Archive of Our Own ^beta

The neon lights of The Turn & Sip Pub cast a warm glow across the wooden bar top and tables as Dani Clayton sat at one nursing her second gin and tonic of the evening. She'd been abandoned by Rebecca nearly an hour ago, left to pick at a basket of lukewarm fries while her friend disappeared into the night with some tattooed stranger. The live band had just finished their set, leaving the bar in that peculiar limbo between acts where conversation seemed to swell to fill the silence.

"Some friend," Dani muttered to herself, scrolling through her phone to check Uber prices. The night was still young, but without company, the prospect of her cozy apartment and a good book seemed far more appealing than staying out.

She glanced up, scanning for signs pointing to the restroom when her heart stopped dead in her chest. There, pushing through the entrance, was Eddie. Edmund O'Mara, her ex-fiancé, wearing that same navy blazer he always wore to their favorite restaurant, his glasses slightly askew as he scanned the crowd.

"No, no, no," Dani whispered, her fingers tightening around her glass as panic seized her chest. Six months of avoiding his calls, blocking his number, and asking their mutual friends not to share her whereabouts – all undone by simple, cruel chance.

She forced herself to look away, trying to appear casual as she stood from her table. Her legs felt like jelly as she made her way toward the bar, pretending she needed a refill. That's when she saw her – a woman in well-worn overalls, sleeves rolled up to reveal toned forearms, her brown curly hair falling perfectly around her face as she laughed at something the bartender had said.

Behind her, she could hear Eddie's footsteps, and could practically feel his presence growing closer. "Hey, Dani!" His voice carried over the crowd, and her stomach lurched.

Before she could think better of it, Dani found herself walking directly toward the woman in overalls. The brunette turned, and their eyes met. Dani felt her breath catch – not just because of her striking features, but because of the immediate understanding that flickered across the stranger's face as she glanced over Dani's shoulder and back.

"Hey babe, sorry I never came to sit with ya, I got distracted talking to Owen," the woman said in a rich Northern English accent, smoothly sliding an arm around Dani's waist. The touch was gentle but secure, grounding Dani even as her heart raced.

"I- it's okay," Dani managed, trying to sound natural despite how the woman's accent made her pulse quicken for entirely different reasons now. "I was just coming to find you."

She could feel Eddie approaching, his footsteps heavy against the wooden floor. In a moment of pure panic, Dani turned and pressed her lips against the stranger's. The kiss was desperate at first, born of fear, but then the woman's other arm came up, pulling her closer, and suddenly it transformed into something else entirely. The stranger's lips were soft, knowing, and Dani found herself melting into the kiss, forgetting for a moment why she'd initiated it in the first place.

A rough hand grabbed her arm, yanking her backward. "Hey!"

"Eddie!" Dani yelped, pain shooting through her arm where his fingers dug in.

The brunette moved with lightning speed, positioning herself protectively. "Get your hands off her, mate," she growled, gently pulling Dani against her chest. "You alright, love?" she whispered against Dani's ear.

Dani nodded, unconsciously leaning back into the warmth of the stranger's embrace. The simple touch felt more right than any embrace she'd shared with Eddie in their years together.

"Who do you think you are?" Eddie demanded, his face reddening.

"Jamie Taylor, her girlfriend," the woman – Jamie – replied without missing a beat. "And you're the ex who can't take a hint, I'm guessing? Isn't that right, Poppins?"

Eddie's jaw worked soundlessly for a moment before he exploded. "This is ridiculous! We're meant to be together. We were going to get married! And now what, you're letting this- this woman turn you into something you're not? This is just you trying to hurt me, isn't it? Because I wouldn't let go? Because I know the real you?"

"The real her?" Jamie scoffed, her arms tightening protectively around Dani's waist. "Mate, the real her is standing right here, living her life, while you're the one who can't move on. She's not confused, she's not trying to hurt you – she's just not yours anymore. Never really was, I'd wager."

"You don't know anything about us-" Eddie started.

"I know enough to see you're harassing her," Jamie cut in. "I know enough to see she's scared of you, and that's all I need to know, isn't it?"

"Eddie, please," Dani finally found her voice. "Just leave. It's over. It's been over."

Instead of leaving, Eddie lunged forward, grabbing Dani's arm with one hand and her waist with the other, his nails digging into her flesh as he tried to pull her away from Jamie.

Dani cried out in pain, and before anyone could blink, Jamie's fist connected with Eddie's nose with a sickening crack. Blood immediately began streaming down his face.

"You fucking dyke!" Eddie roared, rearing back to strike, but a commanding voice cut through the chaos.

"FREEZE!" A police officer appeared, presumably summoned by one of the concerned onlookers who had gathered around them. Within moments, Eddie was being led away in handcuffs, still shouting obscenities.

As soon as he was gone, Dani turned and threw her arms around Jamie, burying her face in the crook of her neck. "Thank you," she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Thank you so much."

Jamie's arms came up to hold her close, one hand rubbing soothing circles on her back. "Anytime, Poppins."

Dani pulled back slightly, though she didn't fully leave Jamie's embrace. "I'm so sorry about kissing you without asking. I just panicked and-"

"Honestly?" Jamie's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Was hoping you might do it again, properly this time. Without the ex-fiancé audience."

A laugh bubbled up from Dani's chest, surprising her with its genuineness. "I'm Dani, by the way. Dani Clayton."

"Jamie Taylor," Jamie replied, her fingers absently playing with a strand of Dani's hair. "Though I suppose I mentioned that during the whole confrontation bit."

They moved to sit at the bar, but neither seemed able to stop touching the other – a hand on a knee, fingers brushing while reaching for drinks, shoulders pressed together as they talked.

"So, Poppins – teaching, yeah?" Jamie asked, nodding at Dani's sensible cardigan.

"How did you know?"

"Just a feeling. That, and you've got that look about you. Kind, patient, probably good with kids."

"Fourth grade," Dani confirmed with a smile. "And you? Besides being a knight in shining overalls?"

"Gardener, actually. Own my own shop just down the street. The Leafling."

"Oh! I've walked past there. It's beautiful."

Their conversation flowed easily, ranging from their respective careers to favorite books to childhood stories. Hours passed without either woman noticing, their bodies gradually drawing closer together as if pulled by some invisible force.

"You know," Dani said eventually, her finger tracing the rim of her glass, "this isn't exactly how I imagined my night going when Rebecca dragged me out."

"No?" Jamie's eyes sparkled. "Better or worse?"

"Definitely better," Dani replied, finally giving in to the urge to rest her head on Jamie's shoulder. "Though I could have done without the Eddie part."

"Same here, Poppins. Though I can't say I'm sorry about how it brought you over to me."

They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Dani spoke again. "Would you... maybe want to get dinner with me sometime? When we're both not recovering from punching people?"

Jamie turned to face her, bringing their faces close together. "I'd love that. Though I should warn you – if you kiss me again, I might just have to keep you."

"Is that a promise?" Dani asked, already leaning in.

"Only one way to find out," Jamie replied, closing the distance between them.

This kiss was different from their first – slower, deeper, full of promise rather than desperation. When they finally pulled apart, both were smiling.

"So," Jamie said, her forehead resting against Dani's, "about that dinner..."