Page 120 of Spicy Sapphic Christmas

bunny

“Seriously?” Siena approached the table where Bunny sat. “You chose a table outside?”

Bunny chuckled and stood. “Merry Christmas to you, too.” Bunny opened her arms and gave Siena a warm hug.

“Merry Christmas.” Siena returned the greeting as she untangled herself from the hug. Her eyes narrowed at Bunny as they took seats opposite each other.

“It’s not outside.”

“You could have fooled me.” Siena turned her head from one open side of the cafe’s veranda to the other.

“All right, so it’s a little outside.” Bunny chuckled. “But I wanted to see the fresh snow.”

“Wasn’t the other night enough for you?” Siena’s shoulders relaxed, and she broke into a far friendlier smile.

“What can I say?” Bunny shrugged and brought the cup to her lips and downed the last of the coffee, already gone from hot to just warm in the few minutes she had been nursing it before Siena arrived.

She was early, just like she had always been for her whole career. It was nice to be embraced for who she was, and encouraged to remain the person she had always been despitethe world-shattering changes that had consumed her life the last three days.

Siena still stared at her, but her smirk and the twinkle in her eyes no longer held the suspicion that had lingered there when she had first arrived.

The cold air bit into Bunny’s cheeks and froze her nose. But she still couldn’t shake the happiness that shone brightly within her. She knew so much of it could be attributed to Bea. But since the show a few nights ago—had it really only been a few nights?—she realized this happiness was so much more than having Bea in her life. This was what everyone kept going on about when they rejoiced about living their own truth. The weight of hiding had lifted, and she reveled in the cool crisp air.

She also enjoyed being outside because she was still adjusting to the onslaught of recognition and celebration queer fans were giving out freely now.

“This suits you,” Siena interrupted Bunny’s silent thoughts.

“What does?” Bunny looked down at her outfit. Comfortable yet stylish, and loose. Nothing unusual. In fact, she was certain Siena had seen her in the exact same outfit more than once before.

Siena chuckled and reached over to place a hand over Bunny’s, on the table beside her empty cup. “Happiness. I meant happiness looks good on you.”

“Oh, thank you.” Heat warmed Bunny’s cheeks at the compliment and at her complete misunderstanding.

“Now…” Siena stood again. Her grace flowed from her with such effortless ease. It always had. “…I’m going to get us drinks. And then we need to talk.”

“All right.” Bunny was impressed the words came out normally even though they had to push past the instant lump in her throat.

It didn’t take long for Siena to return. Not nearly long enough for Bunny to work out how much she would have to suck up to Siena, or for how long.

But she knew there were going to be problems. There always were in cases like this, right? When Siena sat back down, Bunny didn’t hesitate before jumping right in. “All right. What’s the damage?”

“Damage?” Siena asked, her face scrunching in confusion and curiosity.

“For my colossal spontaneity.”

“Oh.” Siena smiled and nodded. “To me, to your reputation, or to the Holbrook Foundation? Which one are we talking about?”

“Oh shit. Did they lose supporters because of me?” Bunny slumped in her chair, deflated. She hadn’t thought about them suffering and what a disaster her decisions could mean for them.

“Yes, they did.” Siena moved back slightly in her chair for the waiter to place their coffee on the table. She waited until he had disappeared inside before continuing, “But none that anyone from the Holbrook Foundation is going to miss. Especially considering the Christmas Eve spectacular is officially their highest earning fundraising event.”

“What?” Even Bunny was surprised by how loud her voice was.

“I’m sorry.” Siena chuckled, belying her words. “I couldn’t resist letting you worry for a second.”

“You’re evil.” Bunny pursed her lips before lifting the fresh cup of coffee to her lips. The warm steam swirled in front of her, filling her nostrils with the strong bitter taste. She sipped the drink more because she wanted to hide her grin. She had never bought into the whole floating-on-cloud-nine thing, but she certainly understood it a lot better now.

“Well, karma had to get you sooner or later, and aren’t you lucky it was me?” Siena looked far too pleased with herself. Her eyes twinkled, and her grin couldn’t be hidden by her own coffee cup.

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