Hello! I am so sorry it has taken me so long to update, what with exams, uni life, birthdays and oq prompt party... but alas, here is a small update for you all!
***IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT***
Due to the threat of this story being removed from this website, I have removed the explicit material from Love At First Click (Chapter 16, 19, 21 and 23). However, these chapters can be found on my Archive of Our Own account under the same name (thequeenregina). So if you still wish to read the smut that the story included, you can find it there.
Thank you so much for sticking with me and supporting this story. I hope you enjoy this little filler chapter before things get a little intense over the next few chapters! I won't keep you waiting as long for the next one, promise ;)
Anyway, without further waffling, I give you chapter 25. Please let me know what you think!
The café is lit by the early March sunlight, which streams through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Regina and Kathryn are sitting on the sofas away from the door, because despite the sunshine, it's still chilly outside; the air cool and the breeze icy. Here, they are away from the draft every time everyone enters the café.
They are discussing Sunday with Robin's parents.
"So, what were they like?" Kathryn asks, sipping at her mocha.
"Incredibly sweet," Regina replies with a grin. "Robin's father was hilarious and his mother is so warm and welcoming. I can see where Robin gets all of his good qualities from," she adds, shaking her head fondly as she runs her finger around the edge of her mug.
"Oh my God, Regina."
Regina looks up at her friend with a frown, meeting the blonde's wide-eyed gaze. "What?" she asks, looking over her shoulder trying to spot anything out of the ordinary but nothing particularly catches her attention. She looks back to Kathryn with a puzzled expression only to find her friend grinning at her.
"I think you're falling for him."
Now it's Regina's turn to look wide-eyed as an unauthorised blush creeps up onto her cheeks. Kathryn's right, Regina knows in her heart that she is, she's thought about it herself many times. But actually admitting how she feels out loud is something she has yet to do. Regina bites down on her lip before looking up at Kathryn through her dark lashes. "I think you might be right," she whispers.
Kathryn grins from ear to ear. She reaches forward to grab both of her friend's hands tightly in hers. "You have to tell him!"
Suddenly Regina's heart falls to her stomach. It's one thing admitting that she loves Robin to herself, and apparently Kathryn too. But telling him? The thought terrifies her because, "What if he doesn't say it back?"
The blonde shakes her head, squeezing Regina's fingers reassuringly. "What makes you think he won't?"
Regina opens her mouth to answer but quickly closes it again when she realises she doesn't quite know how to answer. Because, honestly, Robin has only ever shown her what it is like to be loved, to feel loved. And even though they have yet to say it to one another, Regina knows in her heart that the feeling is mutual. She knows he cares deeply for her.
"Nagging doubt," she replies, shrugging one shoulder.
Kathryn rolls her eyes fondly. "If he doesn't say it back, I will sign up to run the London Marathon."
Regina cannot contain the surprised laughter that bubbles out of her untamed. "Kathryn, you can barely run ten minutes on the treadmill!" she exclaims, bringing a hand to her mouth in order to conceal her laughter somewhat. People are looking at them.
"I know!" Kathryn replies, whacking her friend on the back of the wrist, "But that's how sure I am that he will say it back."
Regina shakes her head fondly. "Well now I hope he doesn't," she teases.
"No you don't."
"No I don't," Regina admits with a chuckle, "But it would be so much fun watching you try to run the London Marathon."
Kathryn rolls her eyes, picking her beverage up and sipping at it. "You know, I was thinking—"
"How dangerous—"
"Shut up." The blonde throws her best friend a glare. "I was thinking," she repeats, "Since Robin has already met me and Frederick on your birthday, we could go on a double date! It would be so much fun."
Regina's eyes widen before she lets out an amused hum. "For you, maybe," she replies, "I couldn't think of anything worse."
Kathryn frowns, offended. "Why?" She smirks. "Because you don't want me seeing you all loved up with Mr Blue-eyed Photographer?" she teases.
And yes, that is partly the reason, though Regina would never admit that aloud as she scoffs and shakes her head. "No," she denies, raising a single brow, "Because I don't want you embarrassing me in front of Robin. I know what you're like." She brushes a few crumbs from the table idly before reaching for her own coffee and taking a sip.
"Oh please," Kathryn retorts. "Besides, Frederick and Robin seemed to get along before. It would be nice if they got to become friends."
Regina nods, shrugging a single shoulder. "I suppose." She smirks then, adding, "I think you'd get along with Robin's friend, John. He's a… character."
"That the guy who caught you half naked in Robin's kitchen?" Kathryn asks with an amused grin before she pops a piece of muffin behind her lips, humming at the taste.
Regina rolls her eyes. "Unfortunately yes." She groans. "It was so obvious that I had just been fucked, my hair was a mess, I was wearing Robin's shirt…"
The blonde snickers through her mouthful, bringing the back of her hand up to cover her lips. "Sounds like a scene out of a cheesy rom-com."
"I wish it was. I don't think I will be able to look at that man in the eyes again." Regina blushes, swiping a hand through her hair as she admits with a grimace, "I'm also 99 percent sure he saw my nipples."
Kathryn's laughter is loud this time. "Seems he got far more than he bargained for."
Regina cringes visibly as she winces uncomfortably at the memory. "Indeed."
"When are you next seeing Robin?" her friend asks.
"Tomorrow," she replies, smiling easily. "He's coming around for dinner."
Kathryn smiles, shaking her head. "Oh, I'm so glad you finally have a healthy sex life again."
Regina rolls her eyes once again. "You know, I don't ever remember discussing your sex life with Frederick as much as you insist on discussing mine with Robin."
Kathryn grins. "That's because you two are in the honeymoon phase still, whereas I was already past that with Frederick when you met me."
"So?"
"So that means you're still going at it like bunnies."
Regina frowns. "Kathryn, for christ sake."
"I don't see you denying it."
The brunette blushes into her coffee as she lifts it to her lips before looking down at her watch as she lowers the beverage and sighs. She changes the subject. "We should head back to the office. Chloe will have our head if we are late to the meeting this afternoon."
Kathryn groans, finishing off her drink in one large gulp before placing the empty mug aside. Te blonde swallows before moaning, "She was especially up-tight this morning."
Regina nods, wrapping her half of the muffin in a napkin before placing it into her purse for later. "She needs to get laid."
"Isn't she fucking that editor?"
"Isaac?" Regina asks, eyes wide. This is news to her.
"God, Regina, you really have been living on another planet." Kathryn smirks as Regina glares at her company. "Ruby saw them coming out of the board room together a few weeks ago. Apparently Chloe's clothes were all dishevelled and her hair was askew," she says with a chuckle.
"How scandalous," Regina replies with a chuckle and a wiggle of her eyebrows. "I couldn't imagine having sex in public, let alone in the place you work," she muses, shaking her head. Though, she has to admit the idea of fucking Robin somewhere where they could both get caught is somewhat thrilling. Unfortunately, she doesn't think they are quite at that stage in their relationship yet. Then again…
"You should try it sometime," Kathryn replies, standing from her seat and pulling on her coat before reaching for her purse and adding, "It's very hot."
The brunette's eyes widen. "Kathryn! You what? Wait!" Regina calls as her friend starts to walk away. "Wait!"