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Wednesday took another sip of her coffee. Having a barista as your girlfriend definitely had its advantages: not only did Enid bring home the best grounds, but she had also become extremely skilled in preparing coffee too. Wednesday even allowed her to flavor her quads now. Nothing excessive—Enid usually added just a touch of cinnamon, but today she had mixed in something brand new.
Wednesday sighed and tried to ignore the lingering effects of her morning migraine attack—her copy of The Oxford Handbook of Environmental Criminology beckoned.
Caught up on her missed classes and finished with her project, Wednesday had started to reschedule some mid-term exams. Her focus was on Criminology right now—her Journalism courses would have to wait—but tomorrow's exam had crept up on her.
Overambitious, Enid had called it. "You've barely slept for weeks now; even your professors were happy to give you more time."
Wednesday had only shrugged. She hated the feeling of being behind schedule, and besides: studying came naturally to her. She only needed to read her textbook and her notes, and she would remember the details for weeks. The perks of being blessed with a photographic memory.
Enid had been great throughout: she'd stayed up with Wednesday to refill her empty coffee mug, her neck massages were phenomenal (though they inevitably led to making out), and she had shown a lot of interest in the course material. She had even picked up specialized lingo and learned CPTED stood for 'Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design'.
The thought of Enid made Wednesday grab her phone—Enid would be on her break soon.
Wednesday (12:25 PM) : How is your day?
To her surprise, Enid started replying immediately...
Enid (12:25 PM) : OMG! Some idiots dropped their orders on their way out and I had to mop the entire floor. Then they demanded more drinks FOR FREE! Things got so heated, I nearly took a swipe at them. ISTG!
Wednesday (12:26 PM) : They can't treat you like that, that is unacceptable. Where was your manager?
Enid (12:26 PM) : Sick. Becky too. I'm all by myself here! How's studying going?
Wednesday (12:27 PM) : It's fine. The coffee helps. Did you put cardamom in it?
Enid (12:27 PM) : YES! That should help you sharpen your focus. Gotta go. New customer. Love you!!!!!
Wednesday (12:28 PM) : I love you too, Enid. Good luck. Call me should you need assistance with more lunkheads.
Enid (12:28 PM) : LOL. Will do.
Enid (12:29 PM) : Oh, and I've got a small surprise for you 2nite <3
Wednesday rolled her eyes. Since Enid worked at the coffee shop, she hadn't stopped buying Wednesday gifts. The flowers—Wednesday had dried them to preserve for eternity—were quickly followed by a poetry collection, a Chavela Vargas record, and then, black leather gloves.
Wednesday had protested that last purchase. "That gift is way too expensive, Enid. You're working at a coffee shop; I know they're not paying you in gold."
Enid had come prepared with an excuse. "I've said so before; I needed gloves. And they had a sale on: two-for-one!" She had smiled as she told the obvious lie. "I just love buying you gifts. You deserve them."
Wednesday could only hope her next present wouldn't up the ante again.
E.D. meowing and adjusting her position on the cat tower drew Wednesday's attention and took her mind off Enid. "You go back to sleep, E.D., and I'll go back to studying. Deal?"
***
Enid had reached the store a full hour before she had planned to. Her co-worker Laura had come to her assistance during the afternoon—on her day off, no less—and had even offered to close the shop: "You have been here all morning by yourself. I've got this."
Enid felt tired, but excited by the silly idea that had sparked her mind earlier that day. As she walked up to the fruit stand and studied what was on offer, she chuckled to herself. This is so stupid. What will Wednesday think? Enid decided that being carelessly in love was the best feeling ever.
As she opened the door to their apartment twenty minutes later, E.D. walked over and rubbed her head against her legs.
"Hello, Edwina, how are you? Did you miss me?" E.D. meowed affirmatively. She got on her hind legs and leaned against Enid, begging her to be picked up.
"And has my girlfriend missed me?" Enid smiled at Wednesday, who emerged from her study toward her.
"Massively." The kiss Wednesday planted on Enid was further proof of that. "I didn't know you would go for groceries. Let me help you unpack."
As she leaned over to pick up the bag on the floor, Enid quickly stopped her in her tracks. "I've got it! You go back to studying. I'll call you when dinner is ready."
Wednesday hesitated for a moment before agreeing. "I have two more chapters to go through, and then I'm all yours." And with a smirk she added, "I am relieved to see my surprise fits in a shopping bag."
--
Hours later, Enid watched Wednesday scoop up the last spoonful of the sopa de fideo. She suspected Wednesday of requesting this easily prepared dish because she felt guilty Enid had to prepare dinner after an already very long and demanding day at work.
"So, um, dessert will require some time."
Wednesday's eyes widened slightly. "Is that my surprise? I will help—what are we making?"
Enid's face flushed red before she answered. "Cherries jubilee."
"Cherries? Oh!"
Enid laughed as Wednesday's confuddled look turned into one of excited recognition. "Yeah."
With two sets of hands, preparations advanced quickly. Wednesday pitted the cherries, while Enid melted butter and added sugar and lemon juice. After adding the cherries and letting everything simmer for a few minutes, Enid added brandy to the mix and turned off the stovetop vent. With E.D. safe and clear, Wednesday lit a long match and held it to the alcohol. Blue flames rose from the pan, and Wednesday's face lit up. "I love a flambé."
As soon as the brandy was burned off, Enid poured the warm cherries and red syrup over pale scoops of vanilla ice cream. The pair enjoyed their dessert in silence, until Wednesday conjured a long cherry stem from her pocket.
"I found a nice long one for you," she said. She offered it to Enid as if it was a treasure of incalculable value.
Enid caught her looking at her mouth. "You should probably sit closer, so you can see what I'm doing," she replied, her voice sounding a little hoarse.
As she put the stem in her mouth, she looked deep into Wednesday's brown eyes and figured they were the prettiest eyes in the world. She never broke eye contact while her tongue did the work. It was hard to focus, but fifteen seconds later, she removed the knotted cherry stem.
Wednesday hardly paid it any attention. Instead, she leaned over and pressed her lips to Enid's...