8. Eva

8

EVA

T he first time that Eva met Margo, she'd been filled with an unexpected sense of safety.

She knew that the other employees of Harriet's bakery were terrified of the huge woman, and that she ought to be, too. Margo was a hulking monster of a matriarch, and there was no warmth to her demeanor or invitation in her manner. She ruled the bakery with an iron fist and brooked no nonsense.

And Eva, of all people, expected to feel threatened by her unquestioned power and grim facade.

But Margo's dominion was unfalteringly fair and beneath her growls, her strength was tempered with softness. She never spoke loudly if it was not necessary, and her touch was always gentle.

With Eva, she seemed especially careful, and Eva was sure that her kindness was never less than genuine.

She was not a particularly handsome woman, with a heavy jaw and a broad forehead, but Eva had plenty of experience with beautiful things and knew the value of meaningless pretty words and empty promises. Margo had lovely warm eyes and clever fingers, and Eva found her face interesting rather than off-putting.

They had come to what Eva considered a cautious understanding under Harriet's roof. Margo lived in the basement, Eva lived in the upstairs back office, and they shared the communal space. Neither of them was given to a great deal of random chatter to fill the space, but they found common ground in disparaging Harriet's musical choices and changing the soundtrack the moment she left. Eva introduced her to Faery Metal, and Margo broadened her mind to jazz and ginlark.

Margo often brought little gifts from the bakery up with her, and Eva mended her clothes and added little embellishments of embroidery. Subtle decoration, because Margo herself was so understated, but Eva enjoyed knowing that Margo was wearing a touch of her own creation at her wrist and collar.

Eva had never let herself imagine there might be more between them than this simple, undefined friendship.

Not until Margo kissed her.

Suddenly, there was electricity under all of her skin and she was on fire from her toes to the top of her head, and all she wanted was Margo's touch and the warmth of her arms.

So when Margo kissed her, Eva kissed her back.

She was so strong, soft, and safe . Eva couldn't understand how the meeting of their mouths could be both exciting and so comfortable at the same time. This was home. It was belonging and craving and calming, all at once.

Eva didn't want to analyze why Margo might kiss her, she only wanted to enjoy it, to lean into the beautiful moment and make the most of it.

So it was very annoying when there was suddenly a noise at the doorway, and Margo released Eva very abruptly and turned to find something to throw at a dark figure filling the doorframe.

The closest thing to hand was a massive pink marble flamingo statue. Margo picked it up effortlessly and hurled it at the interloper.