Chapter Fourteen

Casey had officially forbid Spencer from editing the EPK. Having caught her re-watching a clip of Ashley five times in a row, Casey had to practically push Spencer away from the computer so they could actually get some work done. Spencer was now in charge of editing mundane projects such as boring commercials.

Spencer happily clicked and typed away on her computer completely oblivious to everything around her. She was happy. Genuinely happy. So happy that she found herself singing while she was working

"I can make you mine, taste your lips of wine, anytime night or day. Only trouble is-JESUS!" Spencer turned her chair around and found Casey leaning against the doorframe with a very amused look.

"Were you just singing?" She asked incredulously.

"No," Spencer denied but she was turning red. "I was just humming along to a song I have stuck in my head." Wow, that was pathetic. Spencer got up and went to where they kept their discs that had all their footage. She wasn't exactly looking for something but avoiding Casey's gaze.

"You were totally singing. God, you've got it bad. I hope you're actually working and not drooling over those clips of Ashley. Do I have to password protect them?" Casey asked somewhat jokingly but she was afraid she might have to.

"Oh please, I'd figure it out anyways. Your password for everything is yours and Sally's anniversary. And yes, I'm working. I'm done with that lame ass car commercial." Spencer went back to her computer and started to save the project.

"It may be lame, but Mr. Atwood pays good money for what he wants. And here these came for you again," Casey handed Spencer a vase of daisies. The entire backroom was filled with them. Ashley had been sending her a bouquet every day the past week.

"Aw, she's so cute," Spencer cooed smelling the flowers.

Casey rolled her eyes. "Seriously, you've got that girl eating out the palm of your hand. And you say Sally's whipped. Look at this place!" Casey indicated the room that had all daisies and the occasional teddy bear that Spencer just had to display.

"What? She's a romantic." Spencer put the vase right next to the teddy bear and smiled. "You're just jealous that Sally doesn't get you flowers anymore." She stuck her tongue out at her.

"Oh please, Sally gives me something else." Spencer cringed. "Speaking of, have you and Ashley fucked yet?" Casey asked bluntly.

Spencer let out a frustrated groan. Every single time she came into work after having a date with Ashley the night before, Casey always asked if they've had sex yet. It was getting tiresome.

"Casey, I really don't see how my sex life is any of your business." Or lack thereof

Casey gave her a look. "So not yet then?"

Spencer didn't say anything and continued to fret with the flowers. "We've only been going out for like two weeks."

"That's never stopped you before," Casey pointed out. "What's going on with you two?"

"We're happy," Spencer said with a smile.

"And I'm happy for you, but have you guys decided if you're exclusive or is there still a little room to play?"

I only want to play with Ashley. Spencer bit her lip. "No, we haven't talked about it yet. I don't even know if we're girlfriends, I'm just happy with things right now. And she's happy. So stop pressing the sex issue, Casey."

Casey held up her hands. "Sorry, I just want you to be happy."

"I am." Spencer reiterated.

"Good," Casey said smiling. "But seriously, this place looks like a greenhouse."

Spencer laughed and went back to her computer. She moved the mouse and then frowned. "Shit."

"What's the matter?"

"The fucking software crashed on me. Shit! I don't know if that saved." Spencer frantically looked through her files.

"Did you back it up on a disk?" Casey asked worried as she took a seat next to Spencer.

"I don't know!" Spencer typed and clicked on the computer but the screen suddenly went blank. "Fuck!" She put her head in her hands and seethed. "Casey, all our files are on this. All our projects and everything." Her voice was calm but Casey knew that's how Spencer spoke right before she had a meltdown.

"Spencer, calm down. I know you and I know you always back up our files. So take a deep breath, and try to focus." Casey put a comforting hand on Spencer's shoulder.

Spencer did just that and looked up at the computer screen. It suddenly went back to normal and all their files were still intact. The project was also saved. "Oh, thank God." Spencer quickly saved it on a DVD and gave it to Casey. "Seriously, Casey, we really need to buy a new computer and new software. You know how many times this crashed on us?"

Casey took the disc from Spencer. "I know, Spencer, but we spent most of our savings on the new camera equipment, and the rest went to pay for the utilities and the rent on this place. And you know, we just don't have enough in the funds." Casey looked at her sympathetically.

Spencer scratched her head in frustration. "I know. Good thing we have all those projects booked later on, right?" She took a look at their work calendar and frowned when she saw that Casey had drawn three red X's on it. "What's this?" She asked holding up the calendar.

"Um, we lost three of our clients," Casey said sadly.

"What? How, I mean can they do that?"

"Yeah, they technically haven't signed the contract yet so they can do whatever hell they want," Casey said bitterly.

"That's bullshit." Spencer studied the calendar again. "And these were huge projects too. Did they give a reason on why they canceled?"

"No, and I tried to talk to them but they wouldn't listen."

Spencer threw the calendar across the room. "This sucks. We just lost like thousands dollars worth of business."

"I know, but we still have other projects. And the EPK check hasn't even come in yet, and that's a huge project right there." Casey hated to see Spencer so upset about the money. Film was suppose to be their passion not their grief. "Cheer up, Spencer, we'll make it through. And if not, we do have other means of getting money. We're not completely broke."

"I know," Spencer offered her a weak smile. "Hey, I'm going to take my lunch break right now, you okay over here?"

Casey looked around. It was pretty dead. They barely got any calls today. "Yeah, I'm fine. Go see your girl," she said winking.

"Thanks, Casey." Spencer left the studio and drove to Davies Records. Seeing Ashley will definitely cheer me up.

Spencer greeted the receptionist at the front desk and made her way to the elevators. As she was waiting for the lift to arrive on to the designated floor, Spencer couldn't help but think about the current money situation her and Casey were in. She knew that owning a small film production was going to be hard but her and Casey always managed. Now it seems like clients were dropping like flies for no apparent reason. They've had clients cancel on them before but losing three of their biggest ones in a span of one week? Something was definitely going on.

The doors slid open and Spencer made her way to one of the many recording booths. I bet this place never has money problems. Man, what would it be like to own a studio like this. Spencer slowly opened the door and smiled at the sight of Ashley behind a soundboard. There was a band recording and Ashley seemed to be the producer on their album. Aw, my little music mongrel

Ashley stopped the playback and spoke into the mic. "Okay, guys that was good but Liza you kind of went off note there. Sing it again but an octave lower, okay?" Liza gave her a thumbs up.

Spencer went behind Ashley and spoke into her ear. "You're really bossy."

Ashley jumped. "Shit, Spencer, when did you get here?" She smiled at her before giving her a kiss. "I wasn't expecting you."

"I know, I thought I'd surprise you but looks like you're working." Spencer started to play with the bottom of Ashley shirt. She could never keep her hands off her when she saw her.

"No, no, don't worry about it." Ashley turned to the guy who was sitting next to her at the soundboard. "Take over, Kenny."

"Sure thing, boss."

Ashley led them out of the studio and into her room. "So, what brings you by?" Ashley had barely closed the door before Spencer had her against one the couches and was kissing her. "Whoa, someone's feisty," she said pulling away slightly. She looked into Spencer's eyes and sensed something wasn't quite right. "What's wrong?"

How does she do that? "No-nothing's wrong," Spencer lied looking down.

Ashley lifted her chin up. "Spence, what's wrong?" she asked again sincerely.

Spencer sighed and sat down properly on the couch, but Ashley pulled her so she was sitting on her lap. "We're just losing a few clients over at the studio, and our funds are kind of taking a hit."

"I'm sorry," Ashley pulled her into a hug and put her chin on Spencer's shoulder. "Can I do anything?"

Spencer smiled. "No. Just seeing you makes me feel a lot better." She turned her head and gave Ashley a kiss.

"Well, I don't know if this will help, but Sally and I are going to have our first official gig this Saturday, and I would really love it if you came."

"Like I'd miss it," Spencer said running her finger down Ashley's nose.

Ashley bit her lip nervously. "I'd love it if you came as my girlfriend."

Wait, what? "As your girlfriend?" Spencer asked thinking she heard wrong.

"Yeah, I mean we've been going out for some time now and you know I want to be with you every minute of everyday. And when we're not together, I miss you. Even if I've just seen you. You're all I think about and I want you to be all mine." Ashley finished her little ramble and looked at Spencer expectantly and a bit anxious.

"I'd love to be your girlfriend," Spencer said smiling. I'm her girlfriend!

Ashley gave her one of her full-blown nose-crinkling smile. "I've got the world's best girlfriend."

Spencer giggled and tackled her down on the couch. "No, I've got the world's best girlfriend. And don't argue or I'll be forced to take some bodily action." Ashley just grinned and pulled Spencer down for a kiss.

Hopefully those clients aren't the only ones that will be screwing me.

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