“Here’s to you,” Milly said, beaming. She lifted her glass of champagne. 

Hannah smiled and picked up the other glass. “To everyone at Leroy Chocolates.” 

Milly’s eyes sparkled. “But *everyone’s* not here. We’re celebrating *you* tonight.” 

“I know,” Hannah nodded shyly. “I didn’t do it alone, though.”

“True, but you’re the captain of the ship,” Milly replied and sipped her drink. She closed her eyes. “Mmmm, good stuff.”

The champagne tickled Hannah’s tongue and was very nice indeed. A bit on the dry side perhaps. She still preferred a good whiskey. 

“So, now that you have stores in every major city on the East and West coast,” Milly said, shifting in her seat. “What’s next for Leroy Chocolates? Europe? Asia?” 

“I don’t know,” Hannah said honestly.  She sat back in her chair and looked around. 

The restaurant had opened just two weeks ago. It had already gotten quite a bit of good publicity and Milly had been eager to try it out. She’d suggested they celebrate the opening of Hannah’s latest store here. 

Hannah had been enthusiastic about the plan at first, but now that they were here, she thought she would have preferred having dinner somewhere else. A burger would have sufficed. Or some falafel from a food truck. 

“What’s wrong?” Milly asked. 

Hannah met her lover’s worried gaze, her cheeks heating up a little. “Nothing!” 

Milly arched a skeptical eyebrow. “Come on, baby. Don’t lie.”

“I don’t know,” Hannah admitted reluctantly, putting down the glass. “Something just feels off today.”

Milly frowned. “Off in what way? Are you not feeling well?”

“No, I’m feeling fine,” Hannah replied. She chewed on her lower lip a little as she thought. “I guess I’m not feeling as happy as I should be.” 

“In what way?” Milly asked, covering Hannah’s hand. “Have I been away from home too much?”

Hannah shook her head. “No! It’s not that,” she said, although she had missed Milly often lately. 

Milly was home for a few days during a tour throughout the States. She’d been out of town more often than not in the last three months. But Hannah too had been very busy with work. It wasn’t all on Milly. 

“The tour is almost over,” Milly continued, entwining her fingers with Hannah’s. “Maybe we can take some time off and disappear together next month?” 

“Really,” Hannah said, squeezing Milly’s hand. “It’s not that.” She smiled. “But I would love to spend some time alone with you, yes.” 

“Then what is wrong?” Milly asked, stroking Hannah’s thumb. “Is it the restaurant?”

Hannah took in her surroundings again. The space was beautifully decorated with large plants everywhere. The roof was all glass and the overall feel was that of a greenhouse. It was definitely different. 

“It’s fine,” Hannah shrugged. “Maybe I’m just not in the mood for this kind of dining experience.” She brought Milly’s hand to her lips and kissed it. “I’m sorry. I know you were really looking forward to this.”

“That’s okay,” Milly said, smiling sadly. 

Hannah felt bad. Milly had put a lot of effort into getting them a reservation here. It had been very nice of her to do so. And in the past, they had always celebrated new openings with a fancy dinner at a place like this. 

“I think it’s not just the restaurant,” Hannah said, wanting to explain but struggling to find the right words. “I’m not as excited anymore. About opening new stores, I mean.” 

Milly’s shoulders visibly relaxed. “Oh, so it’s work. Okay, why do you think that is?” 

Hannah almost said she didn’t know, but she wanted to do better for Milly. She’d sounded like a stammering teenager trying to explain her feelings so far. She took another sip from her glass as she thought. 

“Maybe it’s becoming too much of a routine?” Hannah thought out loud but immediately felt that this was not what was bothering her. 

She shook her head and tried again. “No, it’s more than that. I guess I am asking myself what it’s all for?” 

Her skin tingled as she spoke. She hadn’t been able to put her feelings into words before. Not even to herself. She had felt a sense of restlessness and despair for days but hadn’t known why. Now, suddenly, she felt lighter and sadder at the same time. 

“You mean your work?” Milly asked carefully. 

“Yes, what is it all for?” Hannah asked, moving to the edge of her seat. 

Milly shook her head slowly. “I thought you loved your job.”

“So did I,” Hannah said, running her hand through her hair. “I don’t know why I suddenly feel this way. But it’s all about making even more money, isn’t it? I know Leroy employs a lot of people and that’s very important to me, but… I’m not feeling it anymore.” The words came tumbling out of Hannah’s mouth now. 

“Okay,” Milly said, looking perplexed. “Well, eh… I don’t know what to say for a moment. I’m sorry.” 

Hannah flinched. She wanted Milly to understand even though she herself didn’t fully understand what was going on. Tears stung at the back of her eyes. She clenched her jaw and stared at her hands. 

“I do know that I want you to be happy,” Milly finally continued. “And I will always have your back no matter what you do. So if you say you’re not happy with what you’re doing professionally, then let’s talk about it and think about what would make you happy.”

Hannah looked up, surprised. “You don’t think it’s stupid?”

“Of course not,” Milly said, caressing Hannah’s lower arm. 

“Or spoiled?” Hannah asked, the tears prickling again. 

“What?” Milly asked. “No, of course not. You work your ass off!”

“Right,” Hannah nodded. “But I have everything in the world and yet, here I am moping about getting bored.”

“Now you’re being unfair to yourself,” Milly replied. “I know you. This is not about boredom.”

“No, it’s not,” Hannah said quietly. She blinked a few times. She didn’t want to cry here.

“Hey,” Milly said and squeezed Hannah’s hand.  “Do you want to get out of here?” 

“Yes!” Hannah said, relieved. “Please!”

Milly grinned. “I love you.”

“I love you so much more,” Hannah smiled. 

“Impossible!” Milly said in a theatrical voice and grinned again. She winked and turned to wave over a waiter. 

Hannah took in a deep breath. Her chest felt so much lighter already. She couldn’t wait to get outside and hold Milly’s hand. Whatever any of this meant, she knew everything would be alright because Milly was by her side.