FLASHBACK
"You are really going to do it, San? Ask Brittany to marry you?"
"Boy, you are slow today, Q. This is why I am Facetiming you. I wanted to show you the ring," Santana says, as she opens up a black, velvet box.
"It's beautiful, Santana. Brittany will love it."
"I hear a 'but' in there, Quinn. Out with it."
"How do you know? How are you so sure about this? We are so young! We have our whole lives ahead of us," I said, practically pleading with her.
"Quinn, I just know. I do. I love her with my whole heart. She was my first and she will be my last."
"O.k. San. I get it. I support you. I better be a bridesmaid."
"Duh. Reason number 2 for this call."
I never did get to be a bridesmaid for their joint wedding with Kurt and Blaine. I didn't really understand why. Maybe it was because Santana didn't believe that I fully supported their marriage and she didn't want my negative energy there. The thing is I really did support them. I wanted their marriage to succeed. I was heartbroken when I heard through the Gleevine (Rachel's emails) that they got divorced 2 years later. I meant to reach out to Santana but I didn't want her the think that I was calling to taunt her; to say "I told you so," which I never would have done. So, I never did call her, which leads me to this moment...
PRESENT DAY
Santana barges into my office in all her glory.I take a moment to drink her in. The years have been kind to her. If anything, she looks even better than I remember. I must have taken a second too long because she is laughing at me.
"Like what you see, Quinnie? I thought you weren't into that?"
"You seem to forget one Valentine's Day, Santana, when I most definitely into that…"
I see her mind go back to that night, a night I remember often.
"Oh, yes. That was a fun night. I never thought you had it in you, Q."
"There's a lot you don't know, Santana," I saw with a wink.
And there it was, as if there had not been years since we hadn't seen each other. The playful banter, the teasing and joking, it was all back.
"So, Santana, what bring you by?"
"You have made quite the impression here in Los Angeles, Q. Rumor has it you will be up for a James Beard Award."
"Wait. What? How do you know that?"
"Let's just say I have my sources."
I was practically beaming.
"I am here because right now you are the talk of the town and I need the best."
"You need me to host and cater an event?"
"Not just any event. My wedding!"
Oh, Santana. I look at her and I see that look in her eyes. The look of love. Despite all the shit this world threw at her, Santana still had a great capacity for love. I look down at that finger and I see a gorgeous ring. Without thinking, I reach out and grab her left hand to get a better look at her engagement ring. Something happened in that brief moment. I felt a shock of electricity shoot up my arm and fill my body. My body was buzzing as I looked up and our eyes met. Did Santana feel it to? If she did, she didn't shy away from the moment. She held my gaze and it was like we were frozen. I forced myself to look at her ring, to break the contact.
"Wow, San, that's some ring."
"My lady makes bank. Got that movie star money."
"Who is your fiancee?"
"Girl, don't you read US Weekly?"
I shook my head.
"Michelle Rodriguez."
I was shocked.
"I guess you are over blondes, huh?"
That comment made Santana laugh heartily. It was a sound I didn't know I missed.
"How did you two even meet?"
"Michelle was looking for a new publicist after her little fling with Zac Efron blew up a couple of summers ago. She hired me because she heard I was one of the best in Hollywood."
"Yes, I do remember seeing that all over the tabloids."
"So, she moved on from Zac and fell in love with you? I thought she wasn't open or public about her sexuality."
"Eventually. It took awhile. She knew what it meant if she got involved with me, since I am out and proud. Honestly, Michelle caught me off guard. She is not my type. Two fiery Latinas is a lot to handle in a relationship. But, she wore me down. It was refreshing to be pursued."
"This looks good on you, San. Happiness. I am really happy for you. I am sorry about you and Britt. I should have called."
Santana touches my hand, saying, "I probably wouldn't have answered your call. It's ok. I didn't want to listen to anyone. You were right, Quinn. We were too young. We drifted apart and our relationship just ran it's course. We are on good terms, still friends. She is doing great, dancing her heart out, on tour all the time. She's met Michelle and she is so happy for us. We are in a good place, something I didn't think we could get to after our divorce."
I squeeze her hand and look at her, saying with sincerity, "I 100% supported you guys. I hope you knew that. I know how much you loved Britt. Fuck, I knew how much she loved you. I really hoped you were forever."
"Ahh, I did too, Quinn. But somethings just don't work out. I'm okay with it now. Therapy helped."
"How Hollywood- Santana Lopez in therapy."
This earns a playful shove from my friend.
"Don't knock it tell you try it, Quinnie. I needed therapy after all the damage growing up in Lima caused."
"Oh, I know, San. I have therapy once a week. Teen mom, remember?"
We both laugh at our past circumstances. She rounds my desk to look at the picture frames. I bet she expecting to see pictures of my husband and maybe even a family. Instead, she sees pictures of Beth.
"If she didn't look exactly like you…I can't believe this is Beth."
"Yup. My #1 reason for moving to Los Angeles. She will be a teenager in a couple of weeks. Unbelievable. Shelby has been such a great mom to her. She is thriving. I get to see her once a week, on Sundays. She is amazing."
Santana just smiles at me. "Well, look at you, teen mom. You turned out real good. But no husband or boyfriend?"
"Why? I can't have a wife or a girlfriend?"
That statement certainly shocked her.
"What?"
"Why do you assume that I must be dating a man? Why couldn't it be a woman?"
"My bad to presume. I didn't know our little one night stand turned you to my team. So, no girlfriend?," Santana says, as she lifts her jaw up from the ground.
I chuckle. "No prospects, men or women. I thought I'd have more luck in love in L.A. than in Santa Barbara."
"Dating in L.A. sucks, Quinn. I'll have to set you up. That is how anyone meets anyone in this town. Screw tinder or ."
"Ahhh, we can talk about my love life later. Let's talk about your wedding reception."
Thirty minutes later, I had an idea of what Santana was looking for. We set up an appointment in two weeks for a menu tasting with Michelle. As we were wrapping up, I remember my dinner with Rachel and Mercedes next week.
"Hey, San. Rachel and Jesse will be in town next week. We will be having dinner here next Wednesday with Mercedes if you wanted to join us. It can be a nice surprise for them. And you can get a taste of my cuisine!"
"I'll check with my secretary and get back to you, Q. That does sound like fun. I gotta run. Big Grey's Anatomy event I have to cover. Ellen and Shonda are already texting me."
"Ok, Ms. Hollywood. Let me know about dinner. It was great to see you, Santana. Honestly, it has been too long."
I encircle my arms around her in a warm embrace. I feel the electricity again. It was undeniable.
"I've missed you, Quinn. I didn't realize how much till right now."
She returns my hug and kisses me on the cheek. I was on fire.
"Bye, boss. I'll let myself out."
As she closed the door, I fell back on my sofa. Wow. Santana.
