Chapter 1

Quinn POV:

Tonight was the strangest night of my life. After five years of nothing at all, she calls me out of the blue. Why would she pick now to call me after all this time? I have so many questions without a single answer.

I stored her number in my phone as soon as our small conversation ended. I didn't want to lose her again. Or have I already lost her. Maybe not since she called me and now we are meeting for a late brunch tomorrow. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I asked her, but it slipped out before I could process what I was doing. It actually brought a smile to my face when she did.

"Who was that baby?" Sarah asks before sitting on my lap. Her lips ghost over my temple.

"Who? What?" I wasn't really paying attention to her. My mind is going every which way trying to process what just happen.

"I haven't seen you look this happy in a long time. I was just wondering who brought this change on is all." Biting her lip, she brushes my hair behind my ear. "I like it. You're so beautiful when your eyes light up." Finally, she presses her lips to mine wanting to bask in my impromptu happiness.

I kiss her back, but I don't see her. I see Rachel. My Rachel.

Pulling away, I know I can't do this. It all feels so wrong. Sarah should be the one to make me happy not her. She left me for him without a second thought the last time. Maybe, I was stupid to ask her to meet me tomorrow. It will cause nothing but heartache in the end.

"What's wrong Quinn?"

Sighing to myself quietly, I know what I have to do. "Nothing Sweetie." Kissing her quickly, I hope she doesn't see through me.

"Okay. Dinner is ready." She leaves me and heads to the kitchen. Automatically, I follow without a word.

Rachel's POV:

Oh Shit! Oh Shit! Oh Shit!

I can't believe I actually called her. What was I thinking? Finn is going to be so pissed if he finds out. I need order something really fast before he realizes. I order two vegan friendly meals for us from Zen Palate Restaurant down the road. I refuse to watch him eat meat tonight.

"Finn! It'll be here in forty five minutes!" I yell to be heard over the running water.

"What'd you get?"

"Zen Palate's!"

The water shuts off without a reply. I guess he was okay with my choice. He should be. I'm the one paying for it.

Or not.

I turn around to be met with a fuming and very wet Finn. He even makes a poop face when he's mad. I shouldn't laugh but it's funny. Suppressing my giggle at him, I try to calm him down. "You didn't tell me what you wanted. I just assumed it was my choice."

Wrong thing to say.

"I want MEAT!" He seethed. "I am a MAN." He closes in on me. He has never actually hit me before, so I'm hoping today is not the day. Any other time, I probably would have made a caveman joke but not today with him looking like that. I'm scared.

Backing up slowly to get away "Finn, I'm sorry. I'll order you something else to eat." Trying to keep the fear out of my voice, I continue. "I'll eat the other for lunch tomorrow. It will be fine."

"Not the point, honey" He has me backed against the wall. I'm trapped. He places his hands on each side of me ensuring I will not escape him.

"I'm sorry" My voice waivers. My fear is showing.

"You're so stupid, Rach." He whispers in my ear, and my heart beat picks up its pace instantly. Seeming to know what I am thinking, he keeps up his rant. "I will not hit you. At least not yet." He kisses me hard and rough. It actually hurts. Before I can pull away, he rams his tongue into my mouth wanting to deepen the kiss. Instead, I fight back and turn my head away. I don't want to kiss him, and I really don't want him touching me. "You are mine forever. We are soul mates." He hisses in my ear before pressing his body into mine. "If I can't have meat. I will have you. We haven't done anything in months." I can already feel the erection on him. At least it won't last long.

Ten minutes later, I find myself in the bathroom washing my face off. The tears have finally stopped. The reflection in the mirror is a stranger. I'm not the person I was when I first moved here. I've lost my spark. I am completely empty inside. I don't deserve happiness again. I threw mine away five years ago. She is my soul mate. I knew that the first time I kissed her. Touched her. She was everything to me and that scared me to death. I was young and stupid then. Quinn has probably moved on from me. I hope she is happy. At least, I will get to see her one last time before she banishes me from her life. She has every right too. I threw her away like nothing, and I guess it is her turn now.

"Baby, the food is here!" Now I'm baby? I guess he feels guilty about everything.

Quinn's POV:

Sitting in Sutton Coffee House, I keep tapping my foot nervously while keeping an eye out for her. I really hope she shows. Maybe if I get closure with her, I can finally move on and be happy with Sarah.

Stirring my coffee again, I sigh into it. I don't think she is going to show. "Quinn"

Looking up, I am met with the dark chocolate eyes that invade my every dream. "Rachel" I smile. "Sit please."

The waiter comes over and takes her order right away. We still haven't said anything else to each other. I know I am too busy staring at her. God I've missed her. No. I can't think like that. She doesn't want to be with me. She chose him. I keep reminding myself.

Her coffee arrives, and we have yet to say word still. The tension is so thick even a knife couldn't cut it. "Sooo, how have you been Quinn?" She is finding her coffee very interesting but at least she attempted to break the ice.

"I'm good. You?" My answer is robotic and I know it and so does she.

"That's great Quinn. I'm good too." She looks around for a second. Both of us realizing the brief conversation is lost again. "I'm sorry." She looks at me with so much emotion behind her eyes that I want to grab her and hold onto her forever. There is so much sadness there. "I shouldn't have come. I it was mistake. I'm sorry" she rushes out. Before I can blink, she is standing to leave me again. I can't let that happen again.

Not even thinking, I grab her arm and pull her back to me, to us. The spark that occurs when I touch her causes me to let go instantly. I plead with her. "Please don't leave." My statement is weak and frightful of her running again. "Sit. I just want to talk. I've missed you. You're my … friend." That last part hurt to say. She was so much more to me than a friend. She always will be, but I will take her however I can get her. I couldn't tell her she is the love of my life that I could never let go. I am so screwed. I was telling myself this was, so I could get over her and move on. Now that I am sitting in front of her, I know that will never happen. She is still has beautiful as I remember her, but she seems different. I wonder what has happen to her. Her eyes don't that spark of life I remember being there.

"Rach, what have you been up to?" Even though, I know all about her career. I have followed her career online since the day she left.

Rachel's POV:

I didn't think she could get any more beautiful than she already was. Her blonde hair that barely brushing her shoulders and those hazel eyes just make me melt. I've missed her so much.

Smiling my first real smile in a long time "I've been on a couple of Broadway productions, and I got to sing at New Years last year in Time Square. It's been good." She smiles at me, and the butterflies that I thought had long died off have returned.

"I know." She smirks. "I've kept up with you over the years. The internet is an amazing thing." Taking a sip of her coffee again "I meant, what have you been up to that is not posted for all to see and read."

"Oh…" Taking a sip of my own drink, I try to think of something to say that will not give away my real feelings. "Not much honestly. I spend a lot of time at home when I'm not working."

"Finn?" The slight edge in her voice is easy to pick up on.

I nod letting her know we are still together. I don't think I could say the words because then I would be completely honest about everything with him. He's changed and not for the better. "What about you?" I try to deflect from anymore questions about him. I really don't want to talk about him at all right now.

"I've been seeing someone for the last two years." Her smile doesn't reach her eyes completely. I can tell, but I'm not sure anyone else would be able too. "Her name is Sarah. She's an intern at the hospital in Brooklyn."

"You love her?" I didn't think before I spoke. It sort of slipped out before I could stop it. By the look on her face, I don't think she was expecting that question either.

"I … umm"

"Don't answer that please. It's none of my business." I smile a little, but I think my green side is showing a little. "What have you been up to?" I keep running my fingers over the rim of my cup. I'm really nervous right now. I think she can tell too.

"I don't think you would believe me if I told you." I laugh a little at that response and just like that the tension is gone again.

"Try me." I challenge.

"I'm the Editor at Random House Publishing." I can't help but smile at that news. She always loved to read so much when we were younger.

"That's amazing Quinn. I'm so proud of you." She smiles again, and I am lost in her all over again.

Before long, our coffees are empty and many topics have come and gone. This is what I have been missing. I feel complete once more just by being in her presences. I couldn't ask for more. Well I could, I really wish I could kiss her or at least hug her.

Luckily enough, she must have read my mind. Because the next thing I know, I am wrapped up in her arms. Tucking my head into her neck, I sigh. I've missed the way she smells. I feel safe and happy in this moment that I never want to end.

It's gone to fast though but before she pulls completely away, her lips press into the side of my cheek leaving a light kiss. "I've missed you so much, Rach. I want to rebuild my friendship with you."

"Me too." My hand covers my cheek where her lips once where. I can still feel them there.

"I have to go. I'm sorry." She starts to approach me again but changes her mind and leaves the other way. I watch her leave. It's not until she is completely out of sight that I turn and head home.

This is just the beginning.