Just as she was rounding the corner to the lab, she heard Holly talking to someone on the phone. She had a smile in her voice which annoyed Gail because Holly only talked to her like that.
"So, I'll meet you at Marco's.."
Gail noisily cleared her throat which made Holly turn around. "I'll see you in about twenty minutes? great! talk to you soon." Holly hung up and looked at Gail. "Hey dork, I was just gonna call you. I'll probably be a little late tonight.."
"You could've told me earlier, I could have saved myself from making a trip up here." Gail interrupted her before she could finish.
"Well, you got to see my beautiful face. I'd say that was reward enough for getting your cute tushy up here."
"Don't flatter yourself nerd." Gail snorted " So who was that you were talking to? meeting someone at Marco's?"
"Oh yeah, that's the reason I'll be a bit late, got myself a hot date." Holly winked as she looped her arms around Gail's waist.
"Sure, fine. I just came by to drop your keys off. " Gail replied and removed Holly's arms from around her waist.
"But I thought you'll be staying over?"
"Nah..I've got stuff to do. Besides I've been practically spending the past two days at your place. I think we both need some space."
Holly was slightly taken aback by Gail's sudden shift in demeanor. Sure, she was used to Gail running hot n cold, but this time it kind of she was fooling herself in thinking this thing with Gail could lead to something. Maybe Gail was just trying her on for size and now that the novelty was kind of wearing off, she was bored.
"But Gail..." Holly started.
"So, I'll talk to you when I talk to you" and with that Gail was gone.
Holly stared at Gail's retreating figure and let out a groan of frustration.
Gail headed straight to the Penny, because what better way to calm your nerves than a few cold beers. She was downing her third bottle when she felt a loud thump on her back.
"Hey Peckster! What are you doing here?!" Oliver pretty much shouted in her ear.
"Ugh stop, you are giving me a headache!"
"Hold on..what's with the mopey face? I thought we said goodbye to your mopey face ever since Peckwart became a thing!"
"Peckwart?!"
"It's how I refer to my favourite couple! Peck + Stewart is Peckwart!" Oliver was clearly drunk, his voice getting louder
with each word.
"Gross! sounds like some sort of disease and besides we are not a couple."
"Ahh, so that's the reason for the sour mood. Trouble in paradise?"
"Go away Oliver! Give me some peace of mind."
"You see? This is why our friendship is so solid! You tell me to go away, I persist and you finally open up to me. So
spill it Peck. What's bothering you?"
"Ugh...it's just Holly.."
"Go on.."
"I will if you stop interrupting me!"
"Sorry, sorry..no more interrupting."
"Well, she's on this date.."
"But I thought you guys were dating? Please don't tell me I have to stop calling you guys Peckwart! I came up with that
name!"
"Yes, that's genius of you Oliver. But what did I say about interrupting?"
"Oops, sorry. I'll shut my mouth now."
"Thank you.." Gail drawled before continuing. "So Holly's on this date with this chick who chews like a horse and it is kinda, sorta my fault? I told her I was okay with us dating other people. Don't look at me like that! I know it's a pretty stupid thing to say..I don't know what I was thinking, I guess I wanted to prove a point or something. But I didn't really expect her to actually go out on a date."
"Well, what did you expect her to do sweetheart?"
"Maybe something along the lines of "No Gail, don't be silly! I only have eyes for you Gail. I think the sun shines out of your ass Gail. I don't wanna spend a day apart from you Gail!"
"Wow! that was a shitty impersonation of . She is not that high pitched." Oliver teased.
"You know what I mean.I am falling really hard for her and wanted to know if she felt the same. I admit it was a pretty stupid way of finding that out, and I realize now that I might have given her the wrong impression. But what I didn't expect was for her to jump at the chance of dating someone else. I was expecting more of a fight I guess.." Gail trailed away and banged her head on the table.
"Oh darlin... I know what you were trying to accomplish, but you realize that by saying you were fine with her dating other people that you probably gave her the impression that you were not serious about her."
"I know.."
"In all the time that I've known you, I've only seen you this heartbroken when that cafe down the road ran out of cheese puffs. That alone tells me that is a special lady and I for one would like for her to stick around to tame the Peckster. So you go out there, tell her how you feel and win her back!"
"But she's on a date..."
"Date, schmate! Are you going to let one lousy date stand in the way of potential happiness? I don't think so! Go get your woman!"
"Why are you so hyper?"
"Did you not hear a word I said Peck?"
"Okay..okay! I'm going!"
"That's my girl! Let me know how it goes champ." Oliver smiled as he gave her a pat on the back.
"Thank you." Gail leaned in and kissed his cheek before stepping out into the night.
Gail stepped into the restaurant, scanning the various couples before her eyes landed on Holly. Holly was talking to someone animatedly as she sipped her wine. Gail strode upto her and exclaimed, "Holly? hey!"
Holly stared at her blankly. "Gail..what are you, what are you doing here?"
"Oh I was just meeting a friend when I happened to see you! long time no see !"
"Ehh.."
She extended her hand towards Holly's date and looked at Holly. "Introduce us!"
"Oh right, Gail this is Leah and Leah this is Gail."
"Hey Leah!" Did Holly have a whole harem of women waiting to get their hands on her, Gail thought to herself and she flashed a sugary sweet smile at Leah. She pulled up a chair and joined them at the table. "So, what are we eating?"
- to be continued. As always, your reviews mean the world to me. I know the chapters are pretty short, but I'll make it up by coming up with a slightly long next chapter. Thank you for all the kind words, you guys seriously make my day! :)