"The Most Eligible Bachelor"
Summary: Summer and Seth are leading separate lives now, but what happens when Summer's story for a leading magazine forces them together?
Disclaimer: I'd like to stake a claim on Adam Brody's dimples, but really, I don't own any of the O.C. characters or story lines.
Chapter Five: Old Habits die Hard
"Anna?" Summer said, surprised to be bumping into her in Cohen's office.
"Hi, Summer. It's, well, very surprising to see you here," the blonde replied with a too sweet smile on her face.
"Yeah. I was just thinking the same thing about you," Summer said, trying to figure out what Anna WAS doing in Cohen's office building. Before her wonderings could get any farther, she heard the voice of Cohen behind her.
"Summer! You almost forgot Pr-hey, Anna. I was wondering when you were coming in today," Seth said, realizing the awkwardness of Summer and Anna being in the same place at the same time, even though their love triangle had been non-existent for almost 8 years.
"I know I should have called, but I had a late night last night going over the proofs for the next issue, and I over-slept my alarm."
"Wait, you work here, too?" Summer asked, her curiosity rising by the second.
"Yes, actually. Shortly after I graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago, I saw a job posting on the Internet for a new comic book company, and when I came in for the interview, it was Seth's. I'm actually Vice President now," Anna state proudly.
"Wow, that's great," Summer said, trying to mask the disappointment in her tone from finding out that Seth had been collaborating with Anna.
"So, how have you been, Summer? What are you doing these days?"
"Actually, I'm a reporter for Cosmo. I got assigned to a story for our 'All About Men' issue where I'd be interviewing and profiling the most eligible bachelors on the west coast, and you can imagine my shock when my editor said they were Seth Cohen, Ryan Atwood and Zach Stevens."
"That is, well, pretty funny," Anna said. Summer watched as Anna's eyes caught the ring on her finger. "So, I see that you're engaged or married?"
"Um, actually, neither," Summer answered, stealing a quick glance at Seth. "It's just a ring I've had for a long time. How about you? Are you seeing anyone?"
"No, no I'm not. I haven't had a serious boyfriend in a REALLY long time," she replied, also stealing a glance in Seth's direction. Feeling the tension and awkwardness rising, Seth finally cut into the girls' conversation.
"Well, Summer, I chased you out here, because you forgot Princess Sparkles, and I know how you get when she's not with you," Seth smiled. Summer looked up into his eyes and reached for her toy horse.
"Thanks, Cohen. I would've been freaking out back at the hotel," Summer said, still holding his gaze. After about 30 seconds, she broke his gaze and placed Princess Sparkles in her bag. "So I guess I'll see you tonight?"
"Yes, and I can't wait," Seth said as Anna shot daggers towards both he and Summer. She cleared her throat. "Well, I guess the VP and I have a lot of work to get done yet today, so until then."
"Until then," Summer said as she stepped onto the elevator. Seth watched until the doors were completely closed and then turned to a seemingly pissed off Anna.
"Seth! What was she doing here?"
"Um, I would've thought that that was made clear when she said she was interviewing me for a piece for the magazine at which she works?" Seth replied sarcastically.
"Ugh! You know what I mean. Do you not remember that she is the girl that broke your heart? The reason you've been alone for, oh, 6 years? The reason that you're an insomniac? The reason that you went through 1 year of extensive therapy?"
"Anna, as much as I like being reminded of all of that, let's not do this. I know that you're not exactly Summer's number one fan, but I pretty much am. I know that she's hurt me in the past, but believe me when I say, I hurt her more than my fair share of times in the past, too. I'm just happy that she's back in my life again, in any capacity, and the fact that one of my best friends is not supportive of that kind of sucks," Seth said, clearly annoyed with Anna's attitude towards Summer. "Anyway, we do have some deadlines to take into consideration right now, so why don't we quit talking about this and be productive?"
"Sure thing, boss," Anna replied with an extreme lack of enthusiasm.
Summer could not believe that Anna worked for Seth. As she left the O.S. building, she felt completely freaked out by the whole thing. It was obvious to her that Anna was still very attached to Seth, and judging by the death glares that Anna had shot her when Seth came to return Princess Sparkles, she was none too happy that Summer was back in town.
Summer dug through her purse for her sunglasses and cell phone and paged through her contacts list for Marissa's number.
"Coop?...It's good to hear your voice, too…Yeah, I'm in LA…You'll never guess who I just interviewed…Ok, either Cohen talked to Ryan who talked to you, or you are a psychic…haha, funny…Lunch?...Crab Shack?...Ok, give me about an hour…bu-bye."
After instructing the driver to the pier in Newport, Summer leaned back against the neck rest and closed her eyes, happy to be on her way to a vent session with her best friend who she hadn't physically seen in over a year.
"So he still seems totally into you?" Marissa questioned with giddiness in her voice after Summer had given her the unabridged story of her visit to Seth's office.
"It was like when we looked into each other's eyes, I mean, really looked, it felt like nothing had changed, and there was still so much feeling between us," Summer responded, clearly off in her own land.
"So what about Anna? Did it seem like there was something going on between them?"
Summer frowned slightly. "Well, she said she wasn't dating anyone. But let me tell you, I felt like I was burning under the gaze that she was giving me when Seth and I were having our little moment by the elevator." Summer paused and looked down. "When it was just him and me in his office, I felt like we had a lot of work to do where any type of relationship was concerned, but I could seriously see this trip being all about reconciliation. Seeing Anna though, it just made me realize that there are going to be a lot of obstacles. You can't just be away from someone for 6 years and not expect a lot to have changed. I just, I just HATE more than anything that she's been in his life and I haven't, ya know?"
Marissa, who'd been listening intently, nodded to her friend and covered Summer's hand with her own, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Summer, I know that things are going to be difficult with Seth, even if all you want is a friendship, but take it from someone who's been around Seth for all of the time that you haven't: The boy is in love with YOU. And ONLY you. Ryan and I have set him up with a countless variety of women over the years, and he hasn't even come away with a kiss or a second date. Not once."
Marissa stared until Summer looked up before she finished. "Sum, whether you want to admit it or not, it was your insecurities, insecurities like THESE, that you're having about Anna right now that caused you to push Seth away in the first place. When you get a second chance like you have right now, you can't afford to make the same mistakes."
Summer looked up at her best friend and nodded, knowing that she was right. "Coop, everything you've said, I know. It's just hard sometimes. Hard to know how much I've missed and how much it is my fault. But no matter what, I am still hardwired to have these types of insecurities. I'm glad to have someone like you, to remind me when I'm making a mistake that I'll regret. I wish you could have been there 6 years ago."
Feeling herself being overcome by tears and emotions, Summer quickly cast her gaze downward again, in an attempt to conceal her face from her friend's concerned eyes. As she looked downward, she noticed a series of light reflections moving around on the table, in time with the way that Marissa's hand rubbed hers. Slowly, she drew her gaze upward and gasped at what she saw.
"When were you going to tell me about this!" Summer exclaimed, grabbing her friend's left hand and taking a moment to admire the 2 carat rock that rested on it.
"Well, it only happened last night. I was just waiting for you to get done venting, so I could slip it into the conversation," Marissa said, now posing her hand out proudly.
"So don't you have something to ask me?" Summer hinted with a smile on her face.
"Of course I do. Ahem. Summer, will you be my maid of honor when I become Mrs. Ryan Atwood!"
Summer flashed Marissa a smirk. "I thought you'd never ask, my dear." The two girls erupted into a fit of giggles and left the restaurant, Summer planning Marissa's bachelorette party as they walked along.
A/N There's a hint of some Ryrissa for all of those that have been asking for it. Thanks again for the feedback and I hope to have another few chapters out tomorrow. Peace.