With cucumber and bell peppers, the last of the groceries vanished inside the fridge. Giselle let the fridge door fall shut. Raindrops crackled at the window behind the kitchen sink. She leaned forward over the counter and glanced outside. It was raining cats and dogs. The small path behind the house, that connects three apartment blocks through a small stretch of greenery, was flooded thumb-deep. The grass around submerged in a small lake that was yet to be soaked up by the earth like a sponge. She couldn't even see the apartment block behind the greenery. There was so much rain, it hid the trees, the grass and everything further away behind a gray mist.

Giselle walked over into the living room, pushed the sliding door to close on its own and glanced at the clock above their wall of photos. Soon he'd be home. A smile played across her lips and she crossed the room into their bedroom to change into something comfortable. With most things she wasn't tidy, but her work dresses better went into the wardrobe. Most of them needed ironing, and who liked ironing blouses and dresses. Especially in the morning before work. Not her. Definitely not her.

Just in her underwear, she turned full circle in front of the mirror. Despite her 34 years, she had aged well. She was satisfied. Not competitive by any stretch, but satisfied. A frown appeared when she thought to find the additional kilogram around her waist that had haunted her for the past weeks.

Eventually she shook the bleak thoughts off and slipped into a pair of beige, comfortable cotton pants that reached her ankles and played beautifully around her bum, and a loose, black long-sleeve with a wide collar. Wide enough to fall down one shoulder.

Couple's night was upon her. And she was looking forward to it. Every week it was her refuge, her battery charger, the time she'd get to snuggle and find warmth. It brought a grin onto her lips.

Holding a pair of warm, woolen socks, she went back into the living room and put them on the couch. Pizza: check. Wine: check. Water bottle: check. Snacks: check. There was only one thing left. Her husband. He'd be here any minute, unless the downpour delayed the drive home.

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"Ding dong"

Irritated, Giselle went to open the door into the hallway. Why would he ring the doorbell? He does have keys. Should have keys. Behind the door stood a drenched woman. Her hair was soaking wet. The bob haircut was no more. Her face was covered in water drops, as if she had been sweating. And the clothes, wet down to her skin. She must have walked home a fair bit in the rain. Giselle offered a smile, a weak one. "Hi Annie", she said and eyed the woman up and down. There was even a small puddle of water underneath her. "Hi Giselle", Annie said shyly, with a hint of something more to say. "I forgot my keys in the office", she admitted and sighed uneasily, "I can't get them today, I'm locked out". Giselle put one and one together, she knew where this was going. And Annie continued, "Would it be...", she cleared her throat and gathered her courage, visibly, "Would it be possible to crash on your couch today?"

Giselle frowned at the woman and glanced over her shoulder into the living room. The smell of the pizza was omnipresent. It was couple's night. Her lips formed a thin line as frustration and regret washed over her. She let it go with a deep sigh. "Alright, c'mon in. I'll grab you something to change into", she finally offered, opened the door all the way and went back into the apartment. "You know where to find the bathroom, you can hang your clothes to dry there!", Giselle yelled back and when the soaked woman carried her shoes and herself swiftly into the bathroom, the apartment door fell into its lock with a click. Giselle pressed a fresh towel into her hands. "Here".

Annie nodded gratefully. "Thanks, Giselle". The smile was kind and was adorable, together with those blue eyes and stubby nose. Annie was probably 10 years younger than Giselle, or so she guessed. She shook her head, opened the left door on her wardrobe in the bedroom and found a warm sweater that didn't quite fit her anymore and another pair of cotton pants similar to the ones she was wearing. Annie was shorter than her, slimmer and also, maybe, a bit less muscular.

When she opened the bathroom door, she realized, she should've knocked. With the back towards her, the woman rubbed the rain out of her soaked hair. All she wore were panties.

Pretty, definitely better in shape than me, but my thighs and bum are waaaay prettier. Giselle snapped out of it, noticed her blush for spying and placed the clothes on the tiled floor. "Here's a dry set", she whispered and closed the door again. Annie shuddered in surprise, "Uh, thanks", she responded, but Giselle had shut the door already.