Page 52 of A Little Light

“And I don’t care about ages, people’s opinions on our ages, or anything else. I just care that this is really what you want, Andi. That you may one day want me…”

Rather than use her words, Andi drew Rachel into a kiss. It was soft, Rachel’s lips quite something when they were giving Andi all of the attention, her mind spinning as her tongue glided against Rachel’s. “I do want you. Now, tomorrow, whenever you feel ready.”

“When I feel ready?” Rachel pulled back, frowning.

“I don’t pretend to know what you went through with your ex…your client, but I see the hesitancy in your eyes. I can wait until you feel ready to date, Rachel. I don’t need to rush into anything. I’m not going anywhere.”

“That…may be the sweetest thing anyone has ever said to me.”

Andi brushed the wisps of hair from Rachel’s face. God, she had stunning features. And her eyes? Oh, her eyes were something else. Andi suspected this woman couldn’t lie even if she tried. That said a lot about a person in Andi’s mind. Kind eyes…kind soul. “Do you have to leave any time soon?”

“No. I can stay until you kick me out.”

“How do you feel about watching a Christmas movie?”

Rachel settled against Andi, her hand on Andi’s chest. “I’d love that. It’s not something I’ve done before.”

“You’ve never watched a Christmas movie?”

“I have. Just…not with someone I enjoy kissing.”

Andi grinned at that. Still, she found it hard to believe that Rachel was always on the market. This woman in her arms was off-the-scale gorgeous. She surely had a relationship history. “Then I will make sure you enjoy it for a long time to come.” She dipped her head and kissed Rachel’s forehead. “Whatever comes of this, we watch Christmas movies together. Whether that is as friends or something else…”

“As something else,” Rachel said, palming Andi’s thigh. “Definitely as something else.”

Chapter 16

With a hand wrapped around her coffee cup, daydreaming in full swing, Andi stared out of her office window at the mostly empty desks. Jean was still working, but she often did work until the last minute. Jean was a widow too, her husband suffering a massive heart attack at just forty-one. Perhaps that was why they got along so well—they knew what the other was going through—but Jean just had that genuine nature about her anyway. Andi couldn’t recall a time when they’d had a single bad word between them.

“Are you just going to sit there all day looking at nothing?”

Andi shook herself out of her daydream. “Maybe. I haven’t decided yet.”

“What’s going on? Are you still having issues with that…escort?”

Oh, no issue here. Andi smiled. “No. Far from it.”

“Oh?” Jean rested against the doorframe, a brow lifted. “Care to tell me more?”

“I don’t even know where to begin, Jean. Rachel is just…” Andi paused, smiling as an image of them snuggling with a movie flitted into her mind. “She’s great. Really great.”

“I love this. I’m so happy you’ve found someone you can spend time with.” Jean chose to take a seat facing Andi instead. “You seemed really upset when you thought it wasn’t going anywhere.”

“To be honest, I can’t believe it is going somewhere. I certainly never expected her to kiss me at Hillary’s Christmas party. Not at all.”

“Oh, this is perfect, Andi. I’m so happy for you.”

Andi’s phone buzzed on her desk, catching her attention immediately.

Hi, pretty lady. I just wanted to drop you a message and thank you for the weekend again. I had a great time, and I’m hoping we can do it again soon.

Oh, swoon. Andi giggled to herself. She hadn’t giggled in a long time. “I don’t know what the hell is happening to my life all of a sudden, but I’m going to make the most of it.”

“Good on you. As you should. You’ve had more than your fair share of heartache, sweetie. I know that Jane would only want you to be happy. Now is your chance.”

Jane. Andi would always look back on her marriage with the most wonderful memories. Jane had been her life for so long, but Andi’s life was changing day by day. Jane would be happy for her. That hadn’t really been a question Andi asked herself a lot. Her wife had been more than forthcoming with what she expected of Andi when the time came. “You know, I never knew what to expect whenever we spoke about this kind of thing. Jane always got right into the conversation, but I always felt uncomfortable. Perhaps because she was the older of the two of us, I don’t know. But she always spoke so animatedly about it, encouraging me and whatnot, and now here I am…moving on. It’s the strangest feeling because I feel as though Jane is still here. Like, she’s rooting for me somewhere.”

“Jane had the biggest heart of anyone I know, Andi. She wouldn’t begrudge you this happiness. And you’re right. She is still here. In the little things and sometimes the big. Like this. Your new relationship. I’m a firm believer in those that have passed looking out for us, down on us, and I just know Jane was always that kind of person.”

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