If You Love Her

1

Kate took a deep breath as she made her way into the bar, it had been three days since her undercover mission had started. But they hadn't really gotten anywhere, they needed to catch the suspects in the act of trafficking. Her main focus was protecting Willow, so she always showed up to work early and stayed late enough to drive Willow home.

"Hey Willow." Kate said with a warm smile, grabbing her apron. "Maya wanted to invite you to come over after work." She said softly, it was currently five in the afternoon.

Willow lifted her head from the glass she was polishing. She looked puzzled. "Why?"

"She wants to get to know you, said I seem happier at this job than my last one." Kate said with a shrug, moving to help polish the glasses.

Willow placed the glass down on the counter. "Oh." She responded before picking up another glass.

"Is that okay?" Kate asked softly, reaching for another glass.

"I don't want to be a bother or an inconvenience." Willow said with a soft shrug of her shoulders.

Kate instantly shook her head. "You won't be."

Willow placed the next glass gown beside the first one. Before she could respond to Kate, the five suspects walked in.

"Hey, pretty lady, care to pour me a drink?" The largest of the men said, sliding into a barstool.

Willow rolled her eyes and turned away from him to pour his drink before sliding it onto the counter before him. He caught her hand and began to examine the skin on her arm before she wretched her hand back.

Kate stepped closer to Willow protectively. "If you're going to touch either of us, you can leave." She said calmly.

"He doesn't mean any harm." The woman said coolly, sliding into the chair beside the man. "But I get the sense you don't swing that way." She gave Willow a charming smile and ran her fingers through her hair.

Willow didn't respond, instead, she went back to polishing the glasses and blocking out the world, losing herself in her own thoughts.

Kate kept herself between Willow and the group of people. Making sure they didn't get anywhere near the younger woman.

The group hung around the bar for around half an hour before deciding to leave.

"Are you okay?" Kate asked as soon as they were gone.

Willow put down the final glass and nodded. "Yeah. I'm used to it, the life of a bartender, I guess." She shrugged casually. "They usually don't get that friendly until they've had a few drinks."

Humming softly, Kate poured a drink for a customer. "I'm sorry, I'll try to handle them from now on."

"You don't have to." Willow said, shaking her head. "I can protect myself."

Kate offered her a warm smile. "I don't doubt that, but it would make me feel better."

"Why do you care so much?" Willow asked curiously, her eyebrows furrowed and a soft frown on her lips.

Kate swallowed thickly, she couldn't tell Willow about the case. She'd promised Jane she wouldn't. "I just, I like you, Willow. In only three days, you've become my friend."

"I don't make friends easily." Willow said sharply.

Kate flinched slightly and stepped back, swallowing thickly. "I don't either." She whispered softly.

Willow dropped her head and looked away. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap."

Clearing her throat, Kate forced a smile. "It's okay." She said softly, moving to take a customer's order.