Tuesday, April 5th 2022

Tiffany was still standing there staring, wondering what in sweet baby Jesus’ name had just transpired while Jessica took her hand and dragged her away to the other end of the change rooms. Aubrey headed off to the opposite side without even a glance back at the two women behind her.

Tiffany was just starting to blink herself out of her stupor by the time Jessica had sat her down on a bench and roused her with a gentle teasing poke to the tip of her nose.

“Tiffany…you want to wash up and change? I have reservations for us at six.”

“…”

“Tiff?”

“Jessica…?”

“Hmm?”

“What in world…?”

“I’ll explain later, but first let’s get you cleaned and dressed ok babe?”

Tiffany blushed at the term of affection. Jessica had never called her that before. She decided she liked it. The younger girl tried to concentrate on getting cleaned up and ready, pointedly ignoring the curious looks of the other girls in the change room. And definitely trying not to stare at Aubrey, who was on the far side, chatting amicably with Diana while she changed into skinny jeans and a cute knit sweater. For all the world looking as if she didn’t just have a death-match stare down with Jessica just moments ago.

By the time Tiffany was washed and done, ushered out of the theatre with a firm overprotective hand on the small of her back, she had mostly gotten her bearings back.

The two women walked hand in hand in comfortable silence. Tiffany didn’t really care where Jessica was taking her, she just enjoyed being in the older woman’s company. When they arrived at a French restaurant called Amelie, Jessica smiled at the hostess and told her the name of the reservation. They were shown promptly to their table and advised that their server would be right with them. The hostess had sat them at the very back of the restaurant, and from here Tiffany could see the restaurant in its entirety. The décor was warm and cozy, the lighting romantically dim, and the place had an almost dreamy ambiance about it. Spanning almost the entire left side of the restaurant was a wall of wine and liquor for the bar, and there were quite a few patrons trying out different wine flights and chatting most spiritedly. There were quite a few other couples seated at other tables and most had their heads close together, talking intimately and enjoying their time together. Their server came and introduced himself and asked what they would like to start with. They settled on the escargot and grilled octopus for appetizers, a flight of the full bodied red for Jessica, and a can of clementina Sanpellegrino for Tiffany as she was underage.

While they sat and waited for their appetizers and drinks, Jessica lazily drew her fingertips across Tiffany’s palm, drawing aimless designs on the younger girl’s hand while Tiffany studied her. The blonde was listening for the telltale signs that that younger was getting impatient. Tiffany shifted, fidgeting slightly. Jessica shook her head and smiled inwardly to herself, completely expecting what was about to come next.

“So…” Tiffany began, looking pointedly at Jessica, “What was that between you and Aubrey earlier?”

Jessica chuckled, “You’re not known for your patience eh? The not knowing is just killing you, isn’t it?”

“Yah…” Tiffany grabbed Jes