that simply won't do

part eleven

Dana sat at the kitchen counter, her knee bouncing rhythmically as she chewed on the inside of her cheek. Anger swelled deep in her chest, bringing tears to the brims of her eyes. It had been over two weeks since she'd had a night at home with Stella. Two weeks since Stella had managed to make it home from work at a decent time. In an effort to reconnect and satiate her own feelings toward Stella's absence, Dana had asked her to be home on time one night, planning to cook her favorite meal and spend a night alone with her. Stella had agreed and said she would do her best, even pulling her phone out to mark the night in her calendar. That was only a few days before and Dana had been sure it was going to go as planned. Having had the day off, she spent most of it getting the house cleaned up, making sure it smelled fresh and clean. A couple hours before dinner she showered, shaved, and lotioned her skin thoroughly. After blow drying her hair she took a curling iron to it, letting loose curls fall delicately around her face.

Once she was ready, she spent the rest of her time making Stella's favorite meal, adding the extra spices and touches she knew she liked. It was ready in record time and she threw it into the oven, setting herself at the counter to rest for a bit while it cooked. Dana was partially expecting Stella to make it home before the food was out of the oven, but she didn't fret when the timer went off. She knew it wasn't always easy to get out on time, and traffic often wasn't very forgiving. Covering the food as it sat on the stove, she reclaimed her place at the kitchen counter, pouring herself a glass of red wine while she waited for her lover to come home. As time went by, she felt herself growing more and more agitated. Taking deep breaths, she tried to push off the anger that built in her chest, but after an hour had passed she was no longer able to do so. The food was no doubt cold and she no longer felt as giddy as she had earlier in the day.

Two hours had passed by the time she finally heard the sound of Stella's key in the door. Dana stayed where she was, her legs crossed and her lips pressed together tightly as she heard stilettoed steps making their way toward the kitchen. Moments later she saw the blonde appear, looking tired and run down, though still impossibly poised. Her exhaustion wouldn't have been noticeable to anyone other than Dana. She smiled half heartedly at her girlfriend as she stepped further into the kitchen, dropping her bags by the table.

"Something smells good." Stella said, grabbing a glass from the cupboard before making her way over to the counter.

"Surprised you can still smell it. It's been sitting out for hours now."

Stella's cheeks tinged a light pink at the bite in Dana's tone, but she only scoffed in response as she poured herself a generous glass of wine. "Today was insane. I feel like we made practically no progress despite working our asses off all day."

"Really? That's all you have to say? Just work talk. That's it?"

"Um... I'm sorry. How was your day?" Stella's question lacked sincerity as she was slightly caught off guard by Dana's hostility.

"You don't actually care how my day was. Don't bother."

"That's not true. I do want to know how your day was."

"No, you just want to complain about work and how tired you are, as if you're not the one working yourself to the bone. I don't feel like listening to it tonight."

"Why are you being like this? Is something wrong?"

"Is something wrong? You're really asking me that right now?"

"Yes, I am asking. What's going on? Did I do something?"

"You are late. I asked you to be here on time and you're late."

"That's not my fault."

"Yes it is. If it mattered to you then you would have shown up."

"What do you mean if it mattered to me? I said I would try and I did. I'm here now, aren't I?"