ALERT ALERT: I have not abandoned this story. I am super sorry for leaving you guys hanging like this. That wasn't my intention. I could go on and on how I haven't actually written anything since finishing TIAM and that I had started writing my new story, Burn With you, around September/October last year, but I don't want to bore you with my personal crap. Fact is, life is life and writing isn't my priority anymore, that's something (okay, someone) else now.
Anyway, I hope it won't be another three months until I can post the next chapter. Until then, I hope you enjoy this chapter.
"Ashley, I told you I am basically off the grid for this weekend. I wanna spend my time with the people I care about and not waste it on reading scripts", Callie says into the phone while she paces back and forth in front of the door to the balcony, throwing me apologizing glances every now and then. She has her cellphone pressed between her right shoulder and ear as she tries to fix her earring on the other side. "No, Ashley", the brunette sighs and it seems like she wants to roll her eyes at the woman on the other end of the line. "If they want me to read the script, they can wait for another four days. I will be busy for the next few months shooting my next movie anyway. Why did you tell them we'd get back to them within this weekend?" Covering the bottom part of her phone with her hand, brown eyes find mine and Callie's mouths an 'I'm sorry' in my direction.
I wave it off, my eyes never leaving her. It's not her fault that her agent is very insistent and tries to get a hold of her for the umpteenth time today. And Callie didn't answer any of them except for that one call she's still having, wanting to have a stress free night once we leave the loft for our dinner date. Technically speaking, it will be our first dinner date outside of this place as girlfriends, or ever. Hell, it will be our first dinner at a restaurant since we first met. A dinner date that should have happened last weekend, had I not been sick. The antibiotics have worked their magic though, and she can finally take me out tonight. In public. Where people can recognize her. And I can openly admit that I am a little anxious. What if people approach her? What if those people ask who I am? What should I say? 'Arizona Robbins, her girlfriend, nice to meet you'? You can't say that, Arizona. Do I say anything at all?
"Ashley, no", Callie's voice brings me out of my thoughts. "For the hundredth time, I won't read the script over this weekend. I can start Sunday evening, if that makes you sleep tonight, but until then, I have better, more important things to do." Slipping into her high heels and straightening up again, the beautiful brunette glances at me and shoots me a wink with a killer smile. Better things to do? Alright! "I'll get back to you as soon as I finished the script. Enjoy your weekend." And then she simply ends the call. "I am so sorry about that, Arizona", she apologizes and steps forward, closing the gap between us. "You must think I put on the worst air of stars when I am talking to my agent. It's just that she won't understand any other way, she would have bugged me with it the whole evening and tomorrow as well as Sunday and I-"
Needing to stop her ramble, I crash my lips against hers and push my tongue into her mouth, effectively ending any chain of thoughts she could have had in her brain. At least that's what happens to you any time she kisses you like that, Robbins. My fingers weave through her silky hair without messing it up too much and when I pull away, I give her a dimpled smile. "You're not a stuck up, temperamental actress, I already know that." She is anything but that. "Where are you taking me?", I ask, changing the subject as Callie's breath evens out again.
A gorgeous, bright smile spreads over her whole face before she answers, "It's a surprise. You'll like it, though. Good drinks, amazing food, a really nice ambiance and there's the occasional live band playing in the background." I just watch her as she checks her appearance one last time in the mirror. To be honest, she could take me out to McDonald's or some sleazy dinner in the skimpiest part of LA and I wouldn't care. It's all about the company. Ruffling through her mane one last time, she eventually turns around and asks, "Are you ready?"
Not sure if I am dressed right for whatever place she has picked, but I guess I have to trust her earlier words about me looking perfect. Even though it is her who looks perfect. The black high-waist dress pants and the pale green blouselook amazing on her, her darker complexion creating an amazing contrast with the fabric of her top. Me? I am wearing a simple blue dress that doesn't show too much skin but just enough to tease her. I am really glad Teddy forced me to buy a couple of dresses whenever we went out shopping after I got back from traveling. That really comes in handy since I am with Callie. But, do I look okay? "As ready as I'll ever be."
But before I can walk past her, I can feel her hand clasping around my wrist. It's a gentle touch, soft enough not to hurt me, but firm enough to really stop me. "You'll do great, Arizona." Her hand moves down to play with my fingers. "And if it gets too much or if you feel uncomfortable even for the shortest second, you can always tell me and we leave, okay?" I nod and squeeze her hand as she does the same to mine. A couple of seconds later, I am about to pull away, but this time, it's her who connects our lips. It's softer than the previous one we shared, reassuring in a way only she has the ability to do with just a single kiss. "Alright. George is waiting outside for us", she says, pecking my lips once more before disentangling herself from me to help me into my jacket.
"Thank you", I smile at her, securing the infinity scarf around my neck and tugging it under my jacket before zipping it up. A second round of bronchitis is definitely not something I need right now. There's so much law school stuff I still have to catch up with – and even though learning and staying on top of everything has never been a problem for me – the stack of books and notes does not need to grow higher.
Tanned fingers interlock with mine as we walk outside and towards the car. It's an act like that, something super simple like holding hands in public, that says so much. Despite the nerves and the fear about being with her where people can see us, the fact that she does not hide us, doesn't hide me, puts a huge smile on my face. Even as we get in the car it hasn't disappeared. On the contrary, when she places her hand on my thigh, it widens even more, dimples popping deep into my cheeks. You can do tonight, Arizona, when she's by your side.
"This is soooo good, Calliope", I say – her full first name leaves my lips more often now that she's my girlfriend - almost moan as the chocolate melts on my tongue and coats my taste buds. The amount of money – which is ridiculously high – they want for their five-star-restaurant food is so justified. The lamb I had was super soft and deliciously perfect with the sauce and the salad on the side. Callie's salmon was – according to her own words – the best she ever had and this dessert is heavenly amazing. Up until this very moment, my mom's chocolate soufflé was by far my favorite type of dessert, but it just got bumped to my second favorite one. "I wanna have this soufflé every day for the rest of my life. Oh wait", I start to correct myself, "I'd weigh two-hundred pounds within a week. I don't want that."
"You'd still be beautiful", the Latina remarks and takes my hand to lace our fingers openly and for everyone to see on top of the table. And even though the restaurant isn't crowded – there's another couple sitting three tables away from ours and what looks like a group of friends sits closer to the bar – I can feel my heartbeat quicken and my eyes widen. "Are you uncomfortable?", she asks, noticing my reaction and beginning to pull away.
Sensing that, I tighten the hold and stroke my thumb over hers. "I'm not. Just... surprised, I guess?" My gaze switches between our joint hands, her lips and those deep brown orbs that shimmer in the candle lights flickering on the table between us. "I didn't know what was allowed and what we couldn't do", I add, blushing as a bright smile appears on her face.
"Arizona", she addresses me and leans closer over the table after pushing her dessert aside, "just in case you forgot, you're my girlfriend. I may be in the spotlight every time I leave my house, but I would never, not in a million years, hide you or what I feel for you. If that would be my intention, I would not have asked you to be my girlfriend nor invited you out for dinner. Or at least, I would have spoken up from the start. Yes, my private life is my sanctum and I don't need people snooping around in it but you have my word that I don't want to hide us. Unless that is something you would want."
The grin on my face must be one of the brightest and at the same time, one of the most stupid ones I ever had. It should sink in, one of these days, and I am sure that it will and that I will actually understand that she is with me. But right now, not even a week after she has asked me to be officially her girlfriend, everything is still so new. "I don't want to hide us either", I reply, still smiling. I have never tried to hide my sexuality. And I sure as hell don't want to start doing so in my twenties.
"Good." There's a quick nod that follows her answer and then she finishes her dessert – strawberry-cheesecake with a touch of caramel sauce. Our eyes lock every now and then, stolen glances are exchanged back and forth as more and more food finds its way into our stomachs.
It's a comfortable silence. When I am not watching her, my eyes wander through the restaurant. Subconsciously, I am checking if somebody is watching her, watching us. I cannot believe that nobody came to our table and ambushed her. It's called respect, Arizona. You didn't exactly fall into her arms the night you met, either. Well, not until she made the first move. Because I know how to behave and you don't just walk up to someone and ask for their autograph.
"Have you ever given it a try?", Callie asks out of nowhere and chuckles when I just blink at her. She takes a sip of her wine and continues, my eyes never leaving her beautiful face. "I finished your book, Arizona. This is... magical. The love, the characters and what they go through. It's not packed with drama, but it doesn't need it. Just how you let the characters grow up, as individuals and as a group, it's amazing what you do with your words. So, my question is, have you ever sent it out to publishing agencies?"
Gulping, I avert my gaze. There was one time, a month right after I had finished it. After all the hard work was done, I worked even harder on it, fixed all the errors, edited words, read it at least a million times and then sent out one submission to one agency. The rejection stung and I never dared another attempt. "Kind of", I answer and stare at my plate. There's one last scoop of soufflé left, but I am full, close to exploding. "Once."
"You should try again, baby", she says and I instantly look up.
It's the first time she calls me that and in my stomach starts a hurricane of wild fluttering butterflies. It's a storm of emotions until I realize what she has said. "But they rejected me already", I whisper, shrugging my shoulders. When it comes to my writing, I feel more vulnerable than with anything else. Because if people criticize my writing, they also criticize the things I say and feel. "They didn't want it."
Dark brown eyes bore into my heart and soul as she puts her hand on top of mine. "You only need one. One single publisher out there that likes your story is enough. It might take time and it might be frustrating, but you should really put yourself and your words out there. Without trying, you already have a no for an answer. But imagine someone actually wants it? Wouldn't that be amazing?"
"Beyond amazing", I agree. Nevertheless, I am fucking scared. I don't know how she does it, how she did not give up. Because after my first and last attempt to spread my feelers out, I just wanted to crawl under my blanket and stay there forever. That's why only Anna and Teddy have a copy. It's the reason why Two In A Million was locked up – not really, but in a way, it was – in my the drawer of my bedside table. "Can we talk about something else?", I ask.
"What do you say about leaving this place?", Callie asks, sensing the change of mood within me. "I'm sure I can think of a lot of better places for what I want to do to you than here at the restaurant. Namely my bedroom, living room, kitchen table..."
Her voice has literally dropped an octave and became hoarse as she breathed the words over the table separating us, leaving the rest to my imagination. My mouth goes dry and waters a second later. How can one woman be so sexy and persuading with a few very well chosen words? "Lead the way."
*BUZZ DING BUZZ* Groaning and with my eyes closed, I reach out my hand, patting over the surface of the nightstand. *BUZZ DING BUZZ* "What the-", I moan, sitting up a little. But before I can finish that sentence, my phone buzzes again, moving over the wooden bedside table. What time is it? Opening my eyes after rubbing them, I realize it's still relatively dark inside Callie's bedroom and only a little brighter outside. Furthermore, I am very much alone in this room. Who's trying to annoy me this early in the morning?
Grabbing my phone, I am ready to yell at the person who's calling me. But it's not an incoming call. It's text messages. Pictures Teddy sends me, to be exact. Why is she up already? Clicking on the first, I am wide awake within an instant, my eyes almost bulging out of my head as I stare at the small screen. "What the... fuck?", I repeat, my cellphone once again chiming and buzzing in my hands. Another picture. Rapidly clicking my way through them, I start shaking my head. This cannot be good.
"You're up. Good." Her voice startles me, I haven't heard her walking back into the bedroom. And where has she been anyway? "There's something you need to see", she starts, turning the iPad around to show me the headline of one of the tabloids. CALLIE TORRES SPOTTED HAVING DINNER WITH BLONDE WOMAN. Yep, I've seen this on my phone already. Switching to the next tabloid it reads CALLIE TORRES GAY!? With the question marks getting bigger and bigger.
Shit! This can't be good. If I am freaking out, then how must she be feeling about this. WHO IS THE BLONDE WOMAN DATING CALLIE TORRES? How do they even know we're dating? WHO IS THE MYSTERIOUS WOMAN KISSING HOT SHOT ACTRESS CALLIE TORRES? Squinting my still slightly sleepy eyes at the pictures I spot one where she brushes a soft kiss on my lips. Oh... that's how they know, Arizona. I remember that kiss. It was slow. Tender, yet lingering. Busted... CALLIE TORRES IN LOVE WITH A WOMAN?! Fuck. It's a lot. It's everywhere, on every tabloid's front page, every catch line has her name in it. My head is spinning, the room around me is spinning. "Callie, I-"
"Don't", she stops me and holds up her right hand as she softly presses the fingertips of her left hand against my mouth. Lowering my head and chewing on the inside of my lip, I wait for her to end it. Which hurts. Already. We should have known this would happen. You should have figured this would happen, Arizona. I feel her thumb and index finger gently lifting my chin, looking me in the eyes as our gazes lock. "I told you I'm not hiding you. I am not ashamed of who I am nor who I am in a relationship with. I could have stayed in with you if that were the case. But it's not. And look at us. We look good, no, even great together", she jokes, her hand moving into my hair and brushing it out of my face. "Ashley called me earlier this morning, telling me that Ellen, Cristina and Izzie already handed in a request for me to be in their next show." Please, don't go to Izzie, I think to myself. When it comes to celebrity gossip, Izzie is the worst. "I gotta call her back within the next two hours to tell her which one I'd be on first. I already know what their questions will be, they'll be curious about you. There's only little information I will give them about your life, to protect you, but I. Am. Not. Hiding. Us", she says, emphasizing every word.
So that's why she's been up. My phone hasn't stopped buzzing and I can't help but roll my eyes at my best friend. Well, at least she knew about my relationship with Callie before today. I would have never heard the end of it if she would have gotten the news through the tabloids. 'You're on the freaking covers of every magazine, A!' "It's Teddy", I chuckle. "No idea why she is up, but she keeps sending me these pictures as well."
"It's everywhere. On TV, on the internet. Everybody probably knows by now." She looks at me and there's this warm smile on her face that I love so much. Even though her face is only illuminated by the iPad's screen shining up from its spot in my lap, I can see her beauty. She's radiating, any time of the day, whether it's wild bed-hair tugged into a messy ponytail or the most perfect hairdo. "How do you feel?"
"It's a lot", I exhale, giving her a lopsided smile, "to take in." Well, duh, Arizona. I mentally slap my forehead. "I kind of had the small hope that we would fly under the paparazzi's radar for a few more weeks. Not that I mind that people know. To be honest, I feel like I want to shout it from the rooftops, and I am normally not a person who seeks publicity like that. But people actually should know so they don't think about hitting on you. Still, I didn't think it would go from zero to one-thousand within one night, I guess."
Chuckling, the brunette nudges my nose with hers. "You're adorable when you ramble", Callie grins at me before placing her lips against mine. "Mhmm, super adorable." Without much effort, she pushes me back onto the mattress and slides on top of me, her hips immediately rolling into mine. Full lips take mine in a more passionate kiss as her right hand travels down my body, gliding under the fabric of my panties with practiced ease.
"Calliope", I moan against her lips, my body bucking to the rhythm of her hand. Fuck, she has me wet and ready to go within seconds. How does she do this?
I can feel her lips curl into a smile as she tears her mouth away from mine and moves up to my ear. "I like the way my name sounds coming from your lips. It actually makes me like it, especially when it comes with a moan", she whispers, her tongue tracing the shell of my ear just as she finishes her sentences. Kissing down to my neck, the Latina finds that one spot that always makes me weak in the knees as if she had been doing it for years now. "You're getting wet, Arizona. It's so hot." And with that, everything I feel, everything I know, it's her. Callie consumes me completely and I would never dream about fighting it.
AN2: Everybody was waiting for this, right? Will Arizona be able to handle it? How will the people around her react? Will it cause trouble in paradise? Stay tuned to find out :)
p.s. thoughts?