Page 16

Having your closest friend come over and seeing some unfamiliar blonde woman you slept with last night wasn't exactly the recipe for a peaceful, nice morning.

Valentina stood in the kitchen, black coffee in her hand, while Amber leaned against the counter across from her.

"It's Wednesday morning." Amber stated flatly.

Valentina nodded, taking a slow sip. "It indeed is."

It wasn't usual for her to have company on weekdays.

Sleeping with someone was rare for her—and when she did, it almost always happened on weekends.

Sex could be great, sure, but Valentina never really saw the point in having it without real connection.

The whole hookup culture felt tacky to her, almost desperate. Still, sometimes, she indulged.

Maybe it was release. Maybe it was just boredom. Some actions in life simply didn't come with an explanation.

If she had to describe last night, she would say it hadn't brought her much pleasure.

She had already erased the memory from her mind with a practiced kind of carelessness.

The blonde woman had fallen asleep almost immediately in the guest room.

After offering her some water—basic decency, nothing more—Valentina had returned to her own bed, slipping into sleep like nothing had happened at all.

Amber, being the sharp lawyer she was, was supposed to meet Valentina at SALVARE today to go over some contracts. Valentina appreciated the help-she often joked that if she ever killed someone, Amber would be her first phone call.

"You okay?" Amber asked, watching her with a look that only old friends could pull off without it feeling invasive.

Valentina chuckled, the sound deep and hoarse from sleep. It was a real laugh, not forced, and Amber took that as her answer. She was totally fine—more than fine—but even she had to admit this wasn't exactly part of her typical, structured mornings.

"What are you doing here so early?" Valentina asked, draining the last of her coffee.

"I need a ride." Amber said playfully.

Valentina smirked, already making her way toward the bathroom. "Using me?"

"Exactly," Amber called back, throwing herself lazily onto Valentina's couch.

?

Lilith's morning also looked differently than her usual one.

Even though she had to wake up early for her lectures, she finished university faster than usual today.

Some people were probably just now dragging themselves out of bed, some ordering their first coffee, some walking their dogs with bleary eyes.

Meanwhile, Lilith was already on her way to the company, holding a carefully packed box of cookies in her hands.

Surprisingly, the cookies had turned out perfect.

Despite Gabrielle almost spilling vodka into the batter.

Despite Gabrielle constantly distracting her—laughing, teasing, running her hands over Lilith's waist, ass, and breasts in the name of "helping"—Lilith had somehow managed to mix the ingredients right.

Chocolate cookies with raspberries.

Lilith's favorite.

If someone said they didn't like them, she was ready to slap them without hesitation.

Her kitchen was still full of leftovers, and she already knew what her evening would look like: curling up in bed, eating too many cookies, and probably crying a little for reasons she wouldn't be able to name.

Today, she felt painfully sensitive. Shy in a way she hadn't been in a long time. Like everyone around her was judging her more harshly than usual, like their eyes stuck to her for all the wrong reasons.

She wished she could blame it on hormones, could brush it off and say her period was coming. But she couldn't. She knew herself too well to lie like that. It wasn't hormones. It was just... her. Her complicated brain. Her too—tender heart. Maybe even her mind-whatever she was supposed to call it.

Lilith knocked softly on the big wooden door, just like usual. She heard the familiar calm voice inside—"Come in."

She entered, but froze awkwardly in place when she realized she wasn't alone with Valentina. Sitting across from Valentina's desk, casually leaned back in a chair, was the red-haired woman from the bar. Lilith recognized her immediately. The sight made her stomach twist a little.

Was she interrupting something important?

Was the woman also an architect at SALVARE?

Unfortunately, she didn't know. Gabrielle had been so chaotic that night, talking about everything and nothing with the red haired woman. Lilith just hoped Gabrielle hadn't said anything stupid or embarrassing to her.

She almost sighed in relief when the woman stood up, brushing off her jeans, and leaned down to kiss Valentina's cheek.

It was casual. Familiar.

But somehow, it made Lilith feel even shyer. And it didn't help when, on her way to the door, the woman smiled at her and said, "Hello, darling."

Lilith stiffened, feeling all too aware of the box of cookies in her hands. She stared down at them like they could save her. "Cookie?" she asked softly, her voice almost squeaky.

The woman nodded, grinning-because, really, who would say no to a free cookie? Maybe Valentina Salvatore. But normal people? No way.

Lilith opened the neatly packed box, holding it out. The woman took one, bit into it immediately, and said a little too loudly, "So good."

Lilith's face burned. She heard the door click shut behind her and finally found the courage to walk closer to Valentina's desk.

Valentina was already watching her. Not just looking. Watching.

"Hi." Lilith breathed out, sitting down in the chair the red-haired woman had just vacated. She tucked her legs up almost instinctively, bringing her knees to her chest. Her shoes made a slight sound against the seat—definitely not the most elegant posture, and not particularly polite either.

The usual rainy fall weather had surprised them today.

Soft sunlight slipped through the big glass windows, landing on Valentina's skin.

She wasn't ghostly pale like Lilith-her skin was a warm, soft tan, and under the sunlight, it seemed to almost glow.

Every time Lilith saw her, she seemed even more beautiful-like somehow, impossibly, she kept outshining Lilith's own memories.

"Cookies?" Valentina asked, her voice carrying interest.

Lilith smiled shyly. "I keep my promises." She set the box on the desk between them, resting her chin lightly on her knees.

She realized suddenly why she felt so much shyer around the woman today. When they talked before, it had always been late in the evening—when she was exhausted, too tired to overthink, too drained to care if she embarrassed herself.

But now, in the bright light of morning, she felt exposed. Raw.

She watched as Valentina reached out and took a cookie from the box. Lilith's heart pounded in her chest.

She knew Valentina liked chocolate. But what if she didn't like raspberries?

Her stomach twisted even more when Valentina murmured, examining the cookie, "Raspberries?"

Lilith nodded quickly, panicking. "You don't like them?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

But Valentina shook her head slowly and said, "I do." raising the cookie to her mouth.

Lilith let out a tiny, barely—there sigh of relief. Still, she already knew she would probably spend the evening banging her forehead against the wall, thinking about how stupid it would've been to gift the woman something she didn't like.

Without thinking, she blurted out, "Raspberries are my favorite."

The words hung awkwardly between them.

God.

Why would she say that?

Who cared what her favorite fruit was?

No one gave a fuck about it.

She wanted to physically slap herself across the face.

But Valentina just nodded—a warm, slow nod. Lilith noticed that about her. Valentina nodded in different ways: sometimes dismissively, sometimes approvingly, sometimes thoughtfully. This one felt... warm.

Lilith started nervously picking at the skin around her cuticles as Valentina quietly ate the cookie. It was torture for Lilith—the silence, the way Valentina's eyes flickered to her every now and then, calm and unreadable.

But then, finally, Valentina spoke, her voice smooth and easy. "How was the night with your friend?"

Lilith lighted up softly, ready to talk the woman's ear off.

"It was great, I didn't drink much though," she said, her voice bright and easy.

"I had lectures early today and I listened about some experiment with pets and.

.. I want a cat even more now," she pouted slightly before adding with a small smile, "but today's mission is delivering cookies. "

She hoped, deep down, that the woman didn't mind her talking.

Didn't mind her even opening her mouth at all.

But Valentina looked like she was listening to every single word—not just hearing, but actually listening, her eyes focused intently on her like she was the most interesting thing in the room.

"And who's left on your list?" Valentina asked, her voice carrying genuine curiosity, like she truly wanted to know who else Lilith had planned to give cookies to.

"Oscar." Lilith answered easily, and a soft smile tugged at Valentina's mouth.

"Bribing him with cookies? I like that.'' she said smoothly.

Lilith giggled softly, her cheeks warming, but Valentina wasn't done.

"And a cat?" she added, tilting her head just slightly.

Lilith shifted, gently brushing her cheek against her knees as she rested her head to the side. "I live alone, so... having a furry friend would be so sweet," she admitted quietly. Then after a pause, she added in an even softer voice, "But I would be scared it wouldn't love me."

Valentina laughed-a deep, real laugh, like she genuinely found it absurd. "I don't think it's possible," she said, and Lilith wanted to melt into the chair.

Valentina Salvatore thought a cat would love her.

That thought alone could carry Lilith through an entire winter.

Their conversation drifted, easy and unforced, with Valentina telling her about Amber and the contracts they were reviewing.

Lilith listened intently, genuinely interested in every word, but another part of her couldn't stop wondering.

She wanted so badly to see one of Valentina's own projects—something she had projected, designed, shaped fully with her own hands.

A tiny, guilty thought flickered through Lilith's mind. Maybe she was wasting the woman's time. It wasn't even after work hours yet. Valentina probably had a mountain of tasks waiting for her, and here Lilith was, babbling about cats and cookies.

She also craved nicotine so badly it almost hurt.

And Valentina, somehow—terrifyingly—noticed. It was almost scary how fast she picked up on Lilith's little shift.

Valentina asked softly, her voice almost tender, "What?"

Lilith laughed under her breath, unsure, knowing it would sound absurd no matter how she phrased it. "Could I, um... vape here?" she asked, a little laugh escaping her lips, and Valentina nodded.

Lilith stared at the nod, trying to decipher it. This time, she couldn't quite figure it out. Was it just a neutral one? Approval? Disapproval? She knew it would probably keep her up at night, thinking about it.

She reached her pale, small hand under her soft white sweater and the thin top she wore underneath, slipping it into the space between her clothes and her bra—where the cherry vape was squished somewhere between her bra and her breasts, which were proportionally big for her short, curvy frame.

Valentina raised a perfect eyebrow, questioning silently.

"What? I don't have any pockets," Lilith said innocently, because it was simply true. She mostly wore skirts, and none of them had pockets, sadly.

She vaped quietly, letting the sweet cherry scent float lazily in the air, while Valentina picked up an elegant pen and started writing something on the papers spread across her desk, glancing at Lilith from time to time.

Lilith sat there for a moment, fidgeting with the little vape, before she said—more asking than offering—"I can share?"

She said it so sweetly, like she was offering something precious, something personal, like she was ready to give up a piece of herself if Valentina wanted it.

Valentina looked at the small cherry-colored vape in Lilith's hand, narrowing her eyes slightly. "I'm not really into... vapes," she said, and the way she said it—the hesitation, the faint unfamiliarity with the word, like it was her first time even saying it—made Lilith laugh quietly.

She could just imagine Valentina trying to hold a vape and it was such an abstract, surreal image that it made her heart warm a little.

"Do you smoke?" she asked curiously, genuinely interested in the answer.

"Occasionally." Valentina said, her voice casual, almost careless.

Lilith smiled softly, a knowing glint in her eye. "I knew you were cool," she said.

Valentina laughed, shaking her head gently. "You call smoking cool?"

Lilith grinned, tilting her head slightly. "I mean, the coolest bitches I know smoke, so maybe?"

She caught it immediately—the tiny frown that creased Valentina's perfect forehead when she said the curse word. It was the second time now. The second time Lilith cursed in front of her and the woman reacted like that.

Did Valentina not like cursing? Was it something that bothered her?

It was fine.

More than fine.

Lilith Hawthorne could live without saying a single curse word again if it meant Valentina wouldn't frown at her like that.

Lilith opened her mouth to ask about it, to maybe apologize or tease softly, but a knock interrupted the room.

Valentina glanced at the door, then back at Lilith, saying quickly, "Work," before calling out, "One second."

Lilith felt a pang deep in her chest. A pang of disappointment so sharp and familiar it brought her back instantly—back to little Lilith, who always got too excited over little moments, who always felt a deep, gnawing disappointment when they ended, a feeling like it still wasn't enough to fill the empty spaces inside her.

Lilith stood up, grabbing her bag with a clumsy hand, and then just stood there, awkwardly in front of the woman, frozen. She was deciding—deciding whether she should make herself hate herself even more or just turn around and leave with whatever dignity she still had.

But there was a part inside Lilith that liked making herself hate herself, that part that liked making things worse, so she asked, very awkwardly, almost stuttering, so unsure "Would you like to maybe... talk again sometime?"

Because this time Lilith had no excuse to appear in the woman's office again.

No flowers, no cookies, no apologies.

And yet, she wanted to talk to her. The small moments had been enough, sure, but maybe—just maybe—they could have a real conversation. A planned one. A longer one.

She braced herself for it-for the laugh, for the condescension, maybe even a slight humiliation, something that would remind her where she belonged.

But Valentina didn't laugh. She didn't degrade her. She just looked at her, almost casually, and said, "I'll text you, okay?"

Lilith almost nodded too eagerly, saying a fast, breathless "Okay." before turning around quickly, trying to escape the office as fast as she could, praying desperately that whoever was standing outside the door wasn't Oscar.

It wasn't Oscar. It was a man, but much taller, broader—different. And yet, in just one second, Lilith saw something familiar in him. Something that made her think of Valentina. Not in a family way. More like the way they carried themselves, the way authority clung to them without them even trying.

As she rushed past, she heard him say in a deep, calm voice, "Valentina."

Not Miss Salvatore. Just Valentina.

Was it truly work? Did they know each other?

Lilith had to leave. She had to leave so Valentina could talk to someone better. Someone who knew her more than Lilith ever could.

?

Giving Oscar his cookies went pretty good, all things considered, but she still felt like he kind of seemed annoyed with her too. Maybe not obviously. Maybe just a little. But enough for her to notice it, enough for it to fester inside her and keep poking at her until she couldn't ignore it.

She felt paranoid.

Now she was sitting in front of the mirror, staring at herself like she could find the answer there. Was it because she looked ugly today?

The same glued-on eyelashes, the same straightened hair that hung over her shoulders like always. Her outfit was also pretty much the same as it always was—short skirt, soft sweater, the same vibe she always went for. Nothing was different. Nothing was new.

Whatever this was, it needed to go away because it was pissing her off more with every passing second.

She immediately stood up as she heard a notification.

And every single thought emptied out of her head as she looked down at her phone and saw who it was from.

Valentina.

"I was thinking you might like to see a place I worked on. I'm free on Friday."

Valentina wanted to show her a place she worked on.

Lilith wanted to scream, wanted to throw her phone into the air out of pure, giddy shock as the next message popped up a second later.

"The cookies were great:)"

A smiley face.