Once A Lover (GirlxGirl)

5- Unexpected

Danielle Nettie Davis

Although it wasn't routine, Danielle still invited the two girls over to her house for dinner. It's true she just met them, but that wasn't the issue. The problem was that Danielle didn't plan for this today. She planned to get home from hiking, cook her fish for herself, save the rest, and spend the night in her garden.

And yet for some reason, Danielle walked up to their car and asked if they wanted her to cook for them. Now as she hands Christine and Neveah their plates filled with fried fish and vegetables, Danielle wonders why she invited them.

She doesn't show it, but the entire drive back to her place as the two women drive behind her, Danielle was panicking. Her hands gripped the steering wheel until the tips of her fingers turned white. Her arms were trembling and she desperately tried to remember her breathing exercises.

It's fine. Today is not a workday. Today is to relax. This is just different, but it's fine. Danielle told herself. She inhaled for four seconds, held her breath for seven seconds, and exhaled for eight seconds. Danielle did that until she had to open her car door. She managed to calm down and accepted that this is a new change of plans was nothing to worry about.

After placing down the empty glasses and a pitcher of iced tea, Danielle took a seat at the table, across from Neveah with Christine at the side.

Neveah took a single bite of the fish and moaned. "Oh my god...I never knew seafood could be heaven."

Danielle grins, "You like it?"

Neveah nods and quickly takes another bite, "Chris, what do you think?"

Her friend pushes the food around on her plate with a pout. "It's good."

Neveah nudges her with a smile, "She just doesn't want to admit it's better than her cooking! Dani, are you like a chef or something?"

Danielle's face heats up, she's not used to getting such compliments. Usually, she doesn't cook for people. "Uh no...I just like to cook." She wanted to say more, but she held her tongue. People don't want to hear her ramble on about the specific spices she loves to use and the best ways to cook fish.

Christine caves in and starts to enjoy the food. As she chews she points her fork at Danielle. "You know, that's what I like in a person. Strong, dependable, and can cook?"

Neveah snickers, "By 'person' you mean a man. Not a woman."

"Oh, are you jealous? Worried I'm going to steal Dani's heart?"

Neveah rolls her eyes in response and ignores her. "Anyway Dani, you live here alone?"

"Yes, I do."

The woman raises her eyebrows, impressed. "Wow. Taking care of that garden and those animals? That's amazing."

Christine laughs, "And meanwhile you can barely manage to get out of bed without me yelling at you."

"Shut up!" Neveah quickly turns to Danielle, "Well your house looks amazing. Like a real-life cabin!"

"It is a cabin," Danielle tells her with a straight face, then realizes it must've been a compliment. "And thank you." She smiles.

Before Neveah can respond, there is a knock at the door. She shuts her mouth and glances at the front entrance. Christine looks too.

Danielle furrows her eyebrows, she doesn't hear the knock until the whoever is out there starts to heavily pound on the door. Danielle stands up and walks over. She hand closes into a fist as her other hand opens the door.