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“What do you mean maybe? That’s the best way to tell a girl you love her sometimes. Not all the time, but it sounds like you both need it.”

“Yeah…probably. What should I do on a date?”

Lila hummed as she thought. What would she do on a date? What was she doing that night? It was a last minute date, so she hadn’t had a lot of time to prepare or plan for anything. “Do what I did the other night. Make one of her favorite meals, set the table, light candles. Yes! All the candles.”

Heidi giggled. “We don’t have many candles.”

“Why not? I can bring you some to borrow if you want. I have tons.”

“I think I can get my own, but thank you for the offer.”

“Right, so candles. Your preferred perfume everywhere so she can’t escape you—”

“This sounds like a seduction.”

“Well, it is. All dating is a seduction of some sort. You want to seduce her into listening, into caring, and she likewise. It’s not just about sex though, it’s about being seduced into the depth of a connection with each other.”

“I guess you’re right.”

“I am right.” Lila wrinkled her nose at herself. “I do hate to cut this short, but I have to get ready for tonight.”

“That’s okay, thanks for answering when you did.”

“Anytime for you, Heidi. Please know that, and please trust it. I will answer for you, and I wish you’d talk to someone about what happened to you. If not her, then me. I’m here to listen if you want, and I do understand some of it even if I haven’t experienced the exact same thing you have.”

Heidi sucked in a breath. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Lila smiled. “And I do hope you’ll call soon. If not, I’ll have to call you.”

Laughing, Heidi answered, “I wouldn’t mind that, you know.”

“Wouldshe?” Lila waited with anticipation for an answer, not wanting to cross any boundaries that were invisible to her in Heidi’s relationship. She always was careful. She always asked. She always made sure.

“No, she wouldn’t mind.”

“Good.” Grinning, Lila looked out the front window of her apartment to the darkening sky. “I look forward to it then, and maybe you and I can do lunch or dinner sometime.”

“I would like that.”

“Awesome. I’ll talk to you later, Heidi.” Lila loved the way her name rolled off her tongue, the feel of it as she said the word.

“Bye.”

Hanging up, Lila sighed and sat in the moment for a few minutes before forcing herself to get up and finish putting her make up on. Like she’d told Heidi, she needed to prepare in order to seduce.

* * *

The knock on Lila’s door set her heart skittering. She walked in her colorful wool socks to the front door, opening it with a smile on her lips and a lightness to her step. As soon as she saw the woman standing on the other side with her short dark salt-and-pepper hair, her dark eyes, her short stature with wide hips, Lila knew she was done for.

“Right on time, Ann.” Grabbing Ann by the front of her shirt and pulling her forward for a deep kiss, Lila grinned. Ann molded against her, their bodies curving together as every ounce of tension released from Ann’s shoulders and went out the door.

Ann lifted a hand and curved it around Lila’s cheek, moaning lightly as she pulled back and returned the grin. “I try to be.”

Giggling, Lila stepped to the side to let Ann in the rest of the way. “I didn’t know what you’d want for dinner, so I just made enchiladas.”

“Anything will do, really. Lunch was quick and not filling.” Ann heaved a sigh and pulled at the buttons on her jacket until she got it off and hung it up in the closet by the front door.

“How was work?”