This work contains themes and scenes intended for mature readers (18+). It explores intimacy, emotional complexity, and adult relationships through contemporary romance and erotic realism. Reader discretion is advised.
The Daily Grind
Spilled Tea Confession
Eve finds Janet working at a coffee shop and admits she's been coming there for weeks hoping to see her. In a nervous moment, Eve spills tea everywhere, and they have an honest conversation about the walls Janet has built since her divorce.
An Excerpt from this Chapter...
“I lied,” Eve said.
Janet blinked. “What?”
“I didn’t just come for tea.” Eve looked up. Her eyes were dark, direct, and terrified. “I remembered you said you work here on Tuesdays. I’ve come here the last two weeks. I sat in the back. I chickened out both times.”
Janet felt a cold flush of shock. “You… stalked me?”
“I prefer ‘strategically loitered,’” Eve said, a ghost of a smile touching her mouth. Then it vanished. “Yeah. I guess I did. I wanted to see you outside of school. Without the permission slips.”
It was creepy. It was also the most flattering thing that had happened to Janet in five years.
“Why?” Janet asked.
Eve reached for her tea. Her nerves got the better of her. Her hand knocked the mug, hard.
It tipped. Brown, scalding liquid flooded the table.
“Shit!” Eve jumped back, but not fast enough. The tea soaked the hem of her shirt and dripped onto her leggings.
“Napkins!” Janet grabbed a stack from the dispenser and threw them onto the puddle. They turned into brown mush instantly. “Move your phone.”
They scrambled, hands bumping as they built a dam of paper products to save Janet’s laptop. The smell of bergamot filled the air, mixing with the stale coffee odor.
Eve sat back, breathless. Her shirt was stained wet. Her face was bright red.
“Smooth,” Janet said, wiping a drip from the edge of her keyboard.