“Of course,” she responded as he approached her.

He lifted his hand to her face and traced his thumb over her bottom lip. “And we can finish what we started another time…” he promised before pulling away and heading back to his truck, toolbox in hand.

She followed and stood on the front porch as he shut the car door. Elbow hanging out the open window, he smiled broadly. “I’ll see you soon.”

Ava watched his truck disappear down the driveway as she mused on what just happened. She didn’t regret making out with the handyman in the greenhouse. Grinning to herself she realized it was sort of exciting, something she needed in life after all the consequential changes she had been through.

Besides, when was the last time she actually had fun?

A thumpand then the pitter patter of paws sounded as Luna trotted down the stairs, drawn by the noise of plastic as Ava opened the package of raw chicken. Though Luna came and went as she pleased through the new cat door and hunted for most of her own food, Ava had decided to treat her with some meat tonight as she waited for Eleanor to arrive for dinner.

Luna bounded into the kitchen and rubbed against Ava’s legs, purring loudly.

She set a plate of chicken next to a bowl of water and Luna ravenously bit into her dinner. Ava wasn’t nervous around her, despite her being a wild animal, and smiled to herself as she watched the cat. As she was about to start on tonight’s dinner, the doorbell rang.

“That’s our guest,” Ava told Luna, who ignored her, hunger taking precedence.

She walked down the hall and opened the front door.

“I brought dessert,” Eleanor said as she held a tin of homemade brownies.

“My favorite! Thanks,” said Ava as they made their way back to the kitchen. “I’m sorry, I haven’t started cooking yet. It’ll be quick though.”

Eleanor took a seat at the kitchen island as Ava filled a pot with water and set it on the stove, a click sounding as she turned on the gas. She poured two glasses of pinot grigio and handed one to Eleanor, who thanked her and took a sip.

“Is this the bobcat you texted me about?”

“Yes! Can you believe it? Isn’t she amazing? Just be careful. She’s friendly to me, but I don’t know how she’ll be to strangers.”

“She’sdefinitelydifferent. You were right,” Eleanor replied as she leaned down and allowed the cat to sniff her hand.

Luna seemed to accept Eleanor’s offering and rubbed against her, chirruping happily. Ava relaxed as she realized Luna seemed as happy to be with Eleanor as she did with her.

“Did you name her yet?” she asked.

Sheepishly, she looked at Eleanor. “Um… I know I shouldn’t have… but yes. Luna.”

At the sound of her name, Luna perked up.

Eleanor smiled, hazel eyes sparkling. “I think she likes it.”

Ava laughed. “I think so too.”

Ava finished dinner and plated their food, suggesting they eat outside. Settling themselves at the outdoor dining table, Ava sighed and sipped her wine, the smell of their lemon ricotta pasta hovering in the air.

It was a lovely evening, the cool fall breeze bringing a slight chill. While the front yard had little trees besides the forest to allow sunlight to all the flowers, the back was almost fully shaded. The landscaping contained hostas, bleeding heart, ferns and other shade-loving plants. Dogwoods grew underneath the larger shade trees, and a stone birdbath was integrated seamlessly in one of the flowerbeds, surrounded by blue hydrangeas.

Breaking the silence, Ava blurted, “Henry kissed me.”

“What?” Eleanor’s eyes lit up. “Already? Tell me everything.”

“Well,” she started as she blushed and sipped her wine. “We were in the greenhouse. And then a mouse startled me, and I ended up pressed against him…”

Eleanor paused, holding her fork in the air. “You made out in the greenhouse?”

“Yeah. He started kissing me and it got pretty hot and heavy… Then his phone rang and he had to leave.”

“Nooooo. You got interrupted?”