Stacie stood at the corner of the restaurant, not quite in view of the blonde with whom she was about to share a meal. Obviously dressed for work, Aubrey was sitting prim and proper with her ankles crossed and hands folded in her lap. Stacie was glad she had put some decent clothes, so she wouldn't feel out of place at the table wearing her work-out gear. She gathered her wits and approached the woman waiting her arrival.
The brunette slipped into the chair next to the blonde and smiled. "Good morning Posen." She waited for a reaction and was surprised when there was none. She picked up a menu and glanced over the brunch items. "I'm glad you made time for me today."
"Mmmm," Aubrey murmured noncommittally. She motioned to the server. "Would you like something to drink?"
Stacie pointed at the juice already on the table to indicate that was what she wanted and added, "And water please."
Sipping her orange juice, Aubrey jumped into the conversation that was the reason for this meal. "Jessica didn't bribe Mitchell, you know." Stacie's expression was dubious. "Mitchell came to Jessica looking for information about Chloe and told Jessica to name her price. She never dreamed Mitchell would pay. Those were pretty big asks. Jessica thought Mitchell would just laugh her off and Jess would give her the information anyway."
"Well Beca has it bad for your redheaded friend – if you haven't figured that out yet."
"Yeah, well. Chloe has it bad, too. Which is why I want to help her in any way I can." The server came back with Stacie's drinks and took the women's orders. "I need your help Stacie. Chloe was asking for information about your friend, and I realized how little I knew about my employee."
"How long do you think it will take before they are onto us? Or at least onto each other?"
Aubrey shrugged. "Right now, I'm just interested in making sure they stay interested." While waiting on their food, Aubrey started to gather some basic information. "Okay, favorite color?"
"Plaid." Stacie grinned. When Aubrey rolled her eyes, Stacie continued, "blue plaid."
"What does she drink?"
"Ale."
"With meals Stacie. Like lunch."
"Ginger ale. Her favorite Jello – strawberry. Cough drops - cherry. Starting to see the pattern?"
"You are worse than Mitchell." Aubrey leaned back so the server could place her Eggs Benedict in front of her.
"Come on Posen… I'm not that bad." Stacie positioned her Belgian Waffle with strawberries in just the right position and picked up her knife and fork.
Before the blonde cut into her food, she said, "can we end with the last name business? Stacie?"
While the pair were eating, Stacie avoiding talking about Beca, rather tried to steer the conversation towards learning more about Aubrey, but she found that Beca's boss was pretty tight-lipped about herself. "Beca is a complex person but simple at the same time." Stacie scooped the last of her waffle into her mouth.
"She can have trust issues, and we are pretty good friends. As much as she likes Chloe, I don't want to violate her trust by sharing too much. Mmm but I do have something for you." She reached into her messenger bag and pulled out a few take-out menus. "Maybe these can help Chloe. I know that on Tuesday, Beca surprised her with a burger from that place across the street. Maybe Chloe can return the favor tonight." She handed over the menus. "What Beca always orders from each place is circled."
Aubrey's face lit up as she motioned for Stacie to excuse her for a moment as she pulled out her phone.
To Chloe: I have some info for you
To Chloe: Ask Beca if she wants to have dinner again
To Aubrey: Really?
To Aubrey: Clapping emoji
To Chloe: I'll have Jessica get the food before she leaves for the day
To Chloe: Thai okay?
To Aubrey: Perfect
"Okay, sorry about that Stacie. I just wanted to give Chloe a heads-up."
"That's cool. Hey, errrr, thanks for meeting me today. I was just blowing smoke yesterday. I'd never mess this up for Beca because I haven't seen her like this about anyone since she moved here. And to be honest, I wanted to see you Aubrey. I don't want to take up more of your morning, but maybe we can do this again – this weekend?" Aubrey's face blushed as she looked down to her lap.
The sly look on Stacie's face should have warned Aubrey something was coming. Stacie reached over the table and wrapped a lock of Aubrey's golden hair around her finger. "You know," Stacie whispered as she leaned forward, "sometimes I do blonde, too." With that Stacie got up and walked away, leaving Aubrey speechless.
Beca got her things settled in her office and made a beeline to Jessica's desk. She knew Aubrey would be late coming in due to her "brunch date" with Stacie. She sat on the corner of the secretary's desk. "Sooooo Jessica; aren't you the sly one?"
"Well Beca, you did say to name my price. And you got your information, right? No harm, no foul."
Beca chuckled. "And I appreciate it Jess. I don't get the cloak and dagger game though. Why didn't you just tell me you two were friends?"
"What's the fun in that Beca? Plus, I never dreamed you'd come through with the tickets. Plus, it wasn't just for me. Boss lady loves that opera, and I took my friend Ashley to the game for her birthday. So, thanks."
"Thanks to you, too. The inside scoop has helped."
"I've heard. She's all giddy about things Beca… keep it up."
Beca grinned as she walked back to her office.
The project manager's head was pounding as she reviewed the latest data and pictures from the solar panel execution phase in Guam. She loved her job, but sometimes the information was overwhelming. Sometimes she believed it was easier to be on the work site with a hard hat on her head and steel toed boots on her feet rather than being a number cruncher. But at this point in her career she needed to be able to manage from her office.
A buzzing came from her desk drawer, and Beca pulled out her phone. Her face lit up when she saw the message was from Chloe.
From Cute Redhead: Good morning Beca!
Beca quickly texted back.
From Tiny Project Manager: Hey Chloe. Good morning back
From Cute Redhead: Are you up for dinner again tonight?
From Cute Redhead: My treat
From Tiny Project Manager: Twist my arm
From Cute Redhead: Great! See you at 6:30
Beca ran her finger over the messages on her screen and looked around her office. She really liked how she could now indeed see the great view outside her office since Chloe had rearranged her furniture. The plants certainly livened up the place. And the framed pictures of her family made the project manager feel a little more at home. Chloe was definitely having a positive impact on her environment, and now her day was going to go much more smoothly since she had something to look forward to.
Dinner couldn't come early enough for the project manager. She only had one "Chloe-secret" left up her sleeve. The small surprise was wrapped in red paper with black polka dots, tied with a white bow. She set the box on the coffee table then set up another game board.
At 6:30 sharp, a small rap was heard on the door. Beca quickly opened her office and took the food bags from Chloe. "Smells good." As she unloaded the food, the redhead pulled the drinks from a small insulated cooler: Dr. Pepper, root beer, and a few different kinds of ginger ale. Beca pretended not to notice and grabbed her favorite brand.
When she saw the food, she was beaming. She wondered if this was a result of Stacie's brunch with Aubrey. Chloe seemed so proud of herself that Beca couldn't bear to break it to her that they were both being fed information from their friends. It was a conversation they needed to have soon but another time – another place.
"Why Chloe, you've brought my favorite. I'm tongue thai'd. Thank you." The brunette grinned as she dug into her container with gusto. "I definitely think we need to continue this tradition."
"Well Beca, just thai and stop me." Both women laughed. The redhead reached for a Dr. Pepper without thought while Beca twisted open her ginger ale. She looked over at the game board. "What's this? Another challenge?" She giggled.
"Maybe one I can win. I admit my chess game is a little rusty, but I'm a little better at checkers."
"Hey Beca? Why didn't the tree like to play checkers? Because it was a chesnut tree."
"My god Chloe, where do you come up with these?" Beca could barely keep her eyes off the woman who was occupying her every thought.
"Just a talent I suppose." The redhead flashed a blinding smile. "What's that?" She pointed to the neatly wrapped box sitting on the edge of the table." Before Beca could respond, a quiet alert went off on the redhead's phone. "Oh goodness. My break is over. I appreciate you eating with me Beca." She shyly moved closer to the project manager and slipped her hand into Beca's.
Only one word came to Beca's mind. Electric. She stood still for what seemed to be a million years before she heard Chloe calling her name. "Beca… Beca? Are you okay?" Chloe squeezing her hand brought the project manager out of her trance.
Beca slowly brought the redhead's hand up to her lips. "Touch has a memory." When Chloe looked at her strangely, Beca simply said, "John Keats." She gave a crooked smile. "Back to work missy. Stop by later and pick up your present."
After Chloe left, Beca plopped down into her office chair and ran her hands through her hair. However innocent it may have been, Chloe touching her hand impacted Beca. She could deal with brief, meaningless touches she encountered throughout the day because she blocked the contact out of her brain.
In reality, Beca couldn't recall the last time she'd had intimate contact with another person. Yeah, she gave Stacie a hug every once in a while, but that was Stacie and it was normally more a "let-me-help-you-into-your apartment-because-you-are-drunk" kinda side-hug. Beca just wasn't a touchy-feely person. Then again there wasn't really anyone in her life she wanted to be touchy feely with. Until Chloe.
Beca spun her chair around and searched her shelves for a particular book. She easily found the thin book with its green jacket. The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Her mother had given it to her for her high school graduation. The project manager opened the book to read the words her mother had written inside the cover.
"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."~ Leo F. Buscaglia
Never forget that the most precious gift you can give to anyone is the one you discover inside yourself. I wish you the happiest future my darling daughter. I'm so proud of you.
Love, Mom
Beca chuckled as she thought how something as simple as Chloe's touch and her mother's words were able to stir so many emotions inside of her. Maybe this was the sign that she needed to open herself up and see where this led.
By the time Chloe made it back to clean Beca's office, she couldn't help but to be disappointed that the project manager was gone for the day. The brunette had moved one of the checker pieces. She'd chosen black, of course, leaving Chloe to be red. The redhead had thought it was funny that since Beca had lost so quickly in chess, that she'd made a checker challenge. She couldn't help but to smile because the brunette was just so adorable.
When Chloe went to dust off the desk, she found the small box wrapped in red paper with black polka dots, tied with a white bow. There wasn't a note, but Chloe unwrapped the present anyway. Nestled in a bed of red and black tissue paper was the most precious ceramic ladybug. Chloe squealed in delight as she took the small bug out of its box and examined it. The antennae were on tiny springs and bounced whenever the insect was jostled. Chloe grabbed her phone and immediately thumbed out a text.
From Cute Redhead: OMG She's adorable
From Tiny Project Manager: ?
From Cute Redhead: Rosie
From Tiny Project Manager: Who's Rosie?
From Cute Redhead: My new little friend
From Cute Redhead: Ladybugs are my favorite
From Tiny Project Manager: I'm glad you like Rosie
From Tiny Project Manager: Dinner tomorrow?
From Cute Redhead: I can't. We have one more walk-through before Saturday then a team dinner
From Cute Redhead: It's tradition
From Tiny Project Manager: I'll just sit here and pine away
From Cute Redhead: :(
From Tiny Project Manager: Just kidding. Have a good night and tell Rosie good night for me
Group Text: Aubrey, Jessica, Ashley
From Chloe: How did Beca know I like ladybugs
Chloe sent a picture of Rosie to the group
From Jessica: She's soooooooooo cute!
From Ashley: Beca or the ladybug?
From Chloe: We are going to talk about this tomorrow
From Aubrey: Don't be mad Chloe
From Aubrey: We love you!
Beca was emotionally drained and asked Stacie if they could have Thursday Night Follies at her place? She wasn't in the mood to put up with Stacie's roommates and couldn't handle the bar crowd. Stacie brought the beer and arrived at Beca's about the same time as the food Beca ordered.
The various containers were spread out on the breakfast bar and each woman was digging into her favorite. "Stacie, when she grabbed my hand, I froze – like an electric current was holding our hands together. Then when she broke contact to leave, I had goose bumps running up and down that arm."
"Crazy Mitchell. If I didn't love you so much, I'd tell you that you need to get out more. Be free. Love and be loved. You know…"
Beca reached across the bar and jabbed her friend in the arm with her chopsticks. "Ass! Hey – tell me about brunch."
A Cheshire cat grin spread across Stacie's face. "It was… yummy." She cackled.
"Seriously Legs. You didn't overshare, did you?"
Stacie sat down her chopsticks and the carton of Chinese she was eating from and looked at Beca with a serious look. "No Beca, I didn't overshare. In fact, I distinctly recall telling her you were a fairly private person. Gave some menus of places you like to order from and told her few other minor things. That seemed to make her happy enough."
Beca seemed relieved. "Thanks Stacie. I trust you. And I got my favorite Thai for dinner. Yum!" She rubbed her stomach in jest. "Chloe's friends were willing to give up things about her, and I honestly think Chloe's okay with that. That seems to be the type of person Chloe is."
"If you already had dinner, how are you eating again?"
Beca rubbed her stomach. "Bottomless pit!"
The friends talked about random things for a bit as they finished their food and downed a couple more beers. "Hey Legs, what are you doing Saturday?"
"I have four classes. Why?"
"Seriously? Gawd that's too much exercise for me. What's the chances of getting out of the afternoon ones? The girls' a capella competition is Saturday. I'm going to watch Chloe and thought you might be interested in joining me."
"Hell yeah. Jean has been asking for extra classes. I bet she'd jump at the chance for the money. Good idea pipsqueak."
"I'll ask Jessica for the details tomorrow, so we can surprise Aubrey and Chloe. I'll text you with the details."
"Oh, Aubrey will be surprised alright." Stacie wiggled her eyebrows just to make her point.
Beca loved Fridays for many reasons. She loved this particular Friday because she was going to get to see Chloe at the competition the next day. When she got to her office, she found a note from Chloe with a simple arrow pointing towards her desk drawer, signed with a heart around a C. She opened the drawer and found half a dozen packages of Reese's Peanut Butter cups. She laughed out loud because Stacie hadn't mentioned spilling the beans about her obsessions with the candy.
There was a card taped to one package that said, "There are so many 'Reese'-ons I think you are adorable." Another note was nestled amongst the bars of the candy.
On Halloween I went to a costume party. I spotted a guy dressed in a monkey costume with a jar of peanut butter in one hand and a chocolate bar in the other. I asked him what he was dressed as, and he replied, "Me? I am a Reese's Monkey."
Beca grabbed one of the candy bars and a soda out of her fridge and went to pump Jessica for details about Saturday's competition. She tossed the candy at the blonde secretary and sat the soda on her desk.
"You know we are busted, right, Mitchell?" Jessica tore open the packaged and handed one of the medallions of candy to the project manager. "Chloe texted us a picture of Rosie last night and insisted we talk tonight at the run-through."
Beca grinned. "That's okay. I think we've graduated into need-to-learn-about-each-other-on-our-own territory. You know, like grown-ups."
"She really likes you Mitchell."
The project manager assured Jessica the feeling was mutual. "So – this competition Saturday. How would you guys like a couple of extra people rooting for you from the stands." Jessica grinned as she grabbed a sheet of paper and wrote out the details. "Please don't tell Chloe or Aubrey. I'd like it to be a surprise."
Jessica explained that their foursome of friends traditionally had a late lunch after the results were read. She agreed to work out the details with Ashley to make sure reservations were for six rather than just four.
The NYC Five-Boroughs A Capella competition was held in a small community theater in the Bronx. A few teams from each borough were represented. While Beca and Stacie's only exposure to a capella was the practice they attended on Wednesday, suffice it to say they thoroughly enjoyed themselves. The teams were each talented in their own way.
Chloe and Aubrey's team, The Tone Commandments, walked onto the stage, Stacie and Beca began obnoxiously clapping, yelling and stomping their feet. Chloe and Aubrey had completely different reactions to their surprise fans in the audience. The redhead beamed a smile right into the audience as she found Beca who was waving like a fool. Aubrey's tightly pursed lips fought a smile when Stacie put two fingers into her mouth to do a shrill wolf whistle at the women.
"I feel so much better leering at Aubrey now that I know it's not a church choir." Stacie laughed as her statement resulted in a sharp elbow jab in the ribs from her friend.
Stacie and Beca stayed just long enough to find out that The Tone Commandments came in second out of the field of twelve. As planned, the pair then rushed off to surprise the group at their traditional lunch spot, well to surprise two of them anyway despite their cheers and jeers already alerting them to their presence.
The Tone Commandments crawled off stage after receiving their trophy. Chloe was anxiously scanning the room for Beca. Since Jessica and Ashley both knew she was waiting at the restaurant, they were trying to get their group of friends to head that direction. Chloe finally gave up looking for the tiny brunette and began sulking as they walked to get their traditional after competition meal.
Beca had texted Jessica letting her know where the table was. As the group neared the table, Chloe's eyes lit up as she saw the familiar back of the project manager and her taller friend. She was about go over to Beca, Aubrey stuck out her arm to block the redhead. The four women stood and watched the informal performance of the duo in front of them.
Stacie threw her head back as she shook her hair and sang, "In the jungle, the mighty jungle. The lion sleeps tonight."
Beca chimed in, "In the jungle the quiet jungle. The lion sleeps tonight."
They both started mimicking the moves that The Tone Commandments had done on stage as they sang together. "A-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh, a-weema-weh"
When the four singers began to applause, both informal singers spun around, embarrassed at their audience. Chloe ran forward to throw her arms around Beca's neck. The shorter woman instinctively stiffened before she realized this was Chloe and relaxed into the embrace. "You can sing!" The redhead announced.
"Naw, we were just goofing off." Beca eased away from the hug and pushed back to look at Chloe who had a broad smile on her face.
"I thought you'd left." Her lower lip jutted out in a fake pout.
"Surprise." Beca threw her hands up. She pulled out the chair next to hers and motioned for Chloe to sit. "That'd be kind of silly for us to schlep all the way out here to the Bronx then just leave. Don't you think?" She grinned at Chloe as she reached for one of the celebratory bottles of wine which was waiting for the group.
Stacie looked at Aubrey who was visibly nervous. "Hi." Aubrey gave a small smile. "You guys were great!" Since Ashley and Jessica had already claimed their chairs, Aubrey had no choice but to sit between her best friend and Stacie. Stacie had promised Beca to not scare the woman off, so she was on her best behavior.
After Beca poured wine all around, the woman toasted to The Tone Commandant's victory. Jessica reached over the table to snag the other bottle of wine. "And next year, we are going to win because we have found two more ringers for our team. She motioned to Stacie and Beca.
Stacie waved her hands in front of her face. "Oh no. No, no, no, no. This girl doesn't sing. We were just goofing off. Y'all's set was just so catchy. Loved it. But synchronized nerd singing is not for me."
The table's conversation was all over the map – sometimes pairs of people isolated themselves from the group and with others it was all six women trying to talk over each other. Beca tried to stay involved in the discussion, but honestly there was only one thing occupying her mind, touching Chloe. She was dying to reach out for the redhead's hand but was terrified of how Chloe would react in front of her friends.
When Chloe reached for Beca's hand beneath the table, interlacing their fingers, the brunette felt that familiar shock as what could only be described as happiness flowed through her arm to the rest of her body. The redhead leaned over and whispered in the project manager's ear. "I think we need to talk."
Beca's eyes widened as she began to sweat nervously. "Ummm, okay. Did I do something wrong?"
"Absolutely not cutie pie. I don't believe that's in your DNA." Chloe's lips were brushing right up against Beca's ears. That touch coupled with their hand holding virtually short circuited Beca's brain.
"Chloe?" Aubrey broke the trance between the two. Chloe leaned away from Beca's ear but kept holding on to her hand. "You know it's not nice to keep secrets."
The redhead snickered. "Secrets? I think everyone here at this table is guilty of that." She used her other hand to point at Ashley, Jessica, Aubrey, and even Stacie. At the walk-through the previous evening, Chloe had cornered her friends and found out what all they had done in the information sharing.
Stacie leaned into the center of the table like she was about to share something monumental. "I have a secret for you Chloe. Whisper into her ear again, and you'll probably fry my best friend's brain."
A/N: In this particular forum, authors don't get a lot of chances to thank those who read and comment on their works. Because of the time of year, I wanted to take a few moments and let you know I'm thankful for each and every one of who reads my works. Double thanks to those of you who take the time to leave a supportive review. I appreciate all of you.
For those of you who celebrate this crazy American tradition, Happy Gobble Gobble Day
AmyP91402: Thanks for your continued support through all this. Your reviews are great.
Credence: I don't know if I could write Steca, but hey – you never know. Maybe my next story…
AntiqueSoul83: Hope I captured the island enough for you. Beca may go back even. We all need a vacation.
Guest A: I love your comments! Aubrey will chill soon enough.
Just another writer 123: Keep those comments coming!
Lasleonas007: Thanks for the back-up that I didn't "steal" the plot. It's appreciated
Southamerica5: I love your excitement and I'm super glad Stacie makes you laugh. And re-reading your review on Ch 6 totally grabs me!