Love That Lived In The Next Life

13

Cameron took a deep breath as she unlocked her storefront just for her lover. She opened the door which dinged her arrival. A small smile relaxed on her face as she turned on the lights and aimed for the coffee stand. She busied herself with the coffee makers and grabbing the cups as she heard another chime of her store. Cameron whipped her head around. Two older women stood at the doorway. They had a foreign look to them. One woman had a sharp bob cut hair and dark eyes. The other had platinum hair and crystal blue eyes. They wore matching blue jeans and black overcoats. Cameron's brow furrowed as she heard the coffee brewing and leaned against the counter.

"Hey, sorry. I'm closed for today. If you want there is-,"

Wait. The voice in her head rung true as she froze slightly. The dark bob cut took a few timid steps toward the counter.

"Are you okay?"

"I..." She cleared her throat as she walked up to the counter. Her head tilted to the side. Something inside of Cameron twitched slightly. The second woman followed up behind her and they just stared at Cameron. These two exuberated power that Cameron felt in waves.

"Are you two okay?" Cameron asked a bit kindlier.

"I-I'm sorry it's just...you reminded me of my mother," the darker haired of the two said. Cameron froze. Something inside of her screamed for her to respond, but the words were not there. "I thought you were her so I...I ran into the store."

"I..." Cameron fought to find the words. Nothing came.

"My name is Jordan Beneviento. This is my friend, Eva." The platinum haired girl waved. "We uh...we're world travelers. Both of my mothers died a while ago and...guess sometimes I tend to see her face in the most unlikely places." Cameron bit her lip as something inside her turned ragged.

Jordan, I missed you!

"I'm Cameron. How about some coffee?" This voice in Cameron's head was becoming more and more of a burden. "I know I'm not your mother, but I care. And it is cold outside." Jordan slowly nodded. Her eyes concentrated heavily on the barista.

"Do you make cocoa?"

"Hm? Yeah! Yeah, just give me a moment." Cameron turned away and readied all of the drinks. Jordan turned and grabbed Eva by the arm.

"Can you get your mother and see if this is actually her?" Jordan whispered toward the woman. Eva hummed as she glanced at the barista and then back at Jordan.

"I know you want them back, but I don't think this is the way to do it."

"But Eva-,"

"I can ask. But that's it." Jordan groaned slightly but nodded as Eva kissed the top of her head. "You're lucky that our families are so close. I miss Aunt Donna and Aunt Caiden as much as you do, but I don't think mother can do much in this situation." Cameron set down two steaming hot drinks in to-go cups in front of the women.

"I'm sorry for your loss, Jordan," Cameron said softly. "I understand what its like to lose family. Granted, no one that close. I hope that this helps even if only for a little while." Jordan nodded as she took her drink. The woman had slight wrinkles to her skin. She had to be no older than forty-five, maybe fifty. Her companion seemed only a few years older. Cameron smiled sweetly toward the two. "Well, I do have to go back to my own girlfriend now. She has been running herself ragged at the bookstore."

"Bookstore?" Eva asked. Cameron motioned with her hand.

"Yeah, right across the street." Jordan whipped her head back as Eva hummed.

"So that's how they met again," Eva mumbled quietly toward Jordan. Cameron guided the two out of the store with a cardboard carrier in her hands. "If you don't mind entertaining an old girl, I would love to know how you two met! It always warms my heart to hear those stories."