The pub was packed by the time Beca arrived. The music was blasting and Beca felt the bass vibrations on the soles of her feet as she walked further inside. Despite the many bodies crowding the bar, she was able to spot Amy serving the drinks while her other friends were seated on the stools in front of her.

Beca squeezed her way through the crowd and slipped in between Stacie and Jesse.

"Where the hell were you!" Stacie yelled over the music, her eyes were slightly hooded from the buzz that suddenly went over her.

"Jerry had me close the shop." Beca replied. Beca was just about to mention meeting Chloe but stopped with the extra information on the tip of her tongue. Beca made a quick decision, to wait before she brought up the redhead.

"Oh, okay." Jesse nodded.

Stacie nudged Beca on the arm, making the shorter brunette turn to her. Stacie slyly pointed at Aubrey, signaling for Beca to pay attention.

"So, Bree," Stacie's voice was laced with mockery which Aubrey picked up on as she turned around to give her friend a curious stare, "How's the boyfriend?"

"Who's my boyfriend?" Aubrey deadpanned.

Stacie decided to humor her friend's knack of being stubborn and incorrible.

"You know. He has blonde hair, muscular arms covered in tattoos. A british accent that can make any girl drop their panties."

Beca snorted as she raised her bottle of beer to her lips to take a sip.

Aubrey rolled her eyes, "Luke is not my boyfriend."

"He sure acts like it," Amy chimed in while wiping a cup dry, "I swear, that boy is like a dog in heat. I wouldn't be surprised if he starts humping your leg."

"That's a lovely image. Thank you, Amy." Aubrey said, scrunching her face as she raised her martini to take a sip.

From three stools down, Jesse pursed his lips and lowered his gaze as he took a long swig of his beer.

Aubrey stood up from her desk chair in her cubical to go to the kitchen and refill her thermos.

The sounds of rapid typing, telephone rings, and occasional squeaks from chairs was soon out of her ear shot once she stepping foot into the kitchen and walked over to the water purifier.

"Hey, Aubrey!"

Aubrey rolled her eyes as she recognized the agonizingly annoying voice.

"Hello, Heather." She glanced over her shoulder to look at the girl who walked over to the fridge.

"I spoke to James," Heather sighed, "he gave me all this crap trying to get me to forgive him but I was like, 'no, fuck you!'. I deserve better."

Aubrey stepped away from the water purifier and forced a smile.

"That you do." Aubrey nodded at the temp, "I should get back to work."

"See ya later!" Heather grabbed her sandwich from the fridge and skipped her way out of the kitchen.

Aubrey started the walk back to her cubicle but as she walked by the regional manager's office, the door opened.

"Aubrey. Come here."

Aubrey stopped in her tracks and changed direction, the clank of her heels was muffled once she stepped inside Karen's office with the velvet rugged floors that were similar to the ones in the cubicle workspace.

"Yes, ma'am?"

Karen sat back down in her chair, "How's it going out there?" She pointed her pencil at the door which Aubrey followed with a turn of her head.

"Exactly what do you mean?"

Karen propped her feet up on her desk, her black heels shimmering under the light above them.

"The people. Your coworkers. Does anyone's work performance...stand out?" Karen clarified.

Aubrey's mouth made an O shape and suddenly anxiety and fear washed over her.

"Are you laying people off? Is it downsizing? Because I can vouch for myself when I say I am a valuable worker- I know I've only been here for three years after I graduated college but I've worked my ass off even before I started here. I got an internship here at Link a-and -"

"Aubrey, honey, calm down." Karen chuckled lightly, "It's not downsizing. I'm evaluating people's work ethic and I wanted an inside sources opinion."

Aubrey sighed in relief, "Well, everyone's doing quite well."

Karen tapped her pencil against her knuckles, "I can't promote everyone."

Promotion. Aubrey nearly choked, she lowered herself into the black leather chair in front of Karen's desk.

"P-promotion? For what position?"

Karen smiled, "That got your attention, huh? It's for my position."

Aubrey frowned, "Where would you go?"

"I got offered the District Management position in Link Incorporated's Atlanta branch. So I need someone to handle the reins here in sales," Karen gave Aubrey a knowing smile, "someone I trust to fill in my shoes."

Aubrey nodded. She was perfect for this position. She had the ambition, she had the spunk. Her coworkers were already afraid of her. She knew this tech company branch inside and out. All she needed was the title.

"So you haven't made any decisions then?"

Karen shook her head, "I'm asking you because, although I believe you'd be a perfect fit, corporate wants two to choose from and then they'll further evaluate between you and someone else and make a final decision."

Aubrey beamed, "Wow- thank you! Um, I can't think of anyone at the top of my head-"

"No worries," Karen said, "They want a decision by next Thursday. Just have it to me before then."

"Okay."

Chloe walked out of her apartment building later that evening, her sunglasses resting at the top of her head and her headphones in her ears. The New York City breeze brushed passed her cardigan and a slight chill ran up her spine. She considered going back upstairs for a light coat but once she was already a good distance from her building, she continued walking.

Chloe reached the corner of a bodega and just as she turned, with her hand in her back pocket about to pull her phone out, she was surprised when she was rammed into a fellow pedestrian. The woman's blonde hair blurred Chloe's vision as they made their way down to the ground.

"I am so sorry!" Chloe apologized. The woman groaned softly as she rubbed her forehead from where she collided with Chloe's. Watching her do this only made the same pain on Chloe's own forehead begin to hurt, so she rubbed hers as well.

"No no, it's fine. I wasn't looking." The woman chuckled, "I managed to keep a firm grip on my phone, though. Amazing how we care more about our technologies than our own well being."

Chloe giggled, "Honestly. They rule our entire lives."

"So where were you heading off to in such a haste?" The woman teased.

"A coffee shop over on 3rd and Broadway. Only, I think I was going the right way. I was just about to look for directions," Chloe frowned as she looked around at the different avenue signs and streets, "I just moved here from Florida so I'm still getting to know my way around."

Chloe pushed herself up and offered the woman her hand, "I'm Chloe, by the way. Chloe Snow."

"Aubrey Posen." Aubrey let Chloe pull her back to her feet before she added, "Lucky for you, I was actually making my way over to the coffee shop too. I have some great news to share with one of my best friends that works there, we can walk together."

Chloe beamed, "Great!" She smiled sheepishly when Aubrey pointed for Chloe to turn back around and cross the street, "Wow, I really wasn't walking the right way."

Aubrey laughed, "It's a big city. I remember I got lost trying to make my way through Times Square because my friends decided it'd be funny to spread out to different locations."

Chloe chuckled, "So what's the big news?"

Aubrey smiled and said proudly, "Well, I work at a tech company called Link Incorporated," Chloe froze slightly, "in the sales department. You know, basically just selling the computer equipment the company designs. Anyway, my boss told me today that she's picking me for a promotion but she needs someone else to consider for corporate to make the final decision."

"Wow. That's great." Chloe grinned.

"I know," Aubrey sighed contently, "First regional manager. Next, CEO."

Chloe pursed her lips as they continued walking.

Beca was wiping down a coffee spill on the counter, the culprit of said spill was still crying in his mother's arms as they exited the shop. Once it was clean, Beca smiled to herself just as Jerry walked out of the back room where his office was.

"Mitchell."

"Yo." Beca spun around and Jerry walked over to her.

"Can you do me a favor? Can you train the new waitress tomorrow?" Jerry clasped his hands together in a begging manner.

Beca rolled her eyes, "Dude, I did it last time with Roy and he was hell."

"Hey!" Roy, the bus boy, called out from a few tables next to the counter.

Beca smirked at him and turned back to Jerry who stuck with his begging pose.

"Can't you get Samantha to do it?"

"Can't do it, Bec. I called out tomorrow for an...appointment." Samantha chimed in as she walked up to the counter from the kitchen.

"Mhm." Beca hummed unconvincingly. Samantha backed up passed Jerry and saluted Beca as she went to take her break.

Beca looked back at Jerry and rolled her eyes at his pouted face.

"Why can't you do it, boss man?"

Jerry sighed, "Because I'm the boss! I give orders and I'm ordering you-"

"No." Beca deadpanned.

Jerry groaned, "I'll give you three more sick days."

"Four."

"Fine."

Beca smirked, "Fine I'll train the newby."

"Thank you. You're the best!" Jerry cheered as he went back to his office.

"I know." Beca mumbled. The bell above the front door chimed just as Beca accidentally knocked over a container of napkins with her elbow. She bent down just as the two customers made their way over to the counter.

"Excuse me." Aubrey knocked on the counter when she saw Beca bent down picking up the container.

Beca smiled at the familiar voice and bounced back up to greet her friend but her greeting was caught in her throat when she locked eyes with the blue ones that she's been hoping to see all day.

"H-Hey." Beca stuttered.

Chloe smiled at her while Aubrey raised her hands to gesture towards her new friend.

"This is Chloe Snow. We literally bumped into each other outside."

Beca nodded, "Yeah we've uh...um, Hi. I'm Beca."

Chloe frowned slightly but played along, making a mental note to ask the brunette about her peculiar behavior.

"Nice to meet you."

Aubrey smiled, "Alright. Chloe place your order, I'm buying. Let me just run to the bathroom real quick."

"Okay, thanks!"

Chloe waited until Aubrey disappeared behind the bathroom door before she turned to look at Beca who was inspecting the napkin container for non-existent smudges or dents due to the fall.

"What was that?" Chloe asked, making Beca shoot her head up.

"Hm?"

Chloe blinked, "Why did you act like you didn't already meet me?"

"Oh," Beca laughed nervously, "It's nothing. I just- her and my other friends have a tendency of scaring away girls that I show interest in so I thought I'd wait a bit."

Chloe found herself smiling, a slight warmth creeping up on her cheeks as Beca tilted her head and grinned.

"What, they overshare about your embarrassing stories?"

Beca nodded, "That and they can be a bit...overwhelming." She laughed, "I mean I love them but they're crazy."

Chloe giggled, "I dig crazy, though."

Beca smiled and shrugged, "Just give it some time. Just like you kept me interested with your mysterious approach. I'll keep you interested my own way. Then you can take the right of passage of meeting my misfit friends."

Chloe smiled and bit her lip, "You seem pretty confident about how all of this is gonna turn out." She barely knew Beca but she'd be lying if wasn't already interested in the brunette. And the keeping it on the DL seemed adventurous, something she was initially looking for when she moved here.

"I heard it was attractive. How am I doing so far?" Beca flirted, she leaned slightly over the counter with her arms crossed against her stomach and the marble surface.

Chloe smiled coyly, "I'll give you a few points. But I'm gonna need more than that."

Beca smirked and just before she was gonna speak again, she heard the distinct sound of heels exiting the bathroom. Beca pushed herself away from the counter and stood behind the register.

"So what can I get you?"

"Cappuccino." Chloe replied with a subtle wink as Aubrey walked up beside her.

"Make that two, Becs." Aubrey fished in her purse for her wallet and Beca shook her head.

"No worries, Bree. I got it."

Aubrey rolled her eyes, "Bec, you paid for mine last time."

"Too late." Beca smiled cheekily before she started making the coffees.

"You're so annoying," Aubrey groaned, "Anyway, I have great news!"

Beca looked up from the cappuccino machine, "The economy is no longer in jeopardy?"

"Sadly, no," Aubrey laughed along with Chloe, "I," Aubrey dragged the syllable, "am getting promoted."

Beca smiled, "Dude, that's awesome!"

Aubrey grinned, "It's between me and some other person that I need to choose but, come on, we all know who's gonna get it." She pointed at herself and mouthed a, me.

"Look at you," Beca cooed, "being a big girl, or whatever." She passed them their finished drinks and let them choose a booth while she signaled for Samantha to cover for her for the time being.

When Beca arrived to the booth, Aubrey and Chloe were sitting across from each other which left Beca to quickly choose who to sit beside.

Beca cleared her throat and slid beside Chloe who bit back a smile. Aubrey remained oblivious to their silent interaction as she sipped her coffee.

"So, Chloe," Aubrey raised a suggestive eyebrow, "tell us about yourself."

Beca turned her head while Chloe put down her coffee.

"Not much to tell. I came here for a different scenery, try new things."

"Re-invent yourself?" Beca smiled knowingly.

Chloe bumped her leg against Beca's from under the table.

"Something like that." She smiled.

"Well you picked a great place for that," Aubrey said, "New York is known for its scenery. You'll never be bored too."

"Not to mention the assholes that roam the train stations and streets." Beca added with a grin.

"You being one of them." Aubrey smirked. Beca smiled and shook her head. Aubrey turned back to Chloe who smiled at the brunette next to her. She was just about to ask another question when her phone vibrated in her pocket. She read the message and cursed under her breath.

"I gotta get going, " Aubrey announced, "Jesse just texted that Amy's at the precinct again."

Chloe raised her eyebrows at how casual Aubrey said it. Not to mention the word again.

Beca chuckled, "What she do?"

"She got involved with a fight in the bar and ended up punching the cop that came to break it up."

"Oh my god." Chloe chuckled lightly.

Aubrey nodded and sighed, "I'm not even surprised. I'll head over there to try and convince my dad to let her go."

"Your dad's a cop?" Chloe asked.

"Chief of police," Aubrey corrected, "I swear, half the time, the calls he gets is for them." She pointed at Beca, "Especially for her when we were in high school."

Beca pursed her lips and shrugged as Chloe giggled, imagining the small brunette trying to pry herself away from an officer.

"Well, Chloe it was nice bumping into you." Aubrey laughed, "Hopefully we meet again in a more non-painful manner."

"Definitely." Chloe smiled. She checked the time and frowned, "I should get going too. That apartment isn't going to decorate itself." Beca stood up from the booth and allowed Chloe to slide out of it.

"Bye, Hobbit." Aubrey ruffled her friends hair before she exited the shop.

Chloe reached over to grab a napkin before she reached inside Beca's apron pocket for the pen that was sticking out. "So, you're a delinquent?" She teased.

Beca smiled and rolled her eyes, "You see. Embarrassing stories."

"At least your life is interesting." Chloe said while she began to write something on the napkin.

"How about yours?" Beca asked.

Chloe looked over at her and handed her the napkin.

"Call me and find out." Chloe winked at the brunette before she made her way out the shop.

Beca looked down at the napkin and smiled at the phone number written in neat, girly hand writing.

A/N: Thank you all so much for the encouraging reviews on this story. I have plans with this! So stay tuned for more. For those of you that read my other story Liquid Courage, I will be continuing it I just have a serious case of writers block. I've written some stuff but then I end up deleting half of it. Just need some inspiration! It will come though.

In the mean time, tell me what you think of this story. I love reading reviews, they motivate me!

See ya in the next chapter