Welcome to the lesbian romantic podcast. This is The Taste of a Smile, Part 6, Hot Chocolate.

Lex peered through the store window. She was surprised to see all the lights were on.

It was still 19 minutes before opening time.

Marriette told her most employees wouldn't have arrived yet.

She stepped back and waved at the center of the glass doors.

They didn't open.

That wasn't surprising.

There had to be another entrance at the back for the staff.

Lex just didn't know where it was.

She shivered.

It was ice cold again and she hadn't dressed appropriately.

Lex considered calling Hannah to ask her where she could find the staff entrance.

Now was not the time, though. Hannah had more important things to worry about.

Lex's throat tightened every time she thought of Hannah's broken voice.

She had heard her cousin this upset

only once before, and it had been a long time ago. A flash of movement in the corner of her eye

interrupted her thoughts. Had someone just gone upstairs? She raised her hand above her eyes and

pressed it against the glass. She couldn't see much from here.

Fuck, Lex muttered to herself. Why didn't I ask about the entrance yesterday? She was about to go

looking for the back entry of the store when she spotted a man descending the stairs.

Lex knocked on the glass. She hardly felt it. Her fingers were red and numb.

The store employee looked up. He smiled at her and tapped his wrist, shrugging apologetically.

...