Page 8 of A Little Light

Rachel shifted a little closer to Andi, clearing her throat. “Did you want to get something to eat one night after work or something?”

Andi swallowed, facing away from Rachel. Why would this woman ask her that? They didn’t know one another. Though, if Andi was being completely honest with herself, she would like to get to know Rachel.

“Obviously, you can say no. But I’m always around the city, so I thought maybe if you were at a loss and you had some time on your hands, we could do something.”

“Why?”

Rachel’s brows drew together. “Why what?”

“Why do you want to have dinner with me?” Andi knew it was entirely platonic, but it had still knocked her ever so slightly.

“Because you said that you do most things alone, so maybe it would be nice to have some company? For both of us.”

Andi needed to stop being so worried about doing things without Jane. She wasn’t coming back. She couldn’t accuse her of being unfaithful by being in the company of another woman. No, she’d asked Andi to promise her she would find someone else. That wasn’t what was happening here with Rachel, but it was where her mind first went when she’d invited Andi to dinner.

“You know, it’s okay. You don’t have to do this. I just thought it might be nice to eat out and chat.” Rachel finished her mulled wine and crushed the paper cup in her hand. “I’m going to head off and get myself some pancakes. I’ll wait to hear from you about the loft, yeah?”

Now Andi felt bad. In another life, she wouldn’t have batted an eyelid as Rachel invited her to dinner. Actually, she would be sitting here contemplating just how beautiful Rachel was. Because, yes…Rachel had that sexy, sultry look about her. But Andi couldn’t allow her mind to wander there. It wouldn’t be right.

“Take care, Andi. Get home safe.”

“Rachel, wait!” Andi rushed to her feet, taking the few steps down to meet Rachel where she stood. They could be friends. Andi needed something more than the same faces she associated with Jane. And honestly, Andi was growing quite fond of Rachel in the short time she’d known her. She seemed…interesting. “I’d like to get something to eat with you.”

“O-oh. You would?”

There was that glint in Rachel’s eyes again. It was quite adorable.

“I would. I finish work at five every evening, so it’s probably best if we work around you.”

“Maybe this Friday?”

Andi stepped closer, unsure if Rachel wanted people to know about her profession. “Wouldn’t Friday be one of your busiest nights at work?”

Rachel shrugged. “I’ll take the night off. It really doesn’t matter to me. I’ll make up for it on Saturday.”

Andi blushed ever so slightly. Someone was going to take the night off work for her? “I can’t ask you to do that. It’s your livelihood.”

“You didn’t ask,” Rachel said, reaching out and taking Andi’s empty cup from her. She disposed of them in a nearby bin, placing her hands in her pockets. “Look, you’ve got my number. If you want to do something to keep us both from sheer boredom, just let me know.”

Andi already had this woman waiting on the sale of the loft. The least she could do was decide on dinner now instead of having her wait around again. “Yeah. Let’s meet up on Friday. That will be nice.”

“Great. I look forward to it.” Rachel slid a hand from her pocket and threw a thumb over her shoulder. “Would you like to get some pancakes with me now?”

Andi’s stomach growled. She could eat, for sure. “Yes. I’d like that.”

* * *

Rachel turned and handed Andi her tray of Dutch pancakes. They’d both gone for the Nutella and banana combination, a winner in her book when it came to toppings. She spied an empty table, nodding towards it as she shoved a pancake in her mouth and moaned. “God, they’re so good. Let’s sit and enjoy them.”

Andi followed, straddling the bench seat facing Rachel and tucked right into her own portion. “I’ve missed this.”

“The Christmas market?”

Andi nodded, too busy devouring her snack to respond. Rachel watched her, warmed by the joy on Andi’s face at something so simple. Life had to have been hard for her lately. Rachel could see that without knowing much about this woman at all. But she, too, was having a lovely time. It wasn’t often she had the chance to go out with someone new, someone that wasn’t paying her. It was usually other girls from the agency, her best friend Kelly…or alone.

“This isn’t really something I do. I don’t know why, I love Christmas, but I’ve always felt as though these places were exclusively for families or lovers.”

“Yes, I understand that. It can seem that way. But Christmas is for everyone, and so are these markets.”

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