Page 61 of A Little Light

Andi wasn’t sure Rachel had any disrespect in her. Everything had just gelled so well once they’d decided that it was worth a shot with one another. Andi didn’t worry about the length of time it had been since she dated, and Rachel didn’t worry about how Andi was feeling. Well, most of the time. “She’s a breath of fresh air.”

“I really enjoyed getting to know her at the party. She seems like exactly what you need right now. Someone who can keep you on your toes.”

Huh. Andi didn’t need that. And Rachel wasn’t that. Sally had no idea the comfortable and snuggled-up times they’d spent together. Rachel may look a particular kind of way, but she absolutely wasn’t a ‘keep you on your toes’ kind of woman. “She’s perfect for me. And while I know she has a certain appearance about her, she’s quite content with spending the evening at home with a film or a glass of wine.”

Sally shifted a little, reaching out and placing her wine on the coffee table. “And how is it being back at the loft?”

“How…is it?” Andi frowned.

“Yes. You don’t own it anymore, and it was the place you spent fifteen years with Jane.”

“Oh, it’s been fine. It’s actually nice to be there.”

Sally nodded slowly. “So long as you’re okay with it. I’m sure Rachel would be happy to come here whenever you’re seeing one another.”

Andi smiled as she looked around her living room. “What do you think of it? It feels huge, but I have plenty of space to hide all my crap.”

“I think it’s gorgeous. It may be a little big, but it’s yours, and I know you’ll feel at home here eventually.”

Andi really hoped that would happen. Her fresh start was going well so far; she would prefer if the home she was living in felt like it belonged to her. “I think it will, too. In time. And I think it’s important that I remember I don’t have to do everything at once. The house, the relationship, you know?”

“Well, I’d usually agree, but you have done it all at once. Still, it looks very good on you. You’re glowing lately, and I couldn’t be any happier about that.” Sally reached out a hand and placed it on Andi’s knee. “You know we all want the best for you. Rachel is a very good start.”

“She’s…asked me to spend Christmas with her.”

Sally’s brows rose. “Oh.”

“What’s that look? Do you think it’s a bad idea?” Andi didn’t particularly care what people thought. She would be alone, and Rachel would be alone, so why not be together instead?

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea. I just wasn’t expecting you to say that.”

Andi lifted a shoulder. “I don’t have any concrete plans, and I think it would be nice to spend Christmas together. It may be soon, but isn’t life for living?”

“It is. Absolutely.”

“Then I’m going to spend Christmas with Rachel and go from there. I just don’t know whether to do it here or at the loft. She probably wants to have her first Christmas there, don’t you think?”

“I think she would understand if you didn’t want to do Christmas there.” Sally squeezed her knee. “I know you’re comfortable there now, but Christmas could be a whole other situation. The last thing you need is to feel unsure about it and then cancel. So, I would say have the discussion with Rachel and see what comes of it.”

Andi would do that. While she enjoyed being at the loft, she wasn’t sure Christmas there with another woman was appropriate just yet. “I will. Either way, I’m sure she’ll be great about it.”

“Maybe you could do Christmas here and New Year’s Eve at the loft?”

“That’s not a bad idea,” Andi said as she tipped her wine glass towards Sally. “I suppose you’d like an invite should we do something for the new year?”

“Obviously.”

“Well, then. I guess I should have that discussion with Rachel sooner rather than later. Christmas isn’t far away, and if you and Claire join us, it’ll take me the best part of a week to get all the alcohol in.” Andi winked, receiving a slap to the knee for her comment. “I’m joking. Maybe…only slightly.”

“I like the new Andi. She’s fun again. Just the way she was way back in the day.”

Andi beamed a smile. “I like the new me, too.”

Chapter 19

Rachel smiled at a server as she passed them by, heading for the bathroom. She had another fifteen minutes with her client, and then she was going to Andi’s to surprise her. They hadn’t planned to see one another, but Rachel was beginning to understand that Andi was up for just about anything. She had a fire in her eyes lately. That smile Rachel loved so much was far more prominent than usual, and the sex? Well, Rachel enjoyed that very much.

She moved into a stall and took her phone from her clutch bag. She would never sit at a dinner table with a client—or anyone for that matter—and text, so she would do it here instead. She didn’t even need the bathroom. She just wanted to say hi to Andi.

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