Chapter 11

MODE Editor-in-Chief's office

"Daniel, concentrate please." Wilhelmina Slater uncrossed her legs and leaned forward a fraction, staring at the bumbling idiot in front of her. "We should decide on the cover right now."

Daniel Meade was now flipping through the proofs, looking at them far too carefully. Wilhelmina could barely concealed her impatience. The fool only got his job as Editor-in-Chief of MODE because of his name. A job that should rightly be hers. It irritated her to no end that she, the great Wilhelmina Slater, still have to get this idiot's approval. She had far more experience under her belt that this stupid boy.

He was saying something. What was he saying? All Wilhelmina could hear was garbage come out of his mouth.

"Daniel, let's go with the Charlize Theron cover." Wilhelmina said. She shut the book in front of her and got ready to stand up. As far as she was concerned, the decision was made and the meeting was over.

"No, wait a second," that insolent pup was saying. "That is a good cover but I think we should go with Julienne Moore. She's tipped to win the Oscars."

She was halfway up and Wilhelmina Slater rose to her full height, 5 ft 12 in heels and leaned over the desk. "You do not know what you are talking about." she spat out, looking down at him.

Daniel Meade looked up. "Willy," he said, uncowed by her aggressive stance. "As Editor-in-Chief, I decide we'll go with Julienne Moore. She's hot right now. Betty pulled the stops with that photo shoot and it looks great."

Wilhelmina took a deep breath. She hated when anyone called her Willy.

"Whatever you say, Editor-in-Chief." she finally answered. Sarcasm was dripping from her tone. "It's on your head. If circulation is down this month, you've got to answer to George Harris Senior."

Daniel scoffed a little. "George likes us. MODE is his flagship."

How can he be so stupid?

"Do you really think so, Daniel?" Wilhelmina's lips curled into a supercilious smile. "Have you look at the numbers lately? MODE and RUNWAY are both burning money. There is talk that George has to make a cut somewhere."

Daniel Meade was leaning back in his chair, smiling. "I'm not worried."

"You should be." Wilhelmina replied. "That bitch, Cassandra is brewing something. And I bet it has to do with making her uncle happy. If it comes to the line, that wrinkly old goat will go with RUNWAY."

Wilhelmina watched with satisfaction as Daniel Meade's smile slipped and his face turned pale. She didn't wait for an answer. She just spun on her heels and walked out of his office, heading straight for hers. The rest of the office hearing her heels stayed out of the way, not making eye contact. Marc St. James was waiting by the door as she stalked into her office, quickly handed her a cold drink and took the book from her hands. Wilhelmina gulped down the cold San Pelligrino in two swallows before handing the glass back to her PA. The door had been discreetly closed.

"Daniel is an idiot!" she ranted, falling into her seat.

Marc came over and gave her a quick shoulder massage. "Now, now. Wilhelmina. Happy thoughts."

"He's too busy fucking his staff to even know what's happening," she continued, still too angry to relax.

"Give him enough rope to hang himself, dear," Marc murmured, trying to calm her down.

Wilhelmina shrugged off Marc's hands. That Daniel Meade may be an idiot but she was not. He could roast in hell for all she cared but Wilhelmina Slater will survive and come up roses. She would not let that fool drag her down.

"So what did Amanda found out?" she said, now feeling a little calmer.

Marc grinned and came round to the front, handing over a paper folder.

"Well," he started. "Mr. Swanson had been pretty busy. He had Amanda pulling out all sorts of reports, audits. All sorts of figures from circulation. Adverstising dollars. He had been poring all over them with a fine tooth comb."

Wilhelmina speedily looked through the folder and tossed it on her desk. "Is that all?"

Marc's smile dimmed a little.

"Who is he seeing? Who has he been meeting? How often? Any notes? Any minutes?" she demanded. Marc was visibly blanching at her harsh tone. "I need to know what he and that Cassandra bitch are planning. Damn it!"

"Amanda can get those," Marc said soothingly. "Give her a little time."

"You boys are all idiots!" Wilhelmina fumed impatiently. "Get Amanda to see me. Now!"


I put a spell on you because you're mine
You'd better stop the things you do
I tell you I ain't lying

I put a spell on you
You know I love you
I love you anyhow
And I don't care if you don't want me
I'm yours right now

I put a spell on you
Because you're mine

- ANNIE LENNOX


Jesse stared out of the full length window of his office, into the New York cityscape. His mind was in a jumble and he needed to straighten out his thoughts. So much information to process, so much things to think about. He needed to get this all down somehow. Jesse sighed, fiddling with the button on his suit. Usually a good run on the treadmill at the gym would sort this out. He would run it out in the high tech gym provided downstairs, worked up a sweat, let his mind run free in time with his pounding feet and he would feel better.

But of course that didn't work out this morning.

Because she strolled past.

Just casually stroll past in her tight lycra crop top, showing an expanse of her trim and toned abs, black tights, buds in her ears; not even glancing at anyone. Not even noticing the row of guys on the exercise machines, perking up as she walked past.

That was not so bad. Jesse could still concentrate on his run. He was hitting his stride and he could deal with Beca Mitchell strolling past with her hot body in those tight clothes. He did turned his head to watch where she heading; which in hindsight, was a big mistake.

She stopped further up the gym and started talking to Chris, one of H&H personal trainer. Then she started to stretch and warm up; which itself was very distracting to watch. For about five minutes, she was stretching and bending over and then Chris the trainer handed her a jump rope. Beca Mitchell started skipping.

And bits of her started bouncing furiously.

Jesse Swanson nearly fell off his threadmill.

He hurriedly got off, turning off the machine and reaching for his towel. She did not seem to notice him nearly sustaining an injury and definitely making a fool of himself. If all that jumping and bouncing were not bad enough, she was now donning a pair of gloves which Chris helped her with, all the while smiling and chatting at her flirtatiously.

And then she began punching the hell out of that heavy bag.

Punch. Right hook. Low kick. Jab. Knee. Left hook. High kick.

Chris was yelling at her to do it harder.

That bag did not stand a chance.

Jesse did not know how long he stood there watching that heavy bag being pulverised. She was sweating now and grunting at every knee and kick. God, he did not want to be at the receiving end of those punches. Although she looked so badass doing all those moves. Those noises she was making? So fucking sexy. She was the one working up a sweat but Jesse Swanson felt like he was the one needing a cold drink. He finished his bottle in one swallow and wiped his face again but he still felt hot and bothered. That was when Jesse knew he should head straight for the cold shower.

They had not spoken since that weekend. He racked his mind on Sunday night, thinking how best to speak to her. The night had been wonderful but for once in his life, Jesse Swanson did not know what to do. Women were easy to him but not this one. This one infuriating Beca Mitchell. She blew hot and cold and he did not know which way to turn.

He could drown her in flowers on Monday but he knew that was not going to cut it. He did try before and it backfired spectacularly. Amy was still crowing to anyone who would listen about her secret admirer sending her those flowers. Puppies didn't seem to work either.

Jesse thought long and hard, tossing and turning in bed that Sunday night and in the early hours of the morning, he thought he had hit on something that might crack the infallible Beca Mitchell. Something he knew she would like and would allude to the fantastic night they had.

He sent her a Hawaiian pizza from Gino's.

Just in time for lunch on Monday.

It was cute. She would remember. And he had left a cheeky note with his phone number.

Yeah. He's good.

Then he started getting really weird messages. With weirder emojis. Donuts emoji. Pineapples? And egglants? Lots of eggplant emojis. It didn't make any sense. Until Jesse found out that Beca was not in the office that Monday; she had to go to Boston. And then he saw Amy eating a slice of Hawaiian pizza, chewing real slow and all the while staring unnervingly at him.

So no. That didn't work either.

Jesse heard the buzz of his desk phone before Amanda's nasal voice came through. "Mr. Swanson, Miss Posen is here to see you."

He walked over to his desk, pressing the comms button. "Send her in."

Jesse quickly checked his pockets for his things before casting a careful eye over his desk. Clean desk policy always. Especially with a nosy PA snooping about. The door opened and Aubrey walked in, in neat Chanel as always.

"Ready for lunch?" the blonde said, glancing at the small Cartier watch on her wrist.

"Yes."


Why the hell am I doing this?

Beca Mitchell stood in front of Oceana restaurant at West 49th, not quite believing she let the girls talked her into doing this. They must have gotten her drunk. That should explain why she agreed to meet her eHarmony match. She was busy, with three articles due and yet here she was outside this restaurant to meet Mark. The girls were adamant they had vetted him carefully and Beca had to say he did sound nice when they chatted on the phone.

"Be on your best behaviour," Stacie had cautioned as she zipped her up into the tight fitting Gucci twist dress. She straightened the gold belt before letting Beca stepped into matching gold heels.

"Does she look hot?" Chloe's voice came through the speaker phone.

"Yeah. I'll send you a photo," Amy yelled back, quickly snapping a photo and sending it through.

"Wooooo!" Chloe squealed when the image came through. "Make sure you play nice, Beca! Mark is really lovely. He's a banker and a kickboxing enthusiast. So you both have something to talk about."

"Hot. So hot." Stacie said finally, after she had done fussing with Beca's hair, styling it into a sexy 1940s type sleek curl.

Yeah. Sure she looked hot. But her heels were killing workout in the morning had been tough and now her calves were screaming. Beca tottered into the restaurant, stopping at the reception and just as Mark said, he was waiting at the bar. He waved at her and Beca made her way over.

"Hey, glad you can make it." Mark smiled, leaning in for a quick hug and an air kiss. Whoah mister! A little too familiar. Beca wanted to draw back and scowled but she smiled a little weakly instead, remembering to play nice. Just like Chloe told her.

He ordered her a drink and before long, their table was ready. Beca frowned a little at the way Mark was holding on to her elbow, steering her to their table. She can walk, for goodness sake but he was looking at her so charmingly, talking away and Beca just let that little frown melt. He had gallantly wait until she was seated and the waiter placed that napkin across her lap before taking his seat opposite.

He was not that bad looking. In a Midwest, blonde farmer kind of way. He looked like he would burst out of his suit. Obviously he worked out. He was talking about what he does for a living, going into details of a merger he was working on. Beca just smiled, making noises in agreement, as she looked down at the menu the waiter had handed over to her.

"Their roast pumpkin salad is to die for," Mark was now saying. "And you should try their yellowfin tuna. Tell you what. Let me order for you."

Ok. Again she could make up her mind on what she want to eat. Plus she had been here plenty of times. Beca slowly closed the menu and took a sip of her wine. If she had not thought about the girls, Beca would have dumped this delicious chilled Sauvignon all over him and flounced out.

"Yes. Sure," she heard herself saying. "I'm ok with that."

Mark was smiling yet again.

"So you work as a music journalist," he said. "You know, I dabbled with music myself. Was lead guitarist in this band in college. We were quite big. High Tempo? Maybe you've heard of it?"

No. She haven't.

"But there's no money in that. It was fun though," he continued. Mark was glancing up and down, checking her out and grinned. "My. I thought those photos were something. But they are nothing compared to the real thing."

Was that a compliment? Him checking her out like some raw meat? Maybe he thought he was being nice?

"Excuse me. I just need to freshen up." Beca said sweetly, standing up and placing her napkin carefully on on the table. Mark nodded and Beca left him at the table. She walked quickly across the restaurant, already dialling a number on her phone and jamming it to her ear. And when the call was answered, Beca hissed quietly in exasperation. "Chloe!"


It was her. It had to be her.

Jesse nearly had whiplash trying to catch another glimpse of the figure hurrying past. But it was a dress. She was in a dress? A very nice dress. And heels. But surely Beca Mitchell did not wear dresses. He had only seen her in jeans and sweatpants and tight workout clothes and in the nude.

Jesse tugged a little at his collar and cleared his throat at the thought.

Umm.. yes. But never in a dress.

And that hair. She looked like a glamorous 40s movie star.

What was she doing here? Somehow the Oceana did not strike Jesse as a place he would find Beca Mitchell. Maybe a pizzeria or a steakhouse? She looked like the type who loved that sort of thing and would be more comfortable in something more rustic; not something sleek like this. But here she was, in a dress at the Oceana, walking past like she owned the bloody restaurant.

"You were worried about Amanda?"

"What?"

It took him a few seconds to focus back on Aubrey. Aubrey was gazing at him, looking a little puzzled as she speared a calamari with her fork. Jesse quickly drank his beer, trying to buy some time. For goodness sake, why did he just go to pieces at the sight of Beca Mitchell?

"Not that worried," Jesse replied, now tucking into his venison. "I just don't like her all up my business. We should switch her. There must be someone else."

Aubrey was chewing her calamari carefully before swallowing.

"Cassie thinks it's hilarious," Aubrey replied. "Obviously Willy is running scared to actually plant a spy so close to you."

Jesse's brows knitted together.

"You mean this is all planned?" he asked. They wanted Amanda to spy on him?

"Look at it this way, Jesse," Aubrey replied, wiping the corner of her mouth with the napkin. "Willy has obviously cottoned on that Cassie is up to something. She can't quite get to her. You the boyfriend is the next best thing. Enter Amanda Tannen, spying on you."

"And what do you want me to do?" Jesse questioned back. "It's tiresome to look behind me all the time. Not when I have so much work to do."

"Maybe you should 'feed' some information to Amanda?" Aubrey said slowly. "Maybe she could 'find' something on your desk?"

Jesse blinked. Women are devious.

He thought about it. "You want me to send them on a wild goose chase?"

Aubrey just smiled serenely.

"Ok, that can be easily done." Jesse mused, swallowing that bit of venison in his mouth. It was superb. "The spying is just half of the problem. Amanda is all over me. The times she kept dropping her pencil and bending over. It's distracting."

Aubrey was laughing lightly.

"Are you saying you can't handle one Amanda Tannen?" she said in disbelief. "Oh Jesse! I think you have enough notches on your belt to handle one more slut."

He was frowning now.

"But this whole arrangement..." Jesse started.

"Hmm," Aubrey interrupted, a thoughtful look on her face. "Cassie did say she didn't mind you playing. Just as long as it is not at work. You know, because of the arrangement..."

"I know that."

"But perhaps... we could use Amanda to our advantage."

Jesse nearly choked on his next mouthful venison. He gulped it down and hissed out in surprise.

"Are you saying what I think you are saying?"

"It can go two ways," Aubrey said airily. "She's a pretty girl with a rocking body. You'll enjoy it. And maybe we can winkle something about Wilhelmina out of her. You know, needs must."

"You want me to sleep with Aman..."

"Beca!" Aubrey had turned away from Jesse, her face lighting up. "Beca, here!"

Jesse took a swig of his beer. He looked down at his plate, not sure what he should do. Aubrey was waving Beca over and she was approaching the table. He could tell. What should he do? Did Aubrey know he knew Beca? Did Beca said anything? Oh God. What the hell should he do?

"What are you doing here?" Aubrey was now saying.

"Lunch." He heard Beca's reply. He had not looked up yet. "You know, gotta eat."

He nearly smiled at that. That answer was Beca through and through.

"Never thought I see you here! That dress is so pretty. Is that Gucci?" Aubrey said, sounding cheerful. She seemed to remember her manners. "Oh. Have you met Jesse? He's been around H&H for some months now. You would have seen him around."

He had to look up now. It would be odd if he didn't. And Jesse raised his head, his eyes meeting Beca's baby blues.

"Yeah, we've met. He spent some time at Decibel."

She looked fabulous. That hairstyle and the fitting dress suited her, the capped sleeves showing off her toned arms. She looked both classy and sexy. Beca was smiling at him, her red lips curving yet Jesse felt that the smile did not quite reach her cheeks.

"Oh. Of course," Aubrey said. "I don't have to introduce you both then. Jesse, Beca worked with me for a year for Cassie. She was a gem. Cassie loves her."

"Umm.. I think she mentioned it," Jesse said haltingly, fiddling with his fork. He had to say something to her. "How are you, Beca?"

How are you? How are you? Did his slow brain just asked her how she was?

"Fine. Thank you." Beca replied, a little too sweetly. She turned to Aubrey with a mock scowl. "Aubrey, you don't tell us anything anymore! I thought you only eat lunch at your desk? What are you doing lunching out with this man?"

"Oh Beca..." Aubrey laughed. "I'm just keeping an eye on him for Cassie. Cassie would want to know her boyfriend is on his best behaviour, right?"

Jesse did not dare to look at Beca anymore. He pretended to be busy eating his meal.

"Nice piece of gossip there, Bree," Beca was now saying, her voice light. "I don't think anyone at H&H knew that."

"Yeah. Pass that along," Aubrey replied with a wink. "Cassandra has a hot boyfriend."

"Hmm. Will do," Beca answered. "I've got to go back to my date. Catch you later?"

"You are on a date?" Aubrey said, swivelling round in her chair, trying to work out which one was Beca's date. "So sorry! I'm keeping you."

"Nope. Don't worry about that," Beca said. "That must be really nice venison."

Huh? Was she talking to him? Jesse had to look up because she was talking to him. She was looking down at him, her eyes looking slightly amused. And dangerous.

"The way you are concentrating on that plate. Must be a really nice plate of food."

"Ermm.. yes. Yes, it is." Jesse stuttered.

She just smiled before saying goodbye to Aubrey and gliding away to her table. Joining a big, blonde man who stood up like a gent as she took her seat. Jesse could not help but stare. She was smiling at the man, whose back was towards them, leaning over the table to say something, her hand lightly resting on his arm. Aubrey was nosily ogling as well before turning back.

"Didn't know she was dating. Good on her," Aubrey said, spearing another calamari and popping it into her mouth. "That Daniel Meade really messed her up big time. Glad to know she's out there again."

"Who?" Jesse said, his head jerking back to Aubrey. "Daniel? Daniel Meade?"

Aubrey made a face like she just realised she said too much.

"No. Nothing. Old gossip," she said, waving her hand dismissively. "And speaking about gossip, we should really ramp up that you are Cassie's boyfriend."

He wanted to look at Beca again. He could hear her laughing, the sound like a tinkling of a bell. And her date was laughing along too. Jesse wanted to look so badly.

"What do you have in mind?" he said gruffly, concentrating hard on Aubrey instead.

"The H&H Christmas party is coming up. You are definitely Cassie's date for that. Perhaps a few more high profile events. That sort of thing."

Jesse sighed. "Ok. Whatever. Just tell me where to turn up."


He's Cassandra Harris' boyfriend?

What the flying fuck? That man-whore!

Beca tried to concentrate on what Mark was saying. She had just now whaled out on both Stacie and Chloe on the phone whilst in the restroom, complaining what a male chauvinist he was. She came back to the table to find he had already placed an order for her. Her starter was right in front of her now with bits of octopus in it.

Beca hated octopus.

She picked through the salad, trying not to barf. Aside from the octopi, it was rather nice.

Mark was regaling her with another story now. Something about UFC? He was trying out for UFC and something happened?. Mark was looking at her expectantly and Beca quickly laughed in response. Did he make a joke? Never mind. He was laughing along, looking pleased. Aside from being such a chauvinist, he had been a gent.

He was really nice, this Mark. Perhaps he was just treating her like he thought a lady should be treated. At least so far he sounded like he was telling the truth. As far as Beca could tell.

Not like that dick. That..that.. weak ass fuckboy.

Beca glanced surreptitiously to the other table. He was talking to Aubrey, still eating that stupid plate of venison. He could not even look her eye just now. That fuckwit. What were the chances she had this date in the very same restaurant both Aubrey and Jesse decided to lunch at? That was just bizarre. It was not like she was actively trying to avoid him. She had felt their parting was a little awkward. He was in such a rush to leave. Hah! Probably going to meet Cassandra.

Beca was a little thoughtful, thinking back to her year with Cassandra Harris. There was no mention of a boyfriend but Cassie was a very private person. Aubrey did her personal diary so Beca wouldn't know that part of her life. Although thinking back about it, she did remember Cassie would mentioned to Aubrey about Jesse. Send something or other to Jesse. Buy that an expensive birthday present for Jesse. A trip to LA to meet Jesse.

All that was said verbally, of course and she only heard it in passing.

Beca thought it was a girl named Jessie. Probably her BFF by the sound of her voice all upbeat and cheerful whenever she mentioned the name.

Well, Jessie was no girl.

What kind of name is Jesse that anyway?

Beca huffed a little and Mark was now frowning at her. "Are you OK? You didn't like your starter?"

He looked so worried that Beca quickly replied. "No, it's fine. Delicious actually." She put her fork down and wiped her mouth. "Can't wait for the main."

Her plate was whisked away.

"So. I have this place in the Hamptons," Mark said, topping up her wine. Beca gratefully reached for her glass, taking a good mouthful. "I'm having a party next weekend. Just a few colleagues and such. Do you want to come?"

Great. More bankers.

At that precise moment, Aubrey and Jesse walked past. Aubrey was grining cheesily at her, giving her a discreet thumbs up. And Jesse? He was giving them a side-along glance, his lips set in a hard line. Like he didn't approved. Like they were beneath him.

Beca was furious. What the fuck was that look for?

Wait.

Why did she even care HOW he looked at them?

She shouldn't.

He was just some fuckmeat she had one weekend.

"Sure," Beca said brightly, lightly touching her hair and smiling up at Mark through her eyelashes. "Love to see your place at the Hamptons."


Later on that evening

"So..." Stacie said expectantly. "How did it go?"

Beca was about to answer when Chloe shouted from the kitchen. "Wait, wait, wait! I'm not ready yet!" The redhead bounded into the living room, carrying a bottle of white. She jumped onto the sofa, trying to squeeze in between Beca and Fat Amy.

"Red, there's not enough room for my sexy fat arse," Fat Amy complained, squashed against the side. "Flatbutt, move!"

It took them a few moments before Chloe finally declared they were ready to hear all about Beca's lunch date.

"He was ok."

"What?" "Fuck balls, only ok?" "Becaaaaaa."

Beca shrugged, popping a chocolate covered pretzel in her mouth.

"Bullshit!" Stacie said. "That man (and a few others whom you are going to meet) have been chosen by some complex algorithms to be your perfect match. And you are saying he was just ok?"

"What? He was..." Beca whined. "He had this weird Southern gent thing going with the standing up and the door holding that I had to get used to. I swear if he had a hat, he'll take it off."

"Aww, he's a perfect gent," Chloe cooed.

"Eh." Beca grimaced. "I'll bet he would faint if I so much as swear. And that dress you made me wear, Stacie, covered up pretty much most of my tattoos. I don't think I'm the type he'll bring home to mom."

"So you are not going to ride that?" Amy was always straight to the point.

"Mmmm. He's not that bad looking," Beca hummed, looking a little thoughtful. "I have been invited to his house party in the Hamptons." Beca thought she would go deaf with all the squealing. She just laughed looking at how excited they were. "But I need at least one of you to come with me. Just in case I need to bail."

"Ok, we draw lots," Chloe decided.

The conversation moved on to other things. Chloe was getting excited about this guy she met at the deli who she thought was definitely not an axe-murderer while Stacie was stressing about what she was going to wear to the H&H Christmas party. They were laughing at Fat Amy's latest audition disaster. She tried painting herself green to present herself as a convincing Ephaba but the clueless casting assistant thought she was auditioning for the part of Fiona in Shrek the Musical. Fat Amy had to release the kraken.

They were well on their way through the third bottle when Amy leant back and looked speculatively at Beca.

"What?" Beca stared back, mouth full with pretzel.

"Hmmm. Nothing." Amy replied, still staring at Beca a little weirdly.

Beca swallowed the pretzel, took another sip of wine before saying. "Ok, you are freaking me out here, Amy."

"No. Nothing really," Amy said casually, cocking her head to one side. "Just wondering, you know. When."

"When what?" Stacie piped in, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.

"What did I miss?" Chloe chimed in, smiling a little fuzzily.

"Amy's being weird," Beca said. "Or hiding something."

"Oh no, not me, chook," Amy said a little lazily, nodding at Beca. "It's you. When are you going to tell us about your thing with Jesse Swanson?"

"What the fuck?" "BECA!" "Ow, you made me spill my pretzels."

Beca was choking. She was legit dying with this lump of dry pretzels in her mouth and all her friend were just staring at her. She would spasm and die of asphyxiation and they would just sat there watching.

She managed to clear her throat and glared accusingly at Amy. "What the hell, Ames? That is not even funny."

"Beca, what have you done?" Stacie said.

"Nothing." Beca lied.

It was nothing now. That night was a glitch. It was over and done with and it was nothing.

"Nothing, huh?" Amy was now saying. "Then why did he sent you a pizza at work? Not just any ordinary pizza. A Gino's pizza. With his phone number. And some weird message about winning."

"He sent you a Gino's pizza?" Chloe's eyes widened into wheels. "How did he even know about Gino's?"

"I don't know why he sent me a pizza!" Beca said defensively. "I didn't get any delivery."

"Oh. Umm.. I ate it," Amy admitted sheepishly. "You were at Boston that Monday and we just can't waste pizza. I had a good time eating them in front of those twig bitches at RUNWAY."

Beca's mind was racing. Why did he sent her a pizza? Damn! He was getting to know her pretty well. She would have enjoyed that pie and maybe gave him a call. Just to say thank you, of course. Nothing more tham that. Did she talked too much that evening? Her mouth always run when she was a bit drunk.

"Beca," Stacie snapped her back to the present. "Explain."

"Hmm? Oh." Beca quickly ran through her options. "He's new in town. We had a conversation about where's the best pie. And I told him Gino's was the best hands down. We had a little bet."

"I didn't even know you were talking to him," Chloe said, still staring at the tiny brunette in surprise.

"It's nothing. We talk in passing," Beca shrugged. She needed to change the subject pronto. "Besides he does have a girlfriend. And trust me, you won't believe who it is."


"So... do you want to come in?"

The brunette was smiling up at him. She was pretty sweet and they had met at one of those bars he randomly go to for a quick drink after work. He just meant to stay for a drink or two before heading home when she came over, all cute smiles and hair flicks. She was a personal shopper at Bloomingdale's and was just complimenting him on his suit when they started talking. He had turned on his Swanson charm without realising it. It was almost automatic in the enviroment they were in and before long, she was saying it was getting late but making no move to leave. And like a gent he was, Jesse had sent her home.

She was now leaning against the door of her apartment, looking at him expectantly.

And then she tiptoed and kissed him.

He kissed her back.

And Jesse broke the kiss, stepping back.

"Hey.. umm.." Jesse started, struggling to remember her name. "Lisa.."

"Eliza."

"Sorry. Eliza." Jesse corrected himself with a wry smile. "You are great but I can't come in."

"Ok. Early morning tomorrow?"

"No." Jesse said a little hesitant, not knowing what to say next. "It's just..."

"There's a girl? Or a guy?"

"No, not a guy. Definitely not a guy," Jesse chuckled. His little laugh turned into a deep sigh. "There's just this girl...at work I'm sort of... Look, I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong idea."

The girl just smiled. "Worth a shot. Good luck with that girl."

Jesse smiled back, thinking yeah, he would need all the luck he could get.


AN : Sorry for the late update. I was working on my other fic, Thinking out loud. Thank you so much for all your reviews and PMs. Shout out to Mary from Italy. Ciao, bella! And to fivefoottwo from fivefeetnothing :) I wrote this chapter in a hurry and I hope you are not disappointed. For smut lovers, don't worry. More coming