"Beca Mitchell, eh? The little pipsqueak who's one of my project managers?" Aubrey knew exactly to whom Chloe was referring but couldn't let on lest she be busted. The blonde rolled her eyes for effect.

The redhead playfully slapped her friend's arm. "Don't call her names. I happen to find her sweet. Adorable even."

"Seriously Chloe? Maybe there are two Beca Mitchell's in this city because sweet and adorable doesn't describe the one who works for me. The Beca Mitchell I know is stand-offish, sullen." Aubrey motioned for the server to refill their drink glasses as her friend frowned at her. "Okay so let's pretend I agree with your assessment; why are you asking about her? What gives?"

"I just want to know what the all-mighty, all-knowing Aubrey knows about one of her employees."

Aubrey thought for a moment. "Actually, not much. I think she's from Maine, has an older brother, graduated from the University of New England. I know that, while I'll probably never tell her this, I was damned lucky to be able to hire her. Several companies threw their hats into the ring, and she chose to come to New York City and my firm. She's one of my best project managers. That's about all I know sweetie."

A shadow of a frown crossed Chloe's face – something that rarely happened. Aubrey reached over the table and grabbed her friend's hand. "Talk to me. What's going on?"

Chloe took a deep breath and exhaled. "Let me tell you what I know about Beca. She probably has fifty pairs of Chucks, one in every color they make, and she matches them with her outfits. She's a damned good aim with her shoes. Enjoys a good cup of coffee – wait let me rephrase that, is a connoisseur of the best coffees worldwide. Generous. Hilarious as hell. And I'm starting to believe she has a mole on the inside because it's like she knows me."

The redhead began explaining interactions she had with Beca, even going as far to pull out the notes Beca had left for her and pictures she'd taken of all the gifts the project manager left. "I mean I can understand her bringing me whole coffee beans from Guam. Coffee had been our thing, but she took that a step further and gave me a grinder and this awesome French press. Who does that?"

While Aubrey knew of the flowers and chocolate, she hadn't heard of the things that had happened between her friend and employee before Jessica made her little side deal. Her heart was quickly warming up to Beca, especially since she hadn't seen Chloe this animated and enamored in quite some time.

"Then last week, I was using your office to change clothes for church." Chloe turned red as she began to giggle. "Beca barged in to put something on your desk, I think. And there I was in nothing but my bra and underwear. Surprise!"

"CHLOE! Oh my goodness. What happened?"

"I think I scarred the poor girl for life. She was stuttering and stammering as her eyes were glued right on my chest. I think she's a boob-man. Anyway, she couldn't get out of the office quickly enough. If I'm not mistaken, I think she even opted to run down the stairs rather than to face me at the elevator."

Aubrey slapped her knee laughing. "What I wouldn't have given to see that!"

As Chloe continued to talk to her friend about Beca, Aubrey was running scenarios through her mind about how to get some information about Beca. Jessica and Ashley were right; this was a prime opportunity to set Chloe up with someone who was going to treat her right and at least give something of a social life. Her opinion of her best employee had definitely been changed.

"Give me a few days Chloe, and I'll see what I can dig up for you."

When Beca got to her office on Monday, there was a game board set up on the coffee table in front of her couch and chairs. She knew the comfortable atmosphere might be a tad bit laid back for an office, but she liked dedicating a part of her space to relaxation during meetings with just a few people.

Another note was tucked beneath the edge of the game; this one smelled of lilacs.

Hi Beca:
I hope you had a great weekend. There's something I have to get off my chess. I'm very competitive. Dare to take the challenge. Your move.
Chloe

Beca chuckled as she read so many innuendos into the note the redhead had left. She took a look at the chess board and saw that Chloe had made a classic opening move. The project manager's chess game was fairly rusty, so she decided to brush up on moves before countering Chloe's.

She had a meeting with her Guam team that night, the first since she returned and the first since the contractor had been scheduled to get to the island. Beca hoped he had delivered the box she had sent for them. Kurihi hadn't said anything, so she was excited to hear if they liked their presents. The project manager went down the hall to the custodial closet to leave a note like she had done before which explained what time she was going to be out of her office for dinner and when her meeting would be.

Beca thought about what to do about Chloe. She grabbed her phone and thumbed out a message.

To Legs: I don't think I can draw this out much longer
To Shorty: Sucker
To Shorty: What's the plan?
To Legs: See if she'll take her dinner break with me in my office… tomorrow
To Legs: Is that dumb?
To Shorty: Nope

So Beca wrote out a note to leave for Chloe, well she tried to, anyway. After getting a bit of work done and brushing on her basic chess strategies, Beca made her move and scurried off to eat dinner, taking her first fifty or so drafts to drop down the trash shoot herself to keep the redhead from finding them.

When Chloe discovered the project manager had a late night meeting, she was excited. She had meant it when she said she'd missed leaving Beca coffee. The habit which had formed before the woman went overseas had been hard to break, probably having a lot to do with the fact that Chloe didn't want to break the habit. She found the woman charming, endearing even.

When she went into Beca's office, her eyes immediately went to the chess board. When she saw that Beca had made her move, she squealed with excitement and clapped her hands. First because Beca had played. Second, and more importantly, the move was so beginner that Chloe was going to be able to stomp Beca. "I warned her I was competitive." Chloe smirked. Before she made her next move, Chloe sat on the couch and picked up the note Beca had written her.

Dear Chloe,
Competitive, eh? Don't beat me too hard. I'm fragile and might break (or at least pout). I made my move, so here's me making another. I'd really like to play this game but maybe over some food. I know you can't work all evening without a break. How about I order us some burgers from the place across the street? Tomorrow?
Your move,
Beca

Chloe was absolutely beaming from ear to ear as she made her next chess move. She thoroughly cleaned Beca's office with her special smell-um good disinfectant. She'd had a feeling about today and had brought an extra-large carafe of Guam coffee from home. Chloe happily filled Beca's travel mug with the best coffee and left it in the center of her desk, where it rightfully went. She watered Jasmine, Frank, and Ivy then pulled off a few dead leaves.

When Beca returned to her office and saw her coffee mug on her desk, she took a sip and about melted into her chair. Chloe had sacrificed some of her Guam coffee for her. Then, she read the note. It was simple this time. The words read:

Game on!
~C

The project manager could help but to shout out, "YES!" and do a fist pump in the air despite the fact she was alone in the office. She was finally going to have a chance to talk to the redhead – fully clothed.

The project manager pulled out her meeting agenda and readied herself to connect to Guam which she did, right on time as always.

"Hey guys! You miss me?" Beca was exuberant because this was the first she had seen her team members since she left the small island.

"Ahhh Attau, I believe I speak for the entire team when I say we definitely miss you here on the island." The project manager was feeling particularly silly and began to spin in her chair.

Tasi spoke up next. "The vendor dropped off an interesting box from you Attau."

Beca stopped spinning and looked into the camera. "Yeah? And?"

Everyone started talking at once. Finally, Kurihi hushed them and spoke. "I think I can speak fairly for the group. Your books were quite unexpected and brought back many memories."

Each day Beca had been on the island, a different team member had taken her out to explore the local scenery. She had customized photo books for each of them to include pictures of their special day together along with common photos of all the team members at team functions. She had also included some shrink-wrapped rainbow bagels from the famous Bagel Store in Brooklyn as well as some cupcakes from Magnolia Bakery in Manhattan. The cupcakes were considerably more difficult to package for shipping, but luckily, they weren't being sent via post, only a relatively short trip in the hold of an airplane.

"The drawings you sent Hano," Sirena said. "Those look original. What gives?" Beca blushed slightly before admitting that sketching was one of her hobbies. "Well she loved the pictures and already has them up in her house and guesthouse."

"I am glad you guys seem to like your presents." Beca was extremely pleased. "I wasn't sure how to thank you for what all you did for me outside of the job during my visit. I decided to share my memories so you'd understand how much I appreciate each and every one of you."

Once all the sappy thank you's were over, the team got down to business to give their project manager an update on the beginning the project execution – installation of the first round of solar panels. Things were going smoothly, and Kurihi sent over the number updates for them to go over as a group.

All in all, Monday ended quite nicely for Beca. She'd not only had a successful team meeting with a great cup of coffee in hand, she also had successfully invited Chloe to eat dinner with her the next day. The project sauntered over to the chess board, pondered the redhead's last move, and selected a piece to slide to its new position.

As Beca got ready to head home for the night, she began texting Stacie. Her head was down looking at her phone, and she had a huge grin on her face.

To Legs: It's a date!
To Shorty: A date?
To Legs: Well she's coming to my office for dinner tomorrow
To Legs: Can I call that a date?
To Shorty: Sure pipsqueak. Call it whatever you want
To Shorty: I'll be expecting an update

Little did Beca know that Chloe was hiding around the corner watching her leave. The redhead smiled herself only hoping that Beca was as excited about the next evening as she was. She slipped back into the project manager's office to make another chess move before leaving for the night.

Beca came in Tuesday morning to see her queen laying on her side. She snatched up Chloe's note which was short.

Beca,
I told you I was competitive. You fell into the classic four-move trap. I almost hate to do this to you but Checkmate!
Chloe
P.S. I don't want you to pout. Here's your consolation prize: 332-555-2322

The project manager was indeed being torn between pouting that Chloe had beat her in only four lousy moves and ecstatic that she'd gotten the redhead's phone number. She made a mental note to find someone to teach her how to really play chess.

She grabbed her phone and saved Chloe's number.

From Unknown: Good morning
From Unknown: Smooth move slick
From Cute Redhead: ? Who is this?
From Unknown: Found your number on the bathroom stall wall
From Unknown: Just kidding
From Unknown: It's Beca
From Cute Redhead: Ohhh hi! Good morning

Chloe quickly saved the number.

From Tiny Project Manager: Are we still on for a fancy dinner for two in my office?
From Cute Redhead: Yup
From Cute Redhead: I take my break around 6:30. That okay?
From Tiny Project Manager: The food and I will be here waiting

That evening, Beca made sure to arrive with the food as close to 6:30 as possible to make sure it was hot and fresh. Nobody likes soggy fries. She'd stashed a couple of bottles of water and various sodas in her mini-fridge, not wanting to be too obvious she knew Chloe loved Dr. Pepper. "God Mitchell, you are getting her favorite food and now you are worried about her drink? Dork." Beca was so nervous and had started randomly talking out-loud to herself.

There was a tentative knock on her office door. "Come in." Chloe entered in that god-awful cleaning lady outfit and stood in the door way. Beca just stared with her mouth open.

The redhead crossed her arms in front of her chest trying to hide the hideous uniform. "I know, it's awful, right? They make us wear these things, and they don't even fit."

Beca shook her head. "No, you don't look awful. Not at all. I am just struck at how different you look, you know with your clothes on and all." Beca's face immediately flushed as she stuttered and stammered to try to dig herself out of the hole she had immediately stepped right into. "What I meant to say is…"

"It's okay Beca. Don't worry about it." Chloe crossed the room and took a seat on of the chairs. "Let's eat before I run out of time."

"Uhhhh of course." Beca handed Chloe a bag that had a cheeseburger fixed exactly how Beca secretly knew she liked it along with her favorite - an order of garlic Parmesan cheese fries. Beca's bag had a chili dog and plain cheese fries. She shyly said, "I guess I should have asked you want you wanted. I just took a stab at your order. We can trade if you want."

Chloe pulled her things out of the bag and squealed in delight. "Beca, this is perfect! Wow! I'm going to eat with you more often for sure if you keep this up."

"That's the idea," Beca said then winced. "Oops, did I say that out loud?"

"I'm afraid so," Chloe giggled.

The pair visited about mundane topics while they enjoyed their food. Chloe told Beca about her college classes and how she was almost finished with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy. "Then I have to decide how much further I want to go."

"You are getting your doctorate and you can go further? Damn brainiac, no wonder you beat me in four moves." Chloe explained clinicals and board certification. "That doesn't leave you much time for having fun, does it?" Beca asked. "Work and school?"

"I have church. My friends call it my creative release." Chloe beamed as she said this. "Two days a week. Wednesday evening which is why I don't get to clean your office and on Saturday mornings. You should drop by tomorrow. We are having choir practice. Aubrey is in the choir, too. Show your support!"

Beca looked down at her uneaten fries. "Ummm I'm not really a church person."

"Well just think about it. I'll text you the address and the time. Plus, it's not your typical choir practice. It's a capella."

"A capella. Oh right, this is a thing now." Beca responded

"We sing covers of songs but do it without any instruments. It all comes from our mouths!" Beca couldn't help but to smile at how chipper Chloe explained it.

Beca reacted, "Wow. Well I'll think about it."

"Time for me to go. Thanks for the dinner Beca. I really am tickled that we got some time to actually talk, not that the notes aren't delightful and all. But this – this was nice." She pitched forward and wrapped her arms around an unexpecting Beca. "Oops sorry, I'm a hugger. Bye Beca. See you tomorrow at church."

The project manager groaned as she sat back down on the couch. She was definitely into this woman – hook, line, and sinker. Beca gathered all the dinner trash and went to put it down the shoot.

Beca and Stacie cautiously entered the church on Wednesday and found their way to the gym following the instructions Chloe had provided. Beca stopped right before going in. "I feel weird dude. This is their choir practice. Plus, it's a church." The shorter brunette was whispering to not be offensive to the gods or whoever. Stacie just pushed her friend towards the door. Beca had said that Aubrey was going to be there, so she had an ulterior motive for making sure her friend went.

The pair slipped in and took a seat in the risers right inside the door. Chloe looked towards them as if she had heard the door click shut. The bright look on her face showed her excitement as she gave Beca a little wave. She leaned in towards the group of women she was talking with and suddenly, three additional sets of eyes turned towards Beca.

"What the fu… heck?" The project manager was confused because standing with Chloe was Aubrey, Jessica, and a third woman. Aubrey gave her employee a brief acknowledgement with a head nod. Jessica gave a tiny wave. But Ashley's face had flushed red and was staring at Stacie. "I knew Chloe and Aubrey were best friends, but Jessica…?" Beca pointed out the two blondes.

"Fuck," Stacie muttered under her breath.

"Stace! I don't think that's a word you can say in a church."

The taller brunette buried her head in her hands. "You don't understand. That's kelaguen girl."

"WHAT?" Beca whisper yelled. "I thought you said you two never went on a date."

"We didn't," Stacie moaned. "I didn't exactly ghost her; we just kind of stopped talking. She kept coming to Pilates, but we never really connected again."

The choir group looked like they were getting ready to get started. Their leaders got them organized and the began to go through vocal warm-ups. Fortunately, the singers did not have a direct line of sight to the risers so Beca felt comfortable watching Chloe. Once the group was warmed up enough, the male leader spoke.

"Competition is this weekend, so this is our last official practice. Let's make it count." The group shifted around then he counted off and pointed at a large man who was mid-center who started a quite familiar song.

A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh

Stacie leaned over and whispered to not distract the singers. "What is this Beca? This doesn't sound like any church choir I've ever listened to. Lion King?" Beca waved her off and listened in amazement at the sounds the singers could make with absolutely no instruments. The pair sat silently as the choir cycled through four well-known songs from Broadway plays, all a capella style, complete with choreography.

When the leaders signaled it was time for a break, Chloe grabbed a towel and a bottle of water and headed towards Beca. Stacie mumbled something under her breath that sounded something like time to pay the piper and walked towards Ashley, Jessica, and Aubrey.

"You came!" Chloe's infectious smile comforted Beca as she gave the small brunette another unexpected hug. "I told you we weren't a 'normal church choir'."

"You can say that again." Beca's grin matched that of the redhead's sitting beside her. "Those weren't even church songs."

"Naw, the whole church and choir practice thing is a joke between me and my friends. This is obviously the a capella group I told you about – about the only creative thing I let myself do between work and school."

"And coffee and chess…" Beca teased. "But I'm glad I came. That guy said you have a competition Saturday?"

Chloe grinned. "Yeah it's just a local thing with groups from all over the five boroughs. In college, competitions were downright serious – but all this is just for fun. You should come watch."

As Stacie approached Ashley, she found her palms beginning to sweat for some reason. Before she got to the trio, Ashley stepped away from the other two and met her half way. "Hey Stacie. Fancy seeing you here."

"Yeah, sorry I lost quit texting." Stacie decided to offer an olive branch to the woman from her Pilates class. "You still want to go out and grab dinner sometime?"

The short haired woman chuckled. "For kelugan? No thanks. That shit is nasty. I was just messing with you." Stacie gave a sigh of relief. "I should probably fess up. You are cute and all and sexy with those long legs of yours. But you aren't quite my type. I don't date women. The reason I was flirting with you is because of my friend." She motioned with her head towards Aubrey and Jessica. "The blonde."

"Oooookay. They are both blonde." Stacie was afraid to get her hopes up.

"The one on our right." Ashley described what Aubrey was wearing.

"That's Posen, Beca's boss."

Ashley perked up. "Yeah, that's her. You know her?"

"Only that she's my friend's boss. Does she date women?"

"She doesn't know she does yet, but we all see it. You know how it is when you know your friends are gay or at least bi-sexual before they do."

Stacie chuckled. "Ain't that the truth? Well introduce us. I can take it from there."

The pair went up to Jessica and Aubrey, and Ashely introduced Stacie who had turned on her charm. "You are Beca Mitchell's boss, right?"

Aubrey eyed the tall brunette warily. "Yeah."

"She's my best friend. And from looking at the three of you over here and those two over there, is it fair to say that Beca has been taken advantage of? You know, this whole bribery deal?" Stacie was choosing her words carefully.

Jessica giggled while Aubrey's face blanched. "You won't tell her, will you? We just really want Chloe to get out more and Beca seems to really like her. Oh my, please don't ruin it for Chloe."

Stacie acted like she was thinking hard about something. She then pointed at Aubrey and smiled. "I have an idea. How about you and I have dinner after practice to discuss it? Or lunch tomorrow?" Aubrey hesitated. "I know it's the middle of the week, but this is some serious business. I have to know your intentions with my best friend." She held out her phone, waiting for Aubrey to put in her number.

The blonde rolled her eyes as she took the phone. "Brunch tomorrow. Ten am. I'll text you the address." Aubrey put in her number then called herself so she'd have Stacie's number.

"Looking forward to it." Stacie's smile was sly as she winked at the group and walked back to Beca and Chloe. She crawled up on the risers and stuck her hand out to the redhead. "You must be Chloe. Beca can't stop talking about you." She flashed a stunning smile as her best friend did her best to knock her off her seat.

"Time for me to get back to practice. I'm really glad you came Beca and think about Saturday, please. Nice meeting you Stacie." Chloe climbed down and went back to begin the second half of rehearsals.

"Dude what the hell were you talking to them about?"

"Nothing of importance Beca." Stacie blew her breath on her fingernails and acted like she was polishing them on her shirt. "But guess who got Posen's number and a brunch date for tomorrow?" She pointed to herself. "This girl!"