I am happy to know that I am liked after the previous chapter ;) Here is another one, hope you guys like it. Thank you for the reads and/or reviews. You guys are very motivating!

All mistakes are mine.

Chapter 12

Callie's POV

It wasn't long before we got out of the restaurant bathroom, apologized to everybody for leaving after saying it was an emergency and headed back to our did get some weird looks and a smirk from Mark, but well we didn't care.

And now I find myself sitting on the couch, looking at the most beautiful eyes staring back at me and those soft lips which just a few moments ago, were on my own. I would give anything to have those lips back on mine, but we need to talk and that is what is going to happen.

'Arizona...'

She looks at me, waiting for me to continue but I don't really know where to begin and it looks like she won't be the one to start. In fact, she looks a little sad.

'Arizona, what's wrong?'

'What...what..it's nothing!'

'Please tell me. If you regret it...'

'NO! no...I...I don't regret it. I said I loved you Callie after which you umm you kissed me...and...and now I am sitting here on a couch and...I just don't know what's coming at me next.'

'Hey look at me...', I say as she keeps trying to avert her eyes, 'LOOK at me', I try again and this time she does. This is chance for me to tell her about how I feel. It is now or never. 'Arizona, I have been in love with you for a LONG LONG time now. I had given up on the thought that you will ever feel like that for me, so I am just surprised', I tell her and see what looks like relief over her face.

'The thing is...I think I fell for you a long time ago too but like you have noticed, I was in denial of many things. At some point I thought my relationship with Carly was getting better, but I didn't realize that it wasn't her, it was you. It was YOUR company that I enjoyed. And you helped me overcome my urge to depend on other people. I spent a lot of my time thinking about my past and I have come to terms with it. I am ready to let go and ready to embrace my now. And you helped me through all of this, Calliope..'

'Arizona...I...'

'No no no, let me finish', she says and I nodd, ' And I need you to know all this because I don't want you to think that you are my rebound. I need you to know that I fell in love with you when I least expected it and I didn't even realize till later. And I am NOT in love with you because you helped me. I was whipped long before that. You need to know that. What started out as a beautiful friendship, with sparks and chills, somewhere down the line took a turn and I find myself deep with these feelings. They say love begins with friendship and they are right, I have seen people care for another without realizing how they really feel, but I didn't think I would ever be so lost. But it doesn't matter now because now I know. So yes, I am done talking. I have said what I needed to say', she FINALLY finishes and takes a deep breath.

'Okay!', I say and can't help but smile. I can even feel the tears forming in my eyes with happiness.

'Umm, I say all of this and all you have to say is okay and smile?', she asks.

'It's just...you're too cute when you ramble like that and the number of times you said you love me is just overwhelming. Arizona, I love you too, SO much. You have know idea how extremely happy you have made me today', I say as I feel tears roll down my cheeks and the same happens to my blue eyed beauty's cheeks. The emotions did get the better of us.

I quickly wipe both our tears away and bring her closer. We both move closer and closer together, till our lips are just mere centimeters apart and our breathing is hurried. I don't know who initiated it first, but I don't care, I could feel her lips again, this time with a little more of passion after our talk. Even though it was the second time today, I couldn't believe the fact that Arizona was kissing me. I had imagined this moment for so long, but the real feeling, WOW! I can't describe it. There is a whole new level of waves passing through me as our kiss becomes deeper and deeper, hands bringing both bodies as close as possible. When breathing becomes necessary, we part and rest our foreheads together. With yet another quick peck on her lips, I sigh.

'We are both exhausted, why don't we hit the bed today and I take you out to dinner tomorrow?', I ask her.

'Calliope Torres, are you asking me out on a date?', she asks with too much drama.

'Yes I am, goof'

'Yes, that sounds like a lovely plan...but...umm...can we sleep in one bed tonight? I can't fall asleep that easily anymore unless you are there to hold me', she says and blushes.

'Neither can I', I whisper in my ear and she immediately expands the lengths of her smile. After a quick peck on her cheek, I lift her off the couch ,'Come on, let's sleep.' We quickly change in our respective rooms and she enters mine, hair braided loosely, a tank top and pink shorts. Definitely the cutest woman I have ever met! We get under the covers, bodies promptly entangling and exhaustion taking over as I spoon her and bring her unbelievably closer.

Arizona's POV

'Arizonaaaaaaaa', she calls out again.

'Just give me a minute, Calliope'

'I gave you twelve minutes already. Come on! We have a reservation and I don't want to miss it.'

'Okay okay!', I say as I walk out my room. I see her pacing in the space between the couch and the kitchen platform, always unable to sit still for long. And she calls me impatient. But when I look at her form, that pacing suddenly looks so hot. That curvy body in front of me is fitted so well in that simple black dress, showing off her long toned legs and matching the colour of her dark hair. Her light make up makes it look so elegant yet so HOT!

'Wow, Calliope, you look amazing', I say when I finally catch my voice.

'You look pretty amazing yourself', she says genuinely and I blush at the comment, glancing down at my clothes, checking for any faults. I had chosen to dress myself with a blue dress since I know she likes the colour that matches my eyes and makes my blonde hair look wonderful.

'Shall we go?'

'Of course!', I say as we grab our clutches and leave the apartment.

Once seated, we were given two menus to place our order. We went through the names of various items in comfortable silence but both equally nervous.

'Ready to place your order ladies?', asked a rather perky male host.

'Yes. Could we please get two glasses of wine', Calliope asks and looks in my direction,' red?'

I nodd a yes and she calls for red wine and we place our dinner orders.

I look over at her and see her smiling while staring at the retreating form of the host or rather just in that direction.

'Why are you smiling?', I ask her after a few seconds.

'I am just...I am so glad you came to that stupid double date thingy. Quite weird how you just ended up at the exact same restaurant.'

'I know. Teddy wanted to try the food there but it turned out quite sneaky.'

'Hmm...'

'What?', I ask when I see her thoughtful expression.

'I did see Teddy and Mark get weirdly comfortable with each other the other day. Especially when you got back to your room early and I was left alone to do the dished alone. And their behaviour was odd. Do you think they have something to do with this?'

'Yeah...now that you mention it and put it that way...Oh My God! Our friends totally set us up. How did they get so smart?'

'I don't know! I guess I need to go kiss Mark for this plan...', I say and notice Arizona's eyes narrow, so I continue, 'I mean on the cheek, or a hug would do too.'

'I really need to thank Teddy', I admit.

'We should reward them with food, that I am sure to know they will enjoy.'

'Oh definitely!', I say cheerfully at her suggestion. Our friends do deserve a pat on their backs, right? Right!

'This is just surreal.,to actually have this date', she says after a few seconds.

'I know! I didn't think this day would come'

'Oh please! You have realized your feelings as of late'

'And how long ago EXACTLY did you realize yours?'

At this question she looked me in the eye and tilted her head slightly before saying, 'The moment I saw you, I knew that you were the most beautiful human I have ever laid eyes on. Each time I touched you, I was a little nervous but I felt a very intense feeling inside of me. When you laughed, I knew I could hear that sound all day everyday. When you just needed a hug after a stressful day, I knew I could hold you like that for hours. So... I knew well in advance that I was attracted to you and my feelings grew only stronger with each passing day.'

Shocked to hear how long Callie has been holding back, I reach out for her hand to ask her the one question I really needed to ask. 'Calliope, why didn't you say anything?'

'And lose you as a friend? No way!'

'What about now? What if we don't work? What if I don't want to loose our friendship no matter what happens after this? Because, Calliope, I am scared', I say with fear evident in my voice.

'You know, I'm scared too. For the exact same reason and more. But I know that I cannot survive watching you with someone else while doing nothing about my own feelings. Some risks are meant to be taken and you are SO worth the risk', she finishes.

'You're right! I am just being stupid. I... I know I want to be with you too. More than that, I NEED to be with you. We can work it out no matter what. We can and will be great together', I finish.

'Yes! Now lets not talk about such things. We are here, we are together, let's just have fun. Like they say, live life like a dog.', Callie says.

'Yes, you're right or maybe a chicken!', I admit.

'A chicken?'

'What? I have a thing for chickens?'

'As a pet?'

'Oh yes! That is definitely on my list of things that I want.'

'Ha! And what else is there list?', she asks carefully.

'Let me see...a trip to Spain, learn how to make at least 5 dishes to perfection, break my records of drinking Sangria, watch all the disney movies as soon as release...'

'You are truly adorable and so intriguing', she says and I blush again. She seems to have that effect on me a lot.

After a few good conversations, she becomes concerned while asking me the next question. 'So, are you going to tell me about why you're so nervous?'

I am quite confused by this question at first since I thought she was referring to our earlier talk and we agreed to change the topic.

'Umm, Calliope, we just said we will talk about something else', I say as I voice my confusion.

'Not this, goof! Why are you so nervous about your examination?'

Ahhhh! That! Getting on track, I understand that she is referring to my pediatric nutrition examination which is not that far away anymore. I have still not breathed a word about it to my mother and I don't think I will do that anytime soon. At least not till my scores are here. After the situation with Carly, I didn't spend much time studying, so to say that I am scared, is an understatement.

' I don't know. I wanted this since forever and now that I am close to getting it, I am nervous', I say as I let out a deep breath.

'Just remember that you love it and don't ever forget it. When times are hard, you will get by it because of the love. Everything is easier with love', she says as she places her hand on mine and looks into my eyes so deeply that I literally forget the environment around me.

'Yes, love is a great thing', I say with the true meaning. Her love has changed me, not for the good or bad necessarily, but for the new.

The rest of the dinner and date went on perfectly. So far it was the first date that I always dreamed about, a nice cool day, dressing up and going for dinner, a lot of cheesy talk and great loss of maturity, chivalry with the chairs and the coats and a kiss at the end of the day.

Well, the rest went as imagined, but now we stand in front of our apartment as Callie struggles to open the door. She manages to open the door after a few seconds and we walk in.

'Wine?', she asks and I immediately nodd, eager to get rid of my new found nerves after realizing the truth of this date. My thought is interrupted when I hear Callie laugh lightly to herself, her deep voice immediately calming me.

'What are you laughing at?'

'At our situation'

Unable to understand her statement, I throw her a quizzical look which she addresses quickly.

'Usually people begin with a first date, then the first kiss, then they get to know each other and live in the space till they fall in love and in many cases, move in together. In our situation, we first lived together, fell in love, shared our first kiss and at last went on a first date. We are quite the couple', she says and chuckles again.

I can't believe how nicely she is taking this. 'So you're okay with this?', I ask her casually but curiously.

'Surprisingly, yes! It is how it is and I wouldn't change anything, but for now...can we take it slow?'

'I know exactly what you mean. I wouldn't change anything either. Let's take it slow, all of it', I agree. Incapable of controlling myself, I look upon her lips which have turned into my smile and let myself enjoy the view. Before I know what's happening, we are kissing each other like a bunch of teenagers. Lips on lips, hands moving all over the face, neck and back, unable to stop. And frankly, I didn't want to and it didn't feel like she did either.

Maybe not so slow after all.