After her Wicked audition, Rachel became practically glue to her cell phone. She always kept it on the counter while she showered and right beside her pillow when she slept. She and her cell phone were like two peas in a pod. They did everything together. She knew that she couldn't miss the phone call from Will.

Wednesday morning, the day after her audition, she and Olivia were sitting on the couch watching some TV together. Not for anything business related, just hanging out. An activity they rarely did together.

"So, you really think they should be calling soon?" Rachel asked Olivia as she twirled her phone in her hands.

"I would assume so," Olivia responded. "Apparently they were almost certain on who they wanted to play the part, all they had to do was decide between you and the other girl. Will moves fast. Shouldn't take him too long."

Rachel nodded her head, glancing at her phone screen for the thousandth time that morning. Still, no call from Will.

"Okay," Olivia said with an exhausted sigh, forcing Rachel to tear her eyes away from her phone screen. "You shouldn't be isolated in here all day staring at your phone screen. You need to get out."

"And what do you suggest I do?" Rachel asked, honestly not in the mood to spend the whole day out with Olivia. She could only handle so much of her.

"There haven't been many recent pictures of you and Finn together, and we need to keep talk of the two of you out there," Olivia stated, "Want me to text Peter and see what Finn is up to today?"

Rachel smiled, really liking the sound of that idea, "Yeah, sure, I could go for a day out with Finn."

"Okay, I'll try to set something up," Olivia responded. She pulled out her phone and sent a quick text to Peter. "I heard that you went over to his parents' house for a party?"

Rachel nodded her head, "Yeah, it was a barbeque. It wasn't anything to promote our relationship, just to hang out, outside of work. It was really nice."

"That's nice," Olivia replied. "It's good for you two to really get to know each other. Good for interviews and stuff like that. You want your relationship to seem as real as possible. And plus, if an interviewer gets ahold of his mother for some reason, it'll be better if she actually knows you. It'll seem even more real."

"Yeah," Rachel said, "And it's not really just about this whole publicity thing. I actually really do like him." Olivia looked up at Rachel at her last phrase and Rachel quickly covered for herself, "As a friend, I mean."

"Right," Olivia said, clearly not convinced. "Peter just texted me back, he said that Finn can meet you for lunch at the diner on Fourth Street. Okay?"

Rachel nodded her head, "Yeah that sounds good. I'll go get a shower real quick and then I'll be ready to go."

"Okay," Olivia replied. "Hey, Rachel," she said, stopping Rachel before she went to her bedroom. "Are you sure you and Finn are really just friends, and only faking a relationship?"

Rachel nodded her head, "Yes. We're just friends."

"You know, it wouldn't be a bad thing if it turned into something real. Not just for your career's sake, but because it would be good for you," Olivia said honestly. "You've seemed much happier since you met him, and I think it's really nice."

Rachel smiled, "Thanks, but I don't think he sees me that way. I'm probably just the girl helping him climb the ladder to the top." She knew what Finn's mom had told him the other day, but she didn't want to get her hopes up. Maybe Finn did like her in that way, but he certainly hadn't realized it yet, and she couldn't just wait around for him to come to his senses.

"Don't give up hope so easily," Olivia told her, "and for the record, I've seen the way that boy looks at you. You are much more than just a helping hand."

"Thanks, Olivia," Rachel said. "I'm going to go and shower now." She turned around and walked into her bedroom, trying not to let Olivia's words get too much into her head.

"You do you," Olivia replied.

Rachel decided to walk to the diner that afternoon, because it wasn't a long walk at all from her building and because walking all alone to her lunch with Finn would most likely attract more attention, and the more attention the better.

Now that she had her foot in the door of Wicked, she needed to keep her name out there to get more people to come and see the show. This whole publicity thing wasn't just about getting the auditions, but also to keep her fans on her feet, always wanting to know what she planned to do next.

Rachel's plan didn't seem to be as effective as she thought it would, because as she walked down the streets of Manhattan, she saw no photographers. On the main strip of the city she was currently on, she assumed that they would be swarming around her as she walked. They even warmed her when she was just in town to pick up a carton of milk or something small like that.

After only a few more minutes of walking, the small diner came into view, and she saw Finn sitting alone at a circular table outside as he looked over a menu. She took a moment to admire him before she approached him, and also to scold herself for being so attracted to him.

Finn looked up from his menu when Rachel came into his line of sight, and a smile formed on his face. "Hey, Rachel."

God, even his voice was the sexiest thing she'd ever heard.

Snap out of it, Rachel.

"Hey, Finn!" she replied, "How are you today?"

"Much better now," he answered, making her blush. "I thought I was going to be spending a lazy day at home, but instead I get to spend my afternoon with you. Sounds like a good day to me."

"Same here," she said, picking up her own menu and looking over the options. "Have you decided what you plan on ordering yet?"

"It's a toss-up between a grilled chicken sandwich and a cheeseburger," he told her, looking down at his menu again. "I'm a big fan on classic burgers, but I've heard that they make really good chicken here."

Rachel nodded her head, "I've actually heard that too, but I don't eat meat. I think I'm just going to get the garden salad."

"You don't eat meat?" Finn questioned.

"No," Rachel replied, setting her menu at the edge of their table. "I'm a vegetarian. I used to be vegan in high school, but here in New York the vegan cuisine is fairly limited so I switched."

Before Finn could reply to her, the waitress came up their table. "Hey, my name is Sue and I'll be taking care of you today. Have you decided what you plan on ordering?"

Rachel smiled up at Sue, "I'll have the garden salad, please." She handed Sue he menu and turned to Finn.

"I think I've had enough of the same old, same old. I'll try something new. I'll have the grilled chicken sandwich," Finn said.

"That's a good choice," Sue said, taking his menu. "I'll get this right in for you."

Rachel smiled to Sue as she walked off before turning her attention to Finn. "You know what's weird?" She began, taking a sip from the glass of water in front of her.

"What's weird?" Finn asked.

"When I was walking here just now, I didn't see any paparazzi. It's not that I don't love spending time with you, but wasn't this whole arrangement to create buzz about us? Where is everyone?"

Finn nodded his head, "You know, I noticed that too when I came here. They're usually lurking around in every square inch of this city."

"Well, regardless whether or not we are photographed together today or not, I'm still happy I get to spend the day with you," Rachel said.

"Me too," Finn replied with a smile. He held up his glass to her, "To us."

Rachel tapped her glass against his, "To us." She took a sip of her water.

Rachel took the last bite of her salad just as Finn took the last bite of his sandwich. They both smiled, knowing that it was some of the best food they had in a while.

"This was seriously so good," Rachel commented, putting her fork and napkin back on the table.

"Agreed," Finn said. "Going with the chicken was such a good choice. We're going to have to come here more often."

Rachel smiled slyly at him, "Are you asking me on another date, Finn Hudson?"

Finn chuckled, "As the fake boyfriend, I think it's my responsibility to take you on as many dates as possible."

Before Rachel could reply, Finn's phone chimed, indicating a new text message. He pulled the phone out of his pocket and read the message on the screen.

"It's Peter," Finn informed her. "He said that Marley Rose, the new lead actress in that show for Fox is in town. All the paparazzi are with her. That's why there's no one around."

"Oh," Rachel replied. "So there's basically a zero chance of a picture being snapped of us together all day?"

"Basically? Yes," Finn replied with a chuckle. "But whatever, it doesn't matter, I'm still having a good day with you." He took a sip of his water. "So, how'd the audition go?"

Rachel's face lit up at the mention of her audition, "Very well. I'm waiting for the call now to see whether I got it or not."

"Cool," Finn said with a smile. "But isn't it usually a while before you get the call on whether or not you got the part?"

"In most cases, yes, but because I auditioned so late and they already had most of the cast picked out already, we're expecting them to be fairly quick about it," Rachel explained.

"I wouldn't worry too much about getting the call," Finn told her. "You're going to get it. I'm sure of it."

Rachel smiled, "Thanks Finn." She suddenly heard her cell phone ringing from her back pocket. "That's probably Olivia calling to tell me about the whole Marley thing." She held her phone out in front of her, her eyes widening as she read the name displayed on the screen. "Finn," she stammered, "It's Will. It's the director."

Finn's eyes lit up, "Answer it!"

Rachel nodded her head, and excused herself from the table, walking away and answering the phone. "Hello?"

"Rachel, hello," Will's voice came through the phone. "How are you?"

"I'm doing well," Rachel said, pacing around the area anxiously. "How are you?"

"I've been having a pretty good day," Will answered. "I just decided on my cast list for the show, so I'm pretty excited about that."

"Oh," Rachel replied, wishing the small talk was over with and that he would just tell her why he called already. "I'm sure who you picked is an excellent choice."

"Well, I'm sure you would think so," Will replied. "Rachel, I'm calling to tell you that you received the part for Elphaba."

"Really?" Rachel asked excitedly, her face breaking out into a wide smile. "That's fantastic news! Thank you so, so much."

"Of course, Rachel. We absolutely loved your audition, and are confident you will make an excellent addition to our cast," Will said. "Rehearsals start on Monday. You will shortly be receiving an email with all the necessary information."

"Okay, thanks again," Rachel replied. "I guess I'll see you on Monday then."

"Yes, we will be seeing you then," Will replied. "Goodbye, Rachel."

"Bye," she said before hanging up the phone. She turned around and hurried back over to Finn, who was anxiously waiting to hear the good news.

"So?" Finn asked her when she reached him. "What did he have to say?"

"I got the part!" Rachel squealed.

"Really? That's amazing!" Finn said, returning her enthusiasm. He opened his arms, and allowed her to jump into them for a hug.

Rachel wrapped her arms around his neck, and let him spin her around several times. As soon as the hug ended, she pulled her head back, and without thinking she impulsively pressed her lips against his. As soon as she felt his lips tense up against hers, reality washed over her and she immediately tore herself away from his embrace.

"Rachel," he said with an awkward chuckle, "There's no cameras around."

"Yes," she said nervously, "I must have forgotten." She looked up into his eyes, and knew that he knew the kiss was real. Crap. "I really should get going. I need to tell Olivia about the part." She quickly gathered her things from the table.

"Rachel, wait," Finn said, still trying to process what was happening.

"I'm sorry Finn, but I have to go." Rachel held her purse to her side, and hurried out to the side of the street, lifting her arm to signal a taxi.

Just before she climbed into the taxi, she sent Finn once last glance, taking in his shocked expression.

What had she done?

Review :)

I wanted to have this chapter up hours ago, but the site was down :/ oh well, its up now :)