Robin's POV

   I'm curled up on the couch, reading a really good lesbian book.  I'm interrupted by a knock on the door.  I get up and look through the peephole.  I open it.

"Hey, a rúnsearc.  I know I should've called first, but I really wanted to see you."  "It's ok, Orla.  And you do know I have a doorbell, right?"  I say, raising a brow and smiling.

"I know, but I just like to knock."  "You're so old-fashioned."  I playfully say, chuckling at her.  "Can I come in?"  "Of course."

I let her in and we sit on the couch.  "Whatcha readin' there?"  "Of Lovers To Hold."  "Sounds romantic."  "It is.  It's a lesbian book."

"I thought Lesbian was a dead genre when it comes to physical books.  Can I borrow it?"  "I thought so, too, and yeah, you can."

Orla's eyes settle themselves on me.  Seeing them so close.........they're really pretty.

"What?  Do I have something on my face?"  I question.  She lightly giggles.  "No.  Your face isn't the problem.  It's really more of a solution.  I like it."

A smile slowly covers my face.  "You like my face?"  "I think it is a beautiful face, a rúnsearc."  She says, her warm hand on my cheek.

"Orla, it's kinda chilly in here.  Can we cuddle for warmth?"  "I thought you'd never ask."  Her warmth encompasses me as her arms wrap around me, us being close.

"What made you wanna see me, Orla?"  "Well, I probably won't be able to do it at the office much, unless we sneak it."  I frown to myself.  "What do you mean by that?  Why would that be?"

I hear her sigh.  "She doesn't want me to see you at all anymore.  She doesn't want me to look at you, speak to you, or even think about you.  She forbade it."

I turn over to face her.  She's looking down.  "Orla,"  Her eyes look into mine as I speak.  "I'm glad you told me.  When did she say all that?"  "Recently."

"I don't see why she's so jealous.  We're just friends.  Orla, we don't have to listen to her.  We can do whatever we want."

"A rúnsearc, as much as I hate to say this, I think we should distance ourselves from each other at work."

I frown.  "Orla, why would you say that?  I thought you liked being around me."  "I do, but I don't wanna get fired.  You and I both know that Alya is top dog, and she'll stop at nothing to get what she wants.  I don't want to feel her wrath.  I've been working at Jiménez Enterprises too long and too hard to just get fired like that."

"I can't believe you're saying this."  I sit up, out of her grasp.  She sits up as well and cups my face in her hands.  "A rúnsearc, we can still hang out, we just have to do it outside of work.  I know you're not afraid of Alya, but I am.  She's intimidating.  I hope you can understand."

"Just........get out."  Her hands linger on my face for a moment longer before she removes them.  She sighs before nodding her head with her eyes closed.  They open again, looking back at me.  "I understand."  She gets up and walks out of my apartment.