Page 13 of A Little Light

Rachel cocked her head, a brow quirked.

“Ah. You.” Andi regarded her with a shy smile when Rachel kept her gaze firmly on her. Those eyes…what the hell was she doing? “Sugar in your coffee?”

“Sweet enough, thanks.”

This wasn’t how she expected the evening to be. Was this the woman Rachel truly was deep down? If so, she was too hot to handle as she sat at Andi’s kitchen island. “G-got it.” Andi turned her back and clenched her hands into fists. The whole flustered Andi was coming out of her for the first time in twenty-odd years. She didn’t know how to deal with it. She…wasn’t sure she wanted it, either. “What time do you start work?”

“Seven.”

“Well, you’re welcome to stay here until you have to leave.” Why the hell had Andi said that? It wasn’t normal for her to feel this way, and the longer Rachel was around, the harder it was going to be to get those incredibly long legs out of her mind.

Jane would be disgusted.

Andi could lie to herself all day long, but she knew using Jane as an excuse was poor. If this was who Andi found herself attracted to, then Jane would support her. Everyone would. She…hoped.

“Are we still on for Friday?” Rachel suddenly spoke, reluctantly bringing Andi from her confusing thoughts. “I’d hope we are.”

“We are, yes. Did you have anywhere in mind?” Andi asked, her back still to Rachel. If she didn’t look at her, she couldn’t find her desirable. “It’s been a while since I went out for dinner, so I really couldn’t recommend anywhere.”

“I know the perfect place. But it’s a surprise, so you have to trust me, okay?”

Andi turned around this time. Only when she did, she caught Rachel staring at her backside. An unusual feeling coursed through Andi. Was that how it felt to be checked out by another woman these days? “O…kay.”

“You’ll trust me?” Rachel’s azure eyes shone with excitement.

“I guess I don’t have any other choice.”

Rachel feigned offence, a hand placed to her chest. “You guess you don’t have any other choice? I’m not going to manhandle you into a restaurant and a seat at a table if you don’t want to be there.”

“No, I do. I trust you. This just feels…I don’t know.” Andi exhaled a frustrated sigh. She was fed up with not knowing what she was doing now. She was fifty; she was more than capable of figuring her new life out. She lifted a hand between them. “I’m looking forward to it. Okay?”

“Good. Now, should we sign this paperwork?”

Another deep breath exhaled, followed by a nod. Andi was ready. “Yes. Let’s sign.”

Chapter 5

Rachel smiled as she watched her client walk away. The chill in the air tonight was not ideal for what she was wearing. Yes, dressing up in fancy clothes in the winter was a hazard of the job. But her clients appreciated it; it gave them something to admire, and in return, it made Rachel feel good about herself. That was until she went outside and almost froze her nipples off time and time again. She would never learn.

As she turned to head for the taxi rank, her phone buzzed in her hand.

Hi. Sorry for texting unexpectedly, but I wondered if you had plans tonight? Andi.

Rachel frowned, turning her watch towards herself. Why was Andi contacting her at nine in the evening? Shouldn’t she be wrapped up in her pyjamas by now? Rachel certainly wished she was.

Hey! I’ve just finished with my last client of the night. Is everything okay?

Rachel didn’t want to admit it, but hearing from Andi had put a smile on her face. That woman was really brightening her days lately. A week on since they’d met, and she had a fairly obvious spring in her step.

I did something spontaneous.

Okay. And did you get into some kind of trouble that you need help to get out of?

No. I wondered if you wanted to join me. I’m in the city at a German bar…alone. How depressing!

A thrill rushed through Rachel at that simple offer. How could she refuse joining Andi when she’d taken it upon herself to go out and try to enjoy her evening? She couldn’t…and she wouldn’t.

Which one are you at? I can be there in a few minutes.

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