In the days that followed, things were calm between Tara and Selena. Selena had suggested that she drive Tara to and from work, as it was on her route anyway, but Tara declined, remembering how Selena had reminded her to keep their co-living situation discreet. Taking up Selena's offer would only stir suspicions from people like Mara, so Tara continued to diligently ride the subway each day.
When driving Tara was off the table, Selena began bringing her breakfast. Tara, in turn, always transferred money to cover the cost, and their relationship stayed cordial, if not a bit distanced, remaining at a surface level of friendly professionalism.
One afternoon, as Selena finished reviewing a project, she found herself with a rare moment of free time. She glanced at her phone, noticing a message from a friend:
Friend: Any progress with her?
Selena: No.
Friend: Are you sure Tara even likes women?
Selena stared at her screen for a long time before replying.
Selena: Not sure.
Friend: You should test the waters a bit. If she doesn't swing that way, you'll be spinning your wheels forever.
Selena turned off her phone. The thought of if—if Tara is straight—was an unnervingly painful if. She stood, gathered some documents, and made her way to Tara's workspace, sunlight spilling through the autumn window and casting warm shadows on her coat, which she'd draped over a nearby chair. Beneath the coat, she wore a loose white shirt that brushed her shoulders gently, the sunlight illuminating her delicate features. Placing a light hand on Tara's shoulder, Selena waited until Tara turned, giving her a smile that was as warm as the sunlight. Her brown eyes sparkled as she asked, "Boss, what's up?"
Selena took a seat beside her. "Nothing much. Just finished up and wanted to check on you."
They sat in comfortable silence, the office so quiet that the only sound was the soft bubbling of the tea heater. Tara occasionally glanced over at Selena, who was lounging back in her chair, fingers drumming lightly on the desk in a steady rhythm. Her two top buttons were undone, revealing a graceful collarbone. Her pale, long fingers held a folder, tapping with a quiet precision.
"Boss," Tara said softly.
Selena's gaze shifted from her document to Tara's face, her expression softening as her golden-rimmed glasses caught the light. "Hmm?"
Tara hesitated, swallowing as her fingers gripped her pen a little tighter. "The weekend's coming up… will you be free?"
For a moment, Selena didn't respond. The bubbling of the tea heater seemed to grow louder, filling the space as Tara awaited a reply, anxiety building in her chest. She was almost certain Selena would turn her down. Their lives didn't intersect much outside of work, and Selena was notoriously private and strong-willed. Tara felt she'd taken a big chance, buying two very expensive tickets on the gamble Selena would even accept.
Click.
The sound of Selena's folder closing made Tara's heart skip. Selena set the folder in front of her and finally looked at her, a flicker of something warm sparking in her gaze. "If you're inviting me, Tara," she said, her tone light, "then I'm free whenever you are."
Hearing the softness in Selena's voice, Tara felt like she was floating.
She'd agreed!
It would be their first real outing together, and Tara couldn't keep her excitement in check, her smile stretching from ear to ear. Pulling out her bag, she took the butterfly exhibit tickets and handed one to Selena. "This Saturday, at ten in the morning. At the Southbridge Butterfly Exhibit. Can you meet me there?"
Selena took the ticket, and as she did, her warm fingers brushed against Tara's cooler ones. Selena frowned slightly, holding Tara's hand instead of letting go. "Your hand is freezing. Is the heater not working well?"
It was just the nerves, really. Tara had a quirk—her hands always turned cold when she got nervous.
"No, it's not that," she answered, though her weak reply didn't seem to convince Selena.
Initially, Selena reached for a warm tea, but her friend's earlier advice flashed through her mind. She abandoned the tea idea, coming up with something else instead.
Setting the ticket down, Selena gently clasped Tara's hand, bringing it close to her face. Leaning in, she blew a warm breath across Tara's fingers, allowing their hands to intertwine naturally, her thumb lightly stroking over the subtle veins tracing the back of Tara's hand. She cast a glance up at Tara, studying her reaction.
A woman attracted to women would likely have blushed or at least shown some flustered response.
But Tara simply looked back, her expression one of polite confusion, with only a hint of a smile. Selena might as well have been holding a piece of wood for all the emotion Tara showed.
"What is it, Boss?" Tara asked, voice soft and as warm as usual, though her eyes held a spark that made Selena's heart skip.
Tara was truly wonderful. But was it fair to drag her into Selena's tangled life? Did she have the strength to support Tara on such an unconventional path? Though times were changing, with more acceptance and even legal protections, subtle prejudices still lurked.
Selena quickly smoothed her expression, hiding her doubt. Tara had always been kind to her, in a pure and unassuming way, both now and even seven years ago.
It suddenly struck her just how underhanded she had become. Every small gesture toward Tara had been carefully planned. She'd orchestrated her affections step by step, while Tara's kindness had always been freely given, unprompted.
Realizing she'd been quiet too long, Selena rose a bit unsteadily, almost tripping. "Tara, please finish up those reports soon. I'll meet you at the butterfly exhibit right after work."
"Yes, ma'am."
Once Selena had left, Tara finally let out a long, shaky breath.
Her heart had pounded as soon as Selena had taken her hand, and the memory of Selena's warm breath on her fingers felt like it had left a permanent mark on her skin.
Thankfully, her composure had held just long enough. She pressed a hand over her chest, feeling the quick beat beneath her palm, then touched her heated earlobes. She was lucky Selena had left when she did—one more second, and she would have cracked.
But as Selena had left, she'd seemed a bit down.
Boss can be so unpredictable sometimes.
Tara absentmindedly rubbed her hand, savoring the memory of the touch, then took a sip of the tea, sweet and comforting. But every few minutes, her thoughts drifted back to Selena.
Selena's legs, elegantly crossed… her slender waist… the delicate curve of her collarbone… and those mesmerizing eyes, brimming with allure...
A sigh filled the quiet office as Tara let herself sink back into her chair, the folder forgotten on her desk. She doubted she'd be able to concentrate on work until Saturday.
Selena…
On Saturday, Tara got up early.
She made her way to the kitchen first, checking for any sign Selena might have eaten. Seeing no trace of activity, she guessed that Selena had gone directly to the office and skipped breakfast. As she got ready, she settled on a healthy sandwich for Selena's breakfast.
After showering, she styled her hair in the way Selena had taught her, pleased when she managed it perfectly. With her hair in place, she took a final look in the mirror, content with her choice of warm tones for her outfit.
At nine sharp, she hailed a cab, picking up a simple veggie sandwich for Selena and a hot breakfast for herself. She'd found a nice table outside the Southbridge Exhibit, a perfect spot to enjoy breakfast before the doors opened.
It wasn't long before she spotted Selena in the crowd, her deep red coat setting her apart, drawing attention effortlessly. Tara lifted her hand in a wave, and Selena's searching gaze soon found her, her lips curling into a warm smile as she walked over. With that familiar hint of cold perfume surrounding her, Tara felt her spirits lift, noticing that Selena seemed in a good mood, too.
Once inside, they made their way through the exhibit, Tara leading the way as they wandered along the winding halls, admiring the displays. Tara found herself relieved to recall many of the butterfly facts she'd learned years ago, enjoying the chance to share what she knew with Selena.
When they reached the glass case displaying a blue Morpho butterfly, Selena paused. "I know this one. It's a Blue Morpho, right? They're rare because they're so difficult to preserve. They're valuable for that reason."
Tara smiled. "Do you like Blue Morphos, boss?"
Staring at the vibrant blue butterfly, Selena's gaze softened as she seemed to remember something. Her voice grew quiet, laced with a rare tenderness that was impossible to miss. "Yes. Someone very special gave me one. I don't know much about butterflies, but this one… it's the only one I like."
Tara watched her closely, her eyes glinting with a new thought. As Selena became lost in her memory, Tara took out her phone and sent a quick message to a friend:
I want that Blue Morpho. Just name your price.