The next few days were filled with getting into a routine. The first step was a crash course in computers. Danielle couldn't help but be amused by how little Kristine knew on the topic. When Danielle felt fairly confident that Kristine could manage her online store she taught the woman how to package and ship items. About half of the artwork Danielle made were for online orders while the other half went to the shop in town that her friend Jamie owned. Danielle was able to get back on track with her work and having Kristine's help made the process faster and more simple.
The woman loaded boxes into the car for a trip to town. Danielle was a little nervous to take Kristine to Jamie's shop. Since her chat with Jamie after Kristine left, their relationship had returned to strictly business.
Jamie had no interest in carrying on their casual relationship when she had learned of how Danielle felt for Kristine. Neither Jamie nor Danielle had wanted a serious relationship with each other. They had been friends with benefits and nothing more. They were perfectly capable of remaining friends and keeping up a business relationship without any awkwardness.
Danielle only worried for what Jamie might say. The woman had no filter and always said what was on her mind. Danielle was sure Jamie would have a few choice words when she learned that Kristine was back and planning to stay in North Carolina.
"You're awfully quiet." Kristine mused from the passenger seat.
Broken from her thoughts, Danielle flicked her gaze to Kristine then back to the road. "Sorry, just in my head is all." She smiled.
"About what?" Kristine asked.
"Oh nothing in particular" Danielle lied.
"Really? Cause you're blushing." Kristine pointed out.
Danielle bite her lip at having been caught in the lie. "Oh.." She trailed off, thankful as they pulled into the lot outside of the store. "Um well, the last time I saw Jamie...was uh kinda weird I guess."
"Weird how?"
"Don't worry about it." Danielle said quickly unbuckling her seat belt and getting out of the car. Kristine found the action to be odd, but figured Danielle wasn't obligated to tell her. She walked to the trunk of the car and helped carry the boxes inside. The bell above the door rang out as they entered and a voice called out.
"Be there in a second!"
"It's just me." Danielle replied and motioned to Kristine with her head to follow her to the back room.
"Oh good. I'm stuffing my face at the moment." Jamie laughed as the door swung open. "Oh well hello.." She said quickly slurping a pasta noodle into her mouth when she saw Danielle was not alone.
"Hi, I'm Kristine. It's great to meet you, I've heard a lot about you." Kristine smiled setting a box on the counter and walking towards the woman with an extended hand.
"Oh have you now?" Jamie smirked, briefly shaking the woman's hand.
"Behave yourself." Danielle interjected seeing the mischevious look in Jamie's eye.
Jamie gave her a pointed look then shook her head in understanding when her eyes met Danielle's. Kristine furrowed her brow in confusion watching the exchange.
"It feels like there is something I don't know." Kristine said.
"Oh honey, you don't want to know." Jamie laughed then looked to Danielle. "What have you got for me, is everything here this time?"
"The usual. Plus a few holiday themed pieces, since that time of head is coming. It's all here." Danielle said flipping open one of the boxes.
"Gross. I'm not ready for Christmas." Jamie said peeking into the box.
"You and me both." Danielle replied with a laugh. She hated the holiday.
"You don't like Christmas?" Kristine said, sounding almost offended.
"Not really." Danielle shrugged.
"I just don't like the cold and the snow." Jamie said.
Kristine shook her head at the women. "But it's the most wonderful time of the year." She sang, causing Danielle to laugh.
"Why does it not surprise me that you'd say that?" Danielle smiled.
"Because it's true!" Kristine proudly stated.
"So are you two...like together?" Jamie interrupted, unable to contain her curiosity.
"No!" Danielle quickly replied while Kristine's eyes widened and a light blush crept up her neck.
"Jeez! No need to get all defensive. It was a valid question." Jamie smirked raising her hands in mock surrender.
"Well we've got other things to get done, sooo can I have my check please?" Danielle asked, wanting to get out of the store before Jamie could say something else embarrassing.
"Oooh other things, I'm afraid to ask." Jamie laughed and pulled open the drawer of her desk. She scribbled out a check and tucked it in an envelope before handing it over.
Danielle snatched it with a scowl. "Bye Jamie."
"You need help removing that stick from your ass?" Jamie called out as Danielle had started to walk away. Jamie went back to her food with a chuckle.
Kristine wasn't sure what to think of everything. She smiled politely and waved before following Danielle out. "Bye Jamie it was nice to meet you."
"You too, Kristine. See you around." Jamie replied with a mouthful.
"Hey, wait up!" Kristine called after Danielle, who was already out the door and getting into the car. "What was that all about."
"Nothing." Danielle said. "Ready?" She asked starting the car.
Kristine frowned, but buckled up and nodded. "It didn't seem like nothing."
"Please don't read into it. Jamie is a character is all. She thinks she's funny." Danielle said pulling away.
"I liked her, she seems fun." Kristine shrugged. Danielle kept her eyes on the road and stayed quiet. "You don't like her?" Kristine asked after a few minutes of silence.
"I like her just fine. We've been friends a while, but she can be annoying." Danielle responded.
"Like when she asked if we were together?" Kristine prompted. Danielle groaned in lieu of responding. She didn't want to have this conversation. Mostly because she was afraid she'd say something she would regret. "I'm sorry, am I that repulsive?" Kristine huffed. She turned her body and leaned her head against the window.
"What? No. Of course not." Danielle said, confused. She definitely didn't mean to offend the woman. Kristine stayed quiet, slipping into her own thoughts. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean anything by that." Danielle said when Kristine didn't respond.
"It's fine. It doesn't matter." Kristine said.
"It does matter. I didn't mean to upset you." Danielle replied softly.
"I said it's fine, Danielle..where are we going anyway?" She asked, still watching out the window. Her feelings were hurt a little and she hated to admit that to herself. She wasn't sure how she felt about Danielle, other than confused. A small part of her thought Danielle had liked her, more than just friendship. It was a flattering thought, even if she wasn't sure whether how exaxtly she felt about it.
"The post office then the bank." Danielle replied. She looked out of the corner of her eye at Kristine, who gave a small nod. "For what it's worth, I think you're beautiful Kristine." She said softly.
Kristine lifted her head to look at Danielle. "Really?" She asked shyly.
"Absolutely."
"No one has ever called me that. Thank you." Kristine smiled. Her sour mood quickly changed and she sat back upright in her seat. Soon they pulled into the post office and dropped off the last box which held a few items to be shipped. From there they went to the bank. Danielle helped Kristine open her first checking account and couldn't help but smile at the woman's excitement over it. She sighed over her check from Jamie, intending for it to serve as Kristine's first deposit.
"Danielle, that's too much." Kristine said looking at the check.
"Consider it payment for the last few days and an advance for the next week." Danielle smiled handing the check to the bank teller.
"No, really it's too much."
"An advance for two weeks?" Danielle asked with a smirk. Kristine shook her head, uncomfortable accepting the money. "Look, it's going in your account whether you like it or not. Call it what you want."
"Charity? Pity?" Kristine whined.
"We've already gone over this." Danielle reminded the woman.
"But--" Kristine started.
"Too late!" Danielle smiled taking the receipt from the teller with a quick thanks and looping an arm around Kristine's waist. She steered the woman out of the bank and back towards the car, ignoring her protests. "Lets' go shopping. You need some stuff."
"Danielle, I'm not comfortable with this." Kristine tried again.
"It's not even that much money. Besides you need clothes and stuff." Danielle said and opened the car door for Kristine.
Kristine sighed and shook her head, hiding the smile. She did need some stuff, she'd left the convent with only a few outfits. And clearly there was no use arguing over the money. Danielle's mind was set. "Oh alright, but I'm paying you back at some point."
"Sure, whatever makes you happy." Danielle laughed, giving Kristine a light shove to get her in the car. She walked around to her side and drove them to the mall. They spent the rest of their time in town shopping at various stores.
By the time they returned home, Kristine had four large bags from her shopping spree. She clipped tags and organized her new things while Danielle made dinner. She reminded herself not to feel guilty, she was no longer held to a vow of poverty. She smiled when she finished putting everything away, it was different for sure, but she was starting to get used to her life outside the convent.