Learning from the Gardener

Three

"We should go somewhere and talk. Like a restaurant." Ava sat down at Lia's bar.

"I just got done with work, and I'm sweaty, and there's nothing to talk about."

"You said we were talking."

"I changed my mind. I'm sorry I kissed you. You should leave."

"I kissed you." Ava smiled. "I'm not leaving, unless it's with you. These your keys?"

"You're being rude."

"Too bad I've already been spanked today."

"Not asking for another one, huh?"

"Nope!" Ava threw the keys to Lia, and she reluctantly followed to the car.

"Let's go to Dee's. I'm hungry and I'm buying." Ava said.

"Your mothers buying."

"See, I told you you think I'm a brat. And I am. And a bitch."

"No, Ava, I don't. I-I shouldn't have said it. Don't talk about yourself like that."

"It's true. I'm an entitled bitch."

"You're not. Don't make me pull the car over."

"Pull the car over?"

"Pull the car over to spank you. Your mother never used that expression I assume."

"Ha, no. Your parents did?"

"Yep."

"Did they ever pull the car over?"

"Yeah, if I didn't quit acting up."

Lia recalled a time when she kicked her mom after whining for an hour. Her dad had pulled the car over, pulled her from the backseat, and

"Woah. No wonder you know how to give a spanking."

Lia laughed a little. She felt at ease with the younger woman, more herself with Ava during their few interactions than anyone she'd met before.

"You're pretty when you smile, you know." Ava said, which sent Lia's tan face into a red blush.

Her heart raced. Lia hated feeling like this, having butterflies for someone. Especially her bosses daughter.

"Thank you." She said, and stared straight ahead at the road.

"You're blushing." They pulled into the parking lot, and went in to find a table.

"Here's the deal." Ava said as they sat down. "I think I like you. And I think you like me."

"Talk quieter."

"Right, sorry. I don't think we should fight that."

"You're gay? You like women?"

Ava shrugged. "I don't know. I like you. I think you're hot as hell in those overalls."

Lia blushed even more. "Well I am gay. And I think you're pretty and funny, but you're my bosses daughter and you're 19 and..."

"Almost twenty."

Lia sighed. "Ava."

"Why can't we just see how it goes? I'm not asking you to marry me."

"You guys need anything to drink?" A waitress asked.

"Water." Both women said.

"Fine." Lia said.

Ava smirked, and Lia rolled her eyes, but she couldn't help her lips turning up at the edges.