Gentle Peck
Sharon Raydor took the last plate from Brenda Leigh Johnson, dried it, and then she put it in the cabinet. Brenda shut off the water and let out a slow sigh, turning to face Sharon as she leaned against the counter.
"Thank you so much for all the help," Brenda said, raking a weary hand through her blonde hair as she brought it away from her face. "I don't think I would have unpacked those last boxes if you weren't here to help tonight."
Sharon placed a hand on Brenda's, her thumb tenderly caressing the smooth skin of the blonde's hand. "I know what it's like to go through this," she replied. "It's a big change, and I know a little help can go a long way when you're trying to get settled in your new apartment - your new life."
Brenda looked down to her hand, watching Sharon's thumb draw light circles on the back of it. Brenda turned her hand over, taking Sharon's into her own. She felt a weight being lifted off her shoulders when Sharon gently squeezed. This was all going to be all right. The divorce being finalized was her first step to the life she wanted, she told herself.
"How about we have a glass of wine, hm? I think you've more than earned it," Sharon said after the silence sat between them for a long period.
"Huh?" Brenda mumbled as she looked up to Sharon. She cleared her throat and nodded once the other woman's words had registered. "Yeah, that sounds good."
Sharon smiled and let go of Brenda's hand. "I'll get it," she said, going to brush her hand against Brenda's arm, only to be stopped by Brenda.
Brenda took Sharon's hand back into her own. Sharon smiled with inquiring eyes. Brenda let out a deep breath, but she didn't say anything as her free hand reached out to Sharon's face. Sharon's eyes softened as Brenda leaned in and let her breath fall upon Sharon's mouth.
When Sharon didn't pull away, Brenda did what she had been wanting to for quite some time. Her lips brushed against Sharon's, slow and delicate. Brenda felt Sharon squeezing her hand, heard the way Sharon inhaled deeply when Brenda kissed her lips again, the same gentle pressure.
Brenda pulled back after kissing Sharon's soft lips once more, her eyes searching Sharon's to know it was okay. Sharon licked her lips and then let go of Brenda's hand.
"I'll get the wine," Sharon said.
Brenda's face fell, a worry line forming as she wondered if perhaps kissing Sharon wasn't the best thing to do. They had worked so hard on the friendship they had, and the thought of losing the only real friend she had was a thought she didn't want to think of.
"Shar-"
Sharon heard the questioning in her tone, the uncertainty. "Wine, Brenda. I'm only getting the wine. Maybe you should go sit down in the living room and I'll bring it out there." She smiled, hoping it showed that she was okay - they were okay.
Brenda nodded, her lip caught between her teeth. She couldn't read Sharon, but she didn't want to pry - not yet, at least.
Sharon reached for Brenda one last time and pressed a soft kiss to her mouth, lightly pecking her lips. "I'll be right there," she told her with a smile. And Brenda left, a glimmer to her eyes that had been missing lately.
And that's all! Thanks for reading.