"Kathryn! Seriously, please wait for me" Cosima shouted as her girlfriend stormed out of the restaurant they were sharing their weekly dinner out at.
"Why Cosima, so you can 'explain' why you're photographed leaving a bar with your teammate draped around you for a third time this month?" Kathryn sighed as she rolled her eyes and charged toward the valet.
"Yes Kat, there is an explanation…it's not how it looks. You know Tara can be a bit of a wreck. I just wanted to make sure she made it home safely!" Cosima retorted as if it was the most plausible statement she's ever made.
"Her home or yours Cosima?" Kathryn nearly screeched as she climbed into her SUV, tears stinging as her eyeliner ran from the corners of her eyes. She slammed the door and nearly blew the starter turning the key in the ignition. "Just find a way home Cos, I can't stand to be around you right now. I'll get my things in the morning, PLEASE don't be home." She said before peeling off out of the parking lot leaving Cosima embarrassed and stranded.
…
"Today we have US Women's National Soccer Team Midfielder Cosima Niehaus. Cosima we are so happy to have you here to discuss the upcoming exhibition match against Canada and get some insight into your personal life. How are you?" The interviewer asked with a forced smile at an insanely high octave.
"Well Tammy, I'm fantastic, but I'm not sure what else there is to tell about my personal life since it seems to be a hot topic on your show...I will say that I'm excited for the match. It's nice to have the focus be on my profession rather than my love life or my workout routine" Cosima responded with a sarcastic chuckle and proceeded to stare directly at the interviewer with a smirk awaiting her comeback.
"Well Ms. Niehaus your life is so interesting. I mean with all of the women and parties it seems you're living a lot of peoples' dream. I suppose our audience lives vicariously through you" Tammy replied with a wink searing a look of judgement into Cosima's eyes.
After a 10 minute verbal sparring match, Cosima decides she's had enough and ends the interview as respectfully as possible.
"Listen T, may I call you T?"
Tammy nods with an eyeroll.
"I've made my fair share of mistakes and have been in some compromising situations so I'd hardly consider myself a person to covet in that respect. I do however enjoy the attention the 'Bad Girl' persona affords me with the women I meet. With that being said, I hardly party because as you know I am an athlete. My professional soccer career is a priority and I think my accolades speak to my dedication. In fact, soccer has been such a priority that I've spent the last three months with a private coach working on my footwork and agility in order to prepare for this upcoming season. " With that, Cosima looks at the camera and smiles as if she knows she's won this little battle.
Tammy simply looks at her cue cards blankly before turning to the camera with her patented grin and saying "Well…that makes a lot of sense Cosima. I suppose we shouldn't believe everything we hear. Good luck at the exhibition and we look forward to having you on again"
"Why thank you T" Cosima answers before abruptly leaving the set to drive to her next obligation.
…
"Hello"
"Hey Sarah, I'm done with the interview. That bitch was in rare form today"
"Aw sorry Cos, I told you I'd kick her ass for ya if you need me to. She's always after ya about your business."
"It's alright I know she just does this for ratings. I just wish I wasn't subjected to this gossip journalism. I mean…I'm not a celebrity, I'm an athlete. A damn good one if I say so myself, but no one ever cares to talk about that. I'm an Olympic gold medalist Sar!" Cosima rambled to her sister as she swerved through the Los Angeles traffic to get to the photoshoot she was already ten minutes late for.
"I know Hun, but look on the bright side, the exposure gets you gigs like the one you're heading to now which just makes 'US' more rich so…" Cosima's second oldest sister jokes in an effort to calm her sister's nerves.
"Ha Ha Sar that's cute, but you're right I guess I have to take the good with the bad….Hey, I'm here. I'll call Kira later on, tell her I love her." Cosima cooed before hanging up her call and hearing silence from her speakers before racing into the magazines offices.
Once inside Cosima was taken to the small studio to meet the photographer that would be shooting the spread. This was Cosima's first non-tabloid appearance in a magazine this year and she couldn't wait to get started. She hoped this would really redirect the medias focus onto her talent since in recent months all people talked about was her split with Kathryn.
Once she looked around for a moment, she finally saw a tall blonde in the corner near a window speaking French quite aggressively to someone on the phone.
"Je n'aime pas qui elle est. J'ai été en attente pendant trente minutes Franck." The blonde spoke with a tone of pure annoyance completely oblivious to Cosima's presence.
Although Cosima didn't understand her she was almost certain the woman was referring to her tardiness, so she decided to announce herself.
"Um…Hi, I'm so sorry I'm late…I had an interview across town that ran a little long and…well I'm sure you know what a nightmare the 101 is at this hour. Anyway, I'm Cosima"
It wasn't until Cosima said the word "late" that the woman turned quickly. She was startled and was completely flushed from surprise and eventually annoyance. Cosima noticed the rosiness of her face and couldn't help but think it made the woman look adorable underneath the grimace she was currently wearing.
"Merde, you scared me."
Cosima let out a chuckle before the woman started again.
"Cosima do you make a habit of being late to business appointments or just ones you deem unimportant? I mean Mon Dieu it's been thirty minutes…" The blonde chides after adjusting herself so the other woman wouldn't notice her giving her biceps a glance.
Cosima notices and gives a smirk that showcases her sharp canines and the tip of her tongue. The tall woman breaks eye contact and fidgets with the camera that's sitting on the stool next to her. After regaining composure she gives Cosima a look as if to say 'Well?' and Cosima starts her reply.
"Well, I'm terribly sorry…What did you say your name was?'
"I didn't. Delphine Cormier, your photographer" she retorts
"Delphine, I'm sorry and yes I've gathered with the whole you holding a camera thing" Although not the best time for sarcasm Cosima attempted to tease the woman out of her uptight mood.
"Right, I heard you were quite clever. Shall we get started? We are already behind" Delphine scoffed as she changed her lens and called for make-up and wardrobe. She then explained the theme of the shoot and had them prep Cosima.
After discussing the story behind the shoot and fighting off the urge to glance at Cosima as she flirted with the wardrobe assistant, Delphine began to really question why she had taken this job. Although she loved doing still photography as a hobby, she worked as a film editor for some high profile projects. She honestly knew why she'd agreed to this but part of her wished she had just declined the offer and gone away for the weekend like her boyfriend had asked.
Just as Delphine was regretting her decision, Cosima emerged from wardrobe wearing black leather boots, a pair of slightly tattered black jeans and a simple loose fitting white V-neck t-shirt. To top off the ensemble she wore several bracelets on each arm, a gray knit beanie loosely over her shoulder blade length brunette dreadlocks and her black framed plastic glasses. Delphine was taken aback by how well Cosima could balance both masculinity and femininity without one overpowering the other.
Cosima smiled shyly and asked, "Was this what you were going for with the 'story'?' I feel like this is something I'd actually wear."
Cosima felt a bit uncomfortable modeling the outfit for Delphine but she was pleased with the woman's reaction.
Delphine couldn't hide her grin and replied with a 'Oui' and led Cosima to the Harley-Davidson Sportster they would be starting the shoot with.
After being put into several poses straddling and leaning against the bike Cosima began to wonder if the shots were for the spread or Delphine's own amusement.
Although Delphine couldn't really put her mind around it, she was intrigued by Cosima's allure and felt a warmth from the woman she wouldn't have expected. She had heard all of the gossip surrounding the athlete and assumed most of it to be true. After spending an hour with the woman she felt herself soften and really enjoy their conversation.
"Yes a llama, and that was my last time in Prague…" Cosima ended her story as Delphine giggled before adjusting the athletes' position at the makeshift bar set that was built for the next series of photos.
"Hmm…well in Paris I did far more partying than I've done here in the States. Aside from a few wild nights in college I've never had a night like that in quite some time." Delphine admitted as she felt herself leaning in to adjust Cosima's hat.
Cosima sighed at the close proximity of the woman who she assumed was straight given the numerous mentions of Olivier her actor boyfriend. Still, she couldn't help but wonder if she was noticing a more than friendly vibe from the woman and was willing to try and figure it out.
"Well you've been hanging with the wrong people Delphine. It's hard to imagine a woman that looks like you is not out breaking all the boys' hearts. …I throw a college style rager with my teammates every once in a while and you'd be more than welcome to come and relive your glory days." Cosima teased with a wink and glanced up to gauge Delphine's response.
"Well I'm not sure what you mean, but it seems that you are the heartbreaker Cosima. I mean with the physique and your charmantes manières I suppose it's only natural" Delphine flirted purposefully in order to throw the other woman off.
"The only thing I understood was physique...Delphine are you saying you think I'm fit?" Cosima inquired with a playful eyebrow raise.
Delphine couldn't help the blush that was tinting her cheeks and struggled to respond not knowing why she was so flustered.
"Well I just mean you are an athlete, don't all athletes have fit bodies? Ne vous méprenez" Delphine replied while knowing that unconsciously replying in French meant she was getting nervous.
"Not all but most and I suppose I see your point. I will say though your intermittent use of French during our conversation is as confusing as it is sexy... If I'm being honest" Cosima dared as she resolved to push the limits of their growing comfort by flirting shamelessly.
Not that she felt she could help herself. Delphine was tall, toned and impeccably dressed. Adding her beautifully large hazel eyes and her perfectly curled blonde locks she was like something out of a fairytale. Although she didn't know who this boyfriend was she was certain he didn't deserve Delphine.
When Delphine finally answered she decided to stick with French in order to further intrigue the other woman.
"Eh bien, je sais que vous américains aiment quand on parle notre langue maternelle, mais je ne peux pas dire que je le fais exprès. With that being said, I'm sorry and thank you" Delphine stated with a nod and went to her laptop to load the shots for Cosima's approval.
After a few hours of successfully disarming Delphine, Cosima knew she had to see the woman again. She knew about the boyfriend and assumed it was a long shot but as an athlete she knew the old adage 'You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take' or some shit.
"Well Delphine although I've had a wonderful time being your model, I know you're probably tired of my anecdotes about my crazy little life. If not however, I'd love to meet you for lunch this week and tell you the rest of that story about streaking through my college dormitory. I assure you it gets more interesting." Cosima offered confidently with a huge toothy grin as she leaned against the wall with her arms and legs crossed.
Delphine found herself in an odd situation. She knew Cosima was gay and also knew she had a reputation for womanizing but she didn't see that in their interaction. Sure she was attractive, she didn't have to be gay to see that but that's just it, she wasn't and didn't want to give the woman false hope. She had a boyfriend and had a rule about not seeing clients outside of work. Still Cosima was quite charming and fun to converse with and it was just lunch. Olivier would have to know that it was merely friendly.
After being silent for longer than would be considered normal socially she replied,
"Non, I don't know if it's such a good idea since you are technically my client. Je ne pense pas qu'il y a lieu"
Cosima nods and smiles as she begins her rebuttal, "There you go with the French again. Well I'll remind you that I won't be your client after today technically and I think you are using that as an excuse anyway since we both know you thought long and hard about how you were going to turn me down just now. Just do me a favor and tell me the truth and I will let it go."
Delphine shifts nervously by the door as she begins to leave and looks back at Cosima with her bottom lip firmly planted between her teeth before shaking her head and replying,
"You are right, I was making an excuse Cosima. I don't know why but you make me a bit nervous ... But, like you said you will not be my client after today and I really do want to hear the rest of the story..."
Cosima beams as she realizes she may actually be going to lunch with the gorgeous blonde.
"Meet me at Gracias Madre next week… Tuesday?" Delphine asks as Cosima giggles at the French woman's pronunciation of the Spanish name.
"The vegan restaurant? Uh yeah, I'm sure I can be there. Noon?"
"Oui, noon is good. Here is my card. If you need to cancel please inform me in advance Cosima, and don't be late" Delphine teases
"Ok, cool but I wouldn't dream of cancelling on you Delphine. See you then." Cosima nearly shouts as Delphine is halfway down the hallway and offers a wave over her shoulder in acknowledgement.