“Wow! Tell me how you really feel.”

  Arwen leaned back in her chair.

  “Arwen, she’s not special,” Zara told her. “She’s just a woman. She has money, so she can make things happen, and it sounds like you’re falling for that.”

  “Falling for that? What does that mean, Zara?”

  “That it’s not real. She’s rich and has property all over the world, probably. Right? Her company is global. How long is she really here for? She’ll just leave after some big business deal. No offense to this city, but it’s not exactly Paris, and as far as I know, she’s not a politician. Didn’t she just move from Paris? Supposedly, the most beautiful city in the world.”

  “Yes,” Arwen said, doubt seeping in a little because of Zara’s words. “But she bought a house here. I was there last night. Zara, she bought new furniture for me.”

  “What?”

  “She had leather furniture before, but when she and I first met, she got rid of it all and replaced it with stuff that didn’t come from an animal. She did that for me because she wanted me to feel comfortable in her house. Why would she do that if she’s leaving or not serious about me?”

  “She’s got money. That furniture is probably in storage now, so she can pull it out whenever she wants.”

  “Zara, where is this coming from? That’s not who Iro is. She didn’t even have to tell me about the furniture. I went there for the first time last night, and I would’ve had no idea that she’d gotten rid of the other stuff. She only told me because she wanted me to know that this is serious for her. It’s serious for me, too.”

  “Serious? It’s been a few dates at most, Arwen.”

  Arwen sighed and said, “Zara, I’m in love with her.”

  Zara stiffened instantly and leaned all the way back in her chair.

  “I know this might be hard because I’ve never been this serious about something before, and I know you and I have always had each other, but that doesn’t have to change, okay? Iro and I are serious. I’m in love with her, and I want to be with her. It might seem fast, but I can’t help how I feel. She’s not just some rich woman with a few special skills that make me go weak in the knees or something. I’m not going to wake up one morning, and she’s just moved back to Paris and forgotten all about me. We talk, Zara. We talked for hours last night, and she’s who I want.”

  “And I bet the sex is good,” Zara stated.

  “Zara!” Arwen half-yelled. “What is wrong with you? This isn’t who you are. If you’re mad that I’m dating someone, fine, but you don’t have to be a bitch about it. Oh, and for your information, we haven’t done that yet. We’ve been waiting.”

  “Waiting?” Zara asked, looking confused now and maybe a little softer again.

  “We want to be together first.”

  “You’re not together already?”

  “No, we wanted to take it slow.”

  “Your idea?” Zara asked.

  “No, hers, but I agreed with it. We both wanted to make sure that we were ready.”

  “I see,” Zara said and looked around the kitchen. “Well, then, I take back my sex comment.”

  “Thank you, I guess,” she said and picked up her own coffee cup. “I don’t know what to do here, Zara. I don’t want things to be weird between us, but I want to be with Iro. And I’d like you to get to know her so that you can see that she’s really just a normal, genuine person who, yes, happens to have money, but she works really hard for it, too.”

  Zara laughed and said, “Sure. Maybe sometime in the future. I’m not sold yet.”

  “Sold on what, exactly?”

  “That this thing between the two of you is going to work out. It’s too new, Arwen. You get infatuated with women, and it never works out.”

  “I’m not infatuated with her. I’m in love with her, and I think I have been since I first saw her.”

  “Oh, come on… You’ve never believed in that love-at-first-sight stuff. Now, you suddenly do?”

  “I didn’t believe it because it hadn’t happened to me at that point, but it has now. And I’m not sure what is going on with you, but I don’t appreciate you treating me like this, Zara. Iro aside, I’m your best friend, and I don’t deserve this.”

  Zara sighed and said, “You’re right. I’m sorry. I’m dealing with some stuff right now, and I’m taking it out on you.”

  “What stuff? Talk to me. I’m here. We can grab a drink tonight or just hang out at your place or mine and talk about whatever you want. I won’t bring Iro up once, if that’s what you need.”

  Zara swallowed hard and said, “Maybe. I’ll have to let you know. I have those plans, remember?”

  “Yeah,” Arwen said, defeated, just as someone walked through the open door of the kitchen.

  “I was told Arwen Lam is in here,” a guy said.

  Arwen and Zara looked up and saw him holding a vase, green this time, with at least two dozen deep-red roses.

  “Oh, my God,” Arwen said.

  “Is that you?” the guy asked.

  “Yes,” she answered.

  “Of course,” Zara muttered under her breath, but Arwen still heard her.

  “You can just set them down here, I guess,” Arwen told him.

  “Sign here, please,” he said.

  Arwen did and went to see if she had any cash on her at all.

  “My purse is in my office.”

  “It’s okay. Tip was taken care of in advance.”

  Arwen could swear that she heard Zara’s eyes roll.

  “Okay. Well, thank you,” she said before the delivery guy walked out of the room, leaving them alone again. “I can’t believe she keeps doing this. I don’t have any space left to put these.”

  She smiled at the roses and pulled out the card to read to herself.

  “Let me guess… It’s a love poem,” Zara said.

  Beautiful Arwen,

  I loved our night last night, as well as waking up next to you this morning. I would like to request that you join me again at my home tonight for dinner and a quiet night in, where we can talk in front of the fire and sip delicious wine. And, if you would be so kind, please also pack a bag.

  Iro

  Arwen smiled at how Iro worded the note as if she were a lord inviting a lady to supper or something. She tucked the card into her pocket, not wanting Zara to see it and make yet another disparaging comment about Iro.

  “I’m sorry about that, too,” Zara said.

  “It’s fine,” she replied, although it wasn’t. “I should get these to my office. Can’t leave them out here all day.”

  “Did you ride your bike today?” Zara asked.

  “No, I took the train.”

  “Do you want a ride home so that you can take those with you?”

  “I think I’ll ask Iro to pick me up. Easier that way. She can take me home to drop these off, and I get a bag or something.”

  “So that you can stay the night at her place again?”

  “Yes,” Arwen said as she reached for one of the roses, wanting to breathe it in and think of Iro. “Ouch!”

  “What?” Zara asked.

  “Shit. They didn’t remove all the thorns on this one, I guess.”

  She put her thumb in her mouth and sucked a little, and Zara’s eyes went both dark and wide.

  “What?” Arwen asked. “It’s just a little poke. I’m fine. I should probably tell her to stop sending me these, though, since they’re delivered in gas-guzzling vans and are literally cut from–”

  “I just… I need to go.”

  Zara stood quickly.

  “Hey, are you okay?”

  “I have a thing with blood.”

  “You do? Since when?” she asked.

  “Always!” Zara exclaimed loudly.

  “Okay. Well, let me wrap it in a paper towel or something. I really went in there trying to smell the damn things, and it’s pretty deep.”

  “I’m going to my desk,” Zara said.

  “Why don’t you just sit down? I can see if we have any juice in here or something. Would that help?” She wrapped her thumb in a paper towel and pulled open the fridge. “No juice. Want to steal someone’s soda? I will get a new one to replace it when I go to lunch or bring one in tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be fine. I just need some fresh air.”

  Zara didn’t say anything else before she hurried to open the closet door off the kitchen, which they used for storage, and walked into it.

  “Zara! That’s not fresh air.”

  “I’m… getting supplies first.”

  Zara slammed the door shut between them.

  Arwen closed the fridge, not knowing what to do now. Clearly, something was going on with Zara, but the woman didn’t want to talk to her about it, which probably meant she had no one to talk to about it at all. Arwen would give her a little space and hope Zara would tell her what was happening soon.

  Having checked her thumb, she found that the bleeding had stopped, so she tossed the paper towel in the trash and walked to the wall-mounted first-aid kit. She put a Band-Aid on it and left the kitchen, first with her flowers and then returning for her coffee. The storage door was still closed, and Zara wasn’t at her desk, so Arwen assumed she was still in there.

  “Zara? Are you okay?”

  “Yes,” Zara said. “Just grabbing a few things while I’m in here so that I don’t have to come back.”

  “Okay,” she said and walked out of the kitchen. “You had to grab those things with the door closed?” she muttered to herself and shook her head.

  When Arwen got to her office, it was already filled with the sweet scent of roses, and it made her smile. She decided to send Iro a text message to thank her.

  Arwen Lam: Sweet Iro, I’ve never met anyone like you before. You are thoughtful, kind, and beautiful. I would love to join you tonight for dinner and plan to pack a bag.

  Then, she remembered something else.

  Arwen Lam: Oh, and can you pick me up from work? I took the train, and someone delivered the largest bouquet in the world that I don’t want to have to hold for the ride. We can go to my place first, and I can pack. Also, sorry; I don’t know how to make that sound romantic and fancy.

  Seconds later, her phone dinged.

  Iro Black: Beautiful Arwen, your chariot will be outside your office building at any time you desire. Simply confirm, and I’ll ensure its timely arrival.

  Arwen laughed and typed her response. Then, she sat back and watched through her open door, which had a view across the office and into the kitchen, as Zara emerged from the closet, holding a ream of paper. Arwen sighed, wondering what was going on with her friend.

  CHAPTER 22

  Iro

  “Your chariot, Madam,” Iro said and winked at her.

  Arwen shook her head and handed her the giant vase.

  “You’re carrying this.”

  Iro laughed, nodded for Arwen to get into the car, and as she turned to get in after her, she noticed Zara through the window, staring at them. She was by a desk that was possibly her own, so she was far away, and when she noticed Iro looking back at her, she looked away.

  “Is Zara okay?” she asked Arwen once she was inside the car and had the flowers at her feet.

  “No, I don’t think so.”

  “What’s going on?”

  Arwen sighed and replied, “Can we not talk about her tonight? I just want to focus on us. I’ve had a long day on a case, and Zara’s been weird. I just want a night with you now. Dinner, movie, whatever you want. Just you.”

  Iro smiled at her and asked, “Do you like poetry?”

  “Poetry?” Arwen asked back.

  “Yes. I love reading poetry, and I write it myself sometimes, too,” Iro shared. “I’m no master, but I was thinking I could maybe read some from the masters to you while we stare at the fire. Would that help you relax?”

  “That sounds amazing, actually. Although I should tell you, I’m not a big aficionado or anything, so I hope you don’t expect me to name that poet or something,” Arwen said and placed her head on Iro’s shoulder as the car pulled out into traffic.

  Iro kissed the top of her head and said, “No.” Then, she smelled something and looked down. “Did you cut yourself?” she asked and picked up Arwen’s hand, holding it in her own.

  “Yeah. I just poked my thumb on one of the roses. It’s fine now, but they must have forgotten to remove the thorns. Also, please stop getting me flowers. I have nowhere to put them.”

  Iro kissed her palm and asked, “What do you want instead?”

  “Poetry sounds nice,” Arwen replied.

  Iro stared down at the Band-Aid and saw the smallest bit of blood from the outside. She swallowed, and her heart raced in her chest.

  “Are you okay?” Arwen asked, looking up at her.

  “Yes,” she said and kissed Arwen’s palm again. “Let’s go home, shall we?”

  Arwen smiled, and Iro knew it was because of her use of the word ‘home.’ It sounded nice to Iro, too.

  ◆◆◆

  At her house, Iro carried a glass of red wine over to Arwen, who stared at it before taking it from her.

  “How much did this one cost?”

  “Arwen, it’s vegan wine. Just drink it.”

  “Is it thousand-dollar vegan wine?”

  “No,” she replied. “But even if it were, you deserve it.”

  She moved to sit next to Arwen on the sofa and set her own glass on the table, choosing the wine tonight instead of her usual drink because it felt more romantic to share wine with Arwen. Then, she let Arwen put her legs into her lap as Arwen lay down. They had done this the previous night, and she loved that Arwen just immediately knew to lie down so that Iro could take off her shoes and rub her calves.

  “How was your day?” she asked. “And are you starving? I can start on dinner now if you want.”

  “I ate a late lunch, so I’m okay. And I’d rather not talk about work, if that’s okay. It was fine; just exhausting. My job is a lot of paperwork and research, and some days are easier than others. Today was one where I was annoyed because I couldn’t find what I needed. I did eventually, and now, I’m here with you, and I am very happy.” Arwen took a sip and closed her eyes. “This is really good.”

  “Yes, it is,” Iro replied, not talking about the wine.

  She ran her hands up and down Arwen’s legs, trying not to tempt herself too much by reaching under the flowing skirt Arwen had worn that day. It was pretty adorable on her, with its floral pattern and pockets.

  “Why do your hands feel so good on my body?” Arwen asked, still with her eyes closed.

  “I love your body. Maybe that’s why.”

  “You haven’t even seen most of it.” Arwen chuckled as she opened her eyes.

  “I love how it feels when I touch you,” Iro told her and ran her hands up a little higher. “It’s soft in the right places. Firm in others.” She winked. “You have curves and plains that I want to run my hands all over, and my lips crave you, beautiful Arwen. I want to caress every part of you so that you know how much you’re wanted; how much I need you.”

  “Jesus,” Arwen let out, and Iro watched her clench her thighs.

  “I don’t want anyone else, Arwen. You know that already.” Her hand moved to the inside of Arwen’s thigh. “I’ll happily wait as long as you want, and I know you had a long day, but sweetheart, I’m ready if you are.”

  “You are?” Arwen asked. “Just last night, you said you weren’t. What changed?”

  “I sat behind my desk at work today and interviewed a man for a role at the company. He started talking about his wife and told me that they bought a house recently and plan to get a dog next. He mentioned something about wanting children as well, and I thought about how all of that could happen for him, but that also, it might not. Even if you think you have all the time in the world, you never really do, do you? Something could always happen. Something could get in the way of your plans, of what you want.” She moved on top of Arwen and heard her gasp. “I don’t want to wait anymore. I don’t want to lose any time we have to be together, and I do want us to be together, Arwen. You’re mine. I’m yours. We belong to each other, and I want all the things we want together.”

  “And you’re sure? I’ll wait, Iro. If you’re old-fashioned, I’ll be old-fashioned with you.”

  Arwen wrapped her arms around her neck.

  “I don’t want to read you poetry tonight, beautiful Arwen. I want us to make poetry together.”

  Arwen sighed and said, “You’re… I just… How did I find you?”

  “I don’t know. But I am grateful you did.” Iro lowered her lips and hovered them above Arwen’s. “I know how this will sound to you because you think I’m but thirty-one years young.” She smiled against Arwen’s lips. “But in all my life, Arwen, I have never felt how you make me feel. And I know we only just met, but I look forward to many more days and nights together just like this.”

  She pressed her lips to Arwen’s, and Arwen opened to her. Their tongues joined, and soon, Arwen was pushing at her jacket until it was on the floor next to the sofa. When Iro disconnected their lips, Arwen sighed in protest, but Iro only stood and bent down. Her arms went under Arwen, and she lifted her.

  “Oh, my God,” Arwen said as Iro carried her to the bedroom.

  Iro knew the path well already, so she didn’t need to see where she was going. She reconnected their lips until she had to reluctantly place Arwen on the bed, and Arwen sat up immediately and reached for Iro’s shirt. Her eyes were glued to the buttons she was slowly undoing, and when her lips pressed to the revealed skin, Iro closed her eyes and ran her hands into Arwen’s hair.

  “You’re so soft,” Arwen said softly. “I want to feel you against me.”

  “Yes,” Iro said on a breath.

  She rolled her shoulders back to let her shirt fall to the floor, and Arwen’s hands moved to her slacks, which she also undid slowly. Then, Arwen’s lips were on the move again, kissing Iro’s hip bones, her abdomen, and finally, her pants were in a puddle on the floor at her feet. She’d already removed her own shoes, so she took care of her ankle socks and stood there in only her boxer briefs.