It was a cold day, and the streets were still empty, full of trash from the previous night's celebrations. Yaz once again parked in front of the apartment building and reached for a box of chocolates and a bottle of wine from the passenger seat. She rang the intercom and the other woman's happy voice chirped through the speaker. 

 

"Come in" 

 

She climbed the stairs and Lola had already met her halfway wagging her tail happy to see her again. 

 

"Oh, hello again. So, your mummy just lets you come out like that. Silly mummy" she picked up the dog with one hand holding the gift bag in the other. 

 

"I think you lost someone" she laughed putting the dog down.  

 

Theta was waiting for her at the door with a big smile. She looked very different this afternoon. No make-up and wearing cream tracksuit bottoms with a mesh oversized brown sweater. Her blonde hair is now casually wavy and pinned with a heart-shaped bobby pin behind her right ear. 

 

"Hiya, so glad you came. Come on in. Changed me lock by the way." 

 

"What already?" 

 

"Yeah, my dad found me 24/7 emergency locksmith. It cost arm and a leg, but I feel better now." 

 

"Me too. I was getting worried about that. Here, didn't know what wine you drink”? 

 

"OMG thanks for that. You really didn't have to." 

 

"I wanted to though" she smiled "There's something for Lola as well. I hope it's ok, I got it from the petrol station." 

 

"That's so ace of you Yaz....Hey Lola...look what Yaz got you. Mmmmm...nice isn't it. Isn't she the best" she looked up smiling "That's beyond sweet. Thank you" 

 

"Oh, it's nothing, I'm glad she likes it. I don't know much about dogs." 

 

"They don't care what it is as long as it's a treat" she giggled getting up. And you got me chocolates. Come oooon." She went all mushy and hugged her tight "Right...Make yourself comfy, what would you like to drink?" 

 

"Just some juice if you have it." 

 

"I do, apple, orange or forest fruit?" 

 

"Orange please" Yaz said and went to the sofa. She noticed that the framed photo had disappeared from the table. And she couldn't help but feel relieved by that. 

 

"Not much is open today, we have a choice of Burger King, McDonald's and Domino's Pizza oooorrr.... I have some awesome ravioli with cheese and some button mushrooms in a fridge and we can cook ourselves." 

 

"Arrrh...let's cook ourselves. Its more fun I think." 

 

"I was hoping you'll say that. I don't feel like pizza after that burger last night." 

 

"Me neither to be honest, ravioli sounds fantastic." 

 

"Do you eat pork?" She asked as she was digging through the fridge. 

 

"No sorry" 

 

"No worries, just asking because I have some smoked beacon here. And I have some cakes from my mum as a desert" she took out the tray showing. 

 

"Waaw, I feel like in a five star restaurant." 

 

.... 

 

"Mmmm...I think this is done" Yaz said mixing the mushroom sauce whiles Theta was setting the table "Wanna try?" 

 

"That smells good." She leaned over her shoulder. 

 

"Here... open" she waived a spoon in front of her mouth. 

 

"Uuuu...very nice" 

 

"Maybe some more salt?" 

 

"Maybe, just a little." 

 

"You just got a little..." she reached out and wiped some sauce from the side of her lips. 

 

"Thanks" she giggled "I think ravioli are done. Want some parmesan cheese on top?" 

 

"Yeaaaah. That table looks nice." 

 

"My mum got me that tablecloth when I moved in." 

 

"I love it. Do you have any siblings?" 

 

"No, I'm a lonely, spoiled brat" she giggled "You mentioned you have a brother.” 

 

"Two actually. And being the only girl, I would say I'm the spoiled one as well." 

 

"I always wanted siblings. But my mum had a breast cancer and couldn't have any more kids. Well, they didn't recommend it anyway. I think maybe today things are different." 

 

"Oh...I'm so sorry.” 

 

"It was a long time ago. I'm just so happy it never came back. By the way, how old are you? If you don't mind me asking" 

 

"32, and you?" 

 

"43...I'm old" she giggled. 

 

"No, you're not silly.” 

 

"Mmmmm...let's get the food on the table. I'm starving now." 

 

.... 

 

"Aaaarrrhhh...." Theta scrunched her nose as she was trying to get the cork out "I can't open this" she laughed giving up. 

 

"Let me try" 

 

"It's this stupid opener...I'm... really...trying.... Aaaarrrhhh. I give up" she slumped on the kitchen top laughing. 

 

"Give it here" Yaz grabbed the bottle and tried her hardest, but it wasn't giving in. It was one of those that once you put the screw in you had to pull it and she was giving her best shot, but the cork just wasn't going anywhere "Where did you even get this thing from? Aaaaaarrrhhhh" 

 

"It was on action" she laughed. 

 

"That's because nobody wanted to buy the fucking thing" she pulled it one more time and the whole thing broke apart leaving half of the cork inside the bottle with the other half crumbling on the kitchen top. "NOOOOO!" 

 

Yaz almost sat on the floor laughing so much. 

 

"You're working behind the bar" Theta laughed holding the bottle "Look at this, You're fired." 

 

"I'm a police officer" Yaz slumped to the floor pissing herself laughing. 

 

"I can see that I mean look at it.... That’s the saddest Rosé I've ever seen." 

 

"Aaaaaa" she screamed "It's the 2 pound opener." 

 

"5" she laughed. 

 

"Excuse me....5, buy one get one free.” 

 

"How did you know?" 

 

"Aaaaa" Yaz screamed, and Lola came running up to her licking her face. 

 

"OMG Lola!" 

 

"I'm getting French kissed by your dog" she laughed as she was being attacked by the puppy. 

 

"That's gross, naughty girl" she moved the dog and reached out her hand pulling Yaz of the floor. 

 

"OMG, I haven't laughed like this in a long time.” 

 

"We can just put the juice into wine glasses and do pretend." 

 

"Well, we gonna have to now.” 

 

..... 

 

"Thanks for this" Theta leaned in her chair. 

 

"For which part?" 

 

"Just making me feel better after last night. If it wasn't for you, I would've probably spent the whole day in bed feeling sorry for myself." 

 

"Well, thank you. This was the best New Year's day I ever had." 

 

"I'm glad, me too" Theta smiled. 

 

.... 

 

The end of January came quickly, and it seemed like the month flew by in the blink of an eye. Not only did Yaz eventually see Theta again, but they also now seemed inseparable, seeing each other almost every day, and the days they didn't, they ended up talking on the phone for hours after work. It was Saturday morning and Theta hurried to get ready. She is meeting up with Yaz for shopping as she was still in a desperate need of a coat since she decided not to bother with the one left in Mark's car. She quickly put on her makeup, grabbed the dog, and rushed out of the apartment. 

 

Yaz was in a rush as well, she was late and texted her on the way to the shopping center. When she finally arrived, she saw a woman in jeans and a short white puffer jacket standing in front of Zara but was confused when she saw her holding a pram. Now wondering if she had mistaken her for someone else. 

 

"Theta?" 

 

She turned around with that massive, big smile that would put the most miserable person in a good mood. Then she realized that it was Lola in the pram. All dressed like a child in a pink puffer jacket and the matching bows on the ears. 

 

"Hiya" she waived. 

 

"Why on God's earth would you put a dog in a pram?" She asked confused as they hugged, and Theta pressed a long kiss to her cheek. 

 

"It's not a pram, it's a dog stroller, it came yesterday I ordered it for Japan. Like it?" 

 

"I'm not sure" she frowned not wanting to hurt her feelings. 

 

"It's perfect. See she can now go everywhere with me. I can even go to Tesco’s if I put this down, everyone thinks there's a baby inside." She was explaining excited "One guy even held the elevator door for me, can you believe it." She giggled 

 

"Bet he was surprised when he saw a dog?" 

 

"He wasn't impressed" she laughed. 

 

"Lola what is your mum doing to you. And babe isn't she too hot in that coat? I mean we are inside." 

 

"You think? Maybe I should take it off. But she looks so cute." She reluctantly took the coat off the poor dog who was already panting 

 

"Wanna drive her?" 

 

"Nooo" Yaz laughed "She's all yours." 

 

"I didn't wanna leave her home. She will have to pee and all that, and she is so miserable alone anyway." 

 

"It's alright babe I'm sure she's happy in there.  She looks it.... let’s go find you a coat and I need new jeans.” 

 

..... 

 

"What do you think?" She came out of the dressing room in a cream wool beautiful long coat happy as a bunny. 

 

"Very corporate" Yaz chuckled. 

 

"Well, it's for work. And I have some formal dinner with a client next week." 

 

"Well then it's perfect. You look very pretty no matter what you wear babe." 

 

"Charmer. Mark always had some complaints. He wanted me to dress like a prostitute." 

 

"Well, he's out of the picture and I'm sure some prostitutes have better style than him anyway." 

 

Theta laughed and turned to the buggy "What you think Lola, mummy looks professional enough?" 

 

"I think she's impressed" Yaz giggled. 

 

"Well, that's sorted then. Let's find you trousers Oh also...what you think about this blouse?" 

 

"Neah, too much...way too much" 

 

"I thought so.... right...well that's it then. Oh, there's a nice restaurant up there we can go later.” 

 

"Yes, definitely cause in an hour I'll be flagging.” 

 

"Me too, I already had a breakfast and a snack." 

 

.... 

 

"I'm not sure, I think they make my ass too big."  

 

Yaz stood in front of the mirror not too impressed with herself. 

 

"Noooo, you look so pretty. At least you have an ass unlike some of us" 

 

"You have a pretty bum, what are you going on about." 

 

"Mmmmm...you're all nice and curvy, I'm like a stick...Anyways please take them. They are so pretty." 

 

"Oh, alright then...besides I can't take it anymore this is like tenth store and I'm starving.” 

 

..... 

 

They finished shopping and sat down for a lunch in Asian restaurant. 

 

"I love the food here" Theta said "They have the best wok ever." 

 

"I know I actually come here often with my brother. You really need to meet my family. Talking about that, I have a Sunday lunch tomorrow...Wanna come?" 

 

"Oh nooo.... I have it too I was gonna ask you the same thing." 

 

"What are the chances. Next time then" 

 

"Am I seeing you tomorrow?" Theta asked almost worried. 

 

"Yeah sure, after lunch we can meet up if you want." 

 

"Yeees!" 

 

..... 

 

 

"Did Mark call you?" Thetas mother asked as she was placing roasted chicken on the table. 

 

"Yeah, like million times, I'm just ignoring him." 

 

"Good, I never liked that guy. You deserve better than that shit." 

 

"I totally agree. You need to meet Yaz, she's so sweet honestly." 

 

"What’s going with you two?" She asked as Theta followed her to the kitchen. 

 

"What you mean?" 

 

"I don't know Theta, you've been seeing her a lot recently.... Here take the potatoes" 

 

"What's wrong with that?" She frowned. 

 

"I didn't say there was anything wrong with that, I'm just asking what's going on." 

 

"Nothing's going on mum. Why would anything be going on?" She asked confused tapping behind her, back into the dining room "Besides if there was something going on, would that be a problem?" 

 

"I didn't say that...Don't you twist my words missy." 

 

"Oh, leave her be" her dad left the paper on a side table and got up from the sofa. 

 

"I am leaving her. I'm just interested in my daughter`s life." 

 

“You’re being nosey." He remarked and planted a small kiss to Thetas cheek "Who gives a shit if she's happy" 

 

....

 

"She's as white as a milk bottle" Yaz's mum remarked seeing Thetas photo in Yaz's phone. 

 

"That's so racist mum." 

 

"I'm not being racist, just saying. She looks very pale...and skinny." 

 

"Now you're just body shaming her." 

 

"Oh, for fuck’s sake Yaz" she rolled her eyes. 

 

"She is a bit skinny" her dad giggled looking over her shoulder. 

 

"See..." her mum raised her eyebrow "Thank you. She looks like she needs a good meal. Besides didn't she have a boyfriend?" 

 

"What does boyfriend have anything to do with what she looks like?" 

 

"Nothing" her mum said sitting at the table "I can just see that look in your eyes." 

 

"What look?" She frowned. 

 

"Like when you're in love" Her dad smiled and kissed her cheek. 

 

"I think she's cute..." her brother remarked. 

 

"Thank you, Malik!" 

 

"I think you should go for her babe" he chuckled. 

 

"What are you all going on about?" She rolled her eyes. 

 

.....

 

Come afternoon Yaz was tiding up her small flat. She was nervous about Theta coming for the first time and she wasn't the tidiest person on a planet. But at the same time, she was excited about her coming over for the first time. She was literally finishing getting herself dressed when the interphone rang. 

 

"Hiya....we're here?" 

 

"We?" 

 

"Lola and me" she giggled. 

 

She rolled her eyes laughing "Come in silly." 

 

"WHAT IS THAT?" Yaz laughed from the door. 

 

"The biggest Toblerone I could find, you said it’s your favorite." 

 

"OMFG" she couldn't stop laughing at the size of it. It was almost a meter in length "babes...I'm gonna have that for 10 years." 

 

"Well, one triangle per year then" she laughed. 

 

"You cute goof...C'mere" she pulled her in kissing her cheek and hugged her tight "you look cute." 

 

"Thanks, look the trainers you helped me pick. I wouldn't go for rainbows myself but as it goes now, they go with everything. Also, you look adorable in that shirt, I love the flowers." 

 

"It's actually my mums’ shirt. I was begging for her to give it to me. I love the red." 

 

"It suits you. Aaaaaaa....I love your flat!" 

 

"You do?" She frowned. 

 

"I love it. Is that all IKEA? It is, isn't it?" 

 

"How did you know?" 

 

"Cause only IKEA can utilize the small place like this. It's so adorable I love it. I love the white it makes it look bigger." 

 

Yaza's apartment was extremely small, but as Theta pointed out, it was extremely well organized with a small white kitchen that had a bunch of shelves on the wall and a bed that looked like a wooden sofa but was actually a hidden full size bed. A small coffee table and a pull-out bar that also served as a working desk right next to the window. She also had floor to ceiling wardrobes with every single storage solution inside which made it easy for her to keep everything as tidy and hidden as possible. 

 

"Bloody hell I didn't think you're gonna love it so much" she laughed. 

 

"I love it. My first apartment had IKEA, I still have few pieces now, the dining room table and chairs the sofa. I love this sofa, it's a pull-out, right? It has one more mattress?" 

 

"Yes, I like it because its a proper thick mattress not that flimsy thin one they usually have in a pull-out sofas or you're just sleep on a plank of wood and some foam. This is really cozy" 

 

"I love it." 

 

"Make yourself comfy I have some cakes form mum and dad's, wanna try?" 

 

"I'm actually a bit peckish, wanna order something?" 

 

"We could do." 

 

"I fancy some Chinese." 

 

"That's a good idea, cool....There's a really good series on Netflix. Wanna watch?" 

 

"I do, I do...Oh do you have something for Lola for water?" 

 

"Sure, you can put her nappy in the bathroom if you want" 

 

"Ok, thank you. See Lola, getting right at home, aren't we?" 

 

"That's the whole point." 

 

.... 

 

Dinner came and they ate sitting on the floor, then all three moved to get more comfortable on the sofa. As the evening went on, they somehow grew closer to each other, and it ended up that Theta more and more leaned on Yaz. She didn't really know how to react and just went with the flow. But she didn't complain. Theta didn't object either to Yaz's arm being draped over her. She had never felt happier in her life. But the evening came to an end and tomorrow was a working day for both of them, so Theta reluctantly got up and forced herself to get dressed. She stood by the door like a sad puppy. 

 

"I don't wanna go" she pouted.

 

"I don't want you to go." Yaz reached for her hand and brushed her finger on a side of it.

 

"I really had a nice time. So did Lola" 

 

"I love having you here. Thanks for the 10 year chocolate stock up" she giggled then out of nowhere Theta shut her up closing the gap between them with a sudden kiss, leaving Yaz gasping for air. She was so shocked that she whimpered into her lips gently pushing her away, breaking the kiss. 

 

"I'm sorry" Theta said flustered looking down as her cheeks flushed "I... I’m....I Don't know what came over me. This is so embarrassing I'm gonna kill myself" she grabbed the doorknob and fumbled with the dog’s leash while Yaz was still trying to pick herself up off the floor in shock wondering why she wasn’t stopping her and acting like a complete idiot. Then when Theta was almost halfway out the door, Yaz finally came around and grabbed her forearm. 

 

"Wait!" She yelled so loud her voice echoed across her building. Theta froze in place and Lola didn't know whether to go in or out tangling herself around their legs. 

 

"Pleaseeee, don't go...Pleaseeee" she pulled her hand gently and Theta looked up just for now Yaz to see that she was in tears "OMG I'm such a fucking idiot. No please don't cry." 

 

"I'm sorry" 

 

"Don't noooo...That was fucking amazing?" 

 

"It was?" She sighed so deeply that more tears rolled down her face. 

 

"Yes, yes it fucking was. It was so fucking amazing you left me bumbling idiot. Pleaseeee come back inside. Pleaseeee" she said trying to clumsily untangle the dog's leash and not to step on her in the process. Finally, Theta stepped back into her apartment and pushed the door closed with her back. She leaned against it, closing her eyes as her chin wobbled. 

 

"Do you want this? With me?" Yaz asked quietly. 

 

"Yeees" she cried out with closed eyes and kicked the door with her foot as if it was a relief coming from the depths of her soul. She cried her heart out and tried to speak.

"I'm sorry" 

 

"Why are you saying sorry?" She palmed her cheek and Theta leaned into it opening her eyes. 

 

"I'm not fucking you around, I don't want you to think I'm...." 

 

Yaz didn't let her finish her sentence, she just pulled her into a kiss. One gentle kiss followed another, each deeper and more passionate than the other as Theta draped her arms over Yaz's shoulders and Yaz cupped her face with her fingers. They separated, resting their heads together, then Theta buried her face in her neck. 

 

"I need to go I have a meeting in the morning" she said running her fingers down Yaz's arm then laced their fingers together. 

 

"Call me, when you get home.” 

 

"Mmmm" she hummed into her neck then raised her gaze. Her eyes still red and swollen from crying and Yaz planted a small kiss to her nose then her cheek and back to her lips. 

 

"It's alright. Don't be scared.” 

 

"I'm shitting myself." 

 

"Why? Cause I'm a girl?" 

 

"Nooo...cause....I... I’m just so into you it's scary." She said with a wobbling lip "I haven't told anyone. I didn't even want to admit it to myself." 

 

"Snap" she chuckled, and Theta laughed. 

 

"It's getting late." 

 

"Yes, it is, and I'm worried about you going home this late. Give me a second, I'll go down to the car with you.” 

 

She quickly threw her slippers off and grabbed her Uggs pulling them on, then picked up Lola from the floor as Theta was so out of it, she was now seriously considering driving her home. 

 

"Will you be ok to drive?" 

 

"Mmmm" she nodded wiping her face. 

 

Yaz shut the door shoved key in a pocket and grabbed her hand kissing her knuckles "Come on. Slowly don't fall down the stairs now." 

 

"I hope not. It's all blurred from tears." 

 

"I knoooow" she chuckled “You’re cute.”

 

They walked down to the car and after putting Lola inside, Theta turned around once more and reached for the back of Yaz's neck, pulling her in for another kiss. This time it was even deeper. Filled with more confidence and need.

 

"Call me" 

 

"I will...promise." she sniffled. 

 

"Drive slowly, I'm worried.” 

 

"I will...Night, night" she smiled. 

 

"Hey this is good, right?" she asked seriously worried.

 

Perfect" she smiled “Now you look worried” she giggled.

 

“I am, you’re not gonna run away now, are you?”

 

“Not in million years” she smiled and pressed one smaller kiss to her lips before getting in a car

 

.....