DISCLAIMER: Pretty Little Liars and all its characters are the intellectual property of others. Some characters used in the writing of this fic belong to PLL. Events that transpire, will transpire, and have transpired in this story are of my own creation.
Advance Happy Hearts Day, everyone! Thanks for the reviews!
Happy, happy birthday to my partner in crime, my sounding board, and my inspiration, EyeOpener 16! Thank you for making my life better in more ways than one. Enjoy your day, mine!
PART FOUR: "De Integro"
~ Again, a second time. ~
CHAPTER FOUR
Ping! Ping!
Emily tore her gaze away from the dark ceiling of her room when she heard pebbles being thrown from outside. She checked the time on her bedside table, got up, and walked toward the window.
"Paige," Emily uttered, her heart starting to hammer when she saw the girl. Emily hurriedly opened the window when Paige gestured that she was going to climb up to her room.
Emily stepped back and hurriedly made her way to her dresser. She turned on the lamp and checked her reflection, running a hand through her messy hair anxiously. She looked at her oversized, worn-out sweater and pulled down at the hem to cover her bare thighs just as Paige's head popped inside the window.
"This certainly feels like old times," Paige quipped as the girl walked over to help her get inside.
"It does. Doesn't it?" Emily answered, returning the girl's smile. "What's up?"
"I, uh, got your gift," Paige answered. "Reese told me you came by and—"
"You have to know I didn't mean to overstep. I was just concerned," Emily said defensively.
"I know," Paige reassured the girl. "I already talked to her. You don't have to worry about it."
"You know, if you wanted to thank me, you could've just called," Emily pointed out. "Reese would be furious if she finds out you snuck out to see me."
"Well, I wanted to thank you in person," Paige explained. "And you don't have to worry about Reese because she's gone. She went home this afternoon."
"I'm sorry," Emily uttered. "I didn't mean to cause trouble between you two."
"Are you really?" Paige asked, her voice low.
"Yes," Emily lied.
"Because I'm not," Paige said, her gaze drifting toward the girl's lips. "I'm not sorry she's gone, Em. It was a mistake to be with her in the first place."
"What are you trying to say?" Emily asked, her voice hoarse.
"I'm saying I need you. It was always you, Em. Always," Paige whispered before grabbing the girl by the waist and kissing her.
"Oh, Paige…" Emily moaned as she wrapped her arms around the girl's neck and parted her lips to let Paige's tongue meet hers.
Emily's pulse quickened when she felt the girl's hands move from her waist to just below the hem of her sweatshirt. She let out another moan when Paige's hands began to travel upwards underneath her top, one hand resting just above her ass while the other cupped her left breast.
"My mom's a light sleeper," Emily managed to say breathlessly.
"Then I guess we just have to be really quiet," Paige said, smiling as she rested her forehead against the girl's.
Emily licked her lips together, her breath mingling with Paige's. She could already feel the wetness pooling between her legs and the girl's warm skin against her bare chest as Paige stroked her already erect nipple was driving her crazy. Without saying anything, Emily nodded and let the girl blindly back her toward her bed. She gasped as soon as the back of her legs touched the edge of her bed, and she cupped Paige's cheek as she deepened their kiss.
Her pulse racing, Emily took off her sweatshirt before lying down on her bed and chuckled when she felt the girl lie on top of her. She craned her neck to the side, giving Paige access to the sensitive spot just below the ear. She moaned in pleasure when the girl's leg slipped between hers, Paige's thigh coming in contact with her throbbing center.
"You're so wet," Paige whispered in Emily's ear before gently sucking on her earlobe, making the girl gasp.
"Paige…" Emily moaned, grabbing the girl's ass and squeezing it as she brought their bodies closer. "Oh, Paige…"
Knock! Knock!
Emily's eyes snapped open at the sound, and she lay still on her bed as she waited for her pulse to stop racing. For a second, she thought her moans woke up her mom until she remembered that she was in UPenn, lying in bed in the room she shared with Spencer. Emily got up into a sitting position and ran a hand through her hair. Of course, it was a dream. She thought glumly. Hmmm… I wonder what would've happened if I didn't wake up?
Knock! Knock!
Emily was about to lie down again to try to get back to her dream when she heard the sound, and she let out a frustrated breath. I guess that part wasn't a dream. She thought before reluctantly getting up to answer the door.
"Paige," Emily uttered. She felt the blood rush to her cheeks when she recalled what they were just doing in her dream, and her pulse began to race again.
"Hey," Paige said, giving the girl a small, awkward wave. Her eyes accidentally drifted toward Emily's white shirt, and she hurriedly looked away when she realized that the girl wasn't wearing a bra so she could see past the thin fabric.
Emily noticed Paige's discomfort, and hurriedly grabbed her towel from the back of the chair when she realized why. "What's up?" She asked, trying to sound upbeat.
Paige smirked then pressed her lips together to stop herself from making a comment. "Sorry to just show up. Were you sleeping?" She asked in reply. "I tried calling first, but you weren't answering."
"No," Emily lied. "My phone must've been on silent. Why?"
"Oh, thank god!" Paige said, exhaling in relief. "Because I need you— what?" She asked when she saw the girl's eyes widen.
"Uh… nothing," Emily answered, shaking her head. "I just remembered something. You were saying?"
"Okay. As I said, I need your help," Paige continued. "You see, Reese's birthday is coming up, and I want to prepare something special." She explained.
"Oh," Emily uttered, barely able to hide her disappointment. This was so different from her dream. "Sure," She finally managed to say. "But I have a pretty busy day today. Are you free tomorrow night? We could meet around six, six-thirty?"
"Yes! I can do that," Paige answered eagerly. "Definitely. Thank you. You're such a lifesaver. Call or text me where to meet, and I'll be there," She promised. "Okay, well, I'm gonna go," Paige said, gesturing behind her. "See you tomorrow."
"See you," Emily echoed. She waited until the girl was out of sight before closing the door and leaning on it with a heavy sigh.
Reese's brows creased as her eyes scanned the contents of the article she was reading, shaking her head once a while in disapproval. "Down one percent," She muttered, clucking her tongue.
"Oh, no. Does that mean the world is going to end?" Paige remarked as she slid across her girlfriend, earning a scowl from the girl. "Your world is going to end?" She corrected with faux concern.
"Funny," Reese quipped before folding the business section of the newspaper she was holding and placing it on the table next to her cup of coffee. "And late," She added when she checked her watch and saw the time. "Where have you been?"
"Ria and Jai's," Paige lied before reaching for a piece of toast from Reese's plate and munching on it. She grinned when the girl pushed her plate of bacon and scrambled eggs toward her as well. "Thanks," She managed to say in between bites.
Reese shook her head and smiled as she watched the girl eat. "What are your plans today?" She asked after a beat.
"Go to my classes and train," Paige replied. "You?"
"Meetings all day," Reese divulged, sighing.
"My girlfriend, the future COO. You sound so mature," Paige quipped. "I'm not used to seeing you being so responsible."
"Welcome to adulthood," Reese deadpanned. "And hey, I'm offended. When have I ever been irresponsible?" She asked, giving the girl a defiant look.
"Let's see… there was this one time when you almost ran me over with your bike because you weren't paying attention," Paige recalled.
"Hey, you came out of nowhere," Reese argued.
"I was coming out of Shoemaker Green," Paige insisted emphatically. "What about that time you got drunk at my party and ended up starting a kissing booth? I had to take care of you the next morning. Remember that?"
"Oh, admit it, you liked taking care of me that day," Reese goaded. "You said I looked pretty and vulnerable the night of your party. And you made sure I only got kissed on the cheek. My maiden in shining armor," She teased, blinking her eyes rapidly.
Paige rolled her eyes. "Whatever. You still owe me that story about the time you took off your top," She reminded the girl. "Will I see you for lunch?"
"Probably not. I have an eleven o'clock meeting and it might run long," Reese explained apologetically. "I can't even do dinner 'cos dad asked me to meet some investors with him."
"So, basically this is our date today," Paige commented, obviously bummed.
"I'm sorry," Reese uttered as she reached for the girl's hand. "Let me make it up to you. Why don't I come over tomorrow night and cook dinner?"
Paige's face lit up, but then she remembered she already made plans with Emily. "I can't do dinner. I already made plans with Ria and Jai," She said, feeling guilty for lying, but she told herself she had a good reason for doing so. "But maybe I can come over to your apartment after? Spend the night?"
"Sounds good to me," Reese answered.
"Okay. I better go. Don't want to be late for class," Paige said, getting up when she saw the time. "Thanks for breakfast."
"Here. For the road," Reese offered as she pushed the plate with the last piece of toast toward the girl.
Paige grinned. "Don't mind if I do. I'll see you tomorrow night," She promised before kissing her girlfriend on the lips briefly.
Reese watched the girl exit the café and shook her head in amusement. She would rather have lunch and dinner with her girlfriend than with men and women in suits any day. But Paige spending the night at her apartment is much better.
"Check, please," Reese called out to a waiter passing by, suddenly in a better mood. Paige's effect on her was amazing. And the fact that the girl was so understanding lessened her guilt for not being a better girlfriend. Damn, I'm lucky. Reese thought with a smile.
"That is a disaster waiting to happen," Jai commented as she swiveled back and forth on the chair she was occupying at the counter. She had a couple of hours to kill before her shift at her cater-waiter job when Emily called to ask if they could meet. Of course, she said yes, despite knowing the girl probably wanted to talk about Paige. Which she did. As soon as she sat down, Emily immediately recounted what happened, and she just sat there, listening patiently. "Seriously. I can help her out. Tell her something came up, so you asked me to help instead."
"I'm not gonna do that," Emily said stubbornly. "It's just a harmless party planning between two friends."
"Of course, it is," Jai commented, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in her voice. "Hey, you asked for my opinion. I'm just calling it as I see it," She pointed out.
"I'm not gonna make a pass at her," Emily said, rolling her eyes.
"Fine. But you're still waiting for the right time to tell her," Jai reminded the girl. "If things go according to your plan, maybe you can finally break the news to her."
"I don't have a plan," Emily countered. "Even if I did, I'm not gonna ambush her when we're planning for Reese's surprise party. That is so not romantic. I doubt she's going to reciprocate my feelings. Paige told me she's happy. I'm just gonna end up even more brokenhearted," She explained dejectedly.
"Em," Jai uttered, looking the girl straight in the eyes. "It's better if you just get it over with," She advised. "That way, there will be no more maybes, and you can finally move on with your life."
"I… I'm not ready," Emily said, starting to fidget with the sugar packet container between them. "I'm fine staying in the maybe."
"Ready for lunch?" Spencer asked from behind Jai, making the girl stiffen.
"Yeah. Let me just change," Emily answered, throwing Jai an encouraging look before heading to the backroom.
Jai cleared her throat as she turned around to face Emily's friend. "How's it going?" She asked in greeting, giving the girl a nervous smile. Jai waited for Spencer to acknowledge her, but the girl pointedly looked anywhere but at her. "Spence, why are you mad at me? I already patched things with Em. Even Hanna and Aria are talking to me again."
"So, what? I can't be mad at you anymore because they've all forgiven you?" Spencer asked snidely. "I don't need another reason. Hurting Em is enough."
"That's bullshit," Jai shot back. "Why are you mad at me?" She repeated. "Spence," Jai coaxed when the girl refused to look at her.
Silence.
"Fine. Stay mad at me," Jai said before getting up to move to an unoccupied table instead.
"We were supposed to be alike," Spencer angrily said just as the girl walked past her. "Then you died, and I felt like an outsider again. Yes, I have three best friends. But you understood me the most. At least I thought so," She added, her voice cracking. "I'm mad because you ran away and chose to be a coward."
Understanding dawned on Jai. "Spencer… I am so sorry. I didn't know you felt that way," She told the girl earnestly. "I did understand you. I still do. But I wasn't built like you. You might've reveled in the perfection and the recognition, but I was burdened by everyone depending on me," Jai confessed. "I didn't ask for it, nor did I mean for it to happen. I just wanted to keep everyone I cared about safe. Before I knew it, I was the perfect everything in everyone's eyes. It was too much."
"Then you should've stayed and dealt with it instead of leaving behind everyone who cared about you!" Spencer reprimanded. "Did it even help? Throwing away the life you had and the relationships you built just to start over?"
"You wouldn't understand," Jai answered, looking away.
"Try me," Spencer shot back.
"I know people are still disappointed in me. That is something I have to live with for the rest of my life. But I feel free," Jai confessed.
"Free? Seriously? Do you even regret what you did? What you put people through?" Spencer asked incredulously.
"Every day," Jai replied. "I lost the trust of the people I cared about most because I was selfish. I lost my dad because I couldn't live up to his expectations anymore. And I lost Emily because I was a coward," She admitted miserably. "But I can't travel back in time to undo what I did, Spence. All I can do now is to make amends and to live my life honestly. I'm really sorry," Jai uttered. "I hope you can forgive me and that we can be friends again someday."
"We'll see," Spencer noncommittally said just as Emily returned. "All set?"
Emily nodded. "Are you sure you don't want to join us for lunch?" She asked Jai.
Jai glanced at Spencer before nodding. "Yeah. Maybe some other time," She answered, giving Emily a small smile. "Don't want to be late for work," Jai added.
"Okay. Let's go," Emily said to her friend.
"Bye," Spencer bade before following the girl.
"Bye," Jai echoed, smiling at the small gesture.
The next day, Paige found herself anxiously looking around her apartment one last time just to be sure nothing was amiss. In a few minutes, Emily was going to arrive, and she didn't want the girl to see her place unkempt. She's been so busy the past few days she barely had time to clean up. She was planning on doing some general cleaning this coming weekend since she wasn't really expecting guests other than Reese, and her girlfriend was already used to coming over and seeing her place untidy.
I should've just said no. Paige thought, starting to regret agreeing to meet here instead of somewhere else. They were supposed to meet earlier at the quad, but the girl couldn't make it at the last minute, so Paige decided to just get together some other time. She was about to call Reese to tell her girlfriend to come over when she got the text from Emily, asking if they could plan at her apartment instead. Paige hesitated for a few seconds because it was already eight in the evening. But eventually, she said yes because Reese's birthday was fast approaching and she knew how crazy Emily's schedule was. Hence, she grabbed the opportunity that the girl was able to make time for her today.
Knock! Knock!
Paige started at the sound, and she told herself to calm down as she moved to answer the door. Taking a deep breath, she pasted a smile on her lips before turning the knob. "Hey," Paige uttered in greeting when she and Emily were finally facing each other.
"I'm really sorry about earlier. My boss at the café asked me to pull an extra shift, and I couldn't say no," Emily explained as she walked past the girl when Paige stepped aside to let her in, hoping her nervousness wasn't apparent.
"It's fine, really. Is that Chinese?" Paige asked when she saw the paper bag the girl was carrying.
"Yeah. Have you eaten?" Emily inquired as she put the takeout bags on top of the coffee table. "I was so busy I forgot to eat lunch earlier and I haven't had dinner yet, so I'm starving. I was craving Chinese, so I swung by that takeout place we liked," She added, cringing inwardly at the use of the word 'we.' Like it was their special place.
"A-Lin," Paige supplied. "Wow. It's been a while since I ordered food there," She said reminiscently. "What did you get?"
"Our usual," Emily answered before closing her eyes in mortification. Stop using words like you're a couple. "Cashew Chicken for you and Moo Shu Pork for me," She continued as she took out the contents of the paper bag. "I also got some egg rolls and a Vegetable Lo Mein."
"You weren't kidding when you said you were starving," Paige quipped while studying the spread on the coffee table. "Good thing I haven't eaten."
"Hey! Don't judge me. I covered two shifts today," Emily argued as she handed the girl a pair of chopsticks.
Paige laughed. "Sorry. Thank you for bringing dinner," She said once she was seated next to Emily. "But really? Mushy Pork?" Paige asked, making a face. "Still?"
"What? It's better than your Cashew Chicken," Emily insisted, trying to hide her delight that the girl remembered. "And it's Moo Shu. Not mushy."
"Please. We already settled this," Paige reminded the girl.
"Yeah. And if I remember correctly, I won," Emily shot back.
Paige laughed. "What? No, you didn't. You just thought you did 'cos we—" She trailed off when her gaze wandered on the girl's lips. "Um…" Paige uttered, clearing her throat uncomfortably. "Let's see what's on," She suggested as she reached for the remote control to turn on the TV.
The two girls sat in heavy silence as they ate dinner, their eyes glued to the screen. An episode of MacGyver was on, but Paige was too conscious to focus. She leaned back on the couch and watched Emily out of the corner of her eye as the girl consumed her dinner, seemingly mesmerized by the action on the screen.
"It's like the guy can do everything," Paige finally commented when she forced herself to focus on the show instead.
Emily blinked at the sound of the girl's voice and tried to concentrate on the guy jumping off a moving truck as the vehicle exploded. She was pretending to be fascinated with the show because it felt like Paige was watching her, and that made her conscious and thrilled at the same time. Paige obviously remembered the same thing she did. It was part of the reason why she decided to bring a Chinese takeout for dinner. She may have told Jai she wasn't going to make a pass on the girl, but that doesn't mean she wasn't going to do anything.
"I know, right? Richard Dean Anderson is so cool," Emily said as she casually lowered her box of Moo Shu Pork on the coffee table to retrieve a notebook and pen from inside her bag. "So, I have some ideas for the party," She began, flipping the notebook on a clean page before facing the girl.
Paige shook her head. "Dinner first. We can talk about business afterward," She said as she gestured to her food. "You said you're starving," Paige reminded the girl.
Emily mentally pumped her fist in the air, feeling like she just won a round against Reese. "Okay. I guess it could wait," She managed to say casually. "Finally, he decides to use his Swiss Army knife! I was starting to wonder if it was going to make an appearance," Emily commented as she picked up her dinner and shifted her attention to the show.
"Are you kidding? That thing is like his lifeline. Of course, he's going to use it to get out of a tough situation," Paige said in agreement.
Emily leaned back on the couch as well and sat cross-legged, starting to relax. "You know, my dad and I used to do marathons of this show when I was a kid," She reminisced with a smile. "I don't think I ever really understood what was happening, though, because all I ever cared about was that he's home."
"How is he, by the way?" Paige asked.
"Good. He wasn't able to come home for the holidays, but my mom and I still got to talk to him, so I guess it's better than nothing," Emily answered. "Oh shit!" She suddenly exclaimed when a stray bullet hit a hose in the engine of the car MacGyver was riding to getaway. "Sorry," Emily uttered sheepishly.
"Now I know what scares you," Paige commented with a laugh. "You just know he's gonna find a way to stop that car even without the brakes. Maybe he has a paper clip hidden somewhere."
"Or a piece of gum," Emily suggested. "Do you remember this one episode where he…"
"I am the worst girlfriend in the world," Paige said as soon as Reese opened her apartment door the next morning. "I'm really sorry I stood you up last night."
"A cup of coffee isn't gonna cut it," Reese told the girl when she smelled the contents of the cup Paige was holding.
"Which is why… I also got you an everything bagel with cream cheese!" Paige revealed, waving a small paper bag. "Forgive me?"
Reese rolled her eyes and finally let the girl in. "You're not off the hook," She said before her girlfriend could speak. "What the hell, Paige? I know you didn't mean it, but still."
"I know. I'm sorry," Paige repeated. "I was so tired after track practice yesterday; that's why I fell asleep."
"I called you like a dozen times. I sent you several text messages. I even left you five voicemails," Reese revealed, annoyed. "I was up all night with worry. I even went to your apartment to check, but there was no answer. Where were you last night?"
Paige cringed inwardly. "I was at Ria and Jai's. Remember? I told you I made plans with them," She lied, relieved that the girl missed her and Emily sleeping on the couch. "We were hanging out, watching episode reruns of MacGyver, the next thing I knew, it was morning," Technically that was what she was doing last night. Only with Emily.
"Paige, you have to learn to tell me where you are," Reese implored. "I don't need the details, just a heads up will do. I don't like being this paranoid."
"I know," Paige said, walking over and wrapping the girl in a tight hug. "I know I screwed up. It won't happen again," She promised. "If you could just wait for a few more days, I'd like to make it up to you next weekend."
Reese pulled back and gave the girl an innocent look. "Why? What's next weekend?" She asked.
Paige shrugged. "Nothing special. I was thinking it's a good day to go on a date of some sort," She answered vaguely.
Reese laughed and kissed the girl. "Thank you," She uttered, wrapping her arms around Paige's neck. "I'm really looking forward to celebrating my birthday with you this year. Especially since it might be the first and last time that we get to celebrate it together. At least for a while."
"What? Why?" Paige asked, panicked. Did she find out we were moving?
"Ugh. I was going to tell you last night, but you didn't show up," Reese said as she pulled away and reached for the cup of coffee the girl brought. "My grandfather appointed me the head of the marketing department," She revealed while toying with the cover.
"Reese! Oh my god, that's great!" Paige exclaimed and wondered why her girlfriend seemed to think otherwise. "That's cause for a celebration, right?"
"I guess," Reese answered hesitantly. "I mean, of course, it's good news. But I'm going to have to move to L.A."
"L.A," Paige repeated, understanding dawning on her. "In California? But what about grad school? I thought they wanted you to pursue a master's degree here?"
"They did, but now I'm considering going to UCLA instead," Reese admitted. "But the details are still vague. I might move later this year or even next year. We don't have to worry about that right now."
Paige nodded. "Yeah. I'm sure we'll figure something out," She answered, suddenly struck with an idea for a perfect gift for the girl.
"What did you do? Did you spike that Chinese takeout?" Jai asked, her eyes narrowed into slits. "You did, didn't you? That's why the two of you fell asleep."
"What? I did not!" Emily answered indignantly. "There was just too much MSG on the food."
"Sshhh! Keep your voice down! The guests might think you're talking about the food here," Jai chided when she noticed a group of people mingling near them.
The two girls were seated at a secluded area of the function room they were in, taking a break from their first cater-waiter gig together. Jai was content just people-watching, but Emily had something different in mind. The girl let a few minutes pass before launching into a replay of what happened yesterday, from her and Paige's initial plan to meet at the quad, to them ending up falling asleep on the couch with Paige's head resting on her shoulder when she woke up the next day.
"Were you even able to plan anything at all?" Jai asked.
"No," Emily answered sheepishly. "Paige said we should finish eating first, but then we got caught up with those reruns of MacGyver that eventually we fell asleep without talking about the party. I had to leave early this morning 'cos I didn't want to be late here," She explained. "She was still asleep when I left, so I just wrote her a note apologizing for the mess and that we should meet again tonight."
"Well, if you're planning to actually talk about the party, maybe don't bring Chinese takeout this time," Jai advised, moving away before Emily could hit her arm playfully.
"Yes, we're going to plan," Emily shot back. "Regardless of how I feel about her, Reese, and their relationship, I want to help."
"And I'm grateful that you're trying to be her friend," Jai replied.
"But?" Emily asked, hearing the indecision in the girl's voice.
"But… and I hope you don't take this the wrong way. But… since it seems like you don't plan on coming clean to her anytime soon… maybe you should just give up on Paige. Just hear me out," Jai hurriedly said before Emily could protest. "I know it's not what you want. But she's happy. She's genuinely happy with Reese. You saw that last year when we ran into her at the Brew," She reminded the girl. "I don't want you to ruin this for her. If you tell her, you're just going to pull her back into all this drama between you two because you have this complicated history with her, and she doesn't need that. What she needs is—"
"What she needs is someone who won't give up on her so easily," Emily interjected. "But you wouldn't know a thing about that."
"Ouch," Jai uttered, looking down on the floor. "You know what? Forget what I said. Do whatever you want. Just don't come running to me when this blows up in your face," She warned the girl as she got up. "I think I'm gonna head back to the kitchen. Break's almost over anyway."
Emily sighed. "Jai, wait. I didn't mean that," She said, getting up as well.
"No. I think you did. And maybe I deserved that," Jai acquiesced. "You can be mad at me all you want, Em. Shove in my face every chance you get how much I screwed up. But it won't change the fact that my friend is happy, and you're selfish for wanting to ruin that for her."
"That might be a good idea, but I don't think they're going to let you throw a party at Shoemaker Green," Emily reminded the girl as she crossed off another item on the list Paige gave her.
"Okay, well, what about this one? Hire a violinist to serenade us during dinner at her favorite restaurant?" Paige suggested, leaning in close to read the next item on the list. "What?" She asked when she noticed the girl looking at her weirdly. "Too corny?"
"It's kinda overkill," Emily commented when she finally tore her eyes away from the girl's lips.
"What?! No, it's not," Paige protested. "It's romantic!"
"Yeah. If you're planning to propose," Emily pointed out.
Paige leaned back on the couch she was occupying at Café Prima and sighed. The two girls were finally able to meet in the light of day with no Chinese takeout and episode reruns to distract them. Paige decided to come over to Emily's place of work instead of meeting at her apartment to avoid any unnecessary situations from happening again. She was keeping enough secrets from Reese as it is.
"Well, I'm out of ideas. I don't know how else to make her birthday memorable," Paige lamented.
"I don't know about Reese, but celebrating your birthday with your special someone is supposed to be enough to make it memorable," Emily said before taking a sip of her coffee. "Why are you so intent on making the whole thing some kind of grand gesture?"
"I'm not," Paige insisted. "But it's our first time to celebrate as a couple, so it's a big deal. Also, I need to make it up to her," She added, almost to herself. "Anyway, shouldn't you have experience in throwing these kinds of things?" Paige asked to change the subject. "I mean, all those times you planned a party for Jai should come in handy. Plus, it's good practice for you since you want to become an event planner."
"Right," Emily uttered, suddenly remembering the fight she had with Jai earlier.
"What?" Paige asked when she noticed the girl stiffen. "Uh-oh. Did you two have a fight?"
"Sort of. But it's not important," Emily said, waving her hand dismissively.
"Of course, it is. Come on. What happened?" Paige pressed. "Might as well talk about something else since we're not making any progress on my side of things. What did my best friend do this time?"
Emily sighed. "Nothing. It was completely my fault," She admitted, embarrassed. "Deep down, I know she had good intentions, but I was too stubborn to listen."
"What was the fight about?" Paige asked.
You. "Just some random stuff," Emily lied. "Nothing we can't handle," She said with a small smile.
"Well, if you think you're right, then you should stand your ground," Paige advised. "We both know how overprotective Jai can sometimes be, but she'll eventually come to her senses."
"I know, but if I stand my ground, I might end up getting hurt and hurting someone else," Emily said vaguely. "That's why Jai thinks I shouldn't do anything about it."
Paige nodded thoughtfully. "I get why she's worried. But it's completely up to you, and I think she knows that," She reminded the girl. "The question is, is it really worth it? Whatever it is you're thinking of doing. 'Cos if you're just gonna end up hurting a lot of people, yourself included, then I might have to side with Jai on this one," Paige said apologetically.
"Thanks for the advice. I'll keep that in mind," Emily added, trying to smile. She looked down on the piece of paper Paige handed earlier to avoid the girl's eyes and focused instead on the list of ideas they have so far. She was starting to think she should listen to Jai and just forget about the whole thing. "What does Reese like?" She asked to bring the subject back to the party.
"You mean other than me?" Paige shot back good-naturedly. "Let's see… well, she likes sports—especially golf. Like you would not believe the amount of time she spends watching that sport on ESPN. That's also why she and my dad get along so well," She added with a laugh.
Great. Mr. McCullers loves Reese. "Okay, then. Why not have a miniature golf party instead?" Emily suggested, fighting the urge to roll her eyes in exasperation. "We can check for miniature golf courses in the area that's available next weekend. How many guests are you expecting?"
"Em, that's brilliant!" Paige exclaimed as she moved to the edge of her seat eagerly. "Not much. Just the team plus some of her friends. And maybe you and Jai can be there, too," She suggested.
The happiness Emily felt at being called 'Em' again by the girl was gone as quickly as it came. The last thing she wanted was to go to a party she planned for the girlfriend of the girl she's in love with. This was worse than a double date. "Maybe," Emily answered noncommittally. "I don't know what our schedule's gonna be like next week."
"Right. You and Jai probably already have date plans," Paige said in realization. "Sorry."
"No, we don't," Emily corrected. "I meant our work schedule. At Runway."
"Oh. Then that sucks," Paige remarked. "Well, if it turns out you guys are free, you both should come," She said encouragingly. "So, what do we do next?" Paige asked, eagerly tapping the table with both of her hands.
"First, we need to search for miniature golf courses then make some calls," Emily said as she took out her notebook to make a list.
"I can do that," Paige volunteered, getting her phone to access Google. "Hey, Em. In case I haven't said it before, thanks for this," She told the girl earnestly. "I know you're really busy, so it means a lot that you made time for me. You're a good friend," Paige added before focusing her attention on her phone to start typing.
"Don't mention it," Emily managed to say. Really. Please stop reminding me I'm just your friend. She thought miserably.
"Hey! I said, no peeking!" Paige repeated from behind the wheel of Reese's car when she glanced and saw that the girl was messing with the blindfold she asked Reese to wear earlier. "We're almost there."
"I can't believe I let you drive my car while I'm blindfolded," Reese grumbled impatiently.
"Well, we could've taken the bus, but you refused to wear that in public," Paige reminded the girl with a laugh.
The day of the surprise party Paige planned for her girlfriend has finally arrived, and she was both excited and nervous. Emily's idea to throw the party at a miniature golf course was perfect; she couldn't believe she didn't think about it first. After making a lot of calls to set the plan into motion, Paige knew Reese was in for a big surprise.
"We're here," Paige declared as she pulled into an empty slot and killed the engine. "Hey, I didn't say anything about taking off your blindfold," She scolded, reaching for Reese's hand to prevent the girl from touching the strip of cloth covering her eyes. "You're gonna have to trust me," Paige told the girl before exiting the vehicle to guide Reese out from the passenger side.
"I do trust you. But there better not be a mascot at this party," Reese warned as she stepped out of her car.
Paige's eyes widened in surprise. "What? How did you know?" She asked.
"There's a mascot?!" Reese exclaimed, her grip tightening on the girl's hand.
"Ow! No. There's no mascot," Paige hurriedly reassured her girlfriend. "Maybe next time," She teased, wincing when the girl squeezed her hand hard. "I meant how did you know there's a party. I wanted it to be a surprise."
"Blindfold and wild guess," Reese answered with a laugh as she gestured to her face. "But I still don't know where we're going, so that'll be a surprise. Are we there yet?" She asked, starting to get nervous.
"Almost," Paige replied, guiding the girl a few more steps before stopping. "Ready? I'm going to take off the blindfold now," She said when Reese nodded her head.
"Surprise! Happy Birthday!"
Reese brought her hands to her mouth at the sound of the collective greeting. She let her eyes adjust to the brightness, laughing with delight when she finally realized where they were. Even though she guessed it, the presence of some of her friends and former teammates still surprised her. She turned around and gave her girlfriend a hug.
"Mini golf?" Reese asked when she pulled away.
"You don't like it?" Paige asked hesitantly.
"Are you kidding? I love it! This is the last place I would ever think you would bring me," Reese said with a grin. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," Paige replied. "Well, go mingle. I'll just go back to the car to get some things," She said, gesturing behind her.
"Okay. Don't take too long. I want you on my team," Reese added before letting go of the girl's hand.
"Always," Paige answered and watched her girlfriend for a few seconds before turning around to return to the car.
Paige popped open the trunk to take out the bag of chips and other snacks she bought from the grocery earlier. It was a good thing Emily suggested making the party a sort of potluck and that their teammates and friends agreed to pitch in. At least she didn't have to plan everything by herself. She was about to head back to the group when she recalled that she hid her present to Reese in the glove compartment of the girl's car. Almost forgot. Paige thought to herself as she hastily retrieved the rolled-up piece of paper she tied with a bow.
"What did I miss?" Paige asked her girlfriend before placing the paper bags on a table where the other foods were setup. She turned around to face Reese when the girl didn't say anything. "What's wrong?" She asked when she noticed the grim expression on her girlfriend's face.
"Remember last week when you stood me up and showed up the next morning with a coffee and bagel?" Reese asked in reply. "You said you were beat after track practice, that's why you fell asleep at your friends' place," She continued when Paige nodded her head. "Well, I just had an interesting conversation with Faye. She said practice that day was canceled. So, where were you really that night?"
Paige cursed her teammate inwardly even if she knew it wasn't the girl's fault. She completely forgot about the lie she told. "Okay, don't freak out. Faye was telling the truth. The practice was canceled," She admitted. "I'm sorry I lied, but what I was really doing was planning your surprise party."
"So, that's what you were doing with your friends? They helped you plan this whole mini golf party?" Reese asked, relieved.
Paige laughed. "Yeah. Or as Emily liked to call it, a putt-putt party," She added before she could stop herself.
"Emily? Why would she say that?" Reese asked, confused. "How could she know? Who helped you plan this party?"
"She came up with the idea," Paige confessed after a beat.
"Did you ask for her help, or did she volunteer?" Reese pressed.
"Why does that matter?" Paige asked in reply.
"It just does," Reese argued. "Did you ask, or did she volunteer?" She repeated.
"Fine. I asked for her help. But it's not a big deal," Paige insisted. "She came up with the idea and helped me with the details because I don't have experience throwing these kinds of things. She does."
"You weren't with Ria and Jai that night, were you?" Reese asked, realization dawning on her. "Please, just tell the truth," She implored.
Paige sighed. This was not how she thought the day would go. "No. I wasn't," She answered, wishing she could do something to take away the sadness in the girl's face.
"You were with her this whole time, and you lied about it," Reese said almost to herself.
"Only because I didn't want to ruin the surprise," Paige reasoned out. "Come on, Reese. It doesn't mean anything."
"You know, I would've understood if you went to Jai or Kayla for help. Heck, even Ria. But Emily?" Reese asked incredulously. "If you don't understand why that bothers me, then we have a problem," She told the girl before walking away.
"Reese," Paige uttered pleadingly, reaching for the girl's hand to stop her from leaving, but Reese forcefully pulled her hand away.
Paige watched as the girl joined some of her friends, aware that she was still holding in her other hand a copy of the contract to sell of the house her father just bought. She was going to tell Reese they wouldn't have to celebrate the girl's next birthdays apart. But standing here by herself, Paige felt like they couldn't even celebrate today the girl's birthday together.
"Hey. It's me again. Please, please, please talk to me," Paige begged over the phone as she stepped inside her apartment building four hours later. "Please?"
After the fight that they had, Reese ignored Paige for the rest of the party. Even if she joined the girl's team for the mini-golf competition, Reese never spoke a word to her. She had to find out that her girlfriend was hitching a ride with her friends via a text message Reese sent her.
Take my car home. Will go with Gemma and my other friends to Doobies.
Well, at least she told me where she was going. Paige dejectedly thought as she pushed the button to her floor. She just needed a chance to explain herself, but the girl won't hear her out. Give her time. Paige told herself. Maybe tomorrow she'll listen. She thought as she stepped outside the elevator and made her way to her apartment. She just hoped the girl's friends will play devil's advocate instead of fanning the flame.
"Em," Paige stopped in her tracks when she saw the girl standing outside her door. "What are you doing here?" She asked as she got closer.
"Sorry for dropping by unannounced. I just wanted to know how the surprise party went," Emily explained while watching the girl open the door. "Did Reese like it?"
"It was a disaster," Paige lamented, stepping aside to let the girl in. "She found out the entire thing was your idea, and we got into a fight. She didn't talk to me for the rest of the party."
"What? That's crazy. Because I helped you?" Emily asked with a confused look.
"No. Because I asked," Paige corrected. "You see, last year, she caught me sneaking in after my late-night visit to your room," She confessed as she walked to the kitchen to get a glass of water. "I didn't tell her about the gift, and it's been a sensitive issue between us since then. We never talked about it after that night. Sort of taboo. Then there was that trip to Scranton."
"You didn't get along with her family?" Emily asked, torn between feeling sorry for the girl and relieved.
"I did. I mean, they were really nice," Paige answered as she took a seat on one of the chairs on the center island. "They made me feel welcome. But I just didn't fit in," She admitted. "That's why when we got back here, I decided I would ask for your help to make it up to her. But then that whole MacGyver thing happened when I was supposed to spend the night at her place, so I ended up lying about where I was and who I was with," Paige explained with a sigh.
"I didn't know I was an issue," Emily said hesitantly, not knowing what to make of the things the girl just told her. "I don't want to cause trouble."
"You're not," Paige reassured the girl. "But Reese thinks I'm still hung up on you or something. Which is crazy because you're with Jai, and we're all friends, so naturally, I would spend time with you," She explained, her tone frustrated. "I've been trying to call her, but it just goes straight to voicemail," Paige said, placing her phone unceremoniously on the countertop.
"Maybe I should leave," Emily offered when she saw how distraught the girl was. "Reese might show up, and I don't want to make the situation worse."
Paige sighed. "I think that's a good idea. Thanks. And to be honest, I'm a little tired, too. I think I'm gonna lie down for a bit," She said, getting up. "Sorry, I'm not a better host. Maybe tomorrow we can grab lunch or something," Paige suggested as she followed the girl to the door. "My treat."
"Okay. It's a date," Emily said before she could stop herself. "Between friends," She added, nervously turning around to face the girl with her hand on the door. She was about to pull it open when Paige's left hand slammed against it, and Emily suddenly felt the girl's other hand on her lower arm. "Paige?" She uttered, taken aback by the girl's proximity and the tight grip on her arm. Emily could practically feel Paige's warm breath on her skin and her heart started to race.
"Why are you wearing this?" Paige asked, her gaze on the worn-out blue, yellow, and pink bracelet on Emily's wrist. She looked up at the girl, confused. "Em?"
"I—I really have to go," Emily stammered. She felt exposed and vulnerable as she stood there, and Emily swore the other girl could feel her pulse was racing.
"No. No," Paige repeated firmly as she tightened her grip on Emily's arm. "You're not going anywhere."
