Annabeth groaned softly as she stared down at the dollar value of how much food they had lost when the power went out. It would probably be written off by insurance, but she wasn't even sure how they had seven thousand dollars worth of food in their freezers. The worst part of it was that the freezers were now bare, and she could feel all of the complaints coming.

"Hey Annabeth," Grover greeted as he appeared at the door of her office. Annabeth looked up and smiled at him. "Are you doing okay?"

"I just know it's going to be a long day," Annabeth answered. She stood. "How are things at the cafe?"

"Everything in the fridge is spoiled," Grover answered. Annabeth frowned. That would be another problem. If they didn't have any coffee, there would be even more complaints. Whenever they had to close down Nectar and Ambrosia, customers acted like it was the end of the world.

"Great," Annabeth said. She rubbed her forehead. "I doubt we have anything to replace what we lost, but go ahead and clean out the fridge. See if we can replace anything."

"If we don't have milk, should we run over to Percy's store and buy some?" Grover asked. "I'll go!"

"Yeah," Annabeth agreed. A smile came to her face. "That will be perfect. Tell him hi for me."

"I will," Grover promised. The two of them walked down the hallway and out onto the shop floor. It wasn't that busy, and Annabeth really hoped it would stay that way. She knew better, though. "Juniper and I wish that we didn't miss laser tag."

"It was fun," Annabeth said. "We got to meet Thalia's crush: Reyna."

"And what do you think of her?" Grover asked with a knowing look.

"She seems pretty cool. I'll have to interrogate her on my own time," Annabeth answered. She smiled. "I just wish that Thalia would just ask her out. It's like she's so scared of getting rejected that she won't take the chance."

"When was the last time you saw Thalia have a crush like this?" Grover questioned. "I think she's scared that Reyna will say no, and she'll have spent the last year crushing on someone who doesn't like her back. It's absolutely heartbreaking."

"Yeah," Annabeth agreed. Her smile was lost as she thought of her ex. Annabeth had known Luke for so long and thought she knew everything about him. Nothing he did could surprise her, until it did. Annabeth should have known that she was being cheated on. She should have seen the signs.

"Hey, you okay?" Grover asked. Annabeth looked at him and nodded. "Are you sure?"

"I'm fine," Annabeth promised, and it hurt her to lie. She averted her gaze. "Just stressed about all the stuff that is going on."

"There's no need to be stressed about it. All we can do is make the best of our situation," Grover said. Annabeth nodded. She didn't know how Grover could seem to be so positive about everything, but she tried to model herself after him. It never really seemed to work.

"I know," Annabeth agreed. She followed Grover to Nectar and Ambrosia. Juniper was busy writing a list. "Morning Juniper. How are you today?"

"I'm good, Annabeth. You look tired," Juniper commented.

"I am," Annabeth admitted. She looked down. "It was just crazy with the power going out, and I went to Percy's store. I ended up staying later than I wanted to."

"Oh really?" Grover questioned as he turned. He gave Juniper a look that was too quick for Annabeth to read. "He didn't kick you out?"

"No. I hung out with him for an hour while we waited for the storm warning to pass. I offered to hang out with something this week or next week to get dinner," Annabeth explained. It felt like so long since she had been able to sit down and just hang out with Percy.

Percy had been busy with trying to find a new job and then get settled in. Annabeth was saddened when Percy first said that he was leaving to find another job, but she couldn't help how proud she was for him doing his best to better his life. He got a much better paying job, and he deserved it.

"You tell Percy that he better have dinner with us soon," Juniper warned.

"I will," Annabeth promised as she held her hands up. Juniper smiled. "If you guys need anything, let me know."

"We will," Grover promised. Annabeth nodded and turned towards the registers. Everyone in the store had been informed about there being no food, and she had made a few signs to put up in their grocery area. Annabeth just knew people wouldn't read the sign and would complain.

"Hey, Annabeth," a voice greeted. Annabeth turned and looked at the newcomer in surprise. Reyna smiled at her. "Do you have a second to talk?"

"Of course," Annabeth answered with a smile. She studied the woman in front of her. Reyna was wearing gym shorts and a black shirt. It looked like she was getting ready to work out. Like anytime Annabeth had seen Reyna, her braid was immaculately done. Annabeth would never say it aloud, but she always found it odd that Thalia had such a crush on Reyna.

Sure, Reyna was hot, but she also seemed more rigid than Thalia. More mature as well. Annabeth loved Thalia, but that woman was going to give her a heart attack. Granted, dating Reyna could be the stability that Thalia needed, but it also sounded like Reyna had her own problems to worry about.

It wasn't that Annabeth didn't approve of the two dating, but she was protective of Thalia. It was going to take a literally perfect person for Annabeth to completely approve of them. Anything less meant Annabeth would keep a very close eye on them.

"What can I do for you today?" Annabeth asked. Unless her schedule had changed, Reyna wouldn't be at her store until later in the afternoon. Was she stopping by The Pantheon just to get advice or groceries too?

"I was just thinking about our conversation yesterday," Reyna answered. She shifted slightly, and a small blush came to her face.

"About you asking someone out?" Annabeth asked. Reyna nodded. "You should go for it, Reyna."

"That's why I'm here," Reyna began. Annabeth felt confusion take over her face. Why would Reyna be there then? Shouldn't she be at her store to ask Thalia? Wait. "I know that we don't know each other too well, but I really enjoyed the time we spent together. I also know you just got out of a pretty serious relationship, so if it's too soon, let me know."

"But, would you like to go out with me?" Reyna asked. Annabeth stared at her. "For dinner? Or maybe lunch? Depending on your schedule."

"Reyna," Annabeth began, and she felt her face heating up slightly. Reyna watched her, and while she looked calm, Annabeth could see her nervousness. Her shoulders were slightly tense, and her face was starting to turn red.

Oh, this was awkward.

"I'm flattered," Annabeth continued. She saw Reyna's shoulders droop slightly, and the other woman seemed to steel herself. "I think you would make an amazing date. I just... I'm not into girls."

"I'm sorry," Reyna said. Her face turned completely red. "I'm really sorry. I just assumed that you were when you said you would date Piper."

"I didn't mean to give you the wrong impression," Annabeth said. Reyna nodded and looked away awkwardly. She looked absolutely mortified. "I really am flattered, Reyna. For the record, I would date you if I was into women, but I know you'll find someone who will want to date you. All you have to do is put yourself out there."

Annabeth wanted to grab her jaw and close her mouth shut. Here she was telling Reyna to just put herself out there and she had done exactly that only to get turned down. To her credit, Reyna didn't seem upset. She nodded but also looked like she wanted to curl up and die.

"I'll let you get back to work," Reyna said in a quiet voice. She turned away.

"Wait," Annabeth said gently. Reyna slowly looked at her. "I don't want things to be awkward between us if you come to the bar again sometime, or would you only come to see me?"

"No," Reyna answered. She looked down and crossed her arms. "I enjoyed just hanging out with you guys. I really did. If it will be too awkward, I don't have to come."

"I enjoy hanging out with you as a friend. It won't be awkward," Annabeth promised. Reyna looked up at her again and slowly nodded. "Besides, you're stuck in this friend group now. There is no escape."

Reyna smiled slightly. Annabeth studied her shoulders and then gently bumped the woman's good arm. "Don't be too down. You'll find someone else in no time. And I'm sure Nico wouldn't have approved of me."

"Thanks, Annabeth," Reyna whispered. She looked down. "I should get going."

"Have a good one," Annabeth said gently. Reyna looked at her and tried to smile again, but Annabeth could see that she was bummed about being turned down. "If you're not doing that thing on Saturday, will I see you at the bar?"

"Yeah. I think so," Reyna said. A small but genuine smile came to her face, and she walked away. Annabeth waited a few moments and let out a sigh. She walked back towards her office and grabbed her phone. That was awkward, but the really awkward part was about to come.

Annabeth was flattered by being asked out, but she just wasn't ready for it. With dating Luke, she had put everything into that relationship. Hell, they had been getting ready to get married! It wasn't that Annabeth now thought all men were liars or pigs, but she just knew that she couldn't put her entire heart into another relationship. Not now.

Annabeth sighed and looked down. How was she going to tell Thalia this? The two were best friends, and they told each other everything. Which meant she was going to have to tell Thalia about this. Thalia had to brace herself in case Reyna brought it up. The last thing they needed was for her to make an even bigger fool of herself in front of her crush.

A glance at the time did nothing but strum up her nerves. There was no need for her to be worried about this, but she didn't know how Thalia would react to hearing that her crush was not interested in her. Well, at least not as interested as she was in Annabeth. The last thing they needed was for Thalia to have her heart broken.

Annabeth grabbed her phone and called Thalia. She sat down at her desk. After too many rings, Thalia answered the phone right before it would go to voicemail. She spoke, "It's way too early for this. I haven't even had coffee yet."

"You're at work and don't have coffee? How will you ever survive?" Annabeth teased herself as she thought about how to phrase what had just happened.

"You should be at work, so I'm hanging up," Thalia threatened.

"This is important," Annabeth said. Thalia sighed and sounded like she was shifting in her chair, probably to stay awake. Or grab her coffee. "It is."

"Ugh," Thalia groaned. "Fine. What is it?"

"I got asked out," Annabeth began.

"Congrats, Beth," Thalia said, and even though she still sounded tired, sarcasm flooded her tone. "You finally realized that you are a goddess."

Annabeth ignored the jab and spoke, "By Reyna."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Thalia?"

"YOU WHAT!?"