A/N: sorry for the delay! If there's still anyone out there, I hope this piece can make it out to you.
It was lunch break and Emma took her time to eat the poor tuna sandwich she had just bought at the cafe across the street. It wasn't much but it had to be enough until she finished her shift in a couple of hours. While she unpacked it and tossed the tin foil away, she took the chance to grab her phone and just do what she was best at: wasting time. She was about to text Mary Margaret when a notification popped up.
You are on fire! 6 people have liked you. Open the app to see who and get ready to swipe right to get a match!
Emma eyed the fire icon and sighed. What the hell? She was there to waste some time after all. She pressed the icon and the app immediately showed her pictures of a boy. Intuitively, she managed to be able to scroll through the app, seeing many faces swiping right or left. Mostly left.
Suddenly, she stopped at one girl. She looked good, especially with her long dark hair up in a ponytail. In the few -two- pictures Emma could see she wasn't really smiling, but had an ironic smirk that was mysterious enough to decide to swipe right.
"Lily Page," she read out loud, liking the sound of it. Her thumb hovered over the picture and went to swipe right, but her finger slipped and slid up. A big Super Like appeared on the screen and Emma's eyes went wide.
"No. What is this? How…?" she murmured trying to stop whatever the app was doing, but she only made things worse by swiping right to a few other people. She left her phone on her locker like if it was burning and sighed. "Great."
She closed the locker and finished the sandwich, realizing she had lost some time on the app, and in less than 5 minutes she was going back to finish the day of work. She still had 2 hours until she finished her shift, but Emma was already tired of going from floor to floor, responding calls on her walkie that requested her to clean up something they had spilled. At least she didn't get bored; they were quite clumsy.
"Emma, they need you on the fifteenth floor," the walkie creaked to life with the voice of the doorman. Sha gave a positive and made her way to the elevator, carrying the cleaning trolley with her. Emma started to look for her earphones in her pockets, but it seemed like she had left them in her locker.
The elevator stopped on the main floor as she murmured, "Fuck."
The doors opened and she glanced up to find a familiar face. It took her a second to recognize the one and only Lily Page, also known as a match. By the face she made, Emma guessed Lily had taken even less to identify her. She stepped inside and gave Emma a little smile.
"Hey," she weakly answered. Lily pressed the top floor button and the doors closed. The soft music filled the air, but it wasn't enough to compensate the tension in the air.
"So, this is awkward," Lily finally smiled, breaking the ice.
Emma laughed softly, scratching the back of her head, "Yeah, kinda."
"It was Emma, right?" she asked, but Emma noticed there was no hesitation in her voice.
She nodded. "Lily?" When the girl nodded back, Emma offered a hand. "Nice to meet you in person."
Lily shook her hand and smiled, "Me too. I wasn't expecting us to meet so soon."
"Yeah. They told me it was fast but I didn't know it was this fast," Emma tried to joke, laughing. She was relieved when Lily joined her.
"So you work here?" Lily asked, nodding at the trolley next to them.
"Yup. Cleaning," Emma shrugged, almost like apologizing. Then asked, "You? I haven't seen you around."
"Jesus, no," she shook her head like if Emma had said something terrible. "I'm just visiting my mom. Mal?" Emma narrowed her eyes, trying to remember anyone with that name but the look on her face betrayed her when Lily added, "The CEO."
"Oh, the big fish."
Lily nodded. "The biggest. Anyway, I'm here to ask her for my car keys since she decided to steal them from me this morning," she explained with an eyeroll. Emma, then, noticed Lily's apparently casual clothes that hid designer's names in the design itself. It was like if she didn't want to look rich but still wore expensive clothes. A rich thing, Emma mentally shrugged.
The elevator came to a stop on the fifteenth floor and Emma raised her head. The doors opened and she pushed the trolley out, stopping in the middle of the exit to turn. "Well, good luck with that."
"Thanks. Good luck with that," Lily said looking at the trolley. "See you soon?"
Emma watched the other girl and smiled at her before leaving the elevator, "I hope so."
Emma opened the locker, happy to finally take off the jumpsuit that smelled like cleaning products, and the first thing she did was grabbing her phone by habit. She was surprised when she found a message from Tinder.
Lily Page has sent you a message!
She stared at her phone, half confused, half nervous about opening it, so she waited until she was ready to go, already leaving the building, to open it.
Lily: how was cleaning?
Emma wrote "boring", but then she remembered Lily was the daughter of the boss of her boss, so she deleted it and rewrote again.
Emma: good enough, your keys?
The answer didn't take long to come, just when Emma was entering the subway.
Lily: in my possession at last.
Emma: don't text and drive.
Lily: I thought you were a cleaner, not a cop. Not driving though.
Emma let out a smile, looking down at her phone, but before she answered the screen lit up with the name of her ex roommate. "Hey," she said. "Did you get my text?"
"Yes! David and I would love to go visit you today, but he has a thing at the shelter all week and won't make it," Mary Margaret explained. Emma heard some bird chirping in the background and she knew her friend was feeding by the window of her room as she always did.
"Aw, too bad. I really wanted you guys to see the apartment."
"But," Mary Margaret almost cut off, making Emma smile. "I'm free, so I can go and David can come some other time."
Emma glanced at someone else's watch and frowned. "Actually, is it okay with you if you come tomorrow? I still have to tidy up some things and throw away some boxes."
"You know I've lived with you long enough to know you're a mess," Mary Margaret giggled.
"Well, I still want to make a good impression," Emma rolled her eyes. "Besides, now that I have the apartment for myself I want to enjoy it a little."
Mary Margaret laughed softly, and Emma could still feel the smile in her voice when she spoke, "Okay then. Tomorrow it is! I can't wait to see that apartment you speak wonders of."
"Awesome," Emma confirmed with a smile. "See you tomorrow!"
Emma hung up and realized it was her stop, so she jumped out of the wagon and puffed as she watched the doors closing. She then made her way out of the station, putting her phone back in her pocket, forgetting the conversation she had opened with Lily.
The last couple of days had been crazy for Emma. Having the house to herself had felt like both a freeing and imprisoning experience. It was nice to be free to do whatever she wanted in her new apartment, but she also felt the responsibility to have everything tidy up and well, both for the fact that she felt Regina had expensive taste in décor and Mary Margaret coming the next day. However, when her friend had arrived, it all had been nice. It almost felt like they were back together.
Mary Margaret made herself at home right away by making some tea for them and, after Emma made her a house tour, they sat on the terrace to hang out for the rest of the evening. It only got interrupted by Emma's phone vibrating with a new text from Lily.
Lily: Hey, you alive?
They texted for a while, especially when Mary Margaret left and Emma had the house to herself. The conversation went on and on and, at some point in which Emma was almost falling asleep, she invited Lily over the next evening to have dinner at hers.
And that's why Emma was trying to cook some pasta, thinking back to the steps Regina had followed when they had made the same dish a few days ago. She stopped when she remembered the conversation they had had while making lunch but then shook her head and focused. She was trying to have a date with someone else; it was not time to think of Regina. At least not actively.
It was 8 pm sharp when there was a knock on the door. Emma turned the heat down and checked herself on the mirror next to the door. She was wearing a shirt with plants print buttoned up and her best jeans, the ones she knew they hugged her curves. She tried to quickly hair down her mane with her hands and took a breath before opening the door to meet Lily. However, it was not Lily who was waiting for her, but Mary Margaret and David.
"Surprise!" Mary Margaret exclaimed, holding on to David's arm. They were smiling from ear to ear, but they faltered when they noticed Emma's face. "David was able to leave earlier from work and we decided to come and surprise you. Are you going out?" she asked noticing Emma's clothes.
Emma glanced down and shook her head, "Uh, no. Actually I was making dinner…"
Mary Margaret's face lit up, "That's great! Perhaps we can join you, I am starving. What are you making?" She made her way inside, following by David, who mouthed an apology to Emma.
"Pasta, but actually now I'm a little busy," she nervously said after closing the door. She watched her friend nosing on the kitchen while David eyed the apartment. Then, Mary Margaret saw the two plates and glasses and stopped.
"Oh, are you with someone?"
Emma opened her mouth to talk, but a knock on the door stopped her. This time when she opened it, Lily was on the other side, holding a bottle of wine.
"Hey there, star." Instead of stepping aside to let her in, Emma just stared, so Lily cleared her throat. "Can I come in?"
"Sure," Emma murmured stepping aside. "But there's something—"
Mary Margaret popped up from the kitchen and joined David with a half surprise, half guilt expression. "Oh Emma, I'm so sorry. I didn't know you had a date."
"Well, it's not a date," Emma tried to explain, but met Lily's frown.
"Oh, really? I do recall you calling it a date."
Emma turned to her, "I mean it is, but they—"
"Don't worry," David cut in. "We were just leaving, weren't we?" he added pointedly staring at Mary Margaret.
She nodded and smiled, "Yes. We just came here to surprise Emma. I was her roommate, Mary Margaret." She held out her hand, introducing herself to Lily, who took it and offered her name. "This is David, my partner."
He smiled and shook Lily's hand, "Nice to meet you."
"So, how did you two met?" Mary Margaret started, but Emma rolled her eyes.
"Oh my god," she murmured. "Weren't you leaving?"
"Oh, don't worry. They can stay for dinner if you want," Lily politely offered. "I mean, it's your place."
Before Emma could talk, Mary Margaret chimed in, "That would be wonderful! I was just telling Emma how hungry we were because I just picked David up from work to come see Em's apartment."
The three of them turned to watch Emma make a decision and she took a breath. Her friend was silently wishing they could stay, she could see that, while David had an apologetic look on his face Emma already knew. Lily, on the other hand, had a funny face, but she seemed okay with the situation, so she sighed. "Okay."
Mary Margaret cheered and immediately offered to finish cooking, dragging David with her. Once alone, Lily glanced over at Emma, reading her face. "It's okay. We still have after dinner, right?" She raised an eyebrow suggestively and Emma finally smiled, feeling more relieved.
"I sure hope so."
"Good," Lily nodded. Then, she leaned in to whisper in Emma's ear, "You look amazing, by the way."
Emma watched Lily walk away, joining her friends, and shook her head. It was a crazy night ahead of her.
"It was a great dinner, Emma," Mary Margaret praised. They were at the door and, after Emma insisted –really insisted– that they didn't have to do the dishes, David and Mary Margaret were finally about to leave. It had been a nice dinner with Lily and the couple; the young girl had completely charmed them.
"And the apartment is amazing. You nailed it," David winked at her, making Emma laugh softly.
"And nice to meet you, Lily," Mary Margaret added, smiling at the other girl, who smiled back at her.
"You too," she nodded. Then turned towards David, "And next time we meet I hope you can tell me more about the dog shelter. I think my mother could make a donation. And before you say it's okay, I know. I'll just give the information and she will do whatever she considers."
"That would be really good for the shelter, thanks," he conceded.
The four of them said goodbye and, after what felt like an eternity for Emma, the door finally closed behind the couple. "Phew," she sighed.
Lily laughed and turned to clean the table. "It wasn't that bad. They are really nice."
"A little too nice," Emma added. "But you handled it like a champion."
Emma joined Lily, picking up the rest of the glasses, and they made their way to the sink. Without saying anything, Emma started to wash while Lily used a cloth to dry the dishes.
"You're so exaggerated. I didn't handle anything," Lily rolled her eyes.
"Well, then you just charmed them. I won't be surprised if I get a text from Mary Margaret asking me about another double date," she said handing out one of the glasses.
"Well, then if it means another date with you, then I'm in," Lily casually said, glancing at Emma out of the corner of her eye.
Emma raised an eyebrow, "I'm starting to think you just want to hang out with them instead of me."
"Well, you got me," Lily joked as she shrugged her shoulders. Then, she added suggestively, "But if you work hard enough, then perhaps I change my mind."
Emma handed her the last plate and turned towards Lily, drying her hands with another cloth. "Oh, really? What makes you think I don't work hard?"
Lily took a step forward, their faces coming dangerously close, and breathed into her face, "Maybe you will have to show me." They leaned in in unison, but before their lips could touch, there was another knock on the door.
Emma frowned, wondering who could be, "What now?"
Lily waved a hand as she separated. "It must be Mary Margaret; they must've forgotten something. I'll get it."
She walked over to the door and Emma followed her close, almost stepping on her shoes. Lily grabbed the doorknob and pulled, effectively opening the door, but it wasn't Mary Margaret or David on the other side. Regina blinked at the sight of Lily, and again when she noticed Emma behind her.
"Regina!" Emma said, jumping in front of Lily and in between the two women. "I thought you wouldn't arrive until tomorrow."
"I finished earlier," Regina explained, her eyes still on Lily.
Emma smiled nervously, "And, uh, did you forget the keys?"
"No," she deadpanned. "I saw the lights were on and figured you were still awake. It was a surprise."
"Well, you surprised me," Emma laughed, but no one joined her. Then she stepped aside to let Regina in. "This is Lily. She's a…friend."
After checking her out from head to toe, Regina finally drew a smile and held out her hand, "Regina. Nice to meet you."
"You too," Lily said with a certain tone of uncertainty, not quite knowing what was happening.
"She's my roommate," Emma clarified, noticing Lily's confusion. "So, are you hungry? There are some leftovers in the fridge," she asked looking at Regina, who gently shook her head.
"No, thank you," she politely declined. "I'm actually a bit tired from the trip, so I'll just head to sleep. I will let you enjoy the rest of the night."
"Oh, okay," Emma murmured. She was about to talk, but Regina was already leaving the living room and soon disappeared behind her door. Emma turned to Lily, "Why don't we go to my bedroom so we don't disturb her?"
Lily nodded and followed Emma into her room and then closed the door behind her. "So, was I the only one who felt a weird vibe there?" she asked, pointing outside.
"With Regina? Oh, she's just a little weird sometimes. It's in her nature it seems," Emma explained, waving her hand. She sat on the bed and looked up at the other woman.
Lily walked closer, but didn't take a seat next to Emma and raised an eyebrow instead, "It seemed like you had something going on."
"Did it?" Emma asked, but realized it had sound a little too excited and hurried to clarify, "I mean we did, but it was nothing serious. It almost counts as nothing."
"Really?" Lily insisted. "I wouldn't like to get into anything."
Emma took Lily's hand and tugged down, bringing her faces together, "Really. Now why don't we stop talking about Regina and pick up the conversation we were having?"
Lily smirked, feeling more relaxed now, and placed her hands on Emma's thighs both for support and for effect. "I think you were telling me about how hard you work."
"It's better if I show you," Emma murmured into her mouth before capturing her lips, trying to erase the fact that Regina was a few steps away from her mind.
The alarm rang right next to Emma's ear and she jumped awake. She quickly hit the snooze button and stretched her body, enjoying the dim light of the early morning sneaking through the windows. She glanced to the other side of the bed and saw Lily was still asleep. Her long brown hair was an almost a well-placed mess on the pillow and her tan skin of her back had a soft glow. The bare skin brought Emma memories from the previous night and she smirked.
However, it didn't last too long because she had to go to work and Lily would have to leave too. She gently shook the woman's shoulder and whispered her name, trying to bring her back from her slumber and, after a few whispers, Lily finally opened her eyes.
"Sorry I woke you up, but I'm gonna get ready to go to work," Emma informed her. Lily nodded and stretched, getting the point without it being said. "Do you want to take a shower?"
This time Lily shook her head while she sat up, the sheets sliding down her chest. "It's okay. I'll shower at home."
"Okay, good. I'll take a quick one and I'll be ready in 15," Emma said as she got up from the bed. Lily put her thumbs up and Emma took it as an okay, so she hurried to take a quick shower as she had promised.
Twenty minutes later, they were both ready to leave. Emma asked Lily to have breakfast somewhere on their way, which looked a little romantic, but the truth was she just didn't want them to be there when Regina woke up. There was a café open down the street, and they had coffee and some toasts while they discussed different topics. They didn't talk about their night, but Emma didn't feel like they had to anyways, so they just enjoyed each other's company until they finished breakfast.
Outside, Emma was headed towards one way while Lily had the car parked the other way. Lily offered to give her a ride, but Emma thought it was weird enough she had slept with her boss' daughter as if to show up at the building with her. So, after exchanging they phones so they didn't have to talk on the dating app anymore, they parted ways with a wave of hand.
Emma entered the subway thinking about how well it all had gone. Even with the surprising show-ups, it had ended well and, by the way Lily had gave her one last smirk before parting ways, Emma knew it wouldn't be the last of them. There was a thought that ran through her head that told her all of it had been just ordinary, not spectacular, but she quieted it and decided to enjoy at least one thing going well in her life.