A/N - My thanks as always to J :)
Hope everyone is having a great week!
.oOo. Chapter Thirty Five .oOo.
"So, how was your date last night?" Stacie asked the next morning, leaning over the kitchen counter and taking a sip of coffee at the same time.
"It wasn't a date," Chloe rolled her eyes as she poured herself a cup, wondering whether to wake Beca up, or leave her for a few more minutes. She knew Beca had a recording session with a prospective client that morning, but couldn't recall what time the meeting was. She spilled a little coffee as she again remembered Beca's passing shot to her the night before. It had left her awake half of the night mulling everything over, and definitely overthinking it all.
"Yeah, okay," Stacie mused, moving to pick up four rounds of toast as they popped out of the toaster, swiftly laying them out on the chopping board and cutting them into neat little triangles. She slipped a few triangles onto the three little plates on the kitchen counter, already adorned with a fruit medley, a boiled egg and a slice of bacon. "Is she joining us for breakfast?"
"I have no idea," Chloe said with a shrug.
"Girls, breakfast!" Stacie called out, a little louder than necessary.
"Well, if she wasn't awake before, she will be now," Chloe shook her head, and playfully slapped Stacie with the kitchen towel she'd just used to mop up her spill. She smiled as the three little girls came charging into the kitchen. Kate jumped up at Chloe, who caught her just in time.
"Well, I know who is full of beans this morning, don't I Miss Kate?" Chloe kissed her cheek.
"Me Mommy!" Kate cheerily said, wrapping her little arms around Chloe as far as they would go.
"Did you see if Beca was awake?" Chloe asked her.
"Mommy Beca is here?" Jessie's eyes went wide, and she looked around for her.
"Is she not in the living room?" Chloe questioned, setting Kate down on the floor.
"No Mommy," Alex shook her head.
"Huh?" Chloe looked over to Stacie who backed out of the kitchen to check for herself.
She came back, shaking her head. "Nope, she's not in there."
"Oh, okay," Chloe said as Stacie picked up the three plates and carried them over to the dining nook. "Go on girls, go get your breakfast."
She watched as Stacie settled them, and walked away, into the living room. The coffee table that had been slightly askew the night before was back into its normal position and there was definitely no Beca in sight. She turned, casting her eyes towards the window and sighed. Beca's car, originally parked under the large tree out of the front of the house, was gone. This fact brought her a surprising sense of disappointment.
Chloe was just about to head back into the kitchen to tell Stacie that Beca must have left for work early, when her phone buzzed in her pocket. Scooping it out, she quickly thumbed the screen.
"Hello."
"Chloe?" Beca's voice was a bit quiet and hesitant.
"Yes. Beca! Are you okay?" Chloe asked, suddenly quite worried for the petite brunette.
"I'm really sorry to call you," Beca's voice was slightly muffled on the other end. She was hard to understand.
Chloe adjusted the phone to see if she could hear better. "No need to apologise... where are you? It sounds like there are loads of cars around you."
"Yeah, I'm... I broke down... I mean, my car died on me this morning and I'm just past the on ramp on the I10."
"Oh my gosh, are you okay?" Chloe's concern was evident as her voice rose in pitch.
"Yeah," Beca sighed. "There was smoke coming out of the engine, so I pulled over," the frustration in Beca's voice was clear over the phone. "Thing is, I'm trying to get to an early recording session at Universal."
"Are you waiting for the tow truck?" Chloe asked, still concerned for Beca's safety.
"I don't have... um, yeah, I called them, and they'll be here in a few minutes, but they won't take me to... my meeting… it is in-"
"-Do you need me to come and pick you up?" Chloe's heart flipped as she suddenly realised that Beca had reached out to her for help. She crossed the hallway downstairs and opened the closet door.
"Would you mind? I asked Amy but she's... busy... I dunno, something about a car bumper... oh no, wait, that's the guy's name she was seeing. I'm only about three miles from the office but...the road isn't safe to walk on and... yeah, I'd really appreciate it. I'm happy to pay your gas for coming to get me."
"Don't be silly, it's okay. I can leave now. Where are you? Are you safe?" Chloe asked, slipping her feet into a pair of flats.
"Ummm-yeah… I'm on the shoulder, just past the on ramp. I'll drop you a location pin. Sorry about this."
"No need to apologise. I'll be there in about twenty minutes. Okay?" Chloe asked, walking back towards the kitchen to get her keys.
"Thank you, the tow truck just got here," Beca said, a sense of relief evident in her voice.
"Okay, stay safe," Chloe said, clearing the call and slipping her phone back in her pocket and picking up her keys. "Stacie, I've got-"
"-I heard, it's okay. Here..." Stacie handed her two travel mugs already filled with coffee. "She might need a shot of caffeine after all this."
"I honestly don't know what I'd do without you," Chloe said, taking the mugs. She leant forward and air kissed Stacies's cheek.
"Let's hope you don't find out!"
"Girls, Mommy will be back in a little while," Chloe called out as she left the room. Stacie followed her to the door. Suddenly she turned around, concern evident in her features. "Gosh, sorry, are you okay to wait here for a bit?"
"Yep," Stacie nodded.
"I won't be long," Chloe said, pulling open the door and heading towards her car at a decent pace.
"Go rescue your girl!" Stacie cackled, grinning as Chloe shook her head in mock annoyance. She closed the door and headed back to the girls.
Twenty minutes later Chloe was just joining the I10 when she saw Beca standing on the steep hillside just off the outer shoulder of the interstate, just as she said she would be. Chloe's heart went out to the petite woman, who was holding onto the guard rail with everything she had.
"Oh, poor baby..." Chloe whispered to herself, as she pulled up. She gave Beca a little wave as she slowed down, rolling just past her. Beca hopped over the rail and ran towards the car, quickly opening the door and jumping into the passenger seat.
"Thank you so much," she breathed out, looking all kinds of flustered. She was still wearing the clothes she'd worn to dinner the night before.
"Take a breath, it's all right, I got you," Chloe smiled as Beca buckled herself in, glad that she didn't have to help her with that, that morning. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, they took my car, and they'll call me later, I guess. Driver didn't look too optimistic."
"It'll all be okay," Chloe assured the younger woman. "Let's get you to work and we can worry about everything else later."
Beca nodded slowly.
"There's coffee in the cup holder for you, courtesy of Stacie," Chloe explained, as she pulled back into the traffic.
"Oh God, you're a lifesaver."
"You could have stayed for a cup this morning," Chloe said, a little plainer that she meant to. She was disappointed that Beca hadn't been around for breakfast.
"I woke up on your floor, couldn't figure out what was going on or where I was and I had to get to my meeting," Beca said, her throat a little hoarse. She swiped up the cup and took a healthy gulp, hissing slightly as the heat hit the back of her throat.
"You left without saying-"
"-I know, I'm sorry."
Chloe nodded, not really knowing why she felt a little hurt by Beca not being around in the morning. She didn't owe the redhead anything.
"Is everything all right with the tribe this morning?" Beca asked, after a couple of minutes of silence.
"Yes, they're good. They were in the middle of breakfast as I left with Stacie... or should that be Stackie?" Chloe chuckled.
"Stackie?" Beca asked in confusion.
"Isn't that what you called her last night?" Chloe asked in a more serious voice.
"Huh?"Beca was completely baffled.
"I think the margarita's got to you a little bit." Chloe said in a warm, gentle voice.
"Oh no…" Beca's eyes grew wide with shock. She stammered, "I'm not used to... please tell me... did I do anything stupid? My memory is a bit hazy and I'm absolutely hanging this morning."
Chloe pondered for a moment as she approached the exit she needed to take. She thought about teasing Beca a little, but seeing as the way her hands gripped the mug she was holding, and noticing the slight tremble she had going on, Chloe decided not to mention Beca requesting a good night kiss.
When Beca had asked, Chloe had just laughed and continued up the stairs, ignoring the singsong calling of her name a couple of times. She'd reached the top of the stairs and paused there for a moment, half hoping Beca would follow her, if nothing else, just to continue the playful nature of their banter.
"No, nothing stupid," she swallowed what she really wanted to say. "Just fell asleep in the car, and then on the living room floor, that was about it."
"Thank God..." Beca breathed into the coffee mug.
"But why on earth are you still wearing yesterday's clothes?"
"This is my only good outfit and I'm... I have nothing else to wear at the moment."
"Beca..."
"Don't 'Beca' me!" Beca groaned. "I can usually just wear jeans in the office, but some lawyers will be in the recording session today and I need to look like I mean business."
She looked down at herself as the caffeine helped clear her foggy brain. She sighed. "But I guess the wrinkled suit and shirt doesn't exactly inspire confidence, does it?"
"What time is your meeting?" Chloe asked as they turned onto Cloverfield Boulevard.
"Um, ten thirty," Beca said, a little sheepishly.
"Okay, so it's a little before eight now, so you've got some time."
"Yeah," Beca nodded before finishing the rest of the coffee. She was surprised Chloe wasn't questioning why she was getting to the office so early for her meeting. In truth, she remembered passing out on Chloe's floor the night before and didn't want to admit that it was just as pleasant as when she'd slept on her sofa a few weeks previously. There was something about Chloe's house that made her feel safe and comfortable, despite it being so large she also felt a little lost.
"Then will you let me take you somewhere first?"
"Where?" Beca asked quickly, and a little defensively.
"A friend of mine owns a boutique store on Montana Avenue."
"A friend of yours?" Beca asked suspiciously.
"Yes, she's not usually open 'til midday on a Monday but I know if I called her and explained the situation, she could meet us there and we can get you some new clothes."
"I don't need new clothes."
"Babe, you kinda do," Chloe reached over and pointed to a large stain on Beca's jacket lapel.
Beca tucked her chin into her chest, trying to focus on the green mark on her jacket. "What is that?"
"Looks a little like crayon to me. The girls were making the collages in the lounge yesterday, remember? We might not have picked up everything and you've slept on something overnight."
"Shit," Beca moaned as she tried picking at the dried mess.
"It's okay, we'll get it dry cleaned tomorrow and it'll be fine."
"I can't afford new clothes at the moment."
"Then I'll get you some new clothes and..." Chloe held up her hand as Beca opened her mouth to protest. "... you can pay me back later on. I'm just helping out right now, okay?"
"Why?" The underlying suspicion was clear in Beca's voice.
"I'm not going through this with you again." Chloe replied, her voice tight with exasperation. "Now, am I calling Estell?"
"I don't get why you want to help me when..." Beca started then paused when Chloe shot her a look. "... yes, okay. I mean, if it would make you happy."
"It would," Chloe beamed. "Grab my phone for me and look up her number please."
Beca reached into the tray in between the seats and pulled out Chloe's phone.
"Is there a code?" She asked as she tapped the screen, seeing a picture of all three girls as the background on the lock screen.
"No. Just swipe."
"Very trusting," Beca mused.
She swiped the screen and was surprised to see the homepage background was a picture of her and Chloe at the barbecue she'd hosted a few weeks ago. They were both laughing over something, and Chloe had her fingers wrapped tightly around Beca's arm. She was surprised to see herself on Chloe's phone but didn't say anything as she quickly opened up Chloe's contacts.
"It's Estell Winter," Chloe offered as Beca began scrolling through the list. She bypassed a couple of names that she recognised but made no comments until she got to the name Chloe had mentioned. "Just dial when you are ready."
"I'm not talking to her!" Beca looked horrified at the thought, brandishing the phone in Chloe's direction.
"No, I know!" Chloe laughed. "It'll link to the car."
"Oh yeah, right. Sorry..." Beca muttered, pressing the connect button. The phone rang a couple of times before it was picked up.
"Chloe, dahhhling, how are you?"
"Hello Estell," Chloe said politely, Beca noticed that the redhead was using her posh voice and tried not to laugh. "Long time, no speak."
"Well, my love, you are always such a busy girl these days," the dulcet tones of the boutique owner filtered out through the car speakers.
"I apologise for the early morning call," Chloe said, slightly hesitantly.
"Do you have time to meet for lunch today?" Estell asked.
"I'm sorry, not today Estell, I've got some work commitments, but I'll call you as soon as I can, it's been far too long."
"It has, my dear," Estell laughed airily. "So, what do I owe the pleasure today?"
"I am actually calling for a favour," Chloe began to explain. "I've got a friend who has a pretty big meeting today and she's had a terrible morning and had to have her car towed from the I10."
"Oh no, the poor mite," Estell said quickly and Beca wanted to gag.
"I know, right? But her clothes were ruined and-"
"-Say no more, Chloe love. What time can you be with me?" Estell asked.
"I'm just on Seventeenth Street now."
"I can be there in ten minutes?" Estell offered. "You can park at the back of the store. I won't be long."
"Thanks so much Estell, I appreciate it."
"No problem, see you soon."
"Bye Estell," Chloe ended the call and winked at Beca. "Sorted."
"So, she's just going to drop everything and come open her shop, just because you asked?" Beca's eyes went wide at the thought.
"Pretty much."
"She must be a good friend then, huh?"
"I mean, I've bought a few pieces from her before. She's discreet, very friendly-"
"-Yeah, I heard the 'dahhhling'!" Beca laughed, causing Chloe to giggle too.
"She's lovely. I won't say you'd like her, she's way too happy and shiny for you."
"Hey now!" Beca said playfully, the caffeine had well and truly kicked in.
They drove in silence the rest of the way and Beca messaged Luke to let her know she was running a little behind schedule. Nine times out of ten, she was in the office before he was and not that he would worry, but she was trying to be better at keeping in touch with everyone.
Chloe parked the car around the back of the store as Estell had suggested, checking in the small mirror to make sure she looked all right. Beca watched the interaction with interest, thinking to herself that it must be hard to always be on guard when out in public.
"So, tell me about this meeting you've got?" Chloe asked, snapping Beca out of the daydream she was just getting into.
"It's a prospective client," Beca confirmed.
"Is that all I get?" Chloe nudged Beca with her elbow.
"Um, no, I'm just..."
"If you can't tell me, that's fine."
"No, it's not that. Sorry, I'm still not used to anyone being interested in what I do," Beca clicked her tongue. She waited for Chloe to make a comment on that, but the redhead just tilted her head and waited for Beca to continue. "Um, so we've poached a client from Warner as the lead vocalist wanted a directional change, I guess. Have you heard of the band Twenty One Pilots?"
"Yes, of course!"
"Yeah, so I'm meeting with Tyler and Josh today, so we can see what we can do to get them excited about music again. Chris, the original drummer, has gone on to pursue other work and Nick, the bassist, decided to go back to school. So, Tyler got Josh on board and found me, through Kendrick Lamar of all people, and apparently liked what I do so here we are."
"That's amazing Beca, so your reputation is out there. You must be doing well."
"Hmm, trouble is, it's really tough in this business, it's pretty ruthless, much like yours, I expect."
"True," Chloe nodded.
"I need to find some new talent, get even the most basic album produced so that I'll be given another opportunity. I know I passed up something amazing a few days ago so this could be my only chance to impress the suits."
"And producing Twenty One Pilots new album isn't enough?" Chloe asked, quite interested.
"No, not really. They might not like my suggestions either," Beca smirked. "And that's okay."
"I'm sure they will. You are amazing."
"I don't know about that," Beca said, suddenly shy.
"I'm sure they wouldn't be bringing their lawyers if they weren't already interested."
"To get them out of their contract at Warner's, they've got to be more than a hundred percent sure about me. So, they are bringing their lawyers to talk to our guys so see what terms they can sort out. I've got to be on top of my game and right now, I'm in a dirty suit, I've not washed my hair and..." Beca pulled the sun visor down and peered at her face. "... my face is a mess."
"Your face isn't a mess, you look beautiful," Chloe commented. "We're sorting out some fresh clothes and-"
"-Oh fuuuuck!" Beca cried out, her voice full of sudden worry.
"What the-"
"-My laptop is still in my car! Fuck!" Beca groaned deeply. "It's got everything I need for today on it. My notes and my last-minute changes are all on there..."
"Does Luke have-"
"-yeah, I mean, most of it is backed up to the cloud, and a copy of it is on Universal's Sharepoint but not my latest... fuck, I didn't even think..."
"It's going to be okay," Chloe said in what she hoped was a reassuring tone. "I'm sure if you explained to them what's happened, they'll understand."
Beca sighed, knowing Chloe didn't really understand. She was on her last chance with the management team at Universal and this would have been the perfect opportunity to do something good and redeem herself a little. She knew if she didn't come up with the goods, as it were, she'd have to start looking for a new placement somewhere, possibly having to remain an intern for a little while.
"Where were they taking your car?" Chloe asked, seeing Beca struggle so much.
"Pico Boulevard," Beca answered.
"It's going to be okay," Chloe tried to comfort the brunette, when she didn't answer her. Beca just nodded in response. "Here's Estell. Let's get this part taken care of and get you to the office. You'll have enough time to sort out a backup of your notes."
"Yeah, okay," Beca said, a little glumly. Chloe squeezed her arm, before getting out of the car as Estell finished backing her car in. She gave a little wave as she switched the engine off.
"Come on Becs," Chloe encouraged Beca to get out of the car. Beca shook herself a little, remembering her manners and knowing this lady was giving up her morning to help her out.
"Yeah, coming," Beca slipped out of the car and walked to where Chloe was waiting.
"Chloe, my dahhhling!" Estell gushed as she strode forward, locking her own car with a careful flick of her wrist. She held out her arms to Chloe who hurried to hug her back.
"Estell, you look amazing!" Chloe enthused.
"Oh, this old thing, these are my housework clothes," Estell airily laughed, causing Beca to do a double take as the older woman looked dressed up to the nines.
"Please meet my friend," Chloe smiled, turning to Beca. "This is Beca, Beca, this is Estell."
"Nice to meet you," Beca said politely, stepping forward with her hand outstretched.
She squeaked loudly, to Chloe's amusement, as the boutique owner ignored her formal greeting and wrapped her arms around her, squeezed tightly. Beca eyeballed Chloe in a moment of panic.
"You are just the most precious thing I've seen in a long time," Estell proclaimed as she let Beca go. "It's my pleasure and a delight to meet you. A friend of Chloe's is a friend of mine."
"Yeah, cool," Beca rubbed her shoulder a little, checking for crushed bones.
"This way ladies," Estell announced, turning on her heel and raising her hand in the air, clicking her fingers.
Chloe slipped her hand in Beca's as they walked towards the back of the building. Beca didn't pull away, which surprised Chloe and only let go as she held the door open for the redhead, who followed Estell into the store.
"What are we looking for?" Estell asked.
"Business attire," Chloe answered when Beca didn't say anything. "Beca has a semi-formal meeting this morning and needs to look hot, and professional."
"Chloe..." Beca grimaced.
"Suit or dress?" Estell directed her question to Beca.
"Pants, please."
"You are a size four, yes?"
"Um, yeah," Beca drew back a little. "How did you know that?"
"It's my job to know my dear," Estell laughed lightly. "You are five foot two, correct?"
"Um, that's right."
Estell stood back for a second and looked Beca over, her eyes squinting slightly as she sized her up.
"Are you both okay if I leave you to run a quick errand?" Chloe asked, once Estell had turned away. The store owner waved her hand around signalling her agreement, but Beca shot Chloe a 'don't you dare leave me with this woman' look. Chloe leaned towards Beca, her breath tickling Beca's neck she was so close. "I'll be back in a few minutes, okay?"
Beca shot Chloe with another death glare but nodded and watched Chloe slip out of the back of the door, letting the door close with a sharp bang behind her.
"Here we go," Estell bustled around the corner, and nodded towards the large changing room to the side of the store. "Try these on."
She deftly began hanging outfits inside the room and switched on the soft lighting.
"I'll be right out here, if you need anything."
"Thank you," Beca said, hoping she sounded sincere enough.
"No problem," Estell patted her shoulder and turned away.
Beca locked and shut the door behind her, looking over the outfits that Estell had chosen. She rejected the pink, floral shirt immediately and the white pant suit, knowing it wasn't appropriate for the day's activities. She picked up a navy two piece that she thought might work and looked surprised at the cerulean blue dress hanging up behind that. Pondering what that might look like on her, she quickly slipped out of her jeans, jacket and shirt and unzipped the dress, slipping the soft material over her head.
Adjusting the garment around, she gasped as she looked in the mirror. The dress fitted her perfectly, as if it had been made for her. She zipped it up again, she twisted a couple more times to look at the back and wondered if she could get away with wearing it that day. She caught sight of the price tag and almost swallowed her tongue at the price.
"Seven hundred dollars, fuck no!" She hissed out in the small room. Quickly changing out of the dress, and into the more formal suit, complete with a fitted, thin striped shirt underneath, she once again surveyed the look in the mirror in front of her. It fitted her well but didn't have the jolt that the dress had given her. "More me."
Searching for the price tag, she baulked at that as well.
"Eleven hundred dollars, jeez..." She shook her head, undressed swiftly, and looked at the other items that Estell had placed in the room. She picked up the price tags before even looking at the style or colour.
"How are we getting on in there?" Estell asked, making Beca jump.
"Yeah, fine," Beca lied.
"How is the fit?"
"Perfect, yeah, all good," Beca answered, before breathing heavily a couple of times and finding the courage to ask the question she needed to ask. "Um, do you have a discount rack or um, a sale bin perhaps?"
"Chloe and I worked out a deal a long time ago, so I'm delighted to be able to offer you the same discount today," Estell said happily. "Just choose the pieces you like, pop them on and bring out the tags when you are ready."
"Thanks," Beca squeaked, knowing she likely couldn't afford any of it. She sat down on the small stool in the room and sat thinking about what to do. She knew she could get away with wearing her jeans to the meeting and the shirt she'd slept in as well, if she tucked it into her jeans to stretch out the wrinkles and creases. It wouldn't be the worst thing in the world.
She was in the changing room so long deliberating with herself that Estell was starting to get worried. She was quite relieved when Chloe made it back to the store, half an hour later, a little red faced but with her trademark smile in place.
"How's it going?" Chloe asked, as Estell answered the soft knocking on the back door.
"She's been in the fitting room for about half an hour. I didn't want to disturb her; she seems a little shy."
"Yes, she is," Chloe nodded. She knocked on the door. "Bec, are you okay in there?"
"Yeah," the small voice came back a moment later.
"Have you chosen anything?"
"Um, not yet."
"Can I come in?" Chloe asked.
"Perve," Beca called out, but Chloe heard the lock moving. "Yeah, come in."
Chloe pushed open the door and walked through, quickly closing it behind her. She tried to ignore Beca's lack of clothing and told herself that it was no different to seeing her in a bikini, as she had done over the weekend.
"Nothing fits?" Chloe asked.
"Yeah, it all does."
"Do you not like any of it?"
"No, I love most of it."
"Okay then," Chloe casually looked at her watch. "I know Universal's office isn't far, but time isn't on your side."
"I know," Beca groaned. "Look, I'll just wear my jeans and shirt, it doesn't really matter as I'm not likely to get this gig now."
"It does matter," Chloe looked at the clothing choices hanging up. "What about the navy suit? That's very you."
"I know, but it's so much money. And, before you say anything, I know you said you'd pay for it and I can pay you back but Chloe, it's eleven hundred dollars. My entire current wardrobe doesn't cost that."
"What about this dress?" Chloe asked, pointing to the first item Beca had tried on.
"I love it. It's amazing but it's seven hundred dollars."
"Put it on for me."
"Dude..."
"Dude nothing, hurry up," Chloe waved her hands around. Beca sighed, and pulled the dress off of the hanger again, dressing quickly under Chloe's gaze. Chloe stepped forward and zipped up the side zipper. She smoothed her hands down Beca's side, ignoring the light smattering of goosebumps that dotted the top of Beca's arms as she did so. "That looks amazing on you. You have to have this."
"I say again, seven hundred dollars!" Beca breathed out.
"I don't care, this fits you like it was made for you."
"I thought the same thing," Beca admitted.
"I'm sure we can work something out with Estell," Chloe smiled, nodding at the same time. "Try the jacket on with it."
Chloe reached for the navy jacket and held it out to Beca.
"It will make it a little more formal for your meeting," She offered as Beca took it from her, slipping it around her shoulders. "Shoes?"
Beca looked down to her boots in the corner of the room and shrugged.
"Hang on..." Chloe spun around and popped open the door, calling out to Estell. She stepped out of the room, giving Beca a chance to have a look in the mirror. She wasn't entirely unhappy about the reflected picture she saw. She turned when Chloe came back into the room. "Here you go."
"Heels?"
"Yup."
"How do you know what size feet I've got?" Beca asked curiously.
"I didn't. Estell made an educated guess."
"That's kind of freaky."
"Did she get it right?" Chloe's eyes sparkled as Beca slipped the shoes on, nodding as she stood up straight. "Obviously she did."
Beca looked at herself in the mirror again.
"You look really good Becs," Chloe commented again, standing behind Beca and adjusting the shoulders on her suit. "Come on, let's get you to this meeting. And... before you start, don't worry about the cost."
"I-"
"-Nope," Chloe put her finger up to her lips and shook her head, gathering up her purse and opening the door before Beca could say anything. Beca sighed, probably louder than she'd ever done so before, and gathered up her clothes. She followed Chloe a few moments later, finding her talking with Estell at the counter.
She approached cautiously.
"Wow Beca, that looks so much better on you than it does on the hanger," Estell smiled.
"Look, I-" Beca started.
"-Do you have the tags please?" Estell asked.
"Yeah but-"
"-Bec." Chloe interrupted softly.
Beca handed over the tags to Estell, who quickly tapped the codes into her cash register. She gulped when she saw the total was over two thousand dollars but nearly fell over when Estell began typing the codes in for a purse and matching messenger bag as well, taking the total up to almost three thousand dollars.
"I..." She started to say but stopped when Chloe stared at her.
"Is there anything else you need, my dear?" Estell said, nudging her head towards the messenger bag.
"A lottery win..." Beca faltered.
"I'll just put the discount in now ladies," Estell smiled, reaching into a drawer for a small notebook. "Chloe, how are those gorgeous girls of yours?"
"They are doing really well, exceptionally well, in fact."
"That's lovely. Such lovely girls," Estell pressed a couple more buttons on the cash register and Beca watched the total figure change to fourteen dollars and ninety two cents. "Cash or card?"
"Wait, what just happened?" Beca exclaimed, feeling herself warm up a little. She didn't want anyone's charity.
"Chloe and I go a long way back," Estell explained. "She bought a few pieces from me when she first moved out here and my humble little store picked up in popularity. Every time she wears something from this boutique, my profits increase by two and half thousand percent. It's the very least I can do."
"Estell calls me her advertising board," Chloe laughed, looking at the older lady with a twinkle in her eye.
"But I don't-"
"Unfortunately, I've still got to pay some taxes, or the IRS will get upset so I have to charge a little something," Estell explained.
"Yeah, I..." Beca started. "Thank you, so, so much. I can't... really, thank you."
"It's honestly no problem."
Beca reached into the pocket of her old jeans and fished out her wallet. Chloe made a motion as if for Beca to put her money away but Beca shook her head.
"You've done enough, I got this."
"Okay," Chloe agreed, turning to look around the store while Beca finished up the exchange.
"You are welcome back here anytime," Estell said, offering a bag for Beca to put her dirty clothes into. "I wish you every success for your meeting today."
"Thank you," Beca repeated. "I'll get Chloe to let you know how it goes."
"That would be wonderful," Estell clapped her hands together in a muted show of happiness.
"We'd best be going," Chloe said, a fixed smile on her face.
"Yes, of course. Chloe dear, we must have lunch soon," Estell called out.
"We will, I promise," Chloe said, leaning forward to hug Estell goodbye. "Ready Becs?"
"Yeah, think so. Gotta practice walking in these things," Beca laughed, lifting one foot off the floor a little. In truth, they were the comfiest things she'd ever put on her feet, but she'd only walked about ten yards or so in them so far. "It was really great to meet you Estell."
"And you Beca. Have a wonderful day."
Beca nodded her response and stepped away from the counter, giving Chloe the chance at a second hug and goodbye. She pulled open the door and stepped out into the small parking lot at the back of the store, holding the door open for Chloe who followed a little while after.
"Let's get you to your meeting," Chloe said kindly, unlocking the car.
"Thank you for bringing me here," Beca said sincerely. She was starting to realise that asking for help had its benefits.
"You are welcome," Chloe nodded, getting into the car. "Are there showers at the office you can use?"
"Yeah, there are some on the ground floor."
"Here, this might help..." Chloe reached onto the back seat as Beca fixed her seatbelt. She handed Beca a plastic bag.
"What's this?" Beca asked, before looking into it, finding some of her underwear and her toothbrush. "What the...?"
"Figured you might need to freshen up after your busy morning."
"You um, went through my underwear?" Beca side eyed Chloe. "Wait, how did you get these?"
"You said your car was towed onto Pico Boulevard, so I went down there, explained who I was and got a few things out of your car," Chloe explained.
"How did you... they just let you?"
"I signed a couple of autographs, took some selfies which I am sure are not flattering but yes, I hoodwinked them!"
"How'd you manage that?"
"They are called boobs Beca, you should try it sometime," Chloe laughed as Beca nearly swallowed her tongue. She reached into the back of the car again, and pulled out Beca's laptop bag. "And thought you might need this too."
"Oh! Thank you so much. Fuck, I think I'm gonna cry," Beca laugh cried as she took the bag from Chloe and unzipped it, touching her laptop to make sure it was real.
"No, no crying!" Chloe exclaimed.
"I'm so appreciative to you right now, I'm going to forget you touching my underwear," Beca's eyes were shining, small tears forming in the corners. "I thought my day was going to go so badly, but you've fixed it all."
Chloe shrugged her shoulders, pleased she'd made Beca happy.
"It's what friends do for each other," she said simply, starting the car and beginning to drive towards Beca's meeting.
"Then I am really glad to call you my friend," Beca said honestly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome Beca."
"Do you know how to get to Universal from here?" Beca asked.
"I do, I've been there to sign a contract before now."
"For the music group?"
"Yeah, I sang about two lines of a song in a movie at the start of my career, so had to sign a contract for that."
"Oh, okay," Beca nodded along.
"What time will you be done today?" Chloe asked.
"Um, I don't actually know."
"Do you want to call me when you are ready, and I'll come and pick you up?" Chloe offered.
"Yeah, I'm probably going to stay at Luke's for a couple of days until I can get my car back."
"Oh, I see."
"We can come into work together and it'll save you from wasting your time driving back and forth. I think I've got a few things at his anyway as I did a load of laundry there a few days ago."
Chloe tried to act as if she wasn't a little disappointed and nodded cheerfully.
"That makes sense," she said, forcing her voice to sound lighter.
"Not that I don't really appreciate what you've done for me today. I'll be around to look after the girls on Thursday as agreed as I'll just work from your place for a couple of days. I'll make arrangements for somewhere to stay before then-"
"-I have guest rooms," Chloe repeated.
"No, I know. It just feels weird."
"Weird?" Chloe questioned.
"Yeah, I wish I could explain it, but I can't. I haven't got time to get into it before I get out of the car."
"Okay, I understand," Chloe said, sounding the opposite. She pulled up on the kerb outside the Universal office. "Good luck today."
"Thanks," Beca grinned, grabbing at her bags and popping open the door. "See you soon, yeah?"
Chloe nodded and watched Beca already slipping into work mode as she shut the door to the car, gave Chloe a half wave with her free hand, and turned to walk as quickly as she could in heels towards the building.
.oOo.
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 18.06 - Long ass day but it went really, really, really well. Thanks for getting my shit together this morning, I owe you big time.
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 18.09 - Hi! That's great Beca, I'm so pleased for you. And you're welcome. Chloe x
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 19.01 - Will tell you all about it when I see you next. At Luke's now, we need to talk about our next step. Can you give the girls a kiss from me?
message from chloe.m, to beca.m - 19.03 - Of course, consider it done. Chloe x
message from beca.m, to chloe.m - 19.06 - Thx
Chloe was looking at her phone again as she returned to the kitchen from tucking the girls in for the night. This was the third time she had read the message chain.
"Is she okay?" Stacie asked, filling up a glass of wine with the bottle Chloe had on the kitchen counter and pushing it towards her.
"Yeah, she's at Luke's discussing their day," Chloe turned away so Stacie wouldn't see how disappointed she was.
"Why the long face?" Stacie asked and Chloe smirked. She should have known she couldn't hide anything from Stacie.
"Nothing, honestly."
Stacie cleared her throat as she took a seat at the dining table in the kitchen. "Are you pissed at her for not coming back here to tell you about her day?"
"No, not pissed. I'm just disappointed she doesn't want to," Chloe swiped up the glass in front of her and took a huge glug.
"I see."
"But she doesn't have to, does she? We're just friends, nothing more and she doesn't owe me anything. As much as I'd like to think there's more to it, there isn't. It's my fault for wanting more, expecting more from her when I shouldn't. I mean she texted me just now about her day... two months ago, that would have never happened. I just got way over my head involved with her life, and that's on me, isn't it?"
Stacie nodded, looking out over the backyard for a couple of minutes, giving Chloe time to compose herself.
"Want me to fix you something to eat?" Stacie asked.
"No, I'm not hungry. I might have a bath and go to bed early."
Stacie didn't like the look on her friend's face, "Chloe?"
"I'm okay, just got a busy week coming up and I want to be ready for it."
"Sure," Stacie said, not believing Chloe for one minute but knowing it wasn't her place to pass a comment on what Chloe had said. Stacie knew there was a time and place for everything. "I'll finish tidying up and get out of your hair."
"You don't have to," Chloe said kindly.
"I've got some more reading to do for school, so it's okay," Stacie walked over to the pile of papers on the kitchen island and began to sort through them.
"Leave that, I'll sort that tomorrow."
"It's okay, I don't mind," Stacie saw the look on Chloe's face and realised she needed to give Chloe some time alone. While they were friends, she technically was under Chloe's employment, not that Chloe treated her any differently to anyone else who came into her house but she recognised that she wanted her to go. "Yeah, I'll head out now."
"See you Wednesday?" Chloe asked.
"Yes, I'll be here for six to get the girls up," Stacie said brightly. She bent down and gave Chloe a quick hug. "Have a good evening."
"You too."
Chloe began leafing through the paperwork as Stace picked up her purse and headed out, leaving Chloe to her thoughts. As soon as Chloe heard the door shut, she burst into tears, scrunching up the papers in her hands as she tucked her chin into her chest.
Deep down, she believed what she had said to Stacie, that she knew Beca didn't owe her anything. They were working together on raising the girls and Beca was always there, for anything to do with the children. It was at times like this, and very rarely did it happen, that Chloe missed David.
She liked the idea of being in a relationship again, despite the grief that David had done to her. She knew she was quite taken with Beca, there was something that had intrigued her all of those years ago and it still did but she knew there was nothing coming back in her direction. She knew Beca didn't like her in the same way.
She wiped her eyes, knowing there was no point crying over something she couldn't fix. She knew was right when she said that money couldn't fix every little problem.
Shaking herself out of her little pity party, she topped up her wine glass, put the bottle back in the fridge and decided to leave the mess in the kitchen until the morning. She always liked to wake up to a tidy house but found, in that moment, that she didn't care enough to sort out the clutter.
She climbed the stairs, quietly pushed open the door to the girl's bedroom, saw that they were already fast asleep and pulled the door closed again. They had Tumble Tots the next morning and she always enjoyed taking them there and having a brief catch up with the other parents that went along. A couple were pretty star struck, but most of them treated her normally.
She entered her bedroom and went straight through to the bathroom, running the hot water tap in her bath straight away. She set the wine glass down on the edge of the bath and pulled open the cabinet to find her bath salts. Selecting the Mauli Himalayan Healing Salts that a travel company had sent her as a free gift, she tipped a generous amount into the bath and inhaled the delicate scent of lavender, sandalwood and jasmine as the water began to turn cloudy.
She swished the water with her hand to mix it all up and walked back into her dressing area and stripped off her clothes, throwing them into her hamper. She peered at her face in the oversized mirror she had above the sink, absentmindedly pulling at her skin and wondering if she was too young for plastic surgery. She reached into the cupboard under the sink and picked up her guilty pleasure; trashy magazines.
She stepped into the bath and switched off the water, gasping as she sat in the water that was too hot, even for her.
"Geez... wowser," she grimaced as the heat enveloped her, already making her feel better. She grabbed at her glass of wine, took a few sips gulp before setting it down, selecting the top magazine from her pile.
Leaning back into the hot water, she felt herself relax and her mind reset as she flicked through all the articles, knowing that ninety five percent of them were most likely untrue.
Two hours later, and three hot water top ups, Chloe was suitably wrinkled enough to get out of the tub. Feeling a little peckish and with no inclination to cook anything, she scooped up her phone and quickly placed a DoorDash order for a half sandwich, cup of soup and mixed green salad from Sweet Butter Kitchen. It was a place near Sherman Oaks that Aubrey had gotten her into a while back for no nonsense, easy food.
While waiting for it to be delivered, she quickly moisturised, spent five minutes plucking a few eyebrows and changed into her favourite pyjamas. She was just brushing her hair when she heard a knock on the door. Thinking Stacie must have left the gate open when she left earlier and the DoorDash delivery person had come straight up to the front door, she grabbed her dressing gown and ran down the stairs to get her food order, already deciding that she'd eat it in bed and watch some television at the same time.
She swiped up a couple of dollars from the dish on the small table by the front door, kept it there for exactly this reason, and pulled on the front door.
"Oh, you're not DoorDash..."
"No, but good evening Mrs Mitchem."
.oOo.
A/N - I know, I know, the cliff-hangers are annoying but I have to finish the chapter somewhere... ;)
Next update will be in a couple of days. Until then...