Page 36 of Welcome to Ero-TEA-Ca: We’re Open!

Cass’s eyes widened. Harriet wanted to ask why she looked so surprised, but felt it was more prudent to get washed so they could get dirty again as quickly as possible.

“Cass. Hey, Cass, there’s someone at your door.”

Harriet huffed out a laugh as Cass mumbled something before turning her head away.

Peeling herself out of bed, Harriet hunted for something to wear.

Cass’s silk robe would do. All she had to do was get rid of whoever was pounding on the door and then she could slip back into a peaceful sleep.

Maybe she’d get a cuddle in first. It wasn’t as if Cass would wake up.

The woman would sleep through the Apocalypse.

Tying the belt securely, Harriet ripped open the door, ready to tell whoever it was to bugger off. Her mouth snapped shut as her eyes connected with Kendal.

“Hey, hi. Hello.”

Smooth.

Kendal’s eyes sparkled and creased in amusement. “Harriet. Hello, what a pleasant surprise.”

“Indeed. A lovely surprise.”

It was not.

“Is my wayward business partner around?”

Harriet cast her eyes to the stairs. Kendal’s light laugh made her chuckle too.

“She’s asleep, and for the life of me I can’t get her to wake up.

” She opened the door further and waited for Kendal to come inside.

It was okay. She could get through this with minimal embarrassment.

Not that there was anything to be embarrassed about.

It was just a tad awkward standing in nothing but a silk robe with your lover’s ex-wife.

They entered the living room and sat down.

Nodding through her amusement, Kendal held up her index finger, cleared her throat, and bellowed, “Lolita, oh my God, what are you doing here?”

There was a crash, then several curses, before a half-dressed Cass came bounding down the stairs before skidding to a halt.

“My hip didn’t hurt,” she babbled, still half asleep.

Kendal smiled widely as Harriet covered her mouth with a hand.

It took Cass several seconds to come around, and she was not amused. “There’s a place in hell for people like you.”

Kendal scoffed. “So dramatic.”

“What do you want, Kendal?”

“Oh, got our grouchy knickers on today. Okay.” Harriet was losing the battle not to titter. “I wanted to go over next week’s schedule. You’re back on tomorrow, right?”

“Yes.” Cass stood with her arms crossed, eyebrows furrowed. “Is there a problem?”

“I’m taking a long weekend. Shauna’s booked a spa.”

Rubbing sleep from her eyes, Cass wandered over to the sofa and sat next to Harriet, who was trying to make herself invisible. She had no idea how Cass wanted to handle their situation with her ex-wife.

“Okay. I’m sure we’ll be fine.” Cass looked from Kendal to Harriet. “Morning,” she whispered. The softest kiss Harriet ever had, landed on her lips, lighting her up from the inside. She couldn’t help but cast a glance at Kendal, who smiled brightly.

“It’s afternoon,” her ex-wife clarified.

Cass placed a second kiss on Harriet before turning back to Kendal. “Huh. Time flies when you’re having…fun, I guess.”

Was that a wink? Did Cass just make an almost naughty joke?

“I’m happy for you both.”

Cass went red. Harriet beamed and placed a hand on Cass’s leg. “I’m happy too. Would you like some tea or coffee?”

“No, no,” Kendal said, standing. “I’ll leave you to it. See you tomorrow, Cass.”

Harriet stayed seated until Cass came back from seeing Kendal out. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well, because your ex just turned up to your house where your new…um, girlfriend? Answered the door in your robe.”

It was Cass who did the straddling this time, causing Harriet’s breath to hitch.

“I’m perfect. And you don’t need to add a question mark to the girlfriend part of your sentence.

I want that. And you also need to stop worrying about me.

If there is a problem, Harriet, I will come out and say it.

I know I can be hard to read sometimes, but I promise, I won’t play games.

I’m thrilled this is happening. Unless you want to keep it quiet, I’d like everyone to know. ”

Leaning forward, Harriet placed a kiss on the end of Cass’s nose. “Would you come to Ero-Tea-Ca with me tomorrow night? I’m having a few friends over for a book club meeting. We decided to start one ourselves after offering out the teashop to others.”

Cass was silent. Her eyes scanning Harriet’s features. “Do they know I was horrible to you when we met?”

“Yes. But they also know you apologised. They’re good people and they mean the world to me. I’d very much like you to meet them.”

“O-okay. But…well, what if they don’t like me? What if the age thing is a problem, or they think I’m too miserable for you? I’d completely understand, but—”

“Hey. Stop. Cass, they’ll love you. And…

well, I think it would help you feel more comfortable if you met them.

They’re an eclectic bunch. Some are outgoing and loud.

But others are introverted and quiet. I want you to see it’s okay to be who you are.

There will be no judgement. Ero-Tea-Ca is a safe place, full of safe people. ”

Cass huffed and sat back. “I don’t want our relationship to be all about me and my issues, Harriet.”

“And it won’t be. But right now, you need this. Look how far you’ve come already. I just want you to feel at ease, but if I’m pushing, I’ll back off.”

“Can I think about it?”

Harriet nodded immediately. “Of course. Now, can we get back to the kissing and fondling?”

Cocking her eyebrow, Cass smiled. “There was fondling?”

“Well, there will be.”