If I Can't Have You, No One Can

Chapter Five

After their lunch together, Kara and Lena caught up just about every  day, mostly at each other's apartments after work since Kara has been  swamped down with getting an article finished for Andrea and Lena mega  busy with her business.

It was just after 10pm on Tuesday when  Kara drove by the Bistro on her way home from work to see Lena through  the window doing a last-minute tidy up by herself. Pulling over, she got  out and tapped on the glass with a wave.

Lena looked up with a smile when she saw who it was and moved to open the door. "Hey Kara, you're out late."

"Hi  Lena. I've just come from CatCo actually and was just on my way home  when I saw you still here so I thought I'd drop by and see if you wanted  a ride home?"

"Sure. Would you like to come in?" Lena held the door open. "I still have a few jobs to do before I can leave."

"Yeah why not." Kara walked in once Lena moved aside. "Do you need a hand with anything?"

Lena  closed and locked the door again then went back behind the bar. "Just  doing a bit of stocktake at the moment. Would you like something to  drink or eat if you're hungry? I can whip up a fry basket?"

Kara  went to decline except she had forgotten to eat lunch and her stomach  rumbled loud enough for them both to hear. "Just a club soda and that  would be nice. Thank you, Lena."

Lena reached for a clean glass,  prepared Kara's drink and placed it in front of her. "Here you go. I  won't be long with the basket." She disappeared into the back and  instead of turning on the large fryer where food is usually prepared  since it had already been cleaned ready for the next day, she pulled out  the small fryer Sam keeps in the cupboard.

Kara took a sip then  made her way into the kitchen. "So, this is the kitchen." She stopped to  admire all the different work stations.

"Yep." Lena plugged the  fryer into the wall socket and switched it on, took the basket and  dropped a scoop of fries into it leaving it to sit on the bench while  the oil heated up. "I see you like to work late?"

Kara nodded.  "Yeah. I'm working on an article for Miss Rojas and need to get it  finished by lunch tomorrow. She was a little cranky today."

Lena giggled. "That's probably because Russell has gone out of town for a few days. You know you can call her Andrea around me."

Kara blushed. "Sorry. It's a habit. Because of work."

"Ah,  don't worry about it." Lena lowered the basket into the hot oil, the  loud sizzle and aroma of freshly cooking fries wafted around the  kitchen. "Once you get to know Andrea outside of work, she's actually  pretty chill. I'll also introduce you to Sam as well if you like. She's  also great."

"That's good to know." Kara leaned against the bench, her mouth starting to water. "And I'd like that. Thank you."

"You're  welcome." Lena said then moments later placed a basket of hot, crispy  fries in front of Kara. "Here you go, Kara. Fresh out of the fryer."

Kara's  eyes sparkled with delight as she reached for a fry and took a bite,  savoring the crispy texture. "Oh my god! These taste so freaking good!"  Kara said between bites. "You have a real talent for making fries."

Lena  grinned, leaning against the counter. "Well, I do try my best." She  moved over to where the condiments sat and took a few bottles out then  went to fetch a small glass bowl.

"What you making?" Kara bit onto another one while trying to peek around Lena who had her back to her.

Lena  glanced over her shoulder. "Hey no peeking!" She reached for her mixing  bowl and began to craft her secret sauce. It was a combination of  ingredients she had perfected over the years, a tantalizing blend of  mayonnaise, ketchup, a touch of hot sauce for a subtle kick, and a hint  of freshly minced garlic.