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The hustle and bustle of the lunch-time cafe rush was a welcome distraction from the ongoing monologue Kara was enduring. Her eye was drawn to the line of customers ordering their food, chatting to their friends and seeming to be in much better company than she was. She wished she could have been on a date with anyone else, even Mxyzptlk, it was that bad.“Hey are you listening?” The sharpness of her date’s voice startled Kara, her attention snapping back to him, where he was sitting opposite her at their small table. “How hard is it to pay attention to a guy when he’s giving you his time?”Kara forced a fake smile, thinking about how her current predicament was all Winn Schott’s fault. Practicing restraint, Kara affected an apologetic tone. “What were you saying?”
Kara wasn’t the slightest bit sorry for tuning out his political speech about how Supergirl was ruining the justice system by interfering and apprehending criminals herself. Obviously he was intimidated by a powerful woman making positive change in the world. Unfortunately, he knew her surname and Kara didn’t need any drama to seep into her work life because of one horribly awkward date if she gave him a piece of her mind.Clenching her jaw, Kara inhaled to stay calm when the man switched topics to his previous girlfriends and how they were ‘great in the sack’ but weren’t ‘wife material’ since he was looking for a woman who could ‘take care of all his needs.’ As much as Kara loved Winn she couldn’t stand to listen to that for a moment longer. It was getting too hard to resist reaching across the table to knock him out so he could tell all his macho friends he got punched by a girl.“Excuse me, I have to take this.” Talking over him, Kara reached into her handbag to retrieve her phone. Standing from her seat, she moved far enough away that she didn’t have to act out the fake call. She counted the seconds in her head, then returned. “I hate to cut this short but there’s been a family emergency and I really have to get going.”The guy gave her a blank look, and Kara sensed he didn’t really believe her. Instead of calling her out he dismissively responded “see you then.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket, scrolling and typing away without another look in Kara’s direction.Shrugging the strap of her handbag higher up her shoulder, Kara folded her lips, reminding herself that getting a reaction from her would only entertain him and ultimately make her feel worse. She was slowly learning to choose her battles.Heading for the sliding glass doors, Kara stopped to order a donut with rainbow sprinkles on the way out. “Thanks,” she smiled at her server, taking a few napkins to hold the sticky treat between. She figured she’d earned the right to some comfort food.
A few days ago, Winn encouraged Kara, saying she needed to put herself back out there in the search for love, since she’d finally been able to move on from Mon-El. As much as it was awkward and painful at first, discovering he was married, Kara was glad he was alive and well, and that he was happy with someone. She’d insisted she was fine on her own when Winn brought up the topic of romance, which was partly true and partly fear. Winn wasn’t convinced and they ended up making a profile for Kara on some dating app.She hadn’t felt good about the entire thing from the start but Winn’s heart was in the right place and he’d even given their quest to find Kara’s future boyfriend a name: Operation Cupid . Backing out of her date didn’t seem fair when he’d gone to so much effort to help her on her journey to find love. After what she’d just dealt with? Kara was ready to call it quits. She’d have to find the courage to tell Winn Operation Cupid was an epic failure.Caught up in her thoughts, Kara wasn’t looking where she was going on her way out of the cafe. As the doors slid open, she walked headfirst into an unfortunate arriving customer. Kara’s donut ended up squished between them, sticking to the person’s stylish blazer.
“Oh! I am so sorry.” Reacting quickly, Kara’s attention shifted from what was left of the deformed donut crumpled in her hand to the woman she’d bumped into. “Sam?”“Hi, gosh, I didn’t see you.” Sam smiled apologetically, looking down at the colourful stain of sprinkles and mushed dough on her black jacket.“Here, hold on,” offering the napkin that was the least dirty after their impact, Kara dabbed at the stain on Sam’s blazer, her face flushing warm with humiliation. Of all the scenarios she’d imagined of meeting up with Sam again none of them involved a donut disaster.“I’ll take it to the dry cleaners later,” Sam reassured, holding out her bag. “Could you?”Kara went to take the bag for her, hesitating so she could wipe her sticky donut fingers on the remaining napkin before accepting it. Her brain worked to catch up with what happened, averting her gaze when she realised Sam was taking her soiled jacket off. Kara felt the heat on her face worsen and her heartbeat hammering in her chest. “I can cover the cost.”Sam folded her blazer in half, smiling warmly from the gesture, appreciating the offer. “That’s kind of you, Kara, but there’s no need. It was an accident.”Kara wasn’t convinced, returning Sam’s bag. “I know but it was my fault. I feel terrible.”“Really, it’s fine, if anything I owe you a donut.” Sam tucked the jacket around her bag to make it easier to carry before settling her gaze on her worried friend.
Kara’s apologetic smile evolved into an embarrassed laugh, tension lifting when Sam couldn’t help but laugh with her from the situation. Laughter always made her feel better, and if Sam’s matching smile was anything to go by, Kara thought she probably felt the same.“I’m actually here to pick up my coffee order.” Heading back to the doors, Sam waited for Kara to join her. “Let me buy you that donut.” Kara couldn’t say no, not when Sam was being so sweet trying to alleviate what was left of her guilt.The couple headed inside the cafe, towards the counter. Sam gave her name to the server who got her order ready while Kara decided on a new donut, bending to look at them through the glass display. Her mouth watered from the delicious rows of tasty treats.
“Found something you like?” Sam asked.
When Kara glanced nervously at her she was shocked to find herself thinking that maybe she had and it definitely wasn’t about the donuts. “Uhh,” she struggled, smiling shyly in place of an answer, looking away from Sam, who was very distracting, and back at the donuts. “I’ll have that one.” She pointed to the simple donut covered in chocolate icing.
“Good choice. I like those too.”
Sam’s casual remark made Kara’s stomach squeeze, not unpleasantly, her face growing hot again at the concept of Sam approving of her interest...in donuts. If she was being completely honest, Kara’s momentary inability to function had nothing to do with donuts and everything to do with the way Sam unknowingly made her feel.
She’d noticed how her body reacted strangely the last few times she was with Sam: at their most recent game night, and the evening she dropped something off at Sam’s house for Lena. On both occasions Kara’s heart raced from the sound of Sam’s voice. She felt weak, like she couldn’t think straight, whenever Sam teased her or smiled in her general direction.
What is wrong with me? Kara wondered, it feels like ...no it can't be that. Before she could thank Sam for the donut, her fluttering stomach dropped off the highest floor of National City’s tallest building when she noticed her date headed angrily towards them. There was no time to explain as he pushed past several customers.
“I thought you had to rush off for some family emergency? Who the hell is this?”Sam’s soft aura instantly shifted into something more defensive. She frowned at the stranger and Kara hadn’t seen that look on her face before. It almost made her look like a different person. Kara bit her lip when she noticed how Sam shifted slightly so that she was blocking most of his aggressive approach.
Kara’s brain failed to think of an excuse with so much going on in there.Sam forced eye-contact with the man to show she wasn’t afraid when he took a step closer, into her personal space. Sam kept her cool in his attempt to intimidate. She calmly yet assertively addressed him. “Kara doesn’t have to explain herself to you or anyone.”For a terrifying second Kara thought he might strike Sam from the look that flashed through his eyes. Not that Kara would have stood by and let him do it. She’d rather the entire cafe know her secret identity than let that happen. Instead, he directed his vitriol towards her.“You must secretly be into girls or something. No woman has ever been uncomfortable on a date with me. Lose my digits, I’m not interested in being some cover story for your family.” He shoved past Sam, bumping into her shoulder. His comments sucked all the energy out of Kara, humiliation settling deep under her skin.“What a jackass.” Sam felt a flare of protective fury surge through her at his accusation and the miserable expression it left on Kara’s face. “Do you know that guy?”Kara avoided looking at Sam. She couldn’t take any more shame. “That…was my date.”
“Wow,” Sam breathed.
“Yeah,” Kara’s dejected voice trailed off.Breaking the growing silence, their server handed over Sam’s order. Sam passed the napkin-clad donut to Kara then made for the exit with her. She took a sip of her coffee much too quickly, almost burning her tongue. Kara seemed too distracted by her thoughts to notice and the two fell into a reasonable pace as they walked down the sidewalk together.Sam hesitated, sensing Kara was taking what that asshole said to heart, but she didn’t want to instantly change the subject in case Kara thought she was avoiding discussing relationships. She was careful to keep her tone casual. “So, you’re dating again?”
“Mm, trying to,” Kara answered honestly between a mouthful of fluffy donut. “It’s been difficult, you know, with the Mon-El situation. I thought I was ready to find love again but…” Kara couldn’t settle on a word that accurately described the feeling.“...it’s tough,” Sam finished for her, understanding how she felt.Frowning, the more she thought about it, Kara explained, “I’ve moved on, that isn’t the problem. It’s trying to make a connection with someone new. It never used to feel this hard.”Sam replied, “I hear that. I’ve not had the best luck with relationships either.”
“You too, huh?” Kara empathised, feeling a little better knowing she wasn’t alone.Sam nodded, “yep. Turns out being a single mom is a huge turn off for most lesbians.”“You’re interested in women?” Kara couldn’t hide the brief surprise from her voice, but Sam thought it was cute how she tried. “Not that there’s anything wrong with that, I just meant- my date, he- he said those stupid things.”Sam pulled a face, “that guy was an idiot. You’re way too good for him.”Kara blushed from the compliment. She finished off the rest of her donut, wolfing it down to keep herself from smiling too hard. They walked past a small group of volunteers handing out leaflets advertising some sort of event. Kara politely took one when it was thrust towards her.
Sam was quiet, deciding how much to share. “I used to see guys when I was a teenager.”“What changed?” Kara curiously asked, her heart starting to pick up speed.“I did,” Sam confessed. “I fell in love with my childhood sweetheart. He got me pregnant, disappeared and I never saw him again after that.”
Kara’s heart sank, a whirlwind of different emotions kicking in. Anger, that someone could hurt Sam so deeply during what should have been a special moment in her life. Sorrow, that Ruby never got to know her father, and empathy, that Sam’s heart had been crushed like Kara’s was. In different ways maybe but all broken hearts looked the same in pieces.“Oh, Sam,” Kara murmured, “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”
“It was a long time ago.” Sam deflected out of habit. “Besides, dating women isn’t that much easier. I mean, okay, so I haven’t had my heart broken again which is nice but god some of the dates I’ve been on…they make your guy look like a saint.”“Really?” Snorting out a laugh, Kara casually glanced down at the leaflet in her hand. It read ‘Valentine’s Festival’ on the front in pastel pink, bold lettering. Flipping it open, Kara started to read some of the festival’s attractions with interest.
Sam sighed wistfully. “I can’t remember the last time I went on a nice date.”“Well that was my first ‘official’ date in years and let me tell you, I’m ready to never go on one ever again, or leave the house, or get out of bed, you get the idea,” Kara joked.
Sam’s eyes sparkled with mirth as she drank more of her coffee. “I think we both deserve at least one good date before we give up entirely. Which sounds great in theory but falls apart when I remember I have absolutely nothing planned for the foreseeable future.”“I’m surprised you don’t have plans for Valentine’s,” Kara said. Realising how that sounded, she cleared her throat and rushed to keep talking. “With Alex and Lena, James and Winn, I think we’re the only ones from game night not going on some romantic getaway.”
Sam hummed in agreement. “Even Ruby has plans. She’s with her friends all day.”Finishing reading the back of the leaflet, Kara suddenly had an idea. “We should go to this together,” she suggested, holding up the leaflet to show Sam the front. “It could be fun and it’ll take our minds off the fact we’re both single on the one day of the year dedicated to love.”
Reaching to take the leaflet when Kara held it out to her, Sam looked through the contents, raising her eyebrows. She finished the last drop of coffee in her cup. “Sure, why not?”Kara’s face lit up. “Great! What time shall I meet you there?”
Sam scanned the leaflet again. “There’s plenty for us to do. How about eleven?”
“I’ll buy the tickets.” Kara lifted her finger when Sam went to protest. “My treat, no arguments.”Sam smiled, relenting to playfully confirm, “it’s a date.”
***
Heading to the DEO, ready to get to work keeping the city safe, Kara waved to Winn when he spun on his chair to welcome her. He was eager to hear the latest on Operation Cupid .“From the pep in your step I’m guessing your lunch date yesterday was a huge success?”
“Nope, it was awful.” Kara leaned her elbows on the operations table with a bright smile.
Winn wore a puzzled look, suspiciously observing, “you’re taking this very well.”Looking down at the table, Kara’s smile softened. “I bumped into Sam afterwards, literally bumped into her. We made some arrangements for Valentine’s day.”Winn almost jumped up out of his chair. Finally! He was so sure Kara would never find the courage to be honest about her feelings, even when they were clear as day to everyone else. When Kara seemed confused by his enthusiasm, Winn clarified, “what, like a date?”Kara quickly corrected, “strictly platonic.”Winn’s premature reaction fizzled out. He gave Kara a blank stare. “Uh-huh.”Struggling to figure out what Winn was getting at, Kara frowned at him. “What?”
“Nothin’.” Winn turned on his chair to get back to searching the DEO’s database.A drawn out silence lingered in the command center. Kara’s hands landed on her hips, fingers drumming impatiently against the fabric of her suit. She couldn’t help herself, striding over to stand next to Winn’s screen. “There was totally something to that ‘uh-huh’.”
Sighing, knowing she wasn’t going to drop it, Winn said what they were both thinking. “Come on, Kara. You obviously have a thing for Sam and that’s fine! Nobody’s gonna judge you.”“Who, me?” Kara scoffed in mock disbelief, panic in her eyes. “That’s-” she exhaled nervously, wearing a strained smile, “that’s ridiculous. Why would you think that?”Winn empathised more than Kara probably realised. He kept it light-hearted since she was already close to freaking out and he didn’t want to scare her away from the subject now they’d made it there. “I’ve seen you two at game night. You always said you wanted to find your perfect partner and none of us can break your winning streak. We’ve tried. Multiple times.”“That doesn’t mean anything,” Kara waved off what he said, pausing to chew her bottom lip. Suddenly uncertain, she made eye-contact with him. “Does it?”Winn had been in a similar situation to the one that Kara was in right now. The uncertainty was the worst part. While it wasn’t his place to push Kara to reach an answer about herself she might not be ready for, he would be there for her every step of the way, with a little nudge if that’s what she needed from him. He smiled to help her to relax. “It took me a long time to process how I felt about James. Heck, it took me even longer to act on those feelings.”Kara’s nervousness faded from the reminder of Winn and James’ love story. She was so happy for them when they announced their relationship, having witnessed their journey on the road to romance, a journey that started with a solid friendship. Her heart jumped when her mind pointed out that she and Sam had built a strong friendship already in a reasonably short time.“It’s terrifying, not knowing who you are,” Kara eventually admitted. “Thinking you knew but…realising there’s so much more and it’s been there the whole time. I don’t know, I guess I’m scared to look deeper because once I do I can’t come back from that.”
“Yeah, it is terrifying.” Winn quietly agreed. “But it’s also exciting to realise it’s okay to be who you are underneath. And to know that you have family and friends who’ll love and support you while you figure it out, no matter how long it takes.”
Kara slowly nodded. “I couldn’t do this without you. You’re a lot braver than I am.”
Winn chuckled. “Okay, that’s not true at all but I’ll take it.” Standing from his chair, he opened his arms to offer a hug that Kara accepted. When they pulled back, he said, “don’t be afraid to listen to what your heart’s trying to tell you, Kara. It’s usually right.”
“I will try,” Kara promised, smiling gratefully at her friend.
“Operation Cupid ain’t over yet!” Winn enthused with a playful grin.“Oh god,” she cringed at the reminder, “please delete my profile from that dating site.”
“You got it.” Returning to his chair to pull up the website, Winn typed away.
***
Dressed in a light blue and white floral summer dress with her hair loose, several blonde strands pulled back off her face, Kara checked to make sure she’d grabbed the festival tickets. Sam texted to say she was bringing everything they’d need for a picnic in the park afterwards which meant Kara only had to bring her purse.After her conversation with Winn a few days ago, Kara couldn’t stop thinking about how it felt like she was preparing for a date. That’s what her heart was saying, which she did promise to try to listen to. The problem was her mind kept reminding her that it wasn’t fair on Sam to keep imagining that there was something going on between them if there wasn’t. Sam might have felt weird about it if she knew Kara was picturing them going on a date for Valentine’s day, especially when she was the one who’d made it clear this was to keep them from getting the singles blues.Over-complicating things was a mistake Kara didn’t plan on making twice, so she took a nice, deep breath to steady her racing thoughts. When she was ready, she flew to a quiet area near the parking lot where the festival was being held. Kara straightened her glasses where they were askew from her super speed, tottering around the corner in her off-white, open-toe, heeled shoes. Squinting to use her enhanced vision to scan the small crowds of people milling about, Kara felt a rush of excitement when she eventually found Sam. She was wearing charcoal grey jeans with combat boots and a pale pink turtle-neck, sleeveless vest. Her long hair was tucked behind her ears where a pair of sunglasses were pushed back on top of her head. Sam was holding them up so she could look around for Kara. Walking up behind her, Kara lightly tapped her on the shoulder. Sam spun around, her frowning features instantly softening.“Hi,” Kara said with a dazzling smile, "I hope I haven't kept you waiting too long."
Sam was stunned, taking a moment to admire how breath-taking Kara looked. “You're beautiful, wow.” When Sam realised that wasn't in her head and she'd actually said it out loud, she tried to correct herself. “This is supposed to be a friendly get together so I probably shouldn’t say things like that, I’m sorry.”Kara rushed to reassure her, “no, it’s okay, I don’t mind!”Sam’s eyes sparkled. “You don’t?”“I don’t,” Kara boldly confirmed. “And you look incredible, by the way.”Sam smiled coyly, feeling flattered. “Thank you,” she reached to slip her arm through Kara’s. “I’m glad we decided to do this.”
“Me too.” Kara eagerly welcomed their closeness as they started to walk together towards the entrance to the festival.Fishing the tickets out of her purse, Kara handed them over to the organiser standing by the large open gates. In return they were presented with paper wristbands so they could come and go as they pleased throughout the day. Helping each other put them on, Kara’s excitement skyrocketed the moment they passed through the gates.
“We have to ride the carousel, that'd be hilarious.” Kara pointed towards the bobbing pink and white horses adorned with hearts. Her attention was then drawn to the row of different games with multiple sizes of colourful valentine’s themed plushies to win. “Oh, oh! They have hook-a-duck, I love that game! Alex is really good at the ring toss.” Kara chatted away enthusiastically, commenting on the different attractions that came into view as they strolled along. Sam held onto her arm listening to every word with an enamoured smile. She could spend the entire day listening to Kara talk, she loved how positive and passionate she was. Kara made everything seem more fun and Sam never knew how much she needed someone like that in her life until she met her. She was like a ball of sunshine, bringing light and warmth everywhere she went.“What do you wanna do first?” Kara asked, turning to Sam, catching the adoring look on her face. Kara smiled sheepishly, “am I talking too much?”
Sam shook her head fondly. “I love how excited you are.”Kara’s face grew warm. She might have felt embarrassed if it wasn’t for Sam’s sincerity. It’d been a long time since anyone looked at her with affection in their eyes. She wondered if Sam had ever looked at her like that before and she never noticed.
Spotting something out of the corner of her eye, Sam guided them over to the basketball game where there was a large panda plush on one of the prize stands. “Ruby loves pandas.”
“Really?” Kara unlaced her arm from Sam’s. She knew what she had to do.
“You get three shots for five dollars,” the game runner explained, “you only have to score once to win a prize.”
Sam wanted to argue it was too expensive, but Kara was already opening her purse to hand over the money. She smiled confidently to quell Sam's doubts. “Don’t worry, I got this.”
Was it cheating to use her powers to win a prize to impress her unofficial date’s tween daughter? Probably, but Kara was certain the karma gods would allow it, just this once.With a determined look of concentration, she accepted the basketball from the game runner. Kara took a moment to perfectly line up her shot. Throwing the ball, it flew through the air, across the hefty space, straight into the net. Sam didn’t have time to react when the game runner, equally dumbfounded, handed her another ball and Kara took her second shot. Like the first, it soared right into the net. Sam’s jaw dropped. Kara decided to let up for the last shot considering she’d already won, purposely missing with an exaggerated ‘oops, darn.’“Which prize do you want?” The game runner asked, sounding impressed.Kara motioned to the plush. “The panda, please.”
“I wish Ruby could have seen that.” Sam commented with awe while the game runner fetched their prize down from where it was hanging.
Rubbing the side of her neck, Kara exhaled nervously. “It was a lucky shot.” Picking up on her mistake, she smiled awkwardly. “Two lucky shots.”
Handing Kara the giant panda, the game runner made an offer. “I’m feeling generous, you can have another prize for that round.”Kara struggled with the big panda in her arms, trapped in a hug with him, trying to look over the remaining plushies to pick another.
“Let me hold that for you,” Sam failed to contain a laugh from the sight of Kara Danvers wrestling with a giant panda plush. With a relieved expression, Kara gratefully offloaded the snuggly panda into Sam’s waiting arms. “Jeez, this guy is huge.”
“Hm, I’ll go for that one,” Kara’s choice was a cute looking white bear holding a heart.“Here you go,” the game runner retrieved the bear. Kara thanked him.
The pair moved to one side out of the way of the game so others could play while Sam balanced the surprisingly heavy panda over one shoulder.“We should probably take him back to your car so we don’t have to carry him around all day,” Kara suggested."Good idea," Sam agreed.It didn’t take long to head back to the parking lot since they were close to the entrance. Sam unlocked the car and with Kara’s help they got the panda comfortably into the backseat.
“Hey, don’t forget this guy too.” Kara offered the white bear to Sam, blushing faintly. Sam looked at the outstretched bear holding a red heart towards her as if Kara was presenting her’s for Sam to claim. “I’d like you to have it.”Sam brushed her fingers against the bear’s soft fur. “Are you sure?”
Kara smiled sweetly. “Positive.”Sam felt strangely emotional when she took the bear. Once she’d gotten him safely tucked away in the car and locked up, Sam took a risk and reached to take Kara’s hand in her’s. “I’m just gonna say it,” Sam gathered the rest of her courage. “This feels like a date.”Hearing Sam say what she only could have hoped for that same morning, Kara couldn’t believe she’d expended so much energy trying to deny how she felt. She’d let fear dictate the course of her future for long enough. It was time to be brave. “Then that’s what it is,” Kara squeezed Sam’s hand, “if you want it to be?”“Of course I do.” Sam squeezed Kara’s hand right back. “As long as you’re okay with it.”Returning to the festival, they played a few more games, including hook-a-duck, and the ring toss. They passed the High Striker, a classic strongman challenge, where a loud middle-aged man was hollering at people passing by trying to get them to have a turn.
To Kara’s surprise, Sam slowed down as they walked by. “I’ll try it.” She said, talking over his obnoxious shouting. Kara let go of Sam’s hand so she could take the mallet.
“Alright then, little lady, let’s see what you’re made of!”
Sam steeled herself, feeling the weight of the mallet in her grip. It took all of Kara’s willpower not to laugh from the irritated look Sam wore from being called ‘little lady.’ Sam flicked her hair over her shoulder as she prepared to swing the mallet. Kara decided it was one of the sexiest things she’d ever seen. Sam struck the lever as hard as she could, the puck launching upwards, ringing the bell at the top. Kara gaped at Sam from her impressive show of strength, whispering a dazed ‘whoa.’ Sam smiled proudly, handing the mallet to the next person in line.Sam’s hand soon found its way back into Kara’s. She laced their fingers together and it felt so natural, as if they’d done it a hundred times before. The time flew by as they explored all that the festival had to over. They spent the rest of the early afternoon browsing stalls with items for sale, ranging from clothes to antiques to hand-made crafts.When they passed a particular jewelry stall, Kara’s heart froze.There, on display, was a pretty silver necklace with a blue pendant. It looked similar to the one her mother gave to her when Krypton was destroyed, the one she’d passed on to Mon-El to keep him safe. She didn’t regret giving it to him and she would never ask for it back, but deep down she’d missed the comfort of wearing the necklace. Kara missed having that tiny piece of her planet, of her old life, close to her heart. Sam caught sight of the way Kara was gazing at the necklace as if she was reuniting with an old friend. Her voice drew Kara from her trance.
“Hey, why don’t you find us a place to sit at the park while I fetch the picnic supplies?”“Hm?” Kara eventually tore her gaze away from the necklace. “Sure, okay.”Unlacing her fingers from Sam’s, Kara walked away from the stalls, through the roaming people enjoying the festival of love, heading for the park nearby. Her heart ached in many ways for many reasons. She was having a lovely day, one of the best she’d had in a long time. Now that she’d embraced being honest about her, in hindsight, pretty obvious interest in Sam, it didn’t feel complicated, it felt joyfully simple. Why should it matter that they were both women? What mattered was that their feelings were authentic and their connection was meaningful.Crossing the park, Kara found a quiet spot beneath a tall, thick, oak tree. Placing her hand atop the bark, she closed her eyes to listen to the thrum of the tree’s energy, soaking up the feeling of pure contentment. Kara wasn’t sure how long she stood there, communing with the ancient tree, but it must have been longer than she thought when the sound of someone clearing their throat stirred her. Eyes blinking open, Kara turned to find Sam carrying a picnic basket and blanket.Together they set down the blanket beneath the tree and got comfortable. Sam placed the basket between them so they could open one end each. Kara gasped in delight from the delicious food found within. “Did you make all of this yourself?”
“I may have gone a little overboard.” Sam confessed, sifting through the basket of goodies.
Kara leaned in to place an appreciative kiss to Sam’s cheek, murmuring, “it’s perfect.”
Sam had made tasty, chunky sandwiches and a yummy pasta salad to die for. They enjoyed some fresh strawberries with cream once they’d let the rest of their food go down. They lay sprawled on the blanket together indulging in pleasant, flowing conversation for what felt like no time at all but was hours in reality.When a natural quiet fell, Sam shifted onto her knees in front of Kara, nervously tucking her hair behind her ear. “I know this is new territory for us, and we haven’t talked about what it means moving forward yet but I have to tell you how I feel about you, Kara. You’re hard-working, smart, funny, attractive and kind. So kind. You have the most incredible heart.”Sam reached into her pocket. “I got you something. To say thank you for being a wonderful friend. And if you decide you want things to stay that way, as friends, I completely understand. I want you to be comfortable and to know that I’m not going to push you for anything you’re not ready to give. I’m just grateful to be a part of your life.”
Holding up the silver necklace, catching the light as it swayed between Sam’s fingers, Kara felt tears in her eyes. Her voice shook as she whispered, “you bought it for me?”“I hope that’s alright.” Sam was worried it might have been too much. Kara was looking at her with gratitude so powerful Sam could feel it emanating off her and she understood then, that the tears in Kara’s eyes were born of joy, not sorrow. “Shall I put it on for you?”
Kara beamed through her tears, sniffling, managing a nod. She turned her back to Sam, folding her hair up in her hand to keep it out of the way. Sam carefully unhooked the necklace, guiding it around Kara’s neck. “There,” she sealed the clasp. Letting go of her hair, Kara faced Sam, reaching to gently run her fingertips over the pendant. Sam smiled. “It’s beautiful.”“So are you.” Kara said, and then she moved in to kiss her.At first Sam was motionless against her but then Kara felt her catching up to what was happening, and she started to kiss her in return. It was different, warmer, softer, slower than she was used to. Kara reached to gently grasp the back of Sam’s head, keeping her there as their languid pace deepened. A spark shot through Kara’s stomach and lower still, a gentle gasp caught between their lips.When they broke apart and her eyes opened to find Sam’s closed, basking in the afterglow of their first kiss, Kara decided maybe Operation Cupid worked out okay after all.