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Ainsley, a smug expression on her face, said, “Nope. In fact, I’m wondering what took you so long.”

Rachel stuck out her tongue.

“I hit a couple of red lights, smarty.”

Ainsley pulled Rachel to her, wrapped her arms around the shorter woman’s waist and gave her a kiss.

“I missed you today,” Ainsley said.

“Mm, me too,” Rachel replied.

“Let’s just spend the rest of the day together,” Ainsley went on. “The rest of my unpacking can wait. Are you free?”

“I am,” Rachel answered. She then kissed Ainsley’s neck. “So…were you thinking of spending the rest of the day together indoors or outdoors?”

Ainsley laughed, knowing what Rachel was leading up to.

“Definitely outdoors!” she said. “I’ve spent too much time cooped up inside today.”

Rachel pouted but Ainsley could tell it was only for show. She captured Rachel’s lips again for another kiss.

A couple of young guys walking by wolf-whistled.

Ainsley rolled her eyes and said to Rachel, “Come on, I want coffee.”

Inside La Vida Mocha, that super-hot barista was working again. Vanessa, she remembered the barista introducing herself the first time Ainsley came in here. The woman really was something else and Ainsley decided it wasn’t too traitorous to Rachel to enjoy the view while they waited on the ordering line. Some things just couldn’t be helped: Drooling while watching Rachel McAdams in Disobedience, for example. And appreciating the vision that was Vanessa.

She nudged her own Rachel and inclined her head towards the counter.

“She’s, like, always here. Is she the manager or something?”

“Vanessa owns the place,” Rachel told her. “And no, I don’t mind you ogling her,” she added. “I’ve even started doing that in light of recent events.” She paused. “Actually, now that I think about it, I ogled her even back when I sure I was one-hundred percent straight.”

“Is that so?” Ainsley asked, laughing.

Rachel nodded.

“Amy calls it The Vanessa Effect. And it’s totally real.”

Ainsley could believe it. She took a look around the shop. It was a pretty eclectic crowd but it was also obvious that a fair number of lesbians patronized this shop. This must be the place Krissy and Becca had told her about. If so, Ainsley guessed that Vanessa was her own best form of advertising.

“You’re becoming a regular,” Vanessa said to Ainsley when it was their turn to order, flashing an unbelievable smile.

Ainsley smiled back.

“Well, I just moved to town and it’s my girlfriend’s favorite spot,” she said, putting her arm around Rachel.

“I knew there was a reason why I kept letting her in here,” Vanessa said with a wink at Rachel. “Now, what can I get you two?”

After they placed their o

rders and as Rachel was paying, Ainsley, noticing a distinct change in the air in the coffeeshop, looked around again…and felt a chill go up her spine. Nearly all of the women in La Vida Mocha were staring at them. They weren’t even being subtle about it.

Turning to Rachel, she whispered, “Why is everybody staring at us?”

Vanessa, who had overheard, said, “Oh, don’t mind them. They’re just imagining you and I together. Happens every time you come in here.”

“What?” Ainsley exclaimed, in a little louder whisper.