Charlotte and Esme (girl x girl romance)

Chapter 1: Two Lovely Women, on a Date

I'm careless as usual. My bag slips off my shoulder, landing with a clatter. Momentum tips it over, capsized. Out spill my phone, water bottle, and various pens. One of them is broken, slick ink on the side. Why is it even in there? Shit.

Not a great way to make a first impression. How much did she notice? I quickly usher the pen back inside. Now ink stains my fingers. "Shit". This time I say it out loud. She smiles at that, then looks up at me expectantly.

I respond awkwardly, reaching out to shake her hand. What the hell? WHY. Why would I do that? I quickly reel it back in.

"Oh, sorry, I've got ink on my fingers."

Esme raises her eyebrows. Amused? Puzzled? I can't read her. I'm too busy searching for a serviette to wipe my fingers on. This date is already a bust, and she hasn't even said a word.

"I'm sorry Esme, I'm not usually..." I pause, the right word escapes me.

"..this way."

Her tinkle of laughter settles me immediately. "It's ok Charlotte. There's no rush." She gestures to me, "Have a seat." Eyes sparkle, a soothing smile. Why am I thrown off so easily? I know my way around a boardroom. My colleagues see me as fearless, because I am. I'm a fucking tiger when I need to be. Here, I'm just...something else entirely. I don't know what. Time to regain a bit of composure. I fall back on my instincts to salvage this disaster.

"Sorry if I'm a little frantic. I've been juggling work stuff all day. I apologize, but I might have to take a call." I pause for effect, "There's a lot of balls up in the air at the moment." It doesn't make an impression on Esme. I can see she'd rather chat about something else. My work has never been a subject of interest for her.

"You look quite charming today." Esme pauses and grins, as if she's imparted a small secret to me.

She's right. I need to discard 'corporate Charlotte'. That's the reason I'm here after all. I take stuffy corporate Charlotte, and cast her aside once a week. At our book club. It's a way to get in touch with something different, the part of me that corporate Charlotte ignores. That's how I met Esme, she doesn't know corporate Charlotte at all. That's not who she agreed to go on a date with either. I make a quick decision.

"Actually, sorry, that was rude of me to say." I bring out my phone, making a point of shutting it off, then stuff it back in.

"There. Now we can speak without interruption." I sit back and smile. A weight lifted from my shoulders. I finally have the chance to take her all in.

"You're looking pretty cute yourself today Esme." I smile easily now that corporate Charlotte has been banished from the conversation. I see Esme's eyes flicker briefly, is that the faintest trace of a blush?

Her blush makes sense. Honestly, it's hard to believe we're on a date at all. I fully expected a "no" when I asked. No denying there was a spark, something there, I didn't know what. I didn't even notice it at first. But week after week in the book club, it was undeniable. I enjoy the emotion in Esme's voice when she reads aloud. Those meaningful passages, the words flow straight from her heart. The music of her soothing voice, it touches me too. Her passages are always fun choices too; distinct, unusual, thought provoking. Very Esme. When she finishes reading, her voice fades to a whisper and she always stares motionless at the page for a few seconds. Letting the words sink in. When she looks up, she shoots me the briefest of glances before gazing around at the others.

That's why I had to ask for a date. A shame to let opportunity slip. I was 90% sure Esme was straight, that's another story. But 10% is still a chance right? And the connection, I was absolutely certain of it. I hadn't imagined that part. So it was worth the risk. Corporate Charlotte is used to asking for things, she comes in handy at times like that. So I asked. I think Esme and I were both surprised by her answer.

Now... here we are, both at the coffee shop. I couldn't be happier about that. Esme's words bring me back to to the table.

"I brought something for you Charlotte."

"Oh?" I raise my eyebrows. My surprise apparent. Obviously didn't get the memo on this gift exchange. Get lost with that memo shit corporate Charlotte. Esme slides her palm across the table. I look down as she turns it over. There it is, a bookmark.

"Thanks"

She smiles, "I saw your bookmark last week. Couldn't resist."

Oh damn, yeah, the post it note. They do make good bookmarks. Still, nothing like this. I pick it up and turn it over in my hand. The detail is remarkable.

"Did you do this yourself?" my admiration genuine. It's detailed. A piece of art really.

"Of course, I'm a woman of many talents." She smirks briefly, then her smile disappears replaced by an embarrassed look. Her face reddens a bit at that.

"It's lovely Esme. That's so thoughtful," I grasp her hand lightly as I say it, gazing at her directly, "Thank you."

"It's nothing," she stammers, "I like to draw."

"You certainly have a knack for it," I withdraw my hand, and lean back with a smile.

"I suppose I had better get a coffee," I stand up, "want anything?" She looks down at her own cup and shakes her head.

"I'll be right back then, don't go away." I smile as I head to the counter. Moments later I'm draped back in my chair, the steaming mug in my far hand. Esme looks a little uncomfortable. Might as well address the elephant in the room.

"I was a little surprised that you said 'yes' to this date. I wasn't even sure you'd be here you know..." As I speak the words, Esme looks up with alarm.

"I'm really glad you did. I get the sense, that this is..." I try to think of how best to put it, "A little unusual for you? Is that right?"

Esme leans forward a bit, resting her elbows on the table as she narrows the distance between us.

Her voice drops, "Yes. This is a little... different, for me."

I nod. "That makes this more fun then, doesn't it? I don't mind. I'm just glad to be here with you Esme." I see her shoulders relax a little at that.

"Don't get me wrong, book club is fun. I just thought it'd be nice to get to know each other a little better. Outside the club. We can talk about whatever you like." I bring the mug to my lips and take a slow sip. "Maybe books, but maybe something else? I have zero expectations... other than the fact that I know the coffee is always good here." I look around at the cafe.

I smile, "You should know, I can be a bit of a snob about that. Bad coffee is... intolerable."

She laughs, "I guess that means you're picking the spot again next time too then."

Next time? Maybe this is going better than I thought.

"So why don't you tell me where you're from? What brought you to book club anyway?" Esme settles in, I see she's more relaxed now.

"Do you want the short version or the long one?"

I shrug. I've got all the time in the world for Esme.