Page 33 of Taken from Her
People drifted toward the door in small groups, conversations continuing. Corinne paused to thank both women for productive collaboration. Sam expressed gratitude for feeling more secure with the community and police working together.
Within fifteen minutes, the café had mostly emptied except for the usual lingerers: Georgia finishing her tea and a few regulars reluctant to leave the warmth and safety of community space.
And Diana, who hadn't moved toward the door despite gathering her materials.
Lavender began stacking chairs, acutely aware that they were moving into different territory now—not quite private, but closer to personal than anything they'd shared all evening.
"That went well," Diana said quietly, moving to help without being asked.
"Better than I expected," Lavender admitted, accepting the chair Diana handed her. "Thank you for adapting. Being present instead of just official."
Their hands brushed during the exchange, and this time neither pulled away immediately.
"Your community is remarkable," Diana said. "And you, the way you hold space for all of this and help people feel safe while processing real fear. It's impressive."
The compliment sent warmth through Lavender's chest, complicated by everything they couldn't say in semi-public space.
"We work well together," Lavender said carefully.
Diana's smile was small but genuine. "We do."
Lavender began collecting coffee cups and workshop materials, grateful for tasks that kept her hands busy. The evening had been successful—better than successful—but she felt wrung out from managing her dual focus for two hours.
Diana moved to help without being asked, gathering flip chart papers with the same careful attention she brought to everything else. They worked around each other naturally, movements synchronizing in ways that reminded Lavender of this morning's easy domesticity.
"Leave those," Lavender said when Diana reached for the heavy chairs. "I can handle them tomorrow."
"It's fine." Diana lifted two chairs at once, muscles working under her uniform. "Besides, I helped make the mess."
Their eyes met across the space, and a look passed between them. The workshop's professional distance was dissolving, leaving behind the awareness that had hummed under every interaction all evening.
"You did well tonight," Lavender said quietly, stacking papers on the counter. "The community responded to you differently."
"They responded to partnership instead of authority." Diana set the chairs down carefully. "That's your influence, not mine."
"Ourinfluence," Lavender corrected. "You adapted and listened instead of just collecting information."
Diana paused in her cleanup, something vulnerable flickering across her features. "I've never worked a case like this before, where caring about the people involved makes me more effective instead of less."
The admission hung between them, loaded with meaning Lavender wasn't sure she should unpack right now. Sam and Racquel were still talking by the door, and Georgia's sharp ears missed nothing.
"Coffee tomorrow?" Diana asked, voice carefully casual. "To follow up on tonight's action items."
Lavender's pulse quickened at the subtext underneath the professional request. "Of course. What time works for you?"
"Early. Before the morning rush. Seven-thirty?"
"Perfect."
Sam and Racquel finally headed toward the door, calling out their thanks for the productive workshop. Georgia finished her tea with deliberate slowness, clearly waiting to see what would happen once they were truly alone.
"Georgia," Lavender said with fond exasperation, "don't you have somewhere to be?"
"I'm exactly where I need to be," Georgia replied serenely. "Making sure you two don't overthink what's working perfectly well."
Diana looked confused by the cryptic comment, but Lavender felt heat rise in her cheeks. Georgia's approval was clear, even if her methods were less than subtle.
"Good night, Georgia," Lavender said firmly.
