Beca walked into the familiar building and headed straight for the bar. She and The Bunker went way back. It had been one of the first places she ever gigged after moving to the city and she had always loved it. It was moderately sized; not cramped but also not as massive as the clubs. It always had a wonderful ambience about it. The downstairs bar had a few pool tables to the side and a small dance floor at the back which was empty at the minute but would no doubt be packed come the end of the night.
"Becky!" Luke, the bar owner, greeted her as she perched herself on a bar stool. She rolled her eyes at his persistent mispronunciation of her name.
"Hey Luke!"
"Everything is all set upstairs," he informed her with a grin. "Do you want a drink while you wait for your lady?"
"Yes!" She answered quickly, thinking drowning the butterflies in her stomach in alcohol seemed like a great idea. "Give me a beer please."
"So how have you been?" she asked taking a sip from the bottle he just handed her, relishing the feeling of the cool crisp liquid sliding down her throat.
"I own one of the hottest bars in town and I look like this," he motioned towards his face and body with his hands, "so life's pretty good."
Beca laughed. She'd known Luke for years and in all those years he hadn't changed. He had a cocky nature that his chiseled bone structure and British accent allowed him to get away with but underneath all that she knew underneath all that he was a pretty good guy. He always gave her a gig when she needed one and it was through a friend of his that she had gotten her job at the record company that led to her success.
"What about you? I haven't seen you in ages," he asked, giving her a friendly smile.
"Yeah, I've been busy," she nodded. This was partially true. She had been very busy at work lately but the other reason she hadn't been around was because she'd lost the taste for the party lifestyle.
"Not too busy to get yourself a date," he threw back with an impressed grin. "You're putting in some effort tonight; she must be a pretty special girl."
"That she is," Beca nodded, a smile creeping over her face at the thought of Chloe.
"Well, tell your old friend Lukey about her then," he pressed, wanting to know more about the girl his friend was going to all this trouble for.
"Her name is Chloe and she...is the redhead who just walked in," Beca said, glimpsing Chloe from the corner of the bar. She turned to face the redhead and she would swear that her heart did an actual flip inside her chest at the sight of the teacher.
Chloe Beale was a gorgeous woman; Beca had noticed that much when she stepped into her classroom those few weeks ago. The beautiful auburn tint of her hair, the bright baby blue eyes and that dazzling smile had capture her attention immediately but tonight Chloe Beale was something else. She was dressed to kill in tight black jeans and a shirt that looked like it had been made to specifically match the colour of her eyes. Her hair, which until now Beca had only seen tied up or pinned back, flowed in loose curls around her face, she looked incredible and it made Beca grateful that Stacie had helped her get ready.
"Shit!" Luke muttered his own appreciation of Chloe's beauty to which Beca responded with a cocky smirk.
"Hey you made it," she greeted her date brightly.
"Of course," Chloe chuckled lightly.
"Don't be rude Becky, introduce your friend," Luke interrupted, grinning broadly at the annoyed glare Beca was giving him.
"Yeah, I don't think so Luke," she scoffed. She placed her hand on Chloe's lower back and led her away from the bar and towards the stairs.
"Friend of yours?" Chloe smirked.
"That's Luke, and if you remember me telling you about him you will know why we walked away," she rolled her eyes.
"I remember," Chloe nodded.
Upstairs housed The Bunker's cocktail bar; a smaller, quieter venue than downstairs. A bar specifically set up for cocktail making ran along the back wall with cosy booths along the left hand side and small tables scattered around the room. The right hand wall was actually just a railing that overlooked downstairs but a heavy curtain had been pulled across blocking it from view. The bar was empty safe for the blonde bar tender standing waiting to take their order. Beca led Chloe to take a seat in one of the booths and handed her a cocktail menu.
"So Miss Beale, what's your poison?" She asked with a grin. She could hardly believe this was happening. Chloe had turned up; this date was actually happening.
"Hmm," she hummed thoughtfully as she browsed the drinks list. "What would you recommend Miss Mitchell?"
Beca smiled at Chloe's response. She might be dense and oblivious but she was at least 60% sure that the redhead was using a flirty tone.
"Well I am a whiskey sours kind of girl, but for you I'm thinking," she paused, her eyes roaming Chloe's features, pulling her teeth over her bottom lip as she considered the options; an action which almost stopped Chloe's heart. "Peach Bellini!"
"I guess I'll try that then," Chloe nodded, still trying to regain her composure from where her mind went when Beca bit her lip.
"I'll be right back," Beca smiled, she hadn't actually been able to stop smiling since Chloe walked into the bar, and headed towards the bar.
"Hey Beca!" The bartender greyed her brightly. "What'll it be?"
"Hey Jessica, could I have a whiskey sours and a peach Bellini please?"
"She's very pretty," Jessica remarked as she set about mixing the drinks. "I can see why you're pulling out all the stops!"
"Thanks!" Beca chuckled, although she believed pretty might be an understatement; they would probably have to invent a new word to accurately describe the attractiveness of Chloe Beale.
Back in the booth Chloe watched as Beca chatted to the bar tender. She allowed her eyes to rake over the brunette's body, taking in everything from the black heels, to the ripped jeans and cropped top that showed just enough skin to drive Chloe wild, to the flawless hair and make up; she looked amazing. It reminded Chloe of the Beca she had seen in the magazine. Feeling she was being watched Beca looked over her shoulder and smiled at Chloe. The redhead didn't look away.
"See something you like?" the brunette said teasingly, raising an eyebrow when she returned with the drinks.
"Definitely," Chloe replied with a seductive pout that brought a faint blush to Beca's neck and left her fumbling for a response.
"So tell me something about yourself Beca," she smiled. She wanted to get to know the brunette better, she wanted to know everything about her, what she likes, what she hates, what makes her tick; everything.
"What do you want to know?" Beca chuckled, toying with the muddler in her drink. "Because I'm pretty sure all of my basic information can be found somewhere on Google."
"I didn't look," Chloe replied simply. Which was true. After that cursory check when she found out Beca was actually a famous producer she hadn't read any further.
"Really?" Beca looked slightly taken aback. She was used to people knowing about her. Usually that was why they wanted to go out with her, because she was DJ BMitch. It was one of the main reasons she didn't date; people only ever seemed interested in the VIP parties and the red carpet events, they weren't interested in her.
"Yeah, I'd rather hear about it from you, Beca Mitchell," she smiled. "Although, full disclosure I have been on your Twitter. You're pretty funny."
"Oh so you were on my Twitter and you didn't even follow me?" Beca teased, feigning indignation.
"I thought I'd see how tonight went first before I made that kind of commitment," Chloe chuckled giving a one shoulder shrug. "How do you know I didn't follow you anyway?"
"I definitely would have noticed that," Beca said with a shy smile that Chloe returned.
"So I believe you were about to tell me all about Beca Mitchell," the redhead prompted, sipping her drink and settling into her seat.
Chloe listened with rapt attention as Beca told her about growing up in Portland and how she met Stacie in middle school. She laughed at a few choice stories of the brunette's misspent youth and smiled as Beca explained the decisions that brought the friends to the city. She could listen to this woman talk all night.
"So Stacie is an aerospace engineer?" Chloe asked, sounding suitably impressed. She knew the woman had a doctorate but she had no clue what it was in.
"Yeah, don't let the boobs fool you she's actually like crazy smart!" Beca nodded she was incredibly proud of her friends' success, even if she only understood half of what the brunette actually did.
"And you were actually in the room when Hailey was born?" Chloe referenced something Beca had mentioned earlier.
"Yeah," she grimaced as flashbacks of that fateful day filled her brain. Stacie had fallen pregnant after a one night stand and had no intention of contacting the father to let him know about the situation, not that she could even if she wanted to since they hadn't exchanged numbers. Stacie preferred her liaisons to mostly be no strings attached, she was too busy establishing herself in her field to maintain a relationship. "Stacie actually wanted me to cut the cord but no way in hell was I doing that."
The disgusted look on Beca's face had Chloe laughing and not for the first time in the producer's company.
"It's nice that you two are so close," she smiled.
"Yeah, Stacie's a pretty great friend," Beca nodded. "I kind of love her and that kid. Just don't tell her I said that."
"Well I think it's safe to say the feelings mutual," Chloe chuckled. "I've heard so many stories about the awesome Aunt Beca."
"Anyway that's more than enough about me," Beca insisted. "Why don't I get us another round and you can tell me all about yourself."
"Sounds great, except I think it's only fair I get to choose a drink for you this time," Chloe smiled and her eyes twinkled even in the dim light of the bar.
"Alright Beale, you're on. Impress me!" Beca smirked at the challenge.
"Oh I will," Chloe winked as she headed to the bar.
It was a good thing she walked away because that wink left Beca a sputtering mess at the table. She fought with herself to regain her composure and took a moment to congratulate herself on how well she had kept it together so far. The date seemed to be going well. She couldn't say for sure how Chloe felt, because she was especially dense when it came to reading signals aimed at her by interested parties, but she already knew she definitely wanted there to be a second date.
"What's this then?" Beca asked, accepting the drink bring handed to her that had pulled her from her thoughts.
"A dark and stormy," Chloe smiled. She didn't feel the need to mention that she had chosen the drink because when she read the name she immediately thought of the navy blue of the DJ's eyes.
"Nice choice!" She nodded over a sip of the drink. She had to give the redhead points for knowing not to order her anything fruity.
"Is it always this quiet up here?" she frowned, looking around the still empty cocktail bar. She assumed when they arrived that it had been empty because it was still a little early but she would have expected at least a few more people by now. Beca gave a small nervous laugh.
"No, it's usually really busy because they make awesome cocktails" she shook her head. Chloe opened her mouth to speak but Beca continued. "It's maybe empty tonight because it's technically closed. Well closed to other customers, at least."
Beca bit her lips together as she watched the confusion pull across Chloe's features; a cute little crease forming between her eyebrows that Beca had the strongest urge to kiss away.
"Then why are we-"
"Because I was maybe, possibly the one who asked Luke to keep it closed," she offered Chloe a shy smile.
"Why did you do that?" Chloe asked, some of the confusion had vanished from her face and she was smiling warmly at her date. Beca drew in a deep breath and blew it out, a faint pink tinting her cheeks.
"Because it gets really busy in here on a Saturday night and I used to DJ here a lot when I was starting out so there's almost always someone who will approach looking a picture or just wanting to talk to me and I didn't want our date being interrupted." she explained with a slight shrug. "Kind of wanted you all to myself."
"Beca," Chloe reached across the table and placed her hand gentle over Beca's wrist. "That's really sweet."
Beca attempted to shrug of the gesture; she hadn't wanted to make a big deal out of it. She just knew she didn't want anything disrupting her date with Chloe.
"No really," Chloe insisted, giving the smaller girl's arm a light squeeze. She couldn't believe the amount of effort Beca had put into their date. The idea that Beca who, in Chloe's eyes at least, could have anyone she wanted had gone through all this just to make sure they wouldn't be disturbed made her feel giddy. Not that she would have minded if Beca did have to speak to fans, she knew that came with the whole being out celebrity thing, but she was touched that Beca had wanted to give her her undivided attention. And she was also glad she didn't have to share the DJ. "I'm flattered you went to so much trouble."
"You're worth it," Beca's eyes widened when she realised her tongue had actually voice what was supposed to be an inside thought. The bright smile Chloe offered in response made her stomach flip though.
"Glad you think so," the redhead smiled shyly. Her heart was pounding at the idea that Beca might just be enjoying this date as much as she was.
"Anyway I believe I was promised a brief history of Chloe Beale with my drink," Beca pressed, hoping to both steer the conversation towards something that didn't make her cheeks flush and learn more about the teacher.
Chloe gave her a bright smile before launching into an abridged version of her life story. She told Beca about her family and where she grew up. She talked at length about how she'd always dreamed of being a teacher and why she loved her job. Beca watched, entranced by the passion in Chloe's voice as she spoke and the way her blue eyes sparkled with life. She laughed as Chloe told her all about her adventures in collegiate a capella and how she befriended Aubrey who remained her roommate to this day despite being a hot shot lawyer who could afford her own place.
"I guess she just likes the company," Chloe mused. She knew she certainly appreciated the companionship of her roommate.
The next round of drinks had them moving on from swapping life stories to discussing their likes and dislikes.
"What's your favourite movie?" Chloe ventured. Beca wrinkled her nose.
"I don't really like movies," she shrugged. She braced herself for the reaction; the reaction she always got when she disclosed this piece of information, the shock and confusion. Chloe bit her lip thoughtfully before she spoke.
"I don't like chocolate ice-cream," she offered and watched the look of confusion cross Beca's features. She chuckled. "It's something people think everyone should love. I love chocolate and I love ice-cream just not chocolate ice-cream."
Beca grinned widely at the teacher. She'd never had a reaction like that before, usually telling people she didn't like movies resulted in a lecture about why she was wrong. Chloe really was something else.
"So why don't you like movies?" The redhead posed without any judgement.
"It's not like I hate all movies, I just think most of them are horribly predictable and I get bored and fall asleep before the end," she explained.
"That's fair, I guess a lot of movies are kind of predictable," Chloe reasoned. "Guess I'm just a sucker for a happy ending."
"What kind of music do you like?" Beca asked, sipping her drink. It was kind of a loaded question; one that would give her more insight into the redhead than anything else she could ask. Music wasn't just Beca's job, it was her life. It was how she saw the world, how she expressed her emotions, knowing what kind of music Chloe liked would tell her everything.
"Well there's this one producer who is just like awesome," she grinned cheekily, eyes sparkling with playfulness. "I pretty much love everything she's done."
"Oh yeah? Anyone I might have heard of?" Beca smirked.
"I don't know, does the name DJ BMitch ring any bells?"
"I think I've heard of her," Beca deigned thoughtfulness. "I hear she's kind of over rated."
"Nope," Chloe shook her head. "I happen to have it on good authority that not only is she wonderfully talented but also actually quite sweet." She smiled innocently at Beca who could feel herself blushing at the compliment.
"And it doesn't hurt that's she's pretty damn hot too," Chloe remarked with a raise of her eyebrows and that seductive pout that Beca already knew would be her undoing and the brunette was blushing for completely different reasons.
"Ok while that's extremely flattering," Beca smirked. "What's the real answer?"
"It's a tough question," Chloe mused over the rim of her glass. "I like all kinds of music. I grew up with my mom playing Motown in the kitchen and dad playing classic rock in the car. Anything from the 90's is just loaded with nostalgia and there's no denying the catchy riff of today's top 40!"
Beca nodded, pleased by the answer because Chloe shared her varied taste in music.
"What about you DJ?" She fixed Beca with her bright eyes. "What does DJ BMitch listen to when she's not making hit records."
"I guess my answer is pretty similar to yours," she shrugged. "I have to listen to all kinds of music for work. I think part of the beauty of music is that even though it's so different it's all linked. Like the heavy bass of a rock song can give depth to a house track. The twangy riff of a country song could become the catchy hook of a pop song. Things that on paper shouldn't work can actually sound really good together."
"That's kind of beautiful!" Chloe murmured. She had been completely taken in by the unadulterated passion in Beca's voice when she talked about music. This woman really was incredible. In that moment she had thanked whatever twist of fate that had brought Hailey Conrad into her class, that had made Stacie unable to collect her daughter that day, that had allowed her to meet Beca Mitchell and led to them here on this date.
Their conversation continued easily, comfortably and Beca began to relax more around the teacher, even managed to drop a few flirty remarks without choking on her own words. Jessica kept them supplied with drinks as the din grew louder downstairs. Before they knew it Jessica was telling them it was last call.
"Wow already?" Chloe could hardly believe it, she'd barely noticed the almost 4 hours pass.
"I guess time flies," Beca chuckled.
They declined a final drink as Beca suggested heading out to grab a cab before it got too crazy put in the street. The producers hand felt burning hot on the small of Chloe's back as she led them down the stairs and out onto the street, pausing to wave goodbye to Luke who grinned at them from behind the bar. Their hands found each other as Beca hailed a cab and held the door open, allowing the redhead to climb inside first. The continued to hold hands as Chloe told the driver her address and they made their way through the streets. Beca was never one for physical contact, always the first to break away from hugs or shrug away if someone tried to hold her hand but she couldn't help but feel entirely comfortable with Chloe's hand in hers. She unconsciously rubbed slow circles on the smooth skin on the back of Chloe's hand as their conversation from inside the bar continued. All too soon the taxi pulled up in front of Chloe's apartment. Beca slipped to driver a twenty dollar bill and asked him to wait while she walked Chloe to her door; she wanted to end the date right and not with a strange cab driver watching in the rear view mirror.
"Thanks for tonight," Chloe smiled bashfully at Beca when they reached her door. "It was definitely one of the best dates I've ever been on."
"One of?" Beca smirked. "I'll have to try harder next time...that is, if you want there to be a next time."
"Oh I definitely want there to be a next time!" Chloe smiled at Beca's rambling. Her eyes flirting from Beca's eyes down to her lips, hoping the date was going to end with a a good night kiss.
"Good!" Beca murmured, realising where Chloe's gaze and fallen and feeling her own eyes drop to Chloe's lips. "That's really...good...I want there to be a-"
Before Beca could finish her sentence the small distance between the two of them disappeared and their lips pressed together. Neither could be sure who actually closed the gap, probably both of them. It was brief but it was more intoxicating than any of the cocktails they'd consumed that evening and it carried with it the promise of potential.
"Next time," Beca finished the thought that was interrupted and the pair looked at each other with matching face splitting smiles. "I should...I should go, I don't know how long that cabbie will wait for but text me or call me. I'd really like to see you again."
"Yeah," Chloe agreed, pulling her teeth over her bottom lip to get a handle on her uncontrollable smile. Seeing this Beca couldn't stop herself from leaning in and pressing her lips against Chloe's again even if only for a second.
"Text me and let me know you get home safe," Chloe all but whispered in Beca's ear as she wrapped her arms around the brunette and hugged her tightly.
"I will," Beca nodded when she broke away from the hug; she noted how she missed Chloe's embrace almost immediate, it was a strange feeling to her. "Goodnight Miss Beale!"
"Goodnight Beca Mitchell!"
Chloe watched Beca walk down the hallway and disappear out of sight before she pushed her key into lock and stepped inside her apartment. Once the door was closed behind her she released and excited squeal over everything that had just happened and how truly amazing the date had been.
Beca walked out of Chloe's building and back to the cab waiting to bring her home; she felt like she was floating the entire time.
A/N: So that was the date. I hope it lived up to expectation. It's been almost 6 years since I've been in a first date (don't feel bad it went really well lol) so hopefully this is ok.
Again I want to thank everyone for their favs and follows and of course the reviews because I love hearing what you guys think of this! :)
