almost caught. Who knew the sexy escort could pull off comfort so well. Rachel had pulled her hair up into a bun, her makeup still present, her hands not visible and covered by the cuffs of Andi’s hoodie. “Does it fit okay?”

“Yeah. It’s comfy. That’s the main thing.”

“Have a seat.” Andi nodded next to her, hoping Rachel chose the seat beside her.

Rachel sunk down into the couch, bringing her knees up to her chest. Andi caught her inhaling the fabric of Andi’s hoodie, smiling to herself. It had been some time since anyone wore her clothes. She had to say she enjoyed seeing it again.

“Have you heard anything from that client you had trouble with?”

Rachel toyed with the cuff. “No. Thank God. As you know, they’ve been blacklisted, so it’s not likely that they’ll contact me. Or the agency, for that matter.”

“Good.”

“I’m always wary when I take new clients on. I guess she just slipped the net this time.”

Andi slid a hand to Rachel’s knee. “So long as you’re as safe as you can be.”

“Always. It’s my number one rule. If I don’t feel safe, the meeting doesn’t go ahead. I don’t care how much they’re offering me.”

Andi admired Rachel for what she did. She appreciated that she could hold conversations with anyone and everyone. She was sure Sally and Claire would have something to say about Rachel’s profession, but she could only hope it was something positive. Either way, it didn’t really matter. Andi was fond of Rachel, and this was her life alone. She didn’t care for people’s opinions anymore.

“When we met, you said that you’d been the younger woman before. Obviously, I know about your past now, but I wanted to ask how that was for you?”

“After a little while, it wasn’t something I worried about anymore. I don’t believe Jane did, either. Why do you ask?”

“Just curious, I guess. You’ve been there before.”

Andi nodded slowly. While she would love to know Rachel on a deeper level, she also wanted to be sure Rachel felt okay with all of this. “I’m not expecting you to want a relationship with me. I’d love to date and see where it went, but if you have reservations, I understand.”

“No, that’s not it. I don’t go around kissing women for the sake of it, Andi. I am interested in you.”

That settled Andi a little.

“I guess what I wanted to ask…was how you now feel being the older woman?”

“Again, it’s not something I’ve really thought about. I will admit that I did at first, when I realised I was attracted to you, but Sally quickly helped in that department.”

“You were worried?” Rachel asked, turning on her side to face Andi better. She curled her legs to the side of her, her wine glass sitting on her thigh where she held it.

“I think I’m just aware of the potential complications of an age gap relationship. I know I’m a lot older, which means you and I could very well find ourselves in the same position I found myself in with Jane.” Andi cleared her throat. “Having said that, either one of us could be gone tomorrow, so the worry and uncertainty is kind of pointless.”

“I agree.”

“It’s important that I know you’re comfortable. And it’s important that you know I wouldn’t hold it against you if you decided this wasn’t for you. If you’re here tonight to let me down gently, that’s also okay.”

“Oh, I’m not.” Rachel shifted on the couch, placing her wine down. She smiled in Andi’s direction, moving closer. “The last thing I’m here to do is let you down gently.”

“Really?” Andi narrowed her eyes.

“Mmhmm. Really.” Rachel brought her hand to Andi’s cheek, caressing her skin. “You’re so beautiful. I hope you know that.”

Andi flushed, her eyes switching from Rachel’s to her lips. “Right back at you.”

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