I own nothing. All characters/storylines belong to Shonda. I'm simply 'borrowing' them.
Chapter Seven
ARIZONA'S POV
I've been lying in bed awake for the past thirty minutes. Last night Eliza showed me a completely different side to herself and honestly, I don't know what to do with it. I don't know how to feel. I'd built myself up to dismiss her and my feelings for her so much that my head is full of all kinds of crazy thoughts right now. Thoughts I don't even know how to sort through. I mean, she's adorable. Absolutely perfect for me, but is this really a good idea? Is the idea of us just me being ridiculous. I'm generally not a jealous person, but I know with Eliza that could totally change. I know with her, I'd hate the idea of someone else's hands on her. It's just a job, and I get that, but when I'm in too deep, will I still feel the same way? Will I still be the understanding one in the relationship? I'm can't be sure that I would be. I can't be sure of anything right now. What I do know, though, is that I want to see more of this woman. I need to see more of her. She just…I don't know. She makes me feel different.
Like, I've woken this morning and I feel refreshed. I've woken this morning and my life feels totally different to how it did yesterday morning. Kissing her was just something else altogether. I felt like she was breathing life back into me. I felt like she was telling me that I was hers and nobody else mattered. Maybe she was, but I doubt it. I barely know the woman and sometimes I wonder if my writing makes me feel that way. I often feel like I'm living inside of my stories, and maybe this time isn't any different. Maybe I'm just wishing and hoping for something that isn't going to go anywhere.
Climbing from my warm comfortable bed, I stretch my refreshed body out and stand, preparing for my day of writing and daydreaming. I'm often caught daydreaming, and Teddy says it's my biggest downfall. One minute I can be holding a conversation and the next I'm in my own world. I like being in my own world, though. I like the idea of creating my own ideals in my head. The world isn't the happiest of places right now, so yeah…ain't nothing wrong with being in my own world as far as I'm concerned. It just blocks out the bad and the nasty that way.
Heading out of my bedroom, I cross the open space of my apartment and head for the kitchen. A little coffee and I'll be ready to face this day head-on. My cell lightly up silently on the kitchen counter, I furrow my brow and approach it.
Good morning. Just wanted to thank you for last night…again. X
Smiling to myself, I've now lost count of the number of times Eliza has thanked me for last night. I don't know why she is thanking me, though. I was only being open and honest about how I felt. I was only giving her what I believed she needed to hear, and what I know I needed to say. We texted back and forth last night for over an hour and eventually, I convinced her that she had to get some sleep. Yeah, I was fried when I left her place, but the moment the fresh air hit me, and the moment she gave me a little attention, I was wide awake. Let's just say sleep didn't come easy for me last night. I lay awake thinking about her lips. How she kissed me. How she pulled me in by the back of my neck like she was never letting me go. I don't think I've ever experienced a kiss quite like I have with Eliza, and it only left me wanting more. Typical Arizona. Never happy with just one time.
Hey, good morning. I hope your work out went to plan considering you didn't go to sleep last night. Az x
It went perfectly. I'm a pro at this. X
Laughing to myself, I pour a fresh coffee and pull myself towards my comfortable couch. Pulling a blanket over my legs, my mind instantly takes me to the possibility of one day sharing a morning with Eliza. Just like this. Relaxed. At ease with each other. Toying with each other's fingertips whilst we enjoy our morning coffee together. God, I want that so much with her.
Mm, if you did your work out…why are you only texting me at 10 am? Az x
Didn't want to wake you. Beauty sleep and all that. X
I need more than sleep for that… Az x
Lacing my fingers around my coffee cup, I feel like today is going to be a good day. Personally and professionally. I don't even know if she is working today, but I'll be heading down to my usual spot in the next hour or so, and if I see her face when I walk in, my day couldn't possibly get any better.
Nonsense. Absolutely beautiful. X
My stomach flipping at her admission, I close my eyes and give myself a moment to breathe through all of the things I'm feeling right now. I give myself a moment to truly feel her words. This woman is incredible. I barely even know her, but right now I don't care. She is saying all of the right things to me…and it's what I need. I need this playing and back and forth from her. The teasing, if you like. It's been so long since I've had this or felt this way, and yeah...I definitely need it.
Will I see you today? Az x
I'm hoping she will say yes, but I'm not talking about seeing her at work. I'm talking about seeing her outside of work. Even if it's just for an hour, I'll take what I can get. I need to know her more. I need to be alone with her more. I love spending my time at the coffee shop, but there is too much distraction around us. Around me.
Sure you will. I'm headed into work now. Only working until 2. X
Oh, so I'll see you for a little while then? Az x
You know it. X
Pulling myself from the couch, I have to get ready to leave sooner than I usually would. I want to be able to look at her if she is busy working. Maybe she will inspire me to write a little more than I have the past few days. I've worked hard, but not hard enough. Heading off to my closet, I begin sorting through my potential outfits for the day, and yeah…I'm totally dressing for Eliza.
I've been at the coffee shop for the past twenty minutes but I'm yet to see Eliza. I'm assuming she is out back but she could be avoiding me. No, she isn't. Why would she be? She's been texting me this morning. Teddy called me a little while ago to see what my plans for the day are, but I was a little cold with her. I'm mad at her right now for how she has behaved towards Eliza and honestly, I desperately want to call her out on it. Why? Because the things she has said to her aren't acceptable. None of this is any of her business and I don't care how good of a friend she is. I don't care how much she loves me and looks out for me. It's not right. I'd never interfere in any of her relationships, and I'd appreciate it if she could do the same.
She just gets a little hot-headed sometimes and I understand that she means well…it doesn't make it right, though. It doesn't mean she gets a free pass to behave however she likes without any consequences. So, I told her I was working on my novel and ended the call as soon as I possibly could. She knows I'm angry with her, so she will just have to wait it out like the best of them. She will wait it out and when I'm ready to call her out on her crap, I will. I don't care how long we have been best friends for…she won't ruin this for me. She should understand that my happiness is more important than people's opinions on Eliza. She should understand that I'm mature enough to know when I want something and when I don't.
Hitting my keyboard a little harder as I think about my best friend, I square my shoulders and fix my glasses a little better on my nose. "Working hard, I see." That voice pulling me from my anger, I smile before I've even looked up at the body in front of me.
"Hey…" My eyes finding Eliza's, she drops down in the seat opposite me and places a fresh coffee down. "For me?" I raise an eyebrow.
"Of course." That gorgeous smile warming me a little inside, she pushes it across the table and sits back in her seat. "A lot of work on, huh?"
"Well, I do work to a deadline, but I'm doing pretty well so far."
"Oh, you looked a little crazy as I came over here." She laughs. "Like you were ready to explode."
"Oh." I wave off her comment. "I was just thinking about something, sorry." Closing my laptop lid, I rest my elbows on the table in front of me and narrow my eyes. "You know, you look pretty good since you've just been working out."
"It's just so easy now." She shrugs. "Why? Did you want me to break more of a sweat next time?" Raising her eyebrow, my body responds like it really shouldn't be and I feel a blush creeping up my face. "So, that's a yes then?" She smirks.
"N-No." I stutter. "I'm sure you know exactly what you are doing." Clearing my throat, I take my coffee cup between my teeth and just stares at me. Like, into my soul.
"Shame." She shrugs, once she knows she's got me right where she wants me. "I love working up a sweat."
"Y-Yeah...sounds f-fun." I smile.
"Oh, like you wouldn't believe." Okay, she has to stop that. That flirty hot thing she is doing. It's making me crazy. "Maybe you could work out with me sometime."
"Uh…"
"I mean, you look like you work out." She smiles. "Maybe you are just incredibly hot naturally, though."
"No, and no." I laugh. "I run, but that's all." Setting my coffee cup down, I study her face and she narrows her eyes.
"What?"
"Nothing." I hold up my hands. "Just…trying to figure you out." She seems to like my honesty, so why not go with it? "Are you busy when you finish up in here?"
"No." She smiles. "But you are."
"Am I?" My brow furrowed, I give her a look of confusion.
"I don't want to pull you from your writing. It's what makes you…well, you." Ugh, could she be any more gorgeous?
"I can work at my own pace," I state. "Figured we could grab some lunch?" Throwing the suggestion her way, she smiles and gives me a nod before I've even had time to process my own words. "Yeah?"
"I'd love to." She agrees. "I don't really know what's good around here, though, so you'll have to give me a few pointers."
"Sounds perfect." Settling back in my seat, she stands and fixes her uniform a little. "I'll see you in a little while then, okay?"
"Yeah." She nods. "I should go…"
"I know. You have work to do." Lifting the lid of my laptop, I log back into my account and fix my coffee in the perfect position beside me.
"No." She sighs. "If I don't, I'll kiss you." Stepping away, she leaves me with my mouth hanging open and glances back over her shoulder with an adorable smile for me. Okay, so any worries I had this morning have totally disappeared.
"So, what's been happening?" Teddy asks as she drops down in the seat in front of me. This wasn't a part of my plan today, but she knows where I hang out, so she was always going to come by. "Huh?"
"I'm sorry, what?" Shaking myself from my thoughts, I begin packing up my work for the day since Eliza is due to finish in the next ten minutes.
"I said what's up?"
"Nothing, why?" I furrow my brow. "Why does something have to be up?"
"Usually is with you." She snorts. "How's the book coming along?"
"Fine." She knows I'm being short with her, but I don't really feel much like doing this right now. I've had an awesome morning, and I plan on my afternoon being the same. "Look, I have to leave soon so can we hurry this along?"
"Leave?" She raises her eyebrow. "To go where? You never leave this place. It's like your second home."
"I just have somewhere to be, okay? My life doesn't only revolve around my writing, Teddy."
"Um...yeah." She laughs. "It kinda does."
"I'm not doing this." Shoving my MacBook into my bag, I stand and round the table. Eliza comes into view and she looks like a deer caught in headlights. "Hey…" I smile.
"I, uh…" Glancing between my best friend and I, she shakes her head and clears her throat. "It was nice seeing you today, Arizona. I'm finished for the day so I'm just going to head home. See ya."
"Wait!" I grip her wrist and stop her from leaving the shop. I stop her from leaving my space. "I'm coming now."
"You don't have to do this." She lowers her tone but Teddy hears her. "I get it."
"Do what?" She stands. Her takeout cup in her hand. "And what exactly do you get?"
"Nothing." The brunette beside me drops her gaze.
"No. It's not nothing, Eliza." I smile. "Eliza and I were just about to head out to lunch."
"You are joking, right?" Teddy laughs. "You're going to lunch with your stripper."
"I swear if you don't keep your voice down…" Pinching the bridge of my nose, I take a breath and close my eyes. "Outside, Teddy. Now!" Making my way out onto the street, Eliza stays back in the coffee shop and Teddy follows behind me. "Are you for real?" I scoff. "Like, what the hell is your problem?"
"Arizona, you can't date her." She gives me a sad. "She is your private dancer. You get that, right?"
"No, she was…once. Jesus, you are acting like she is a hooker." I spit.
"As good as." Shrugging her shoulders, I give her a look of disgust and step back from her.
"You know, you should probably just stay away from me for a little while. I'm sick of your interference, and I don't need it. I don't need you to look after me."
"So what? That's it? We're done here…"
"Yeah, looks that way." I smile. "When you can be happy for me. When you can be happy about the fact that I don't need you to cry to or to whine to, call me. Until then, don't bother." Stepping away from my supposed best friend, I head back inside the coffee shop and Eliza stands a little awkwardly. "Come on." I smile as I tug at her hand. "It's time for lunch."
Making our way back out onto the street, I know she is worrying, but she really has nothing to worry about. "Arizona, I don't want to cause any problems for you."
"You're not." I turn to face her and furrow my brow. "Teddy is the one causing problems."
"Because of me, though." She gives me a sad smile and my heart breaks at her admission. "This is usually how it goes, so it's okay. You should go back and figure things out with your friend. She's already told me to keep away from you."
"And I'm telling you right now that it's not happening. I want to spend time with you, Eliza. I want to know you and what you are about."
"That's sweet but I'm really not worth losing a friend over." She shrugs. "I just…I'm just me. There is nothing special about me whatsoever. I just do my own thing."
"And now we are going to do our thing." I step a little closer to her and run my thumb over the skin of her wrist. "Which is…go to lunch." Placing a soft kiss below her ear, she leans into my touch and I feel her smile a little. "Stop worrying, Eliza. I want this. Okay?"
"Yeah." She breathes out as I pull back. "That felt nice, by the way."
"Oh, I couldn't agree more." Crossing the street, she falls into step with me and a comfortable silence settles between us. I don't know what Teddy's problem is, but I'm not doing this with her. I know she worries, and at times I'm grateful for that, but this isn't one of those times. Sure, things may not work out with Eliza and I, but that's my own problem to think about. That's my own issue...and I'll face that if and when it happens.
Thanks for reading, guys. I'm about to check out your reviews for the last chapter since I haven't had the chance. There is a lot of them to get through, but I'll say thanks, anyway. You're all great!
