The following morning, Olivia steps into her office and walks to her desk to find a red rose and a card awaiting her. She smiles softly as she gingerly lays her purse and briefcase down on her desk and gently lowers herself into her luxurious, top-of-the-line office chair. Slowly, hesitantly, she opens the card and reads,

Olivia,

I just wanted you to know that I'm always thinking about you. You're always on my mind and in my heart. I love you.

Natalia

She smiles wearily, the issue weighing heavily upon her, tears forming in her eyes. A moment later, her door is slowly swinging open to reveal an anxious Latina cautiously approaching.

NATALIA (meekly): "Hi."

OLIVIA (smiling softly) : "Hey." (holding the card up to Natalia, speaking softly, drying her eyes) "Thanks for the flower and the card. It was very sweet."

NATALIA (sincerely) : "I meant every word." (smiling, jokingly) "It's not a bribe. I'm not trying to buy you or anything."

Olivia chuckles softly. A dreamy look crosses the Latina's face.

NATALIA (staring intently into Olivia's green eyes as she caresses Olivia's cheek, speaking softly): "I just don't want you to forget how I feel about you."

Natalia pauses a moment before leaning down, hugging Olivia, and kissing her on the cheek.

NATALIA (slowly, reluctantly stepping back from Olivia, voice soft and shy) : "So… any chance I can get my old job back?"

OLIVIA (smiling): "Of course."

NATALIA (smiling happily) : "Then let's get to work."

Olivia spends the next hour helping Natalia get caught up on everything work-related that she missed during her sabbatical. The Latina then sets off to do her job with the same determination she always had. For the next eight hours, both women continue to focus on work. As a byproduct, the environment starts to feel familiar to both and they start slowly, gradually feeling comfortable with each other again. At the end of the day, they part amiably. The next day, both women return to the office and pick up right where they left off with little difficulty. Two hours into the schedule, Natalia takes advantage of a quiet moment. Drawing in a deep breath, she gathers her courage, and goes out on a limb.

NATALIA (starting cautiously) : "Hey, uh…"

Olivia drags her eyes away from the file in her hand to lift them up until jade eyes meet chocolate brown.

NATALIA : "D-do you.. have any… plans for lunch… today?"

OLIVIA (gently): "No."

NATALIA (nervously): "W-well, I was hoping… maybe you and I… could have lunch… alone."

At Olivia's hesitation, the Latina jumps to reassure the older woman.

NATALIA (gently): "I'm not trying to pressure you. I'd just like us to spend a little time together, that's all. I mean, if you want… if that's ok."

Slowly Olivia nods. The two women later enjoy a casual midday meal together at a nearby restaurant in relative comfort, leaving both of their hearts just a little bit lighter. At the end of the day, as she's preparing to leave for home, Natalia turns to say good-bye to Olivia. Without hesitation, she envelopes the older woman tightly in her arms. To Natalia's surprise and delight, Olivia's arms hesitantly come up to encircle the Latina's waist.

NATALIA (speaking softly): "Have a good night."

Both women relish the contact and savor it.

NATALIA (whispering in Olivia's ear) : "I love you."

Natalia turns her face and gives the green-eyed woman a kiss on the cheek.

OLIVIA (in a hushed tone, heart racing madly): "I'll see you tomorrow."

Reluctantly they end the embrace. Natalia slowly makes her way out the door. Olivia's eyes follow the dark-haired woman until she disappears behind the closing door, a small smile edging out of the corners of her mouth. The next day, the two women have been hard at work for several hours when Olivia suddenly finishes writing in the file before her, closes the file, carefully lays her pen down, and takes a deep breath. Letting that breath out, the hotel owner closes her eyes, brings her hand to the back of her own neck and starts working her fingers up and down overexerted muscles.

NATALIA (looking over at Olivia with concern) : "You ok?"

OLIVIA (face tense, voice gruff) : "Yeah, just a little sore and stiff."

NATALIA (standing up and walking behind Olivia, stopping Olivia's hand) : "Here, let me."

Olivia turns and fixes Natalia with a curious look before dropping her hand and turning back around. Natalia's fingers begin kneading her love's neck and shoulders. Each woman feels her pulse race at the contact. After several minutes, Olivia's neck and shoulder muscles start to relax.

NATALIA (gently) : "Better?"

OLIVIA (speaking quietly, smiling softly) : "Much. Thank you."

NATALIA (softly): "You're welcome."

The Latina gently caresses the hotelier's upper arms and places a soft kiss to her temple.

OLIVIA (matter-of-factly) : "I'll feel even better once I've eaten. You hungry?"

NATALIA (smiling cheerfully) : "Starving. Do you want to go grab a bite somewhere?"

OLIVIA (getting to her feet) : "Yeah."

And thus, for the next several days, having lunch alone together once again becomes a daily ritual for the couple as it had been prior to the Latina's vanishing act. The couple continues to grow more comfortable and familiar with one another as they had previously been. They continue to show each other increasingly more affection as they had done before with gentle touches, hugs, and kisses on the cheek. On the third day, after lunch, the two women return to the office and take a moment to finish their coffee and catch their breath before returning their focus to business.

OLIVIA (cheerfully): "Wow. That salmon was wonderful."

NATALIA (happily): "Yeah, my lobster was great, too."

OLIVIA : "We gotta go back there sometime."

NATALIA (nervously): "Yeah, uh… but what do you say we… try someplace new… tonight? I mean… if you don't… have any other plans?"

At Olivia's perplexed expression, the Latina clarifies her statement.

NATALIA (with a pleading look): "Would you… have dinner with me… tonight?"

Unsure of how the invitation will be received by the older woman, despite their growing ease with one another, the raven-haired beauty holds her breath as she awaits a response. For a second, Olivia's face holds no expression. A second later, however, her eyes begin to light up and a genuine, heartfelt smile plays across her soft lips.

OLIVIA (smiling nervously): "Ok."

TBC