She keeps me warm
Chapter 1
Pairing: Arizona/Callie
Summary: Arizona has told herself she is happy being single, that her life with her cat is enough. Can anything or anyone change that?
Disclaimer: None of the characters are mine. No infringement intended. The storyline and characters has nothing to do with or are reflections of real life; it's for entertainment purposes only.
A/N: Hey I have posted this story before, I was not happy with it that is why I took it down and made some changes to it. I have been eager to finish it but felt like I wanted to update it and make it better. Hope you will like it.
Arizona's pov:
"Take a deep breath. Can you feel that crisp autumn air? Refreshing isn't it?" my best friend Teddy said as we were walking down the street this cold Monday morning. I did not bother to reply because I knew it was rhetorical and I just listened to her usual ramble.
"The seasons are starting to change. So are our minds and our closets. The thin colorful summer clothes have been stocked deep into everyone's closets and boots, knitted sweaters come out. The green landscape has shifted into a rainbow of colors. Now people order hot chocolate instead of iced tea. The outdoor group-hangs turn into intimate romantic dinners with that special someone. Most people think that it is less sad to be alone in the summer than it is once autumn comes around the corner, but let me tell you something. It is equally sad all year around. That is the sad truth"
"That's where you are wrong. Some people like being on their own. Plus I'm not alone I have Pluto" I told her as I held the door open for her to the local café.
"Yeah your cat does not count. What kind of name is Pluto for a cat anyway? I pity that cat. You need to get back out there and find someone! It doesn't have to be something serious"
I looked at the tall smiling woman behind the counter "Good morning uh we'd like one latte, one herbal tea and two croissants to go thanks" I smiled back at the barista and turned to my friend "Pluto suits her"
"Um, Pluto is a dwarf planet and also a male cartoon dog. Your Pluto is a female cat. Do you see how this is weird?" Teddy said swiping through her email on her phone
I ignored my friend and watched the cute barista getting our order ready. She was incredibly attractive, had long shiny black hair tied up in a sloppy pony tail. She had glowing caramel skin and her eyes were golden brown. But what I could stare at forever was her beautiful smile, full lips and blinding white teeth. She was now a part of my morning routine, for a few weeks I had been buying my coffee from her. It was safe to say that I now had a crush on a complete stranger that I knew nothing about, but I have always believed that having a crush every now and then makes your life as a single woman a little more colorful and fun.
She put our order in front of me "Pluto huh? I think it's cute"
To my surprise she had eavesdropped and I smiled as I handed her the cash and our hands touched for a second. "Thanks" I said sheepishly and took our order and turned around.
"Okay you two are equally weird" my friend said jokingly a little louder than I thought was necessary as we exited the shop.
My busy day continued in the park doing an engagement photo shoot. Watching this happy and obviously head over heels in love couple made me think of what Teddy had said earlier, maybe it would not be the worst thing if I met someone.
"Okay I think I got what we wanted here, let us move to that bridge over there and see if we can capture some more beautiful shots" I said to the couple and they made their way towards the older wooden bridge. I stayed behind for a bit to help my assistant moving some of the equipment. Jo started as my assistant a year ago when the part-time job as a manager for her boyfriend's band was no longer paying any bills. She had been also my friend since her sister's wedding. I was the photographer and she was the drunk, miserable and chatty single maid of honor that I took pity on. I set her up with my brother's friend Alex the following weekend and now 3 years later we are like a family.
"Hey, you got plans this Friday?" Jo asked me while I picked up two of the bags next to her
I looked up at her and shook my head "Um, no why?"
"Alex's band has a gig at this bar downtown. And there will be a woman there that you should meet" she said as she walked ahead of me
I tried to keep up with her quick pace "Did you talk to Teddy? Cos' I don't need any help meeting women. I can find one on my own. Also I'm happy being single"
"No it's about a possible wedding gig. Her father is some big shot attorney" Jo abruptly stopped and I almost bumped into her "Wait, you are happy being single? Remember to tell your face that. A frowning wedding photographer is not what they hired" she giggled and continued walking
I playfully hit her shoulder "Oh shut up! I wasn't frowning!" I said and felt myself blush a little and also kind of disappointed "Fine I'll be there…but you owe me a drink or two" I said with a weak smile. I grabbed the camera around my neck and walked up to the kissing couple "Okay Emma you sit down on that bench and Daniel you go down on your knee next to her"
Friday
It had been a long week and most of my time I spent in front of my computer, editing and finishing previous jobs. My schedule was not as full as I would have wanted it to be. That was the only reason I did not cancel on Jo and Alex tonight. We needed the money. I needed Jo, no matter what her salary did to my economy, without her help and her bringing work to us, we would be nothing. She had learned the business real quick, but her strong suit was marketing and let the world know we exist. My strong suit was photography, deliver whatever she had promised the customer.
I was running late as always not sure what to wear. It was only when Jo texted me "are you coming or not?" I realized I had spent too much time staring at my own clothes. I grabbed my black skinny jeans and a leather jacket. I quickly straightened my hair and before I knew it I was in a cab texting her back "I'm on my way, order me a beer"
Once the cab pulled up at the bar I took a deep breath and entered the crowded space. It was too many people to find anyone so I called her and asked her to meet me at the entrance. About ten minutes later she showed up holding two beers, handing one to me. "I'm sorry it took long. I'm happy you are here" Jo shouted
I took four big gulps of the cold beer and instantly felt relaxed. I looked at Jo "I know you are busy tonight, you said there's a woman I should meet about a job?"
Jo looked around the crowded bar and looked me once again "I can't see her. She is a bartender. She's Hispanic and tall. Her last name was Torres. I think. You know when you see her, believe me! Look for white shirt and a black tie. I have to get back to Alex. I'll find you again" and before I had a chance to reply she was gone once again. After a few more sips of my beer and decided to look for this mystery woman.
After about 15 minutes of pushing people and being way too close to strangers I gave up my search for this woman. I sat down at the only empty bar chair and sighed heavily. I could not believe I came here without gaining anything from it. I took the last sip of my beer and stared into the empty glass for awhile.
"Do you want another one?" a familiar voice asked.
I looked up and there she was "huh?" I answered
"Do you want another beer?"
I stared into her brown eyes "sure" I could not believe she was here. I felt my heart beating faster and my cheeks getting flushed. "I thought you were a barista?" I asked her
"I am. I'm also a bartender" she winked playfully and returned her attention to some other screaming customers. It was not until she turned around I realized what she was wearing, it was a white shirt and a tie. My whole body went numb and I was not aware of what I was feeling. "Hey you?" I said loudly waiting for my heart to literally pop out of my chest.
"Yes?" she said returning to her position in front of me.
"Is your name Torres?"
"Yes, how do you know that?!"