Chapter Text
Anne stretched her arms wide, sighing contentedly as she felt the distinct pop between her shoulder blades as whatever tension had sat there diffused. She moved over to the window where the tentative first light of this early morning was trying to break through the gaps at the sides of the drawn curtains.
Pulling them open, Anne found her lips curving into a smile as she laid eyes on the first bits of the rising sun visible on the horizon. The decision was quickly made to open the window so she could enjoy the fresh morning air. Anne immediately noticed the stark difference of the somewhat chilly air of this late September morning at Shibden compared to the much warmer mornings in LA that she’d just left behind herself with her return home yesterday morning.
It wasn’t all that chilly yet with the last bits of summer still around though due to leave in a couple of weeks with autumn taking over, but still Anne felt the chill over her exposed arms as she leaned over the window ledge in just her tank top and boxers and took a deep breath of the refreshing air that wiped any remaining tiredness off her at once and filled her with energy for the day ahead.
It had been a good idea to use the opportunity to stay for a few days with her family after her return from the US, it became all the clearer in this moment as Anne allowed herself to revel in the peace it brought with a few more days to herself without any work to do. She loved her job, of course, but it felt good to be around her family and be able to truly take a few days just for them, no distractions.
Well, almost no distractions. There was one, perhaps, though if Anne allowed herself to get distracted by her, well, surely her family would understand. She let her gaze drift aimlessly into the distance across the neatly trimmed grass around Shibden towards the forest nearby as Ann’s pretty face appeared on her mind’s eye.
Since they’d parted at her house yesterday, she had been on her mind more often than Anne was ready to admit, though she blamed that on the amount of time they’d spent together in LA, as well as her aunt’s curious questions about the holiday and Ann.
Anne had to smile even as a flash of fear made her heart leap for a moment when she thought of how her aunt’s eyes had shone with mirth as she’d asked when Anne would bring round the young woman who’d managed to capture her heart. She hadn’t been entirely serious about the last part, of course – they didn’t know each other long enough yet that Anne’s heart was claimed by Ann – but Anne could tell that her family was eager to meet Ann, not helped by Marian encouraging their curiosity.
Anne sighed. It made her happy to see how interested her family was, how open they were. She wouldn’t have taken it personally if they’d been more than hesitant about the new woman in her life after the last, Mariana, had not exactly been a favourite.
Part of her felt inclined to pick up her phone and ask Ann if she wanted to meet her family while Anne was still down here, only she was worried it was too soon – though if for her or for Ann, she wasn’t sure. It was a big step to take, as Anne felt like it would pretty much confirm Ann as her girlfriend if she took her to see her family.
It was too soon for that, she reminded herself. They barely knew one another, had to learn to manoeuvre life around each other at home first before Anne could even consider committing to anything more. It was entirely possible that it would turn out they weren’t actually all that compatible, that they couldn’t make it work and would realise that in a couple of weeks.
So Anne would approach this carefully, one step at a time. It was the smartest thing to do to protect herself from any further disappointments and hurt.
However, one thing she could not deny: She felt the itch to message Ann, to reveal she had stayed with her family and would be around for a few more days, ready to meet up. Was that smart, though? In the past, Anne had often charged into relationships feelings first, thinking later.
She had told herself to take her time and think this through for a bit first, so shouldn’t she stick with that?
****
Ann yawned as she finally found enough motivation to make herself leave the warm confines of her bed at a late 10:30. She felt tired even though she’d gone to bed reasonably early, but with the jet lag her sleep had been anything but good. She knew this effect would stay around for a little bit until her body had gotten used to the UK time zone again, so there was little to do about it.
She hoped a strong morning coffee and perhaps a reinvigorating shower might help her drive away the sleepiness. She’d planned to get a bit of painting in today, and usually she found the time she was most creative was around midday – that would not be the case if she could barely keep her eyes open, though.
Ann slowly padded to the bathroom first, soon letting the warm stream of the water engulf her and attempt to drive away the tiredness in her bones and her desire to just return to bed and get another couple of hours sleep. She massaged the shampoo into her hair, her thoughts drifting as she allowed herself to relax.
Unsurprisingly, they quickly found an appealing place to venture to, a little smile adorning her features as Anne’s handsome face appeared on her mind’s eye, a cocky smirk sat on her lips as she would flirt with Ann.
Oh, Ann wouldn’t mind at all if she showed up out of nowhere right now to shed her clothes and join her in the shower so they could make it all the more enjoyable. Ann almost moaned at the very thought of those strong hands running over her skin before she’d be pressed against the moist tiled wall and the sounds of her pleasure would echo in the room as Anne took care of her.
The images sent heat through her body, so Ann knew it wasn’t just the water that had warmed her up as she stepped out of the shower and grabbed the towel. She had to grin at herself in the mirror – perhaps she had to take care of that first before picking up her paintbrush.
She had just dried her hair and left the bathroom when she heard her phone chime from the bedroom, her steps quickening as she made her way over. Picking it up to unlock it, Ann’s heart skipped a beat when she saw the one name on the screen that she’d hoped for the most.
Anne: Hey, fancy meeting up later today? I’ve decided to stay with my family for a few days, so we could make use of that 😉
Ann felt a pleasant shiver run down her spine as she imagined the smug smirk accompanying the words. At the same time, it was as if her shoulders became lighter as what worries they’d been carrying since their parting yesterday fell off them.
While Ann had done her best to keep a positive outlook and not think about the whole matter with Anne too much, it had been difficult and she knew she hadn’t quite been able to shake off the concern what if Anne would change her mind, what if she’d never hear from her again. She’d calmed herself, reminding herself to be patient and let Anne make the first move to see each other again, preparing to potentially have to wait for it.
That Anne would contact her this swiftly, well, it was a good sign that made her excited for later as she responded and asked where Anne wanted to meet. They agreed to meet in the centre of Halifax, the plans fuelling Ann’s excitement even as she tried to limit her optimism and remind herself that making plans together now where Anne was still close by and not back in Manchester yet simply made sense. So Ann would certainly be smart not to read too much into it and just enjoy the time they had before she might not see Anne as much.
That said, the smile seemed to continuously play around her lips as she took what little remaining time she had to channel her good mood into inspiration for a painting, sitting down in the dedicated light-flooded room with the large windows where she didn’t only paint but also had a small library of books and a comfortable sofa as well as her desk and computer. Time passed quickly until it was time to get ready and leave for her date with Anne.
****
Anne stood in front of the WH Smith they’d agree to meet at, in the heart of Halifax. The weather was good, the sun sitting brightly in the sky with only a few clouds here and there that did little to disturb it. There was a light breeze in the air too, and with a pleasant 24°C, Anne thought the weather was perfect.
As she looked around waiting for Ann, she brought her hand to her mouth until she could take a long drag of the cigarette she was holding, feeling the smoke enter her lungs before she exhaled deeply. Outwardly, she might look relaxed, but Anne knew this wasn’t the case, the pack of cigarettes she’d picked up at the corner shop on the way here only further proving that.
The thing was, Anne didn’t usually smoke at all – sports was her life, so naturally, she tried to live as healthily as possible and eliminate any factors that were detrimental to that. That, and she viewed smoking as a terrible waste of money and time as well. That was the usual.
However, there were these rare situations when Anne would feel the craving, would head to the nearest shop to get herself a pack and finish it before not touching a single cigarette in months, sometimes even longer. Though, she thought with a pained expression, her intake of cigarettes had become a lot more frequent during the last tense months with Mariana as the stress had overwhelmed her.
While her current situation wasn’t in any way comparable to that time she tried not to dwell on, she knew her nerves had likely played a role in her picking up the pack on the way here.
It wasn’t that she wasn’t looking forward to seeing Ann and spending time with her – no, not at all. She felt a smile tug at the corners of her lips as she saw her crossing the street, immediately catching her attention in her bright red t-shirt and the grey knee-length skirt that moved in the mild breeze as she spotted Anne and approached her with a smile of her own.
No, what made her nervous was that part of Anne still told her she was jumping into this carelessly again, that she would get hurt, that this thing between them would quickly develop into just another repeat of the past. She knew rationally that she should have taken some time to think this over more after her return home, but the temptation had proved itself irresistible to message Ann and spend some time with her.
Finishing her cigarette and stepping on it as Ann approached her with a raised eyebrow, Anne only hoped this wouldn’t be a mistake.
“I haven’t seen you smoking before.”
“Well, that’s because I only smoke a pack every couple of months or so.”
Anne’s concerns seemed blown away as if the breeze had taken them with it as Ann reached her, her eyes raking over the black sleeveless shirt and brown cargo pants combo she had picked for the day. Dropping the stub in the nearest bin, Anne smiled as Ann stepped close and pressed a brief kiss to her cheek that made Anne’s heart flutter.
“It’s kind of hot.”
Anne saw confirmation for the words in the familiar feeling flickering up in Ann’s eyes as she moved away again. She raised her eyebrow with intrigue.
“What is?”
“You, with a cigarette,” Ann explained, and Anne didn’t miss her briefly biting her lip.
“It adds a little…” she paused as she seemed to search for the right word, “roguishness.”
Anne had to laugh at that. “Don’t encourage me.”
Ann grinned as they started walking next to each other at a leisurely pace. “Well, you’re very handsome either way.”
The words flattered Anne’s ego as she puffed out her chest just a little bit more. There was one thing she never tired of, and it was seeing, or in this case hearing a woman swooning over her.
Ann seemed to notice, gently shaking her head with a grin. “Don’t let it get to your head.”
Anne flashed her a grin of her own. “I would never.”
They both knew that was not true, Ann’s soft chuckle confirming as much. They settled into a brief comfortable silence as they walked seemingly nowhere in particular.
“Where are we even heading?”
In truth, this was a question Anne should have a clear answer to. And she usually would have one, as she liked planning where she was going and what she was going to do to ensure she didn’t waste what precious time she had. This was even truer with Ann involved as well, as wasting both their time would simply be unacceptable.
Reality looked different, however, as Anne had found it impossible to settle on a destination for their date. How could she when her nerves had already made her so torn on whether to contact her in the first place? Her heart had finally won that battle, but in what time she’d had before meeting Ann here, it had been impossible to decide for the perfect location. Which was already a struggle in little Halifax that certainly had its charm, yes, but offered less than the exotic Puerto Rico or the glamorous LA.
Which Ann certainly knew since it was her hometown as well. It had made Anne stumble that she couldn’t hope to enchant Ann with its provincial charm when she likely knew it as well as Anne did. And even Mariana, who wasn’t from here, had never liked Halifax and what it had to offer.
But was that even what mattered most? It should be about spending time together and enjoying each other. Easy enough, certainly. Only it had become apparent to her how many years passed since she’d last dated a woman. That and the change in scenery now seeing each other at home was almost staggering in a way Anne couldn’t explain.
She swallowed, straightening her posture as she brushed away those uncertainties – she wouldn’t lose her cool like this. She glanced at Ann where expectant eyes took her in.
“Well, I was thinking we could go for a leisurely stroll to make use of the last of summer while it’s still around,” Anne explained with a smile, the words coming to her naturally as she felt her confidence return. “And then, we could find somewhere nice to eat if you like.”
Ann gave her a curious gaze, studying her for a moment as the words rolled off her tongue as if there’d never been a doubt about her plans. It didn’t seem so moments ago if Ann’s perception wasn’t deceiving her, as she felt like she’d spotted a hint of uncertainty in her before it seemed Anne remembered herself and her usual self returned.
It made her wonder as much as the unsettledness she thought to have detected in her when they met up. The impression had been easily shoved aside through Ann’s fascination with the image of Anne smoking, but it made a return now.
She hummed in acknowledgement all the same, deciding to keep it in mind but not push anything on her observations.
“Sounds great to me,” she said with a smile, allowing her hand to brush against Anne’s in a silent offer.
Her heart leapt as their gazes met and it only took a second before her offer was accepted as Anne’s hand slid into hers. It reminded her of when they’d first held hands during their walk on their first date in LA, how their hands had brushed against each other before Ann made a move and took Anne’s hand in hers. She’d sensed the uncertainty in her over this step but had found her move reciprocated.
This special little moment brought a smile to her face as much as the realisation how normal it felt now to just take her hand or for Anne to take hers.
It really brought into perspective how much had happened between them since getting to know each other in Puerto Rico that they were now walking down this cobbled street together that was as familiar to Ann as most of her hometown. It made her excited to think about. Was Anne feeling the same?
Her expression gave little away, and Ann figured it was best to keep these thoughts to herself, aware that they needed to take all of this step by step – for Anne’s sake as much as her own. It was inspiring optimism in her that Anne had contacted her for a date so swiftly, but that didn’t mean Ann wasn’t still going to maintain caution knowing Anne might well still change her mind.
But for now, she focused on the lovely weather and the beautiful day they were going to share – that’s what mattered. They fell into conversation as they moved down the familiar roads together, taking in the surroundings that they had both surely seen countless times before. Halifax was by no means a sizable town with its population of about 88`000, which still made it all the more surprising to Ann that she had never run into Anne when she still lived here – it would’ve been impossible to miss her with her charisma that seemed to easily draw in others’ attention. Well, that and Ann wouldn’t have been able to overlook someone as handsome as Anne.
But then again, she didn’t even know for how long Anne had been living in Manchester already. She knew Anne was 36 years old, but she had never asked for how many of those years she’d lived away from Halifax already.
“Are you enjoying life in Manchester?”
Anne turned her head to her at her question, her eyebrows raising in mild surprise before she hummed, a smile forming on her lips.
“Have you ever been?” Anne asked in return.
Ann nodded. “A couple of times with Cath for shopping and once to attend a concert, but that’s it.”
Anne’s eyes twinkled. “It’s good for that, a much busier city than Halifax for certain. Much more alive.” She smiled. “I like living there. My house is in one of the quieter outskirts, but I can head into the centre anytime for whatever my heart desires.”
She smirked, and Ann didn’t need her to explain to understand how often Anne must’ve used the city’s no doubt lively nightlife to get to know women for a night of fun. That and the much more plentiful shopping opportunities were certainly a bonus over the quieter, smaller Halifax.
“You should only avoid driving through the centre if you can, especially during the afternoon,” Anne added after a moment, a frown hushing over her face that made Ann’s eyebrows raise in question.
Anne met her gaze. “Too much congestion, too many idiots who make driving hell.”
That got a chuckle out of Ann. Somehow, she could see her frowning behind her steering wheel while swearing at the drivers in front of her.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Anne hummed, a brief silence stretching between them until the reason Ann had brought up Manchester came back to her, her curiosity tickling her once again.
“Why did you decide to move there?”
She had a feeling she knew why, could imagine too well how a small provincial town like Halifax couldn’t hold her energetic, dynamic spirit. Ann liked the quiet of Halifax, but she would freely admit it could be boring sometimes even for her, which was when she’d head to a larger city with Cath to explore the vaster opportunities there. This certainly must have played a bigger role for Anne.
To her surprise, she saw Anne’s expression fall, the smile disappearing from her face as she licked her lips and averted her gaze. Ann’s heart skipped a beat – had she done something wrong?
Her concern seemed all but confirmed when she felt the sudden absence of Anne’s hand as it slid out of hers as if punishing her. She acutely felt the sting in her chest.
Anne cleared her throat, her steps slowing. “That is… a long story.”
She finally met her gaze, and Ann sensed the invisible wall between them, the way Anne seemed to have locked her out even though her eyes conveyed no irritation. She had slipped up, hadn’t she?
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to-“
Anne shook her head, unable to ignore the way her heart had constricted at the innocent question, the words that had brought back a past best forgotten. It wasn’t Ann’s fault, she couldn’t have known – and really, Anne inwardly chastised herself for reacting in such a sensitive manner. She had left this behind; this is where it should stay.
“It’s okay. This isn’t your fault,” she replied, giving her her best apologetic smile as she saw the way Ann’s forehead creased with concern.
“It’s just a bit of a difficult topic.”
She barely thought about this time of her life these days, thought the 6 years that had passed since she’d decided a change of scenery was necessary and purchased the house in Manchester had been enough to bury the feelings that led to this move. Perhaps some scars never entirely healed, serving as an eternal lesson to stay careful and guard her heart.
Ann sensed the discomfort in her, saw the hurt in her eyes that were usually so full of confidence. She did the only thing she could think of, carefully reaching out to take her hand in hers, looking around to ensure that nobody had decided to stop and watch them, but none of the other people paid them much mind.
“That’s okay. Then you don’t need to speak about it,” she said, trying to keep her voice calm even as her nerves told her she was screwing this up for them a little more each moment. “We can talk about something else, or nothing at all if you like.”
Anne exhaled noticeably, finally nodding. The words gave her a comfort she hadn’t expected, perhaps because the reaction itself had been a surprise as she’d prepared for Ann asking her to talk about it or telling her to keep it together. But none of that had happened, taking the pressure off her.
“Alright. Let’s move on.”
Ann hummed her okay, glancing at Anne before they resumed their walk. Whatever her question had stirred, she hoped this wouldn’t change the way Anne looked at her for the worse – yes, she had told her it was okay, but part of Ann worried anyway, especially since she painfully felt the absence of her hand in hers and Anne was making no move to take it again.
She wouldn’t push her for anything, deciding to do her best to act as if nothing had happened, the situation only serving as a clear reminder how new all of this was, how little they still knew about each other – and how to deal with each other when problems like this one inevitably arose.
An uncomfortable silence stretched between them as Ann did her best to act casual and look around, but it was difficult to do. Anne stopped, the suddenness of it catching Ann off guard, nearly making her trip over her own feet as she stopped with her, turning to see what had caught her attention.
Anne reached inside her pocket until she found what she was looking for and bent down, the coins being thrown into the little plastic cup in front of the beggar making a metallic sound as they landed on top of what little was in there.
“Thank you, love.”
Ann mirrored the smile the beggar directed at Anne at her kindness, quickly fiddling in her handbag for a few coins of her own to add to hers. His gaze stayed on Anne.
“Beautiful today, isn’t it? It’s a nice day to enjoy with pleasant company,” he said as he glanced at Ann who was throwing her coins into the cup. “Have a good time, both of you.”
Anne felt the heaviness that had accompanied her despite her best efforts to let go of it lift at his words that seemed to be filled with a kindness as if he understood the emotions that had been lowering her mood for the past minutes. He was right, wasn’t he? She should be enjoying this nice day together with Ann, as planned.
It would only give more power to the past to let it drag down her mood like this. She nodded at him, both wishing him a nice day before they turned to be on their way.
Anne didn’t allow any thoughts to get in her way as she glanced at Ann. “Want to head for something to eat now? I’m starting to feel it that it’s been a while since breakfast.”
It wasn’t uncommon for her to skip lunch or only fill the time with a protein shake, but that also meant a proper meal was in order by late afternoon. She smiled at Ann, feeling lighter as the small crease of concern on her forehead faded and she returned the smile.
“I’d like that. Do you have anywhere in mind?”
It took only a moment for Anne to nod – she had just the place in mind; they weren’t far.
****
Anne’s face was lighting up with a smile to match the bright sun above them as she steered them towards the place she’d thought of, its exterior unchanged from the last time she’d been here which – she realised with a little shock – was already about half a year ago.
The pub emanated the same welcoming energy as always, the open door that invited potential patrons to come inside underlining that impression as much as the wide windows allowing a peek inside the rustic interior.
She stopped and lifted her hand to gesture at the pub.
“They serve excellent food and drink here. What do you think?”
Ann’s gaze followed her outstretched hand to the pub where the figure of a horse sat prominently atop the entrance, curved letters spelling its name Black Horse underneath. The dark brick walls were lightened by the wide windows that allowed a generous peek inside, giving away that it offered a vast selection of craft beers – and certainly more – to enjoy at the bar, as well as plenty of comfortable seating opportunities that invited patrons to settle down and relax.
She had to smile as a vague memory returned to her of a drunk night out touring the pubs with Catherine and Harriet years and years ago – it was no more than a series of torn-up moments that she recalled thanks to her state that night, but Ann knew they had been to this pub as well. From what she remembered, they hadn’t had any complaints.
Since Anne praised this place, something she was certain she would not do lightly, she had no reason to object.
“Let’s go in,” she responded, smiling softly as her eyes twinkled with mirth. “I’ve been here once years ago on a drunk night out, I’d like to see what it’s like and remember it this time.”
That got a laugh out of Anne – Ann was glad that after the awkwardness earlier, they had been able to move on after the beggar’s kind advice seemed to have cheered Anne up. Ann’s heart leapt without her consent as Anne took her hand and guided her inside where the mouth-watering aroma of food was already in the air.
Her first impression peeking through the windows was confirmed as the pleasant, calm atmosphere of the pub enveloped Ann, merging with what cloudy memories of it she had. She smiled, glancing around as she followed Anne inside, trusting that she would know the perfect spot to sit – if it wasn’t taken.
But she assumed their chances for that were good since the place was decently filled this afternoon, yes, but not overly so. The dark wooden walls lined with all sorts of pictures of Halifax and its landmarks and the cosy corner booths added to the inviting atmosphere that Ann could imagine would make this place the perfect spot to choose for a cup of tea and a meal to warm up on a cold winter evening.
“Anne, long time no see! What brings you here?”
Her head turned to the source of the deep, slightly rough voice coming from the counter. The gentleman standing behind it smiled, his gaze focused on Anne as she approached him where he was currently holding a glass and a kitchen towel. He was probably in his 60s, Ann assumed from his appearance, the wrinkles around his bright eyes and the grey neatly styled moustache.
A glance to the side confirmed from the smile on her face that Anne seemed as happy to see the man she seemed to know well.
“It’s been a while, Paul.” Her voice that was full of confidence and energy filled the space around them, a few patrons nearby turning to glance at her. Ann grinned – there was no way Anne didn’t inevitably turn a few heads wherever she went, was there?
“How’ve you been?” she asked as they reached the counter and Paul placed down the glass and towel.
“Pretty well, thanks for asking. Business has been good, and surprisingly little trouble lately.” He chuckled at his own words before his eyes met Ann’s. “I see you’re bringing someone new today.”
His expression was kind as he took her in curiously, and yet Ann felt a flash of nervousness shoot through her, reminding her briefly of the moment she’d introduced Anne to James only yesterday. It felt similar now. She swallowed, glancing aside to Anne whose gaze met hers before she cleared her throat.
The broad smile returned to her face where Ann was certain to have detected a hint of something uncomfortable a split second before, a sentiment they shared. None of it seemed left as Anne nodded and placed her arm around her.
“Paul, this is Ann. We’ve met through beach volleyball, and we’re currently seeing each other.”
Even though the words seemed to be filled with the same charisma that Ann knew of her, she still sensed a certain tension pulsing in the air around them at this situation where she had to introduce Ann to someone she knew – like a girlfriend. But she wasn’t, the possibility of her taking this place in Anne’s life still fragile, a distance away. And yet this situation had brought up the matter and with it a variety of feelings that Ann knew from their talk back in LA were still difficult to approach for Anne.
But she hadn’t backed away, had introduced her properly just like Ann had yesterday with James, she reminded herself to calm her own concerns. Paul’s eyebrows raised in surprise at the news before he gave her a smile as he nodded appreciatively.
“Well, well. Haven’t heard those words from you in a long time, Anne,” he responded kindly. Then, he turned back to Ann. “You must be someone special if you’ve convinced her to try dating again.” He winked.
Anne groaned next to her, but it got a chuckle out of Ann. It seemed like Paul knew Anne well enough to make that statement.
The old man chuckled. “Don’t give me that look, you know it’s true.” He picked up his towel again. “Anyway, don’t want to keep you. Find a nice place to sit, your drinks are on the house.”
That drove away the mildly irritated frown from Anne’s face – from years of coming here frequently for drinks when she’d still lived in Halifax, Paul knew her well enough, a fact he still used to tease her occasionally whenever she had the time to come here for a drink.
She gave him a knowing look, raising her eyebrow just so before the smile returned at his kindness. “Thank you, Paul.”
They turned, with Anne’s gaze already searching for her favourite spots and if they were occupied today.
“Oh, and Anne?”
His voice made them pause. Anne turned back to him.
“Give Tib my best regards, will you? Haven’t seen her in too long. You should bring her next time!”
That brought a grin to Anne’s face – oh, how many times she had drunkenly stumbled out of this pub in the early morning hours together with Tib, both friends trying to hold each other up. It was true, it had been a while since her best friend had accompanied her here, her business in Manchester keeping her occupied.
“I will, and I’ll make sure to drag her arse over here next time!” She smirked, knowing it would need little convincing to get Tib to agree.
He laughed. Ann raised an eyebrow at the exchange but said nothing before they were out of earshot as Anne guided them further inside the pub for a place to sit.
“Who’s Tib?” she finally asked the question sitting on the tip of her tongue.
Anne met her gaze. “My best friend. She lives in Manchester as well these days, but we used to come here together frequently when I still lived in Halifax.”
Ann hummed in acknowledgement, wondering what Tib was like. Perhaps she would get to meet her one day. But that was a prospect best kept in the future for now.
Anne stopped, gesturing to a booth to the side that was currently unoccupied. “What about here?”
In truth, Ann would’ve been okay sitting anywhere, as the welcoming atmosphere of this pub enveloped all of it. She smiled, giving her okay. They sat opposite each other and Anne promptly handed her a menu to browse before picking up one for herself.
The pub served the kind of food expected for this establishment, which Ann was more than ready for, her stomach reminding her with a soft growl it was time for a good meal.
Once Anne had gone to order and returned with their free drinks, they fell into conversation. Anne told her a little about Tib and their friendship that seemed to go a long way back to their late teens when she first met her. Ann laughed at the little stories Anne told her of the two in their early 20s frequently out and about enjoying parties, alcohol, and – of course – women. More than once, these adventures didn’t go as smoothly as planned, Anne told her with a crooked smile as she recalled a situation vividly where a very drunk Tib had gotten into a brawl because of a girl in this pub they were sitting in, with Anne having to drag her away before it would’ve escalated.
“She still received a black eye from the guy she got in trouble with,” Anne added with a snicker. “To this day, I tease her about that sometimes.”
Ann shook her head with a grin. “That’s mean.”
Anne shrugged, her eyes still glimmering with amusement as she broadened her shoulders confidently. “There are plenty of things she makes sure I never forget about either, so it’s only fair.”
Ann raised an eyebrow. “Like…?”
Anne leaned back in her seat, her trademark smug smirk growing on her lips. “Wouldn’t you like to know? If you’re good, I may tell you sometime.”
Really, Ann should’ve expected no less than such a reply the moment she’d asked. It was just typical, wasn’t it? Expected, even. As expected as the way it affected her, her cocky attitude making Ann press her thighs together as much as the fact that Anne knew what effect she was having on her.
The way she licked her lips opposite as glimmering eyes focused on her only underlined that.
They were distracted as their food arrived in that moment, the delicious aroma of Ann’s chili and Anne’s sirloin steak with a side salad making her mouth water. As suspected, Anne hadn’t promised too much – the food was indeed delicious.
They took their time, the sun-flooded pub inviting them to stay even after they’d finished their food. Ann decided her stomach had room for dessert and soon had a piece of carrot cake in front of her, while Anne was happy with an espresso.
“So, I recall you telling me you work in your sister’s flower shop,” Anne started to pick up conversation again after a comfortable silence had spread between them. “You’ve met my sister,” a crooked grin accompanied the statement that made Ann grin with amusement as she swallowed her mouthful of cake, “so I wonder if yours is as irritating and insufferable as Marian can be.”
That got a chuckle out of Ann, especially because she was certain that if asked, Marian would use the same words to describe Anne. The two certainly had a complex relationship, she thought as images of their dynamic and chemistry playing beach volleyball as a team came to mind. Off the court, it was something else entirely, she knew.
How would she compare Elizabeth to Marian? Ann smiled as she thought of her older sister, the kind soul she knew her to be who’d done so much for her, especially in her younger years when Ann had struggled after their parents’ deaths.
“Oh, Elizabeth is…” her smile widened, “she’s sweet, patient… we’ve always had a good relationship.”
Anne opposite her mirrored the smile, Ann’s heart filling with warmth as she met her gaze and thought not for the first time how beautiful her smile was, how much kindness there was in her eyes underneath all the layers of smugness and a cocky attitude.
Her smile turned amused, “Which doesn’t mean we don’t argue sometimes. That’s just a given with siblings, I think.”
Anne nodded, grinning. “Of course. Does she live in Halifax as well?”
Ann finished the last bite of her cake, wiping her mouth before she responded. “She does, yes. We used to live together in our house that we inherited from our parents, but she’s moved out years ago to live with her husband George.”
The bright expression on Ann’s face was dampened noticeably as a frown hushed over her forehead, and Anne noticed her smile lessening at the mention of her sister’s husband. She could relate to that; how many times had Marian brought home another useless man Anne could do little more than roll her eyes at if she didn’t avoid being home for family dinners he was invited to altogether?
“Not someone you get along with?” She offered a smile.
The way Ann shifted in her seat didn’t elude her as much as how her expression seemed to darken further as she broke eye contact. Ann licked her lips as she suddenly found the table an interesting spot to look at. Anne’s smile fell as an uncomfortable feeling spread in her stomach – there was more to this than just dislike for an ill-chosen partner, was there?
But was it her place to ask? Anne swallowed, awkwardness spreading between them as she got the impression she had put her foot in her mouth. Which was not something that she could say happened to her often.
Ann cleared her throat after a long moment, her eyes noticeably less bright as she met her gaze. “He’s… difficult, to say the least.”
Anne nodded, understanding setting in as her inner voice told her what to do. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Perhaps we should talk about something else.”
A feeling of guilt settled in Ann’s stomach – she hadn’t intended to make this awkward and ruin the mood. It wasn’t Anne’s fault; how could she have known the situation with her brother-in-law had been difficult almost from the moment he’d stepped into her sister’s life? That although Ann loved her sister, she was always feeling torn about dinner invitations from the Sutherlands and often worried about Elizabeth, as she’d been suspecting for years he wasn’t treating her the way a husband should. And that wasn’t even the end of it. Anne couldn’t have known.
Ann shook her head, trying for a smile even as the topic filled her with concern and anger alike. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin the mood. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
She hoped her expression conveyed that, hoped that Anne would understand. A moment passed, Ann’s heartbeat filling it.
Then Anne nodded, straightening her posture. “Well, I guess we’re even now.”
Ann’s eyebrows raised as her expression scrunched up with confusion. What did she mean?
Anne’s face erupted in an amused smile. “You accidentally broached a sensitive topic earlier, and now I happened to do the same with you. We’re even now.”
Ann blinked. Oh. The truth of her statement set in as much as the smooth delivery of it, the charming smile that accompanied it testament to that. It shouldn’t surprise her that a womaniser like Anne would quickly find something clever to respond to dissolve any uncomfortableness into thin air.
But here she had just done that, and Ann felt her heart flutter as she met her gaze and saw the kindness laced with mirth and the irresistible charm that was so Anne. It brought a smile to her naturally as she felt the tension in her body lessen.
“We’re even, then.”
They stayed at the pub and chatted for a bit longer, with Anne telling her a few stories from her clients, like that time she’d gotten ‘involved’ with a wealthy businessman’s wife only for him to unexpectedly return sooner than planned from a trip abroad. Anne told her with a self-satisfied smirk how she’d still managed to satisfy her and for them to make themselves look presentable before the husband appeared in the personal home gym to greet the two, completely clueless as to what had transpired.
Both were in a good mood when they left a little later. Anne accompanied Ann to where she’d parked her car at an open car park not far from where they’d met, revealing she had opted to take the 20-minute walk from her home to the city centre. While Ann had no clue where she lived and didn’t want to push and ask for that information yet, she knew her own home couldn’t be much further away from the city centre than that – she had walked it before and it had taken her about 30 minutes, but she imagined Anne was likely faster.
She bit her lip and forewent suggesting giving her a lift home, figuring it may not be comfortable for Anne yet should her family be home and want to meet her. It was too soon for that.
They reached her car, a sense of nervousness making Ann’s heartrate pick up as she fiddled with her key, their gazes meeting as Anne stood close to her.
“I’ve really enjoyed our date today,” she said, voicing the feelings she knew to be true. Time had flown by with Anne, and even though they’d stumbled a couple of times, she had enjoyed herself with her.
Now she only hoped the same was true for her, and that she would see her again hopefully soon once Anne returned to Manchester shortly. The thought of that not happening made her chest tighten, but she pushed it aside and focused on the moment.
Anne smiled, leaning in closer as she wrapped an arm around her waist. Ann responded immediately, feeling herself gravitate towards her as her hand grasped her shirt.
“I have as well. Time flies by with such beautiful company.” She grinned, already leaning in closer as Ann shook her head with a grin of her own even as she felt herself blush. Unbelievable.
She pulled her the remaining distance so their lips could connect, both humming softly at their first kiss for the day. It would remain the only one as well, so Ann savoured it as their lips softly massaged one another, none in a hurry.
Anne gave her a smile as they parted, a hint of vulnerability shining through in her brown eyes.
“See you soon, Ann.”
Their hands brushed against one another as she drew away, their gazes still connected for a moment longer before Ann got in the car. Her heart was filled with warmth, the smile remaining on her lips as she started the engine and Anne lifted her hand for a casual wave before she turned to leave and Ann drove off.
Anne’s words echoed in her head on her drive back home, joy, excitement, and a sense of uncertainty soon fighting for the upper hand, causing her stomach to make somersaults. Would Anne keep the promise in her words…? When would she see her again?