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Rusty’s new job working with Andrea Hobbs at the DA’s office comes with one aspect he hadn’t been expecting: seeing quite a bit of Brenda Leigh Johnson. And it’s hard at first; difficult to welcome back—even in just a work capacity—another woman in his life that abandoned him. Because even though he’d only really known Brenda through the LAPD and their awful encounter with Stroh, he and Brenda had bonded in the time she’d been working his case, and he never has quite forgiven her for disappearing—just like his mother did.
Sharon says it’s natural that he still feels animosity towards Brenda. Her suggestion is, of course, that he should reach out to Brenda and try to have an honest conversation with her. He throws back at her that maybe she should do the same, and that shuts her up about it immediately, cheeks reddening and a gasp falling from her lips.
“It’s different between us,” Sharon tells him a few days later, not letting him off the hook about it so easily. “She cared about you.” There’s a sadness about her as she says it; a haunting in her eyes Rusty just can’t unsee.
“She cared about you, too,” he insists.
Sharon hums in response, not willing to agree or disagree, and not wanting to discuss it further. “We are where we are,” she simply says. And then she’s crossing to the closet for her coat.
That’s when Rusty notices—she’s dressed different than for work. Not exactly fancier, but a different kind of formal. She’s wearing a black dress, but it’s tighter with just a little bit of lace at the top.
“Where are you going?” Rusty asks.
“Andy invited me to the ballet with him and his daughter,” Sharon says casually.
“You’ve been…spending time with Andy a lot,” Rusty says carefully.
“His daughter has been giving him a chance again; I think he’s nervous. I think he likes having a buffer.”
“But you went to the movies the other night, didn’t you?”
“Nicole Kidman has a new movie out and I wanted to see it. I mentioned I was planning to go myself and he offered company.”
“Are you…happy?”
“Rusty, what on earth are you talking about?”
“Nothing, I just…forget I mentioned anything. Enjoy the ballet.”
“Rusty—”
“It’s nothing, Mom. Promise.”
“You’re welcome to come if you like,” Sharon offers.
“To the ballet with you and Andy? No thanks.”
“And his daughter.”
“That’s even worse.”
Sharon only laughs. “Okay then. I’ll see you tonight.” And then she’s out the door.
* * *
The last thing Brenda expects on Monday morning is Rusty Beck knocking on her office door.
“Hi,” he says softly, clearly uncomfortable.
“Hi,” Brenda says carefully. “Would you like to come in?”
Rusty’s still standing in the doorway awkwardly. He nods, entering her office fully and closing the door behind him.
It’s awkward and uncomfortable, neither knowing what to say to start. So Brenda breaks the tension the only way she knows how: by opening her top left desk drawer and pulling out a ding dong. “Want one?” she asks, offering it out to him.
Rusty can’t help but laugh. Same old Brenda. He also can’t help but remember that day he first moved in with Sharon and she’d snuck one of Brenda’s final Major Crimes office ding dongs in his bag. He takes the proffered treat. “Thanks.”
Brenda smiles and pulls another out for herself. “Don’t tell anyone,” she says conspiratorially. “I don’t usually share.”
“Our secret,” Rusty promises, finally feeling a little bit more comfortable.
“I think it’s great you’re here,” Brenda says. “Bein’ a lawyer suits you.”
“I couldn’t have done any of it without Sharon,” he says. It’s a careful calculation on his part, bringing up Sharon like this. He doesn’t miss the way Brenda’s eyes soften at the sound of her name.
“It’s good you two have each other. You both deserve to be happy. I’m glad you found it together.”
“She’s not exactly happy, though. I mean, she’s been spending time with Lieutenant Flynn—Andy. Isn’t that weird?”
“Rusty—”
“I think if she had other friends, if she had you—”
“Who Sharon spends her time with is her business—”
“I think they’re dating,” he blurts out.
And, oh does it get a reaction from Brenda. A quick inhale, a clenched fist, complete tension and stillness throughout her entire body.
“But the thing is,” he adds, “I don’t think she actually wants to be dating him, and I know he’s not good for her. I mean, he’s an alcoholic, Brenda, an addict—just like my mom, just like her ex-husband Jack—”
“Rusty, I don’t—”
“—She deserves better.”
“—I don’t know why you’re tellin’ me this—”
“She misses you. You guys were friends; I know you were. And then you attacked Stroh and left and she hasn’t had another real friend since. I think she’s lonely, and it’s making her make bad decisions. Did you know she let Jack stay with us? For a few weeks once? She doesn’t…she’s not good at saying no to people she cares about.”
“What makes you think we were friends?”
“Just things she’s said.”
Brenda takes a moment to take this all in. Then can’t help but laugh. “I thought you were comin’ here to tell me off.”
“Oh trust me, I can do that, too. Because you should’ve stayed in touch and you should’ve looked for my mom.”
“I know.”
“But I can get past all that if you’ll just try with Sharon.” He can tell Brenda is ready to argue, so he continues, “Please. I really need your help. I think you’re the only one who can get through to her. Besides…don’t you miss her?”
And that’s what really gets her because, “Sharon’s the best friend I ever had,” she admits. “The only one who really stood by me in the LAPD.”
“Just…come over? Please? Try talking to her?”
Brenda finishes her ding dong, buying herself time before she answers, “Okay.”
“Yes!” Rusty exclaims in victory. “Thank you. Thank you, Brenda. You should come tonight.”
"Oh, I don’t know if—”
“I’m inviting you over as a peace offering,” Rusty says. “Do you really want to decline?”
Brenda sighs. “Fine. Tonight.”
* * *
That night, Sharon’s dressed to go out again, and Rusty worries he’s about to make things worse instead of better.
“You going out again?” he asks.
“Andy wanted to get dinner,” she says nonchalantly.
Rusty really can’t figure her out here—is she trying to hide the fact that she’s dating Andy, or does she really not know that she’s dating him? He doesn’t get the chance to think about it further because there’s a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it,” Rusty says.
But Sharon stops him. “It’s just Andy,” she says, going to the doors instead. She’s stopped dead in her tracks when she opens the door and instead of seeing Andy like she expects, she’s met with the sight of Brenda.
“Hi,” Brenda says awkwardly.
“Hello,” Sharon says, almost, but not quite coldly.
“You look nice,” Brenda says, noticing Sharon’s pretty royal blue dress. “I didn’t mean to intrude—”
“What are you doing here, Brenda?”
“Well, I….” she looks inside and sees Rusty; decides to make him help her out here. “I talked to Rusty earlier, and I wanted to see you.”
Of course that’s the moment Andy walks up to the door, muttering a shocked, “Chief?” when he sees Brenda.
Brenda turns to face him, all fake smiles and heavy accent, “Lieutenant Flynn, what a surprise!”
“I’m sorry,” Sharon says, and Brenda thinks it’s going to be to her, but instead, she hears Sharon continue, “But I don’t think tonight is a good night, Andy. Maybe some other time.”
“Oh,” Flynn says, voice falling. “Are you sure? I don’t mind waiting—”
“I’m sure. Sorry to have dragged you out here. I’ll see you tomorrow, I’m sure.”
“Okay,” Andy says, clearly hurt and confused. “See you tomorrow.”
That leaves just Sharon, Brenda, and Rusty, until, “I’m gonna grab some pizza,” Rusty says quickly. “You guys want pizza?”
“That would be good,” Sharon says. “Thank you.”
“Okay then; I’ll be back.” He looks carefully between the two women. “See you both in a bit?” he asks tentatively, wanting to make sure Sharon isn’t going to just immediately kick Brenda out.
Brenda lets Sharon answer that one, unsure if she’ll really be welcome here that long.
“I’m sure you will,” Sharon eventually says. “Be safe.”
Rusty leaves, and then, finally, it’s just Sharon and Brenda, staring awkwardly at each other. It’s Sharon who moves first, moving into the kitchen.
“Come on,” she says, waving Brenda along with her.
Brenda follows, relieved when she sees Sharon grab a bottle of Merlot and a wine opener. Still, she offers, “I don’t have to stay—”
“I’d like to know why you came.”
“Can I have some of that wine first?”
Sharon only hums, pouring them each a glass and handing one to Brenda. Then she leads her to the couch. "So?” she asks, once they’re settled and Brenda has taken a large sip.
“Rusty stopped by to see me.”
“He did?” There’s relief in Sharon’s voice; she’s really wanted him to clear things up with Brenda.
“And he asked me why we weren’t friends anymore—not me and him, but me and you.”
“I see. What did you tell him?”
“I didn’t really know what to tell him. Because I don’t really know.”
“Brenda—”
“And now I can’t stop thinkin’ about how much I miss you.”
“We stopped being friends, Brenda, because we let it go too far.”
Brenda sighs. “Because I kissed you.”
“I kissed you, too.”
“But Stroh had just attacked me and Rusty, and you were there protectin’ my career and—”
“I wanted to do it again, Brenda. That’s why we stopped being friends.” Sharon takes a sip of her wine. Then repeats, “I wanted to do it again.”
“Do you…do you still?” She’s subconsciously leaning closer.
But Sharon shakes her head and puts her hands up in defense, keeping them separate. “We can’t do this again. You’re married.”
“Well actually, I’m, uh, separated.”
“What?”
“Almost divorced, really. Again.”
“What happened?”
Brenda takes a sip of her wine. Then shrugs. “Just wasn’t workin’. Fritz’s new job in SOB, it just…we weren’t workin’.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I’m not. Not really.” She takes another sip. “Are you really datin’ Flynn?”
Sharon almost spits her own wine out at that. “Where did you hear that?”
“Rusty,” Brenda admits, taking another sip. “He’s worried you’re lonely and makin’ bad decisions.”
Sharon can’t help but laugh. “I’m not dating Andy.”
“But you call him Andy,” Brenda says, unconvinced.
“When he offers, I accept his company, yes,” Sharon explains. “But—”
“You didn’t have to ask him to leave on my account—”
“—There's nothing romantic about it.”
Brenda looks unsure.
“If I had wanted him to stay and you to leave, I would have said so.”
Brenda takes a sip of her wine. “I don’t want you to date Flynn,” she says softly.
“I already told you I’m not.”
“I don’t want you to date anyone, Sharon. Not unless it’s…I mean…Would you…?”
Sharon carefully puts down her wine glass and takes Brenda’s hand in hers.
Brenda gasps at the touch, closes her eyes on instinct.
“Ask me what you want to ask me, Brenda Leigh.” She’s rubbing soothing circles with her thumb on the back of Brenda’s hand, warmth radiating through them both at the touch.
“Would you go out to dinner with me?”
Sharon’s smile is bright and beautiful; it takes Brenda’s breath away. “Yes,” she says. “Yes, I’d like that very much.”
And it’s exactly the answer Brenda was hoping for. It emboldens her, enough for her to ask again, “Do you still want to?”
“What?”
“Kiss me again?”
Sharon slowly moves closer until their knees touch. She takes Brenda’s wine glass from her hand and places it on the coffee table next to her own. “I do,” she says, leaning closer. “May I?”
Brenda answers by meeting Sharon in the middle, their lips touching in the softest kiss. They don’t escalate it, not too much, but they do both lean into it. Brenda’s arm wraps around Sharon’s waist, pulling her closer, and Sharon’s hand rests against Brenda’s cheek.
Kissing Sharon is even better than Brenda remembers. She’s soft and supple and makes the most beautiful sighs as their mouths move together. She could kiss Sharon forever, she realizes, and she wants to. She’s dreamt about Sharon ever since that first kiss; soft lips have haunted her. She’s wanted to do this again for so long and now that they’re here, she never wants them to stop.
For Sharon, kissing Brenda feels like coming home. It feels like the missing piece of the puzzle finally coming into place. She’s wanted this woman for so long, but known she couldn’t have her; it’s the most miraculous thing to have her now.
Still their kiss is soft and sensual, both reveling in the new sensations of it. They don’t even hear Rusty’s key in the door or the door open. It’s Rusty’s voice that finally pulls them out of it.
“Oh my god!” Rusty exclaims, pizza box in hand.
Sharon pulls away gently, flushed and embarrassed as she turns to face Rusty with a soft, “Oh.” She feels Brenda’s hand find its way to hers, and it gives her the confidence she needs to tell him, “I’m not dating Andy.”
It makes both Rusty and Brenda laugh.
“I can see that,” Rusty says. “I can go if you want—”
“No, no, no,” Sharon says. “You just got us pizza. I think…I would like us to all have dinner together. If that’s okay with the two of you.”
Brenda looks to Rusty to answer first; wants to do whatever he’s comfortable with.
He’s got a little smirk on his face, clearly happy with himself and his decision to invite Brenda over. “I’ll go set the table.”
Once he’s out of earshot, Sharon says softly, “I hope you don’t mind.”
Brenda chances a glance over to Rusty in the kitchen. When she sees he’s not facing them, she quickly leans in and pecks Sharon’s lips. “Nowhere I’d rather be.”
Sharon’s smile says it all as she leans in for another kiss.
“You should go change, though.”
Sharon looks at her with curiosity.
“You wore that for Lieutenant Flynn,” Brenda says with mock distaste. She leans in and whispers in her ear, “I wanna see what you wear for me.”
Sharon hums in amusement. “I’ll change,” she agrees. “But we’re having dinner with my son tonight; you’ll have to take me out alone to see what I’ll really wear just for you.”
Brenda gapes at her with desire.
Sharon just smirks, kissing Brenda’s cheek before getting up and going to her bedroom to change.
“Not exactly what I was expecting when I asked you to talk some sense into her,” Rusty says, gesturing Brenda over to the table with him.
“Careful what you wish for,” Brenda says, taking her wine and Sharon’s and bringing them to the table.
“So I, uh, guess she’s really not dating Andy?”
“No, she’s not,” Sharon says, walking back into the dining room. She’s wearing jeans—something Brenda’s never seen her in before—that fit her curves perfectly and a tight, cream sweater that looks incredibly soft to the touch. The neckline is appropriate, but on the low-cut side, which Brenda definitely appreciates. “And you could have just asked me, Rusty.”
“But this turned out to be so much better,” Brenda says cheekily.
“And this is, like, real?” Rusty asks. “You’re not just messing with me for meddling?”
“It’s real,” Sharon confirms.
“But…what about Andy?”
“We’re just friends,” Sharon insists. “I’ve been helping him reconnect with his daughter.”
“They went to the ballet the other night,” Rusty tells Brenda with distaste. “All three of them.”
“No wonder you came to see me,” she tells Rusty. Then turns to Sharon. “You better break it to him that you’re not datin’.”
“He doesn’t think that we are.”
“Sharon, he showed up here tonight to pick you up for dinner, and you were here waitin’ for him in that pretty dress; he thinks you’re datin’,” Brenda says.
“I will make sure he knows, okay? Now can we please talk about something else?” Sharon asks.
“How about where you’d like to go to dinner tomorrow night?” Brenda asks.
Rusty, finished with his pizza, stands and says, “And that sounds like my cue to leave.”
“Awe, I didn’t mean to drive you away,” Brenda says.
“No, I have some work to do anyway,” he says, picking up his plate.
“Just leave it in the sink; I’ll take care of it,” Sharon tells him.
Rusty does as told. “Goodnight,” he tells them both.
“Hey Rusty?” Brenda says, stopping him.
He turns around to face her.
“How about lunch tomorrow?”
“You wanna have lunch with me?”
“I do.”
He takes a minute, looks between Brenda and Sharon, then, “If this is because—”
“No, no, no, this has nothin’ to do with Sharon. I’m just…tryin’ to make up for lost time I guess. I know I can’t change not lookin’ for your mama, but I can fix not stayin’ in touch, you know? If you’ll let me.”
Rusty looks at her, really looks at her, trying to judge her sincerity. Then he looks over at Sharon, who clearly wants the two to reconnect. “Lunch sounds good.”
Brenda lets out a sigh of relief. “Good. Good.”
“See you guys tomorrow,” he says, and then he’s off to bed.
“Just us now,” Sharon says. “Care to join me on the couch?”
Brenda nods, both of them standing and making their way back to the living room, wine glasses in hand.
They sit cuddled together; Sharon’s arm is wrapped around Brenda as Brenda leans into her side. Sharon turns the tv on, but it’s just background noise. Really, they’re just talking, telling each other about their days, about little things that have changed over the years.
It takes the rest of Brenda’s glass of wine for her to gain the courage to finally ask, “Can I ask you somethin’?”
Sharon presses a kiss to the top of her head. “What is it?”
“Why were you wearin’ somehtin’ so nice to go to dinner with Lieutenant Flynn?”
Sharon sighs, setting her own wine glass down. “You really won’t let this go, will you?”
“Well, we’re startin’ somethin’ here, aren’t we?”
“Yes, I hope so.”
“Me too. So, I just wanna know if I have any competition.”
“Brenda, there is no competition. I am not, nor have I ever been dating Lieutenant Flynn.”
“But did you want to?”
Sharon tightens her arm around Brenda, “I thought about it,” she admits. “But no, I didn’t want to.”
“But the ballet and the dinners and—”
“Is it terrible to sometimes enjoy being noticed?”
“Sharon…”
“Andy’s nice and he’s funny; we’re friends and he’s a great detective, but there was never anything romantic there. Not for me.”
“And me?”
Sharon turns so she’s facing Brenda head on, brings a hand to Brenda’s cheek to guide their eyes to meet. “Brenda, I have dreamt of kissing you again for all these years.”
Brenda nuzzles into Sharon’s hand. “Just kissin’?” she asks coyly.
“So much more.”
Brenda leans in for the kiss; this time it’s different, not soft and gentle, but deep and passionate. It’s not long before Brends finds herself in Sharon’s lap, straddling her; hands buried in dark hair while Sharon’s hands slide under the hem of her shirt, gently rubbing her back.
“We really should’ve done this sooner,” Brenda says, trailing her kisses down Sharon’s neck now.
“You were—oh!—married,” Sharon reminds, nails digging into Brenda’s back as Brenda pays special attention to an especially sensitive spot on her neck.
“Well thank heavens I’m not anymore.”
Sharon brings one hand to Brenda’s hair, guiding their lips back together. “And we were fighting all the time,” she says through kisses.
“Oh come on,” Brenda says, kissing from Sharon’s mouth, up her cheek bone, to her ear to whisper, “All that fightin’ turned you on just as much as it did me; admit it.”
Sharon hums as Brenda kisses down her jaw. “It did,” she admits. “It really did.” She brings Brenda’s lips back to hers, kisses her deeply before reluctantly pulling back and resting their foreheads together. “As wonderful as this is,” she says, running her hands through blonde hair. “Rusty’s right inside.”
Brenda sighs, pressing a quick kiss against Sharon’s lips. “You’re right.”
“That might be the first time you’ve ever said that,” Sharon teases.
“Keep bein’ smug like that and it’ll be the last.”
Sharon’s response is to lean in for another kiss. Brenda tries to escalate it, but they’re interrupted by Sharon’s phone ringing.
“Ughhhh,” Brenda whines, reluctantly sliding off Sharon’s lap so Sharon can get up and get her phone.
Sharon sees who’s calling and immediately looks nervous.
“Don’t tell me,” Brenda warns.
“It could be a murder.”
“Or it could be him callin' to check in on you because he thinks you’re his girlfriend.”
“Brenda, please; I have to answer.”
“Fine,” Brenda agrees with a pout so cute Sharon promises herself she’ll have to kiss it away later.
“Yes, Lieutenant,” she says, answering the phone. She waits a moment, listening before adding, “Yes, I’m fine; is there a murder?…Okay, text me the address. I’ll be there soon…No, I don’t need you to pick me up on your way over,” she says, and she can feel Brenda’s disdain. “I’ll see you at the scene…Goodbye, Lieutenant.” She hangs up, and doesn’t even give Brenda a chance to say anything. “I will tell him before this case is over,” she says. “I promise.” She can tell Brenda is about to protest, so she cuts it off with a kiss. “Honey, I promise,” she whispers against her lips.
That makes Brenda smile, unable to stay upset about Flynn. “I like that,” she says softly, nuzzling her face in Sharon’s neck.
Sharon presses a kiss to the top of her head. “What?”
“Honey.”
Sharon hums in response, pressing another kiss to blonde hair. “I have to go,” she whispers.
Brenda sighs. “I know.”
“But dinner tomorrow,” Sharon promises. Then rethinks a moment, “As long as my case is—”
But she’s cut off by Brenda’s lips pressing against hers in a quick peck. “I know how it goes. No hard feelings.” Another kiss and then, “You be safe, okay?”
“I will.”
Brenda gets up, with Sharon following suit, walking her to the door.
“I’m glad you came,” Sharon says, her hand finding Brenda’s.
“Well, we can thank Rusty for that,” Brenda says before leaning in for a kiss. “G’night, Sharon.”
Sharon gently squeezes her hand. “Goodnight, honey.”
A final kiss, and Brenda’s on her way out the door. But before she’s fully gone, she turns around to say, “It was worth the wait, Sharon. You’re always worth it.”
Before Sharon can even respond, Brenda blows her a kiss and is on her way.
* * *
Sharon unfortunately has to cancel their dinner plans. She’s stuck trying to solve a murder.
Of course Brenda understands, but she’s also missing Sharon and hates that while she’s here without her, Flynn is out there working with her. Last she heard, they were just in the murder room, so Brenda decides to take matters into her own hands.
Instead of going straight home after her day at the office, Brenda stops at her favorite Chinese place and drives over to the PAB. She hasn’t been here in a while, isn’t sure exactly how welcome she’ll be, but dammit she wants to see Sharon, so she’s going to do just that. And maybe she wants to stick it to Flynn a little bit. Just a little.
She can tell as she walks by that the guys are all in the murder room—can hear them having some conversation about their victim’s missing phone—but she doesn’t hear Sharon.
She’s thinking of turning around, but Provenza’s voice stops her, “Chief? What are you doing here?”
Brenda’s never been one to back down from a challenge, so she stands tall, Chinese takeout clear in her hands as she says, “Just stopping by to see Sharon. Is she in?”
Flynn turns almost red with anger, clenching his fists. He looks about to say something, but Sanchez beats him to it. “In her office, Chief,” he says. Then gentler, “It’s good to see you.”
That melts her just a little, gaining him a smile. “You, too, Detective Sanchez.” She takes a look around the murder room at these detectives she once called hers—well, all except Sykes. “All of y’all.” Then she turns towards Sharon’s office. “Well, if you’ll excuse me.”
Sharon’s door and blinds are closed, so she knocks lightly on the door.
There’s a moment before she hears, “It’s open.” Sharon’s face lights up when she sees her, but then turns to confusion. “What are you doing here?”
“You couldn’t come to dinner,” Brenda says matter of factly as she enters and closes the door behind her. “So I brought dinner to you.” She holds up the Chinese food bags, and she can see Sharon’s whole body soften.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
“I wanted to,” she says, placing the food on Sharon's desk and sitting in the seat across from her. She’s reaching to open the bags of food when she feels Sharon’s hand touch hers, entwining their fingers.
“Thank you,” Sharon says softly.
“It wasn’t all selfless,” Brenda admits.
Sharon only laughs knowingly. “Of course it wasn’t. You wanted to stake your claim in front of Lieutenant Flynn.”
“Can you blame me? I mean—look at you!”
Sharon shakes her head with fondness. “You’re being too kind.”
“No, you’re bein’ too modest.” She opens the takeout containers and starts serving Sharon—she remembers from long nights during the trial what Sharon’s favorites are—and then herself.
“I’m glad you came, honey,” Sharon says as they begin to eat.
It puts a sparkle in Brenda’s eyes as she says, “Me too, baby.”
They keep ahold of each other’s hand while they eat. It’s not the easiest or most productive way to have a meal, but neither is willing to give up the intimacy.
They’re just about finished when a knock on the door interrupts them, quickly followed by Lieutenant Flynn entering with a, “Captain, you’re gonna wanna hear this—”
Brenda tries to remove her hand from Sharon’s as soon as she sees him, but Sharon holds tight, their joined hands proudly on display atop her desk.
“Oh, ” Flynn says dejectedly, eyes immediately zeroing in on their fingers entwined.
“What’s the news, Andy?” Sharon asks gently. She’s already let him down once earlier today; she really doesn’t want to have this conversation again.
He takes the bait; accepts the situation for what it is. “They found the guy’s cell phone in the dumpster of an alley three blocks away. There’s blood on it. We’re sending it out for DNA testing now.”
“Nice work, Lieutenant.”
“There’s more,” he says. Then can’t help but snidely add, “If you’re done with your personal matters in here.”
“You watch your tone with a superior officer,” Brenda chastises on instinct.
But Sharon’s already interrupting her with an, “It’s all right, Brenda,” paired with a gentle squeeze of her hand. Then she tells Flynn, “I’ll be right out, Lieutenant. Thank you for the heads up.”
He leaves without another word, closing the door behind him.
Sharon sighs, an apology on the tip of her tongue, but Brenda beats her to it.
“I know the job,” Brenda says reassuringly.
“Sorry I’m always leaving,” Sharon says, standing.
Brenda uses their still joined hands to pull Sharon to her, wraps her arms around her waist. “I already told you,” she whispers before a kiss. “You’re worth the wait.”
Fin.