Page 59 of A Little Light

“O-oh, fuck. I-I guess I should.”

Chapter 18

With their fingers laced together, Andi and Rachel walked slowly around the Christmas markets. They would soon be closing until next year. While Rachel had the chance, she wanted to be here with Andi in a different capacity. So far, it had only been as friends, but Rachel wanted to be one of the many couples enjoying themselves. She had the honour of being in that position now. Even the atmosphere had dramatically changed now that she was dating Andi. The way they walked together was different, too. Rachel didn’t know if she’d ever walked hand in hand with another woman. And if she had, it hadn’t been memorable.

“Did you need anything while we’re here?” Andi asked, squeezing her hand.

“I needed some bits and pieces, but it depends if anything catches my eye.”

Andi smiled, the tip of her nose red. “Well, then we should have a look around so you don’t miss out on anything.”

“Could we get a hot chocolate and sit for a minute before we do?” Rachel asked, wanting to mention something to Andi. “I promise not to be a bitch to you as you wait in line.”

Andi laughed as she stopped and turned to face Rachel. She leaned in and kissed her, lingering, and then touched her forehead to Rachel’s. “Only if you’re buying to apologise for that night. Since I didn’t take you up on the offer there and then.”

“You’re on.” Rachel felt her cheeks heat. Nobody had ever kissed her in public before. And not someone like Andi. Rachel wanted more, but the hot chocolate queue was growing by the second, so she tugged Andi towards it, waiting in line. “Do you feel different lately?”

“Different, how?”

Rachel smiled when Andi let go of her hand, instead wrapping her arms around her waist from behind, her chin on Rachel’s shoulder. Who knew Andi could be so adorable? “I don’t know. But things like this…make me feel different.”

Andi almost pulled away, but Rachel settled her hands over Andi’s where they rested on her stomach.

“No. Stay there. I don’t mean I feel uncomfortable. I just…you know how I said to you weeks ago that I didn’t think Christmas markets were for me? Because it’s full of couples and families…”

“Mmhmm.” Andi turned her face inwards, kissing Rachel’s neck. “I do remember.”

“Well, now it feels right. Because I’m here with you…like this.” Rachel lay her head back on Andi’s shoulder. The icy wind was biting tonight, but she didn’t care. She was warm in Andi’s arms. “I know it’s early days, but I hope we can do this again in the future, you know?” Early days…but Rachel felt as though she had known Andi for a lifetime.

Andi tightened her arms around Rachel’s waist. “I do know. And I’d love to be doing this with you next year, too. I know that’s what you’re trying to say, so I said it for you.”

“Next!”

As they shuffled forward, the woman who worked the hot chocolate hut grinned back at them. “Ah. I wondered if I’d ever see you two again.”

Rachel frowned. “I’m sorry?”

“You’re the one who told her to mind her own business back in November. I’m glad you changed your tune because you look bloody great together.”

Rachel wanted the ground to open up. “Yeah, that was me. Uh…two hot chocolates, please.” She felt Andi’s silent support in her touch, but Rachel still hated the reminder of that day. She turned her face towards Andi, smiling weakly. “I am still unbelievably sorry about that day.”

“I know. But it doesn’t really matter anymore. Look at us now.”

Rachel turned in Andi’s arms, studying her face. “I don’t want to sound too overbearing, but I wouldn’t want to be here like this with anyone else.”

“Hey,” Andi whispered as she leaned in and brushed her nose against Rachel’s. “One thing you’re not is overbearing. And I wouldn’t want to be here with anyone else either.”

Rachel couldn’t believe just how straightforward Andi was. Given the fact that she had once been married—for over twenty years—it said a lot about who she was and where she saw her future going. Rachel had read this woman entirely wrong in the beginning.

“Here you go, lovebirds. Two hot chocolates…and they’re on me.” The server placed their cups down, winking as she moved on to the next customer. “Next!”

They took their drinks, joined their hands together again, and smiled when the server caught Rachel’s eye. She mouthed ‘thank you’ and guided Andi away from the hustle and bustle. “Get that table by the heater. It’s friggin’ freezing tonight.”

Andi offered Rachel the seat closest to the heater and then sat down beside her. “What does your work schedule look like for the days leading up to Christmas?”

Rachel only had two more clients booked in. She had a few booked between Christmas and the new year, but she was mostly quiet until the holiday was over. “Not much on really. When do you close?”

“I have three days left. We shut down the day before Christmas Eve.”

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