The Tea Shop

 

The street was busy, full of pedestrians ducking into shops and chattering over coffee. Most were smiling infectiously, and despite Lexa’s general melancholy about the day, the sight brought a small smirk to her lips.

 

Her morning could have gone better, and this impromptu trek for the most magnificent tea latte in the city was her way to get out of her funk. Lexa ducked her head against a particularly brutal gust of autumn air and increased her pace, eager to reach her destination.

 

The little shop was warm and inviting and as soon as she pushed the door open, she was assaulted with the most pleasant aromas because this wasn’t a typical coffee shop that just happened to offer a few tea options. No. This was an actual tea shop.

 

Lexa had been thrilled to hear about the new shop, and when she first stepped inside, she’d felt an overwhelming sense of comfort. The art on the walls was warm and reminded her of happy memories, and she quickly became somewhat of a regular since its opening a few months ago.

 

The line to the counter was short, and within a few minutes, she was ordering, “London Fog, please.” Lexa had just tucked her card back in her wallet when a surprisingly familiar voice echoed behind her.

 

“Not a fan of the nonfat milk and sugar-free vanilla anymore?”

 

“I’m not as pretentious as I once was,” Lexa answered as she turned around.

 

“Pretentious? I always saw it as you just knowing what you liked and being unashamed to ask for it.”

 

Clarke beamed up at her. Her hair was shorter, and her curves had filled in a little, but she was still the most beautiful woman Lexa had ever seen. And even after a decade of not seeing her, Lexa’s body flushed with that warmth she only ever associated with Clarke.

 

“What are you doing here?” Lexa wondered aloud, and she fought the urge to roll her eyes at herself. Clarke chuckled but quickly turned to the woman behind the counter and ordered a simple earl grey tea.

 

After she paid, she returned her attention towards Lexa. “Would you like to sit with me? Catch up?”

 

Lexa nodded, grabbed her tea order that was suddenly ready, and followed Clarke to a table in the corner. She filled Clarke in on her job at the university just outside of the city and listened intently as Clarke described her progression through the art world and her move back into town.

 

Lexa’s heart leaped into her throat when Clarke started describing her current project.

 

“I’m opening a gallery of sorts with my partner. Just of 3rd street, the old little pub, we bought it, and we’re renovating it as we speak. We have this crazy notion that what this town needs is a place to drink good cocktails while admiring some lovely artwork. And I hope to help out the local artists I feature because we all know that alcohol has a way of loosening lips and wallets.”

 

“That’s a good point. And it sounds perfect for you,” Lexa nodded enthusiastically, doing her best to hide her utter disappointment that Clarke was not single. She played with the almost empty cup in her hand, and while she was still looking down, casually asked her burning question. “How long have you and your partner been together?”

 

“About five years now,” Clarke answered smoothly, and the ease and comfort she spoke with was as devastating as the smile on her lips as she talked of her partner. “It was a match made in heaven when I met her. We just clicked right off the bat. Same goals, same aspirations. We’ve had this current project on the back burner for about two years, so it’s really exciting to see it come to life.”

 

“Wow, five years,” Lexa sighed. She quickly trained her face in a tight smile. “Sounds like you two are practically married.”

 

“Don’t tell her husband that! He’s already incredibly jealous of how much time we spend together,” Clarke laughed. She placed her palm on the hand Lexa rested on the table, and while the touch was innocent, it sent sparks shooting up her arm. Actually, Lexa wasn’t sure if the sparks were from the heat of her hand or the insinuation that Clarke’s partner was not romantically linked to her.

 

“You’re not together then?”

 

“Just business partners and best friends,” Clarke smirked and pulled her hand away.

 

Lexa’s shoulders relaxed with that information, but they soon grew tense again as a whole new question danced in her head. She was just trying to figure out how to ask Clarke without it being awkward when Clarke leaned forward and squeezed her hand once more.

 

“And before your brain burns a hole through your head from trying to figure out how to ask: no, I’m not seeing anyone right now.”

 

“Oh, I wasn’t… I didn’t mean…” Lexa stuttered, and before she embarrassed herself any further, she just smiled and shook her head. “I’m not seeing anyone either.”

 

Clarke’s grin was contagious, and Lexa suddenly became aware that Clarke had at some point threaded their fingers together. “I have a confession to make.”

 

“Okay,” Lexa stated leadingly.

 

“It was no accident that I ran into you today.” Clarke gestured with a little nod towards the front counter. “That woman behind the register there?”

 

“Niylah, the owner?”

 

“That's my business partner.” Clarke looked back at Lexa, studying her face for a moment before pressing on. “She opened this shop a few months ago. It was one of her dreams, and I donated a bunch of artwork.”

 

Lexa let a small smile pull her lips up. No wonder this place always felt like home. Clarke’s artwork adorned every wall, and as Lexa looked around, she shook her head, because, yeah, now that she knew, this place screamed Clarke.

 

“Niylah happened to mention this woman who came in at the same time every day and always ordered the same thing. This gorgeous athletic trainer with a jawline to kill for who looks to be just my type.”

 

Clarke paused again, and Lexa fought the urge to lean across the table and pull her in for a kiss right then and there. However, she resisted and let Clarke continue. “Naturally I was curious, so I had her sneak a photo last week. And much to my delight, it was you.”

 

“Clarke…” Lexa began, but words seemed to fail her. They hadn’t seen each other in over a decade, but Lexa had felt like she’d been chasing something all those years. Something that had nothing to do with her career or friendships. She’d been chasing the woman of her dreams, even if she hadn’t realized it.

 

“Let’s take our chance,” Clarke interrupted her thoughts. “Timing wasn’t right for us back then, but I think it is now. I feel it. Don’t you?”

 

Lexa’s smile was so big and warm; she was pretty sure the people across the street could feel its glow.